“You’re aware you'll have to be her bitch for the next few weeks, right?” Walker cocked a brow, flicking his stare over before looking at the road again. “She's tired, grumpy, andheavilypregnant.”
A smile spread across my face. Other than the glance I’d gotten of her several months ago, I hadn't been able to see Hailey up close and personal. I could only imagine what she would look like with a baby bump.
And boy, had I been imagining.
“Yeah, I know. She’s entitled to it. So, this is where we’re living, huh?” I asked as we pulled up outside the large house.
It was bigger than I expected for a firefighter making civil-servant money. We all knew that the city didn’t exactly pay amazingly.
“It's Merrick’s house, yeah. He bought it several years ago, I guess, when it was run-down, and he slowly remodeled it. Hailey lived in a tiny apartment across town, so when your pack invaded, it made more sense for them to move here.”
“It feels so wrong that I haven't evenknownwhere my pack is living…” I trailed off, that familiar guilt washing through me.
“You've got all the time in the world with them now. Just be patient with them, especially Hailey. It hasn’t been easy on her.”
“Yeah…”
The knot in my stomach didn't ease up as I looked at the building. My pack members had a whole life behind those doors. A life I hadn't been privy to because of this job.
While I was glad I’d been able to do some good, it came at a tremendous personal cost. And I wasn’t done paying it yet, either. I knew that Hailey deserved some groveling.
Somehow, I’d need to make my pack understand that I wouldneverdo that again. Still, even if it took me showing up time and time again, I would do it.
“Want me to come in with you?” Walker asked, putting the car in park.
I shook my head. “Nah, I’m good. I need to face them myself.”
“I called Merrick and told him I was picking you up, so they should be expecting you. Hailey may already be asleep, though. From what Sunny's told me, she's been exhausted and taking a lot of naps.”
“Understood. I'll be sure to do whatever it takes to make sure she rests.”
Walker nodded approvingly. “Good. Now, go see your pack mates.”
It’d been so long since I'd been able to sit down and have a real conversation with any of my pack mates. As excited as I was to see Hailey, I was also thrilled at the idea of spending time with Nolan and Wilder again.
I’d missed them.
Anytime I walked away, there was a part of me that felt like it was missing out on everything, which I supposed was true.
“Thanks for the ride,” I said as I got out of the car and leaned down to nod at Walker.
He nodded back at me, putting the car back in drive so he could head home to his own omega.
Closing the car door, I made my way up to the front porch. Technically, this house was the pack house now, and yet, I felt like I had to knock on the door.
Logically, I understood why, but the tangle of anxiety in my stomach tightened uncomfortably nonetheless.
Usually, coming home from an extended job was easier. I’d had a definitive home before. Now? Well, I was rather listless. I didn't even know if the house in Seattle was still an option, but I had a feeling it wasn’t.
The fundamental building blocks of my pack’s life had all changed, and it was my own damned fault. So, I rapped my knuckles on the wood and waited.
The door opened a few moments later, and a large fucker appeared, standing there like a human mountain.
“I take it you're Merrick?” I asked, trying to go for casual.
“That's me. It's nice to officially meet you, Preston.” He stepped back, opening the door wider to let me in.
“Pres!” Wilder exclaimed when he saw me, darting over and wrapping his arms around me in a brotherly hug.