8 New Mommy

Ace POV

I don’t think I’ve ever been this nervous in my life as we make our way through the pack house. Holding Olivia’s hand feels surreal. Like a dream I never thought I would get to have. Part of me is afraid I’m going to wake up and none of this will be real. The only reason I have no doubt it is are the tingles dancing on my palm. I still can’t believe the goddess gave me, a human, a mate. A twinge of guilt has me squeezing Olivia’s hand tighter.

She stops just outside the door that leads to the Beta floor. “First, we may not be fully bonded, but you’re not good at hiding your emotions. You have to stop feeling guilty. We can’t change the past. We can only move forward Ace. Second, we need to talk about what you are going to tell Della before we walk in there holding hands. I have no problem waiting to tell her we are mates until she gets used to me being around,” she says.

I step closer, invading her space but not touching her. “I will do my best to let myself off the hook for being an idot but its going to take time. As far as Della goes. She already wanted you to be her mother before I realized we were mates. Apparently, my daughter has more insight than I do. We will be walking in there with your hand in mine to tell our daughter that she gets to have her wish.”

Olivia’s eyes turn black and I smile. “My pup,” Danica says before she gives control back to Olivia. Before she can say anything else, I bring my lips down to hers. This time, I pull her body flush with mine as I move my lips against hers. Her body melts against mine and all I can think about is how amazing it’s going to feel when I make her mine completely. When she moans into my mouth, I know I have to break the kiss before I embarrass myself like a teenage boy.

I pull back and place a kiss on her nose. Her dazed look makes me smile. I’m glad to know I affect her as much as she affects me. The door to the Beta floor opens, startling us both. We both jump as if being caught by our parents for making out, but instead it’s my beautiful daughter. “Oli, I’ve been waiting for you. Aunt Rain made popcorn. Daddy, are you coming to our sleepover too,” she says, bouncing on the balls of her feet.

“Yep, Olivia invited me.” I scoop her up in my arms, hating that I had to let go of Olivia but needing to hug my pup. She lays her head on my chest and Olivia stares at us with a mix of hope and love in her eyes. I wrap my free arm around her waist and lead her inside. When Rain comes into view, she looks between us shock clearly written on her face. Her hand that was on her swollen belly now pointing between us.

“What is happening here,” she asks causing Della to pick up her head. “Is Kevin back from dealing with Collette so we can tell the three of you at once?” “He just linked me. They are dealing with Bart, but he didn’t really get into what that meant” Rain says. “That’s alright we’ll tell him when he gets back.” I set Della on her feet and crouch down so we are eye to eye. Olivia does the same.

“Della, do you remember how earlier you said you wanted Olivia to be your mommy?” “Of course, daddy. I have a good memory,” she says, like I’m being silly. I swear sometimes she acts like a teenager instead of a six-year-old. “Well, Olivia is daddy’s mate. The goddess chose her just for me and you.” Della looks between

us, her face giving nothing away at first, but then a huge smile crosses her face.

“Oli is going to be my new mommy,” she says, and my chest aches. How could anyone abandon this precious little girl? “If you want me to Della Bella. I would love to be your mommy,” Olivia says. Without warning, Della launches herself at Olivia, knocking her on her butt. She holds Della tight as tears streak down her cheeks.

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<28 New Mommy

The sound of sobbing draws my attention to Rain. “Damn pregnancy hormones,” she says, wiping her cheeks.

“I’m so happy for you both. You deserve each other. Oli, you owe me a story later about how all of this is possible,” she says, hands now on her hips. I chuckle while Olivia nods at her friend. “Now I’m sure you both want to get out of your fancy clothes. Oli, I laid out a pair of my pajamas for you, and I’ll grab something from Kevin’s clothes for you, Ace, while Oli showers. Unless you planned to do that together,” she says.

Olivia places her hands over Della’s ears. “Rain, little ears, you horn dog. Besides, the first time we are together, we won’t be with so many people underfoot,” she says, her cheeks the prettiest pink. I swear I’m going to need the coldest shower on the planet if she keeps blushing like that. “Alright, Della Bella, I’m going to go shower and get my PJs on. I won’t be long,” Olivia says. She presses a kiss on Della’s forehead before

she stands.

She looks at me and I don’t give her a chance to overthink things. I pull her in and give her a quick kiss. “I’ll be here when you get done.” She smiles, following Rain down the hallway and out of sight. “Daddy, is Oli really going to be my mommy now,” she asks, a tremble in her voice. I scoop her up, holding her close. I hate the pain she has had to endure at such a young age. “She is, sweet pea. She loves you very much already.”

