~This chapter has an unedited version with a sexually explicit scene, which can be read on Wattpad in The Nitty Gritty which can be found on my profile~
Milo fell asleep on the way home. I was surprised he had made it to the car. The poor pup had been on edge for hours and the moment he was able to relax, he passed out.
"Subs are so weird," said Jedrek under his breath. "Do they all have that happen?"
Axil leaned into his mate's ear. "Be nice."
"I asked a question."
"One that would have hurt Milo's feelings. He's your only friend. Lose him and you're on your own."
Jed scoffed. "How do I lose you?" He glared out the window.
"Not happening, my adorable mate." Axil grabbed the red werewolf's chin and shook it playfully.
Jed slapped the beta's hand away.
With a yawn, Milo rolled onto his side and hid his face in my chest. He buried his nose in my fur and took a deep breath. I brushed back his head fur. He was so beautiful. I hoped if we had a girl, she would get Milo's coloring. A boy would have to have darker fur to appease the alpha. I tightened my hold on the sub. There was nothing anyone could do. Milo was my mate and no one was taking him from me.
"Are you going tomorrow?" asked Axil. "To the luncheon?"
"I didn't think I was invited."
"I'm inviting you. As my secretary, I want you there. The old alphas and betas will be having some sort of meeting. They're not going to waste the chance of having us all together. I'll need to give a report on my work and I'd prefer if you were there."
"Because you never read the reports I give you."
Jed scoffed. "Some beta you are."
Axil eyed him. "You are pushing it."
"When am I not," he said under his breath.
"Jedrek," the beta said firmly. "Enough." He faced me. "There will be subs there that Milo can talk with."
"I don't know." I glanced at the sleeping boy. "Tonight was hard on him."
"It's more casual. It'll be outdoors with fewer dominants around. The pup needs to get used to being around leadership. There are going to be more events in the future."
I sighed. "I'll ask him tomorrow. I'll go, but if he's too tired, I may leave him home."
Jed frowned and sunk down in his seat.
"You are going," said Axil. "So don't even ask."
***
(Milo)
I felt something moved and opened my eyes to see Collin getting out of bed. How did I get here? I looked around the bedroom, confused. The last thing I remember was the car. My eyes grew wide. Oh no, had I been that big of a mess that Collin had to carry me? Jed probably saw, too. I pulled the covers over my head.
The bed pressed down behind me. "How did you sleep?" My mate moved the blankets away from my face.
"Fine."
"What's wrong?"
"I've never been very strong or intimidating, but becoming a werewolf has made me pathetic."
"No, it hasn't." Collin laid on top of me. "You're stronger than any human now. You're just no longer obvious to the fact of what a dominant could actually do to you if they wanted. Humans have an idea but werewolf can actually sense it."
"Hmm... I still wish Jed hadn't seen. He's too highly ranked to get it."
"I'm higher than him and I get it." Collin nuzzled my cheek. "I have something to tell you that I think will make you feel better."
"What?" I rolled onto my back.
Collin smiled. "We have a pup on the way."
My muzzle fell open. "Really?"
He nodded. "You're going to be a dad."
My eyes started to burn. "This is for real, right?"
"In less than eight months we're going to have a pup of our own."
I kissed him and hugged my arms around his neck. "I'm so happy to hear that."
"I'm glad you didn't react like Jedrek," laughed Collin.
"I want one." Sitting up, I leaned into his chest. "Jedrek does, too. He doesn't want to admit it, though because it's what Axil wants."
"That sounds like Jed."
I peered up at him. "Our pups are going to be close in age. They can play together."
"I suppose, as long a the boy doesn't take after Jed." Collin touched the scars on his face. "Well, maybe not Axil, either. Axil's mother is a pretty nice woman. Maybe the pup can take after her."
Sitting up on my knees, I placed kisses around his face. "Thank you."
"There's nothing to thank me for, Milo."
"You choose me as a mate and now, I get to experience what it's like to be a dad. As a human, I didn't think I'd ever be allowed to have children."
He put his arms around me. "I never wanted to get mated. Mating meant being shipped off to Washington and most likely being forced to be with someone I didn't even like. You changed that and I have a feeling we're going to do a better job at raising our pup than my parents did me."
I smiled. "You turned okay."
"Did I?" He laid me down and climbed on top of me.
"Yes."
His hands roamed my body. "You turned out better."
***
Opening my eyes, I sat up and rubbed my shoulder. I let out a deep breath. That was refreshing. Stretching my arms overhead, I climbed out of bed and went to the bathroom. I shifted forms and stepped into the shower.
"Milo?"
"I'm in here."
Collin appeared at the end of the rock shower stall. "So how are you feeling?"
"Great." I scrubbed my hair.
He cleared his throat.
I glanced at my mate.
"There's a luncheon today."
I waited for him to continue.
"You don't have to go if you don't want too. The other dominants are bringing their mates but if it's too much, you can stay home."
With a sigh, I turned off the water. "Do I have to get dressed up?"
"No, this is a casual event."
"I'll go."
"You don't have to Milo, I mean it."
I let out a deep breath. "I can handle it. Besides, Jedrek would tease me about it if I didn't."
Collin arched a brow. "I can put a stop to that."
"Be nice to him." I hugged him as I passed to get a towel. "He's the only friend I have."
"What about me?"
"You're my mate. You're a special kind of friend." I dried off and scrubbed my hair.
Collin grumbled something under his breath. It sounds like he was the only friend I should need. I shifted to werewolf form and smoothed out my fur. Collin walked up behind me and draped his arms over my shoulders.
"Are you worried?"
"I don't like to see you so scared."
My shoulders sagged. Was I that embarrassing last night?
"I'll be okay." I smiled up at the dominant. "I'll have you there."
"Not the whole time. We're having a meeting. You'll be left with the other mates."
"Great!" I hugged his waist.
"Some are dominants. Not everyone mates a sub."
"But some do. Lette was really nice. I'll be okay getting to talk to him again."
Collin smoothed out my head fur. "Alright, if you think it's okay then so do I."
"I'll be fine." I stood on my tiptoes and kissed his cheek. "Don't worry."