“There might be another,” Ollie said slyly.
“Who?” Ronin’s papa looked around like he could divine it by sight.
“I'm not telling,” Ollie replied, while drawing two pinched fingers across his lips to show he had zipped them shut.
Ronin groaned behind him. “Don't get Papa started, please. He won't rest till he figures it out.”
“Damn right I won’t,” Dec said
Everyone chuckled, and Cole walked over and placed a kiss on Declan’s lips and handed him a beer.
Maddox spoke up. “Since there’s all this news going around,” he started, “and since this is a day to celebrate the ending of an old life and beginning of a new, we have something to share.”
He motioned to Zander and Phoenix, as well as himself.
“Well, then spill it,” Ronin said. “The anticipation is killing me.”
Ollie chuckled at his mate.
“We have decided that there’s really no point in leaving Wildwood.” Maddox looked around seeing how his words were being taken. “We never really felt like we had a place to land while working, so we thought that maybe Wildwood can give us a real home.”
“That is great news.” Ronin was the first to speak. “I’ll admit that it’s been nice having you guys around more.”
There were cheers around the living room, and Ollie's eyes wandered over to Jax again. He seemed quiet, and he moved away from where he was, but Ollie noticed that his friend's every move was being tracked.
Ollie got up from Ronin’s lap and walked over to Jax in the corner he’d ducked into. “Are you okay?”
Jax looked at him and nodded. “Actually, I’m better than I thought I’d be. When Ryder gave me the news that I was expecting, I wasn't sure how to feel.” Jax shook his head. “Scratch that, I was kind of mad, you know…” His friend shrugged. “But it was all meant to happen, I have to believe that. So, even though it was a lot to take in, and it will take some adjusting, it could all end up not so bad in the long run.” Jax’s gaze again landed on that certain someone he’d been eyeing since they walked in.
“And who knows, I might have already met my mate. I only hope they can accept this pup as part of the package.”
“Mmm,” Ollie said. “Care to share who?”
Jax smiled and there was a twinkling in his eyes. “Time will tell... because I won't.”
Ollie snorted, “Cheesy much?” His arm went around Jax’s shoulder and he added, “I have a feeling they will though.”
Oliver smiled. “So that means you’re sticking around here, right?”
Jax nodded. “I have nowhere else I’d rather be.”
Oliver looked over and caught Ronin’s eyes on him, and when their eyes met, his mate’s lips curved into a smile.
Love you, Ollie thought to Ronin, and his mate’s grin widened.
“Wildwood is a pretty special place.” Ollie sighed looking out at his new family. “You just never know what or who you might find here.”
Oliver meant it. He had never been happier, and he knew it was only going to get better for them.
The party started to break up at about ten in the evening, and everyone had left except for Ollie and Ronin. Ollie looked at Ronin, and he started to smile, but it ended on a yawn.
“My omega looks tired,” Ronin said. “Ready to get home?”
Ollie sighed. “I probably should.”
Roman stood up from the couch and then reached to help Devon up, too, who had been in that position most of the afternoon and evening. Roman was just about to pull Devon to his feet when Devon paused.
“Oh no…” Devon gasped.
“What’s wrong?” Ollie asked.
Devon looked up, his gaze going to each of them. “I think my water just broke.”
Roman slowly allowed Devon to sink back into the couch. “Are you sure?” he asked.
Devon nodded. “Pretty sure! Unless I just pissed my pants.”
Everyone’s eyes went to Devon’s crotch, and, sure enough, it was wet.
“Wow!” Ollie eyes widened.
Ronin shook his head. “We’re not going anywhere.” His mate grabbed his phone from his pocket and dialed, if Ollie had to guess, he would say Ryder.
“Hey, Ry, where are you?” Ronin glanced at Ollie, and then he looked over to where Roman was standing as still as a statue.
Although at the sound of Ronin speaking, he took Devon’s hand and began talking to him in a soft voice, reassuring him that everything was going to be okay.
“That’s great because you need to get your ass here, right away. Like now. Devon is in labor.” Ronin chuckled. “I know… holy fuck is right. Okay, yeah, we’ll see you then.”
Since he only heard Ronin’s end of the call, he wasn’t sure what was said even though he would have if he’d paid attention.
Ronin hung up and focused on Devon and Roman. “He’ll be here in a few. He’s not far away since he was at the Jenkin’s. Their youngest pup had a little fever.”
Roman nodded dumbly, and Ollie would bet he had no idea who Ronin was speaking of at that moment.
“Thank heavens for a doctor in the family,” Ollie said.
“Owwwwwwwooooooo…” Devon screamed, his face contorted in pain.
It made it quite evident that shit was getting real and that Devon was about to have his baby.
“Just breathe,” Roman’s voice was low and soothing, even as he looked at them panicked when Devon’s eyes were squeezed shut.
“You fucking breathe,” Devon hissed between deep breaths. “This fucking hurts.”
Ollie's eyes widened at his friend's cursing.
“Maybe you shouldn’t be here,” Ronin whispered. “Give them some privacy, you know.”
He could also read that Ronin didn’t want him to freak out seeing Devon have his pup when he would have to go through the same thing soon.
