The Lycan King's Outcast Omega (by Cara Anderson) novel Chapter 189

"I know." I smile, pushing away the shadows that have no place in this sunlit moment. "Sometimes my mind just... wanders backward when it should be looking forward."

His kiss carries understanding deeper than words could express – he has his own memories, his own moments when past traumas surface despite our present joy. We've learned to recognize these moments in each other, to offer comfort without judgment, to acknowledge scars while celebrating healing that continues with each passing day.

"Speaking of looking forward," I say, deliberately shifting to a happier subject, "I've been meaning to tell you something."

His eyebrow raises at my tone, curiosity flowing through our connection. "Should I be concerned or excited?"

"Definitely excited." I take his hand, guiding it to rest against my abdomen where no physical change yet reveals the secret I've carried for weeks. "Alexander will have a sibling in about seven months."

Joy explodes through our bond with such force it momentarily steals my breath – pure, uncomplicated happiness flooding from him to me and back again in waves that wash away any lingering shadows from earlier thoughts. His arms tighten around me with careful restraint that makes my heart ache with love for this powerful Alpha who holds me like I'm made of precious glass.

"You're certain?" he asks, voice rough with emotion even as his palm spreads protectively over my still-flat stomach.

"Completely," I confirm, covering his hand with mine. "Aura sensed the changes weeks ago, but I wanted to be absolutely sure before telling you."

After Alexander's dramatic early arrival, this pregnancy represents both joy and lingering concern – happiness at expanding our family mingled with memories of trauma surrounding our son's birth. Through our connection, I feel Alaric's matching emotions – delight at the new life we've created together balanced against protective worry born of past experience.

"Apparently," I confirm, though I haven't verified this detail with my own abilities. Somehow, I trust Alexander's certainty more than any conventional method of determination. "He seemed quite confident in his assessment."

Alaric's joy radiates through every point where our bodies connect, his hand caressing my abdomen with reverence that makes my breath catch. "A daughter," he whispers, awe evident in every syllable. "A princess for the Lycan throne."

The image forms between us through our connection – a little girl with my silver-blonde hair and Alaric's amber eyes, the perfect complement to her remarkable elder brother. Our bond hums with shared excitement, the vision of our future flowing with a clarity that makes it seem tantalizingly real despite months remaining before its fulfillment.

Months I plan to spend soaking up every moment of joy this life has to offer.