Different brightly colored outfits were laid across the floor around me. My mother had also bought a large assortment of headbands and bows. Werewolves didn't wear clothing often but I'd have to say my little girl would be dawning each of these outfits at least once.
I picked one up and stuck a finger through the tail hole. "Where did you get all of these?"
"Collin asked me to pick some things out," said my mother, while glancing at my mate who was in the kitchen with Axil. "He won't admit it but I think he really wanted a girl. I've never seen a man so excited to pick out baby clothes."
Smiling to myself, I folded the outfit. "I can't wait to meet her."
"Me, too." She hugged me to her. "I'm going to be a grandmother much earlier than I expected."
Axil and Collin entered the living room and sat down on the couch. Somehow my siblings had convinced Jedrek to go upstairs. I could hear video game noises coming from above my head. I felt like my brother and sister felt comfortable around him compared to the two huge werewolves sitting in the living room. I hoped being around humans would help Jedrek relax as well.
"Look at all this." Axil motioned to the floor. "Do you plan on taking over another floor? Your apartment isn't going to be overflowing before the pup gets here."
"Hmm..." Collin eyed the man next to him. "I can do what I want with my daughter."
The beta laughed. "Look at you." He nudged his shoulder. "You've gotten the overprotective father role down already."
"Go away." Collin shoved Axil.
He laughed and leaned over his knees. "These are cute."
I started to fold them and put them in the bags.
"Can I ask you something, sir?" My mother sat up straight.
"Axil," said the beta. "You're Milo's family. There's no need to be proper."
"Axil." She swallowed hard. "At school, Liya and Carter—" She smoothed out the shirt on her lap.
I turned to her. Was something wrong?
"They tested well," said Axil. "I looked them up the other day. Both inherited the same gene as Milo."
My mother seemed to not know whether or not to be relieved by the news. "Will they be, well, marked by someone?"
Axil leaned back and let out a sigh. "It all depends on that little girl." He nodded to the stack of outfits. "Judah is very interested in what her capabilities will be. We'll be able to tell pretty quickly if we have a dominant or middle rank."
I swallowed hard. "It's hard to tell with girls. She could look like me."
Axil shrugged. "Heightened instincts are a perk of my rank. I can guess pretty easily. Members of the central pack have to come to Judah and me to receive their rank when they turned thirteen, and all it takes is meeting them once and I know."
Bowing my head, I stared at the items around me. "That's a lot of pressure to put on a baby."
"Sorry." Axil rubbed the back of his neck. "But the pack is always looking for ways to grow stronger."
"So—" my mother sat up straight. "If our little angel turns out to be a dominant, what does that mean for Carter and Liya?"
"Someone will stake a claim on them."
Collin lifted his chin. "I'm the head of this family. I get the final say, so I will make sure that Carter and Liya mates are someone they want to be with. They won't be mated off to just anyone. I will see to it."
"That's good to hear," said my mother.
My father looked concerned. "Could the alpha make the choice for them?"
Axil nodded. "He is the only one who could force a mating and Collin wouldn't be able to stop it. Neither would I. No matter what happens, I'm going to make sure they are both taken care of as a thank you for everyone you've done for my mate. I think he's enjoying being around humans and a family atmosphere. My family, well, they're not fond of Jed and he doesn't like them, either."
"He's welcome here any time," said my mother. She thought for a moment. "I never thought I'd see all of my children being mated by werewolves." She smiled. "It's a bit of relief. I won't have to worry about my grandchildren." My mom started to get teary-eyed. "Our family has been so blessed."
I put my arm around her and rocked back and forth.
She cleared her throat. "Sorry. I have a lot of emotions swirling around my head lately." Fanning her face, she stood. "I have something for Jed and you." She motioned to Axil. "I'll be right back."
"How has Jed been?" I asked. "He seems better."
Axil shifted his weight. "Hesitant is the word to describe it. He made it clear to me, he's done with rebels. He's finally realized that they're only going to hurt him. He saw what they did to the subs."
I froze at the comment.
"Not to mention what they did to him. In fact," the beta sat up, "he told me he'd rather focus on helping omegas and working conditions for humans. Jed wants to make the pack a better place, rather than trying to overthrow it."
I smiled. "That's great."
"I think I know someone who could help him." Axil winked at me.
Collin growled. "Don't you dare. Anything you have planned goes through me first."
Axil turned to my mate. "It's been my plan all along to have you oversee a new division in the pack. I mean who's better for the position that a dominant with a human-born sub for a mate. A cute one at that." He grinned at me. "I ran it by Milo when you were first mated and I think you're finally ready to work independently without me watching your every move."
My mouth fell open.
Collin grumbled under his breath. "You're such an obnoxious asshole. I've never worked with a lazier—"
"Here it is!" My mother returned and placed a box on the beta's lap. "A little something from the family."
Jedrek wandered down from upstairs. "Maria said she had something for us?" He glanced at the box.
Axil pulled his mate into the spot next to them and they opened the box together. It was a bouncer chair.
Jedrek smiled slightly. "Thank you. I'm sure he'll love it."
"The lady at the store said werewolf pups tend to be wiggling little things and they love to bounce in it."
"I'm sure our son will, too." Jedrek ran his hands over the picture.
"What are you naming him again?" asked my mother.
"Lincoln, but Lette for short," said Axil.
"Oh, that is so cute." She clasped her chest. "Like the founder's mate."
Jedrek pressed into his mate's side. "Do you have any ideas for a name?"
I shrugged. "We have a few options but we're not set on one yet. It'll be easier to figure out now that I know we're having a girl."
Axil put his arm around his mate. "Are you ready to go? You look tired."
Jed nodded.
Collin stretched out. "It's getting late. We better be going as well."
I finished up packing the clothing. Between my mate and I, we were able to carry everything.
"Bye." I gave my mom and dad a hug. "Bye, Liya, Carter! We're leaving now."
My little sister came racing down the steps. "You're going?"
"Yes, but we'll be back soon."
She hugged my side. "How long do we have to wait before the baby comes?"
I laughed. "It'll be a few months before she'll be born."
Liya sighed. "Don't take forever to come back."
"We won't. Bye, Carter." I waved to my brother who was standing on the stairs. "Good luck in school."
Carter nodded. "Thanks, bye."
We made our way to the car and put everything in the truck.
Collin slammed it shut. "I think that was exactly what we needed."
I glanced at Axil and Jedrek who were in the car in front of us. Jed was laughing. I think it was exactly what he needed as well.