Ollie took a deep breath, then shook his head. “I want to be here. I want to support them. I’m fine.” Okay, so maybe that wasn’t the best idea because seeing Devon in pain was, well, making him freak out…
“I’m really okay.” He figured if he said it out loud, it would be true.
“Ooooooo fuuckkkkkkkkk!” Devon screamed, his eyes bulging in his face.
“You’re doing great!” Roman praised, even though he’d seen him wince at how hard his hand was being squeezed.
“Shut the fuck up,” Devon snapped at Roman.
That got a chuckle out of Ollie, and Ronin glanced over to him. “You’re laughing because you’re gonna say that to me, right?”
Ollie snickered. “Maybe.”
Ronin laughed, and then they heard the door open, and Ryder appeared a moment later.
“Just in time.” Roman’s voice was filled with so much relief it was comical. “I think he’s about ready to have this thing.”
“This thing being your baby,” Ryder pointed out chuckling.
“Okay. So Devon, Roman is going to have to carry you into the bedroom.” Even as he spoke to Devon, Ryder gave Roman a get-to-it look.
Roman immediately put his arms under his mate and lifted him, walking him in the opposite direction of the kitchen to what Ollie assumed was a guest room.
Ryder looked at him and Ronin. “Ro, get me some towels and hot water. And Ollie, go up to the nursery and grab me a diaper.”
He nodded and went in the direction of the stairs that led to the nursery he’d helped Devon add finishing touches to over the last few weeks.
He turned the light on and grabbed everything quickly. It was pretty easy since Devon had the room super organized. He made his way downstairs quickly, although he took the stairs slowly since Ronin’s voice in his head telling him to be careful was ever present. This time, it was a memory and not through their bond.
Ollie walked into the room and found Devon already in position, knees bent with Roman behind him.
His eyes went down to Devon’s lower region, and he wished he could unsee what he’d just
seen.
“Oh crap.” Ollie swayed, and Ronin pulled him into his arms.
As much as he wanted to look away, he couldn’t take his eyes of Devon’s private area… yeah, Ollie wasn’t even sure what to call it right now.
Ollie and Ronin stayed back, but they watched it unfold. It was like seeing a video of someone falling down—you wanted to look away, but you couldn’t.
Roman was right behind Devon, supporting him as he pushed and praising him each time he did.
“You’re doing great, Devon,” Ryder praised. “I need you to give me one big push. I see the head already. Big one.”
“Ahhhhhhh!” Devon cried as he pushed with all of his might.
“Good job, Devon!” Ryder called out. Then they heard the sound of a baby crying.
Ollie felt the chills in his body as he experienced something he knew he would never forget. Ronin had his arms around him as they watched. Tears sprang into Ollie’s eyes, and he held onto Ronin's hand tighter, the overwhelming love in that room damn near bringing him to his knees.
Ollie leaned to the side so he could meet Ronin’s gaze and saw that he also had tears in his eyes.
“You both have a beautiful baby girl!” Ryder said.
“A girl?” Roman’s voice was filled with awe. They all watched as Ryder placed the squalling little human on Devon’s chest. His friend was both smiling and crying as he held his daughter for the first time.
Ryder placed the towel over the baby in Devon’s arms.
“Welcome to your family and pack, Madison Rochelle,” Roman said. “I’m your papa, and the amazing, strong guy holding you is daddy.”
“Madison,” Ronin spoke for the first time. “Thought it was just Rochelle.”
Roman looked down at his daughter in his mate’s arms and shook his head. “Maddie, that’s her name. I saw her and I knew.”
As Ollie watched Rome and Dev and heard sounds from the living room letting him know the rest of the family had shown up, he knew he was really home. Not only in Wildwood, but in his alpha’s arms.
About the Author
Since she was a little girl, Skye R. Richmond entertained herself with any book she could get her hands on. She has written for as long as she can remember, and now she finally gets to share some of those stories with other people.
She loves a good happily ever after because she believes love and light should touch everything. She is an obsessive reader and would never have considered writing if it wasn’t for all the authors who inspired her and the thousands of books she has devoured along the way.
When she’s not reading she’s caught up in all her guilty pleasure TV Shows. Or catching up with her sibs wherever they are in the world, which usually involves long distance calling. She’s an introvert who will take a night in before anything else.
Made in Nigeria and Raised in the UK she’s an interesting mix of both cultures and appreciates both equally.
Connect with Rheland on social media:
www.rhelandrichmond.com
Also by Skye R. Richmond
Billionaire Alphas
Unsuitable Omega
Undercover Omega
Temporary Omega
Unforgettable Omega
Whitfell Brothers
Malek
Malachi
Mikhail (Coming Soon)
Wildwood Mates
Safe In His Arms
Whole in His Arms (Coming Soon)
Writing As Rheland Richmond
Stories Of Us Series
A Family For Keeps
His Instant Family
Christmas For Keeps - A Stories Of Us Christmas
The Family We Make - A Stories Of Us Valentine
A Family Of His Own
His Reluctant Family (Coming Soon)
Amber Falls Series
Stranded With His Boss
Forever With His Boss (Coming Soon)
Home in His Arms Page 17
