Chapter 207


    Chapter 57: Theo


    A and I were trying desperately to hide our excitement throughout the entire dinner. As I looked


    around the table at my parents and


    Content bel0ngs to N?vel(D)r/a/ma.Org.


    Briggs and Mina, it was getting harder and harder not to just blurt it out. The fact that Mina had been


    eyeing A suspiciously all evening didn’t help. Thankfully, it was the end of the meal. I didn’t have to


    wait any longer.


    ‘Are you sure you don’t want to wait for Jimmy,‘ A linked me.


    ‘No, he said he likely wasn’t going to make it,‘ I said, disappointed. ‘But he insisted there was


    something important he had to do.‘


    ‘Okay,‘ she replied. ‘You ready?‘


    ‘Are you kidding?‘ I teased, throwing my arm around her shoulder.


    She elbowed me subtly before clearing her throat to get everyone’s attention.


    “So, Grace,” she said. “I’m afraid I have some bad news.’


    “Oh?” Mom replied, the atmosphere dropping slightly.


    ”


    “You know the dress we had picked out for the ceremony?” A stated. “Well, I think we’re going to


    have to return it. I don’t think the style is going to be appropriate anymore.”


    “Honey, what are you talking about?” Mom said, not catching on that she was trying to tell her


    something else. “The dress looks stunning on you. It’s perfect.”


    “Now, perhaps,” A continued. “But I think I need something that will be a bit more…


    amodating.” She looked at me with a wry grin and I kissed her temple. “My figure isn’t going to be


    the same by the solstice. I’ll probably be a bit… rounder.”


    The room went silent for a moment as everyone let her words sink in. A huge smile slowly spread


    across Mina’s face.


    “I knew something was up,” she eximed. “You’re pregnant!”


    My mate and I looked at each other again, pure happiness flowing between us.


    “Yes,” A replied.


    Mina jumped up from her seat and was around the table in a


    nanosecond, hugging A tightly. My mother was covering her mouth as tears of joy began to well in


    her eyes. Briggs and my father were up and pping my back in congrattions. Over the next five to


    ten minutes, more smiles and embraces were exchanged than I had experienced since I didn’t know


    when.


    “Okay, Dad,” I said as he squeezed A happily. “Let’s not crush my mate and pup.”


    “I think the pup will be just fine, babe,” Aughed.


    I wrapped my arm around her waist and pulled her to me. Mom came up and grabbed her hands.


    “We’ll go back to the dress shop as soon first thing…”


    Suddenly, our door mmed open. We all turned to see Jimmy standing in the doorway, panting and


    looking disheveled.


    “We’ve got a problem,” he burst out.


    He looked back into the hall behind him, checking in all directions before shutting and locking the bolt


    beforeing in and copsing on the couch. He was wearing sweatpants and a T–shirt but no shoes.


    He must have shifted to get here. A rushed to get him a ss of water, handing it to him as he


    caught his breath.


    “What happened?” I insisted, feeling his anxiety.


    “I found a meeting,” he said. “I suspected a local group of having ties to the Waar Pak. Caught wind of


    a get–together happening tonight. So I showed up.”


    “And?”


    “Oh, it’s Waar Pak, alright,” he said. “They don’te out and im the name. At least not yet. Right


    now they are referring to themselves as Purists, but what they’re spouting is pure Waar Pak rhetoric.”


    “Did you get names?‘ I asked.


    Jimmy looked at me gravely. “Yeah,” he replied with a nod. “A few actually. Sarah Walport’s man, John,


    was there. I know you were worried about him. But… the real problem is the sheriff.”


    “What?” I hissed, my fists clenching in rage.


    Jimmy nodded in confirmation. “I got a good look before someone recognized me. I didn’t raise any


    gs at first. But someone voiced my loyalty to Luna and that caused some issues. Theo, they weren’t


    just trying to run me out of the meeting. If I hadn’t gotten away… well, I’m not sure exactly what they


    would have done with me, but it wouldn’t have been to just let me walk away. They’re nning


    something they want to keep secret. We need to move fast before they scatter.”


    I cursed as Briggs started mind–linking those we knew were loyal to us. I pulled my phone out of my


    pocket.


    “We need Randy here,” I said, dialing his contact.


    “Yeah?” he answered.


    “You somewhere private?” I asked


    “Hey, man,” he replied casually. “I’m not sure if I can but what’s the n?”


    He must have been in the field and couldn’t talk freely.


    “Just get here as soon as you can,” I said, keeping it vague.


    “Right, I’ll see you in the morning,” he replied before hanging up.


    By the time I hung up, Maggie was knocking at our door.


    “Maggie, you’re with us tonight.” I held A’s face in my hands. “I need you to stay here with my


    parents, babe. I don’t think they’re going to try anything tonight, but I’m not about to risk anything. Don’t


    leave the apartment.”


    “I’m not going anywhere,” she said, reaching up to kiss me. “Just be careful, please. You’re just as


    much a target as I am now.”


    “Don’t worry,” I said gently. “Nothing will keep me froming home to you both.”


    “The warriors are gathering outside the packhouse,” Briggs said, holding Mina to his chest. “They


    should all be there within the next fifteen minutes. We should get moving.”


    I nodded before turning back to Jimmy. “You still got some energy left in you?”


    “There’s no way in hell I’m sitting this one out if that’s what you’re


    asking,” he said, rising from the couch.


    “Good,” I said. I kissed A one more time, firmly and thoroughly. “I


    love you. Both of you.”


    She smiled gently. “I love you, too.”