Page 71 of Sold Rejected Mate

Phina is sitting in the bed, holding the little bundle, who has already stopped crying and is looking around eagerly, little eyes taking everything in. Xeran stands to the side like a guard dog, watching all of us with sharp eyes, even though he knows we’re all friends.

The effects of an alpha’s mate giving birth.

Nora pushes through us and walks right up to the bed, setting her book down and staring at the baby, looking between her new sibling and her parents with wide eyes.

“A boy,” Xeran says, his voice low, rough. “Holden Sorel.”

I glance at Lachlan, who is staring at the little bundle like it genuinely holds the key to his future. Maybe it does—this is what we’re going to be doing in just a few months. The pushing, the crying, and eventually, holding the baby.

As though he can read my thoughts, Lachlan loops his arm around my shoulders, draws me in close, and kisses me on the temple just as Nora sits in a chair and Xeran brings her baby brother around to her, settling the bundle in her lap.

“Oh, gods,” Nora says, which makes everyone else laugh.

Against my temple, Lachlan whispers, “I can’t wait for that to be us.”

And I know that he means it.

*****

THE END