Etti

Etti stopped to catch her breath as she trekked through Blue Pine Park behind Grey. “I know Dr. Torez said physical activity was okay, but this wasn’t exactly what I had in mind.”

Grey laughed and scooped her into his arms. “Come on. We’re almost there.”

The mischievous gleam of silver in his grey eyes warmed Etti’s heart. She loved seeing her mate so vibrant and happy. She didn’t think she’d ever seen him like this before. Grey had shown Etti his protective side when he’d rescued her from her mother and guarded her from the vicious hunt. And she’d seen his smoldering sexy side when he’d claimed her as his mate. She’d even glimpsed his vulnerable side when he told her about his family and how joining the hunt had been the only way he knew to protect them. But this overflowing happiness was new. And deserved.

If anyone deserved happiness, it was Grey. He’d been through enough heartache in the few weeks she’d known him to last a lifetime. And she knew that didn’t even scratch the surface of what he’d endured before they met. Her life before him hadn’t been a cakewalk either.

Sometimes, Etti forgot how little she and Grey knew of each other. Other times it felt like they’d known each other their entire lives. The way Grey looked at her made Etti feel like he truly saw her and loved her even more for all the scars and flaws she tried to keep hidden. She knew that’s how she felt about him.

At first, Etti chalked up their instant connection to the power of the mating bond. But the more time she spent with Grey, the more she felt their love was something more, something truer—something always meant to be. She gazed into his silver-ringed eyes and suddenly wondered how she’d ever lived without this incredible man in her life. It made Etti breathless when she thought about losing Grey, and now her child.

She’d never had anything worth fighting for before and now that she did, she was afraid she might not survive losing this kind of joy. Etti wrapped her arms tighter around her mate, cherishing each second they were together, determined not to let her fear hold her back.

When Grey finally set Etti down they had reached the peak of Blue Pine Park. The view to the valley below was breathtaking—the blues and greens of the pine forest bled into the soft golds and reds of fall beginning to peek through the foliage. Etti’s eyes traced the winding river below as she took in the view. She had always loved this place. And the fact that it’s where Grey had claimed her made it even more special.

Etti’s cheeks flushed as she remembered that first time. Sex with Grey was always magnificent. But the day he’d claimed her, when she’d offered herself to him as his mate, it had unlocked a part of her soul she didn’t know she possessed.

“Were you feeling nostalgic?” Etti teased nudging Grey with her shoulder.

“Very,” he murmured kissing her neck and lighting her nerves on fire.

Grey pulled Etti into his arms and her whole body tightened. Lust pooled to her core as Grey trailed his lips seductively to hers. A tiny gasp escaped her as his tongue swept into her mouth. He slid his hands through Etti’s hair and firmly cupped her jaw. God she loved kissing him. It made her feel alive, like nothing else. Well, okay almost nothing else . . .

As if reading her mind, Grey grinned wickedly and trailed a hand to her aching breasts. But to Etti’s surprise, he didn’t continue. Instead, he stopped kissing her and knelt on one knee, smiling up at her.

“Grey . . . what are you doing? We’re already engaged.”

“I want to do this right, Etti. I want everything to be right for you.”

She tried to interrupt, but he pulled a tiny red box from his pocket. Etti’s words dried up as he cracked it open and sparkling light poured forth.

Grey took her hand. “Etti Blackwell, will you make me the happiest man on this earth and marry me, here, where you first pledged your life to mine?”

Etti swallowed hard, her throat bobbing with emotion. All she could do was nod. Grey slipped the beautiful diamond ring onto her finger next to his silver band she already wore. “I don’t need another ring,” she whispered.

“I know, but I needed you to have this one,” Grey murmured. “It’s the ring you were always meant to wear.”

Etti collapsed with joy, letting him pull her into his lap. Grey kissed her until the tears of joy she hadn’t even realized she was shedding dried up.

Grey cradled Etti in his lap, turning her so her back rested against his chest, his hands on her growing belly. She joined her hands with his, but couldn’t stop staring at the dazzling engagement ring.

“Do you like it?” he asked. “I can get you something else—”

“No! I love it,” Etti interrupted. “It’s perfect.”

She felt the last little bit of tension ease from her mate.

“When did you have time to get this?” she asked, watching the sun spark rainbows of light from the stone. “And can we afford it?”

“It’s my mother’s,” Grey said, nuzzling Etti’s neck. “I called her after you told me you were pregnant and asked for the ring.”

“You did?”

He nodded. “She overnighted it to me with some of my things. Cali picked it up this morning before she drove us to the clinic.”

Etti smirked. She was going to have to give Cali a medal! “It’s beautiful, Grey. I love it. And it means even more coming from your mother. Thank you.”

“You’re welcome,” Grey said kissing Etti’s hair. “She wants to meet you.”

Etti tensed. “Your mother?”

He nodded.

“She does?”

“Of course. Her son is in love, getting married and having a baby! She can’t wait to meet the woman who’s made me so happy.”

Anxiety fluttered in Etti’s chest. “Right . . . So you want to get married here?” she asked hoping to change the subject.

“Yeah, I thought it was the perfect spot. It’s beautiful and has special meaning to us . . . unless, I mean if you have somewhere else in mind—”

Again Etti interrupted. “No, Grey. It’s perfect. And I’m so grateful that you thought of it. I think I’m still reeling from the baby news. I really haven’t had time to think about wedding venues, but this is perfect.”

He kissed her temple and threaded his fingers with hers, settling them on her belly again. “So let’s set a date,” he murmured.

“Really?” Etti’s anxiety spiked again.

Their conversation had jumped from meet the parents to setting wedding dates. And it’s not that Etti wasn’t excited for all of it, but it was just happening so much faster than she’d expected.

“You don’t think we’re rushing things a bit?” she asked.

Grey laughed. “Babe, you’re pregnant. We’ve pretty much hopped on the relationship fast track.”

“And you’re okay with that?” Etti asked, her voice laced with fear.

“More than okay, babe. I love you. I’m ready to marry you today, tomorrow, next week. Whenever you want, Etti. I can’t wait to start our new life together.”

Etti felt movement flutter inside her womb. It seemed like their new life had already started, whether she was ready for it or not.

She looked down at her little bump and swelling breasts. Her shirt was already too tight. Etti had never been much of a girly-girl, or thought much about her wedding day, but this wasn’t what she’d pictured either. She didn’t want to be a pregnant bride. But she didn’t want her vanity to stop her baby from having happily married parents either.

Emotions threatened to overwhelm Etti again and she blew out a frustrated breath. She’d probably only cried a handful of times in her life until this pregnancy. It seemed like her tears were constantly pricking at her eyes, fighting to get out. Maybe that was her body’s way of pushing out the excess emotions that seemed to flood her at every moment, but she hated it.

Grey sensed her discomfort and shifted her in his arms so he could face her. “Babe, I know this is a lot. We don’t have to make any decisions today.”

“I want to. This baby is going to be here sooner than we’re ready for and I want her to come into a happy home. One where her parents are married and settled.”

Grey kissed Etti’s forehead. “Then that’s what we’ll do.”

* * *

They sat together on the peak for a while longer, just holding each other and taking in the beautiful views while the sun bathed them with its calming warmth.

Etti must’ve dozed off for a bit, because the next thing she knew Grey was gently waking her with kisses and the sun was much lower in the sky.

“Come on, babe. Let’s go get some dinner.”

“Can we make a stop first?” Etti asