SWNOVELS Chapter 147 –
Saoirse's
POV
Two months later
The last few months have been absolutely perfect. Robert is a changed man. I don't know precisely what caused it, but he tells me how much he loves me daily. He is not the same man that he was months ago. He told me about the epiphany he had during the time he stayed with me in the hospital. I guess watching over me brought him some clarity. Either that, or having seen some of the attack on the monitor, had changed him. Seeing their mates in danger had been hard on all the men.
Before the attack, Robert had always defended his actions with Adra. He pleaded ignorance, and it hurt every time. It was like he couldn't understand why I should be upset. He honestly believed that since he didn't have any sexual feelings for her, he was innocent. I was happy when we got home from the hospital. We went to our room and had a long talk. He apologized to me, and he was completely transparent about what happened this time. He acknowledged his part in it. He was honest and upfront about everything, especially when he swore it would never happen again.
I believed him. I could see the honesty in his eyes, but I couldn't stop myself from seeing if he was telling the truth. I couldn't do it before because I feared what I might find. Learning if he had harbored feelings for Adra would hurt even more. I couldn't have been able to bear the pain of seeing that. So I didn't look. I was trying to give him another chance, a real second chance. I wouldn't have been able to do that if I looked and saw he had feelings for Adra, especially as more than a friend.
She had been trying so hard to get him to accept her. She had over three years to sink her claws into him, and they were in further than he realized. Now he is telling me where he is at all times. He had Jaxon do a town hall to introduce me as his mate to the pack formally. He made it clear that he was unavailable.
I knew when to expect him at home, as he likes to drop by for his lunch break. I have to say that I love all the attention that he is giving me. I can see why he had basked in the glow of Adra's compliments. He made me feel seen. He made me feel like the best version of myself. Even at almost three and a half months pregnant, he can't keep his hands off me, and I love it.
Every belly rub, every kiss, every neck and back rub, I fall deeper in love with him. I miss him so much when he is not around. Our bond has strengthened, and I am allowing myself to get caught up in the passion of it. Robert came home for lunch but never got around to eating, well, not food. It wasn't like this with James. I had enjoyed sex with him, but as my pregnancy progressed with Cara, he grew less interested in me. We didn't have sex once I started to show.
I am only now figuring out that he had to have been with others while I was pregnant with Cara. We were never together that way in the last month and a half of pregnancy. He could barely wait for four weeks after I gave birth to demand to have sex again. We used to have sex daily, sometimes a few times a day, right up until I started to show.
After that, he started hanging out more in the pack house or outside the pack. In my ignorance, I was so blissfully happy that I missed some of the reg flags, like when he started coming home late. He had always been home by five p.m. before. He never treated me well, except for when we had sex. I understand now that I was always just a challenge for him. I was beautiful and acceptable as a chosen to him. He marked me as his to keep the men away but never let me mark him back. A way to avoid loneliness as he continued looking for his mate. I wish I would have known that back then. I would have left him while I was still pregnant.
I shook myself out of those bad memories. Robert would be here soon. He always ensured that he did a perimeter run that ended at our home at the end of it. That way he was almost on his doorstep when he was finished. I had taken a long bath, and dinner was nearly done. Once he got here, he could go and grab a shower before I was finished. I have been teaching Cara something new these days, how to cook. She was a great cleaner, but no one showed her how to cook. Her sisters didn't know how to cook either. So three times a week I would show them how to make a meal. The first week was rough, but they are doing much better now.
The assignment for the first week had been making their mate's favorite meal. They were to ask questions to learn what they liked to eat, and we would make that meal in bulk. That way, Luna and Brenna could take some back home with them. It gave them a private dinner, without all the interruptions Alpha gets while eating in the dining room. It was a hit, and we are now in our fourth week of it. The men all loved to have a private meal with their mates. They set the table, light candles, and enjoy time together.