“I love her to daddy. I’m glad she is my mommy now. Candace was a meanie like Collette,” she says. I don’t

think I’ve ever heard her call Candace by her name. “Well, you won’t have to see either of the meanies again. Now daddy is going to take a shower so we can have the best sleepover ever.” I press a kiss on her forehead

just as Rain steps back into the room. “You can use the bathroom in our room, Ace,” she says with a smirk.

I set Della on the couch and head toward the hallway. Rain grips my forearm as I start to pass her. “I’m glad

you both found each other, Ace. Olivia is strong, but the past still haunts her. She needs to know that she can

trust you with her heart. You need to let her love you the way a mate should. I love you both,” she says. I pull

her into a hug as much as her round belly will allow. “I love you too, Rain.”

I head down the hallway and into Rain and Kevin’s room. I smile when I see a pair of lounge pants and a tank

top. I head into the ensuite bathroom and strip out of my clothes. I wasn’t kidding about the cold shower. I

step under the spray that feels like ice water and wash in record time. When I step out, I dry just as quickly.

Once I’m dressed, I head out to the living room. My steps falter when I see Olivia in a pair of boy shorts and

tank top. F**k me, it’s going to be a long night. I notice her eyes roam over me.

I may not be a wolf, but I work out every day, and I’m in good shape. I’m just about to take the seat next to her

on the couch when I feel the nudge of the Alpha’s link in my mind. I wondered if it would work for me after

Connor took over, since I had to drink Xavier’s blood for it to work the first time. Xavier was actually shocked

it worked, but since my father was part of the pack he insisted we try joining me in the pack when I turned

eighteen.

“Ace, I’m sorry to bother you, but I need you at the hospital. Something is wrong with Amber, Candace’s

mother. “I’m on my way” I say, cutting the link. “Ace, were you just linking,” Olivia asks. “Yes, I can link with the

Alpha only. I’m not sure why it worked but I’m grateful it did. I need to go to the hospital.” I look at Della, who

looks worried. “Nana Amber isn’t feeling good. I have to go check on her. You stay here with mommy and

Aunt Rain.”

Goddess that felt like the most natural thing to call Olivia Della’s mom. “Rain can you keep Della. I want to go with Ace to offer help. Besides, I haven’t been in the pack hospital since the last time I was a patient,” she says. I go to open my mouth but close it when she is already sliding her sandals back on. I follow behind her, fighting back the groan at the way her a** looks in the f**king shorts.

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228 New Mommy

Get yourself under control Ace. Now is not the time to be ogling your mate. “Olivia, I appreciate you wanting to help, but you realize this is Candace’s mother I’m going to see. I do. I’ve been a nurse for over a year, Ace I’ve dealt with difficult patients. I can be professional no matter if she acts like her daughter or not she says, shocking me. She is a nurse. “I had no idea you were a nurse. I guess we have a lot to talk about, but that’s not what I meant.”

“Amber is the sweetest woman, I just meant it might be awkward for you and I wouldn’t want it to be.” “Ace if she is Della’s nana, then she is part of our family. We will have to be around each other. I would never hold her daughter’s actions against her, she says just as we step into the pack hospital. I spin her toward me, kissing her. Giggles have us breaking apart. Some of the nurses chatter as we approach the station.

“Which room did they put Amber Mangan in?” She is in room four Dr. Morris Ebony answers clearly irritated looking at Olivia. I pray she doesn’t say anything stupid to Olivia. She has asked me out several times since Candace left, and I’ve shot her down each time.

I grab Olivia’s hand and lead her toward room four. When I step inside, I smile seeing Connor and Becca sitting on each side of Amber’s bed. Connor looks toward Olivia and then at me. “Oli, I didn’t expect you to come” he says, looking at me like I’m nuts for bringing her. “Chill out Connor. Amber is Della nana and right now she is a patient who needs care. I’m here to help Ace.” Becca smiles before she pulls Olivia in for a hug.

I move to the bed and cringe when I see how frail my mother-in-law looks. She hasn’t been able to come to see us as much since Candace left, but she never looked like this. What the hell did that battard do to her? “Olivia, we are going to need blood work to start. Once we have the results, we will have a better idea if there is anything significant going on.” I show her where the supplies are, and she is quick and efficient at obtaining the blood. An hour later the results have me feeling sick. She has a significant level of wolfsbane in her blood.