The home that Alexei is building for Cara, is halfway complete now. It is a lovely home and now has a safe room included in the design. Anton had finished their design five weeks ago, but the plans changed after what happened. Not that we anticipate another issue, but better safe than sorry. Since they had the funds for it, they made a few tweaks to the design and made it happen. They did it just like the one Anton designed for his home.
Anton had been terrified for his wife and children. So, he designed one as an add-on to his home. One that could be used from the first, or second floor. They would have a hand scan for entry, and the door locks could be manually released. Anyone entering from the second floor had a small seating area at the top of the stairs in case someone was hurt and couldn't take the stairs. There would also be a medical bag on both floors as well. The majority of the seating would be on the first floor.
Anton thought of everything, including a small fridge for water and a bathroom under the stairwell. Robert is asking Anton to design our home. I had heard from Alexei how Robert had fought against four of them to try to come to me. Seeing me pinned down had been difficult for him to watch. I couldn't have imagined seeing him go through the same thing.
Tonight, Alexei and Cara were staying on the Alpha floor in a guest room. It was date night for Robert and I. I was already waddling, so I didn't want to go out. I liked staying home with my mate. He was home a few minutes later. I loved seeing his eyes light up as I approached him. He didn't try to hide his excitement at seeing me, even though he had only been gone for a few hours.
"Grab a shower. Dinner is almost ready," I told him. Instead of going upstairs, he kissed me before turning me around to where my back was to his front. He pulled me in closer and gently ran his hands over my baby bump. "How are my babies doing?" he asked. They already knew the sound of his voice and started kicking at hearing it. He speaks to them every night, and it is the sweetest thing. As bad as it all was, almost losing us made him value us much more.
Last week, when he felt them kicking for the first time, the awe on his face was almost comical. He was so proud of them for knowing who he was. He is already reading them stories, and it is precious how much he loves them already. "They have been kicking up a storm today," I replied with a smile, leaning back against his chest. "They are strong," he said, giving me another kiss before running upstairs.
I set the table while he was taking his shower. After I heard the water shut off upstairs, I got the food out to put on the table. He was back quickly with his hair still wet. He had a pair of basketball shorts on and a T-shirt. Both leave nothing to the imagination, as it is evident that he didn't have underwear on under his shorts. He was messing with me as he came back to hug and rub against me. I felt his cock pressing against me. Well, two can play this game.
I wiggled my ass against his cock, and smiled at the groan he made. Yes, he is going to suffer more than me at dinner.
Robert planted a few more kisses on me before he went to the table with a smile. The shorts had a visible tent, and I gave him a grin. Oh, I have some very definite plans in store for our date night. I served him his food and leaned over to put it on the table in front of him. Normally, I wouldn't bend down quite this far, but I didn't put a bra on after my bath earlier, and I wanted him to know.
I saw him gulp as soon as he took in the view. I smirked as he continued to stare at my breasts. My nipples hardened at the attention he was giving them. Teasing him may have been a mistake. Now, I am even more worked up than I was before. Robert had forgotten all about the food as he rose slowly from his chair and followed me back into the kitchen. I stopped when my back hit the island.
"Are you trying to tempt me, Love?" Robert nuzzled my neck. He spoke in a deeper tone, letting me know Echo was now in charge. I may have pushed them a little too far. I felt my stomach clench in anticipation at hearing his deep voice. I was already doing things to me. "Maybe," I replied. I knew I was playing with fire, but I wouldn't admit it to him. He knew how much I wanted him. He could scent my arousal in the air. I saw his head tilt up as he took a deep breath in. His smug grin let me know that he knew I wanted him right now. Robert lifted me and placed me on the island. He gently pulled my shirt off and let his tongue lick my breast. He made sure to flick my nipple, causing them to harden even more. My moan could not be held in as my breasts have been extra sensitive lately. While Robert was licking my other breast, I felt his hand creeping up my thigh. He stopped for a moment to use both hands to push my thighs further apart before sucking a nipple into his mouth. I felt his thumb on my clit, and hit went in for the kill. He knew how I liked it, and I was screaming as I went over a minute later. It was going to be a very good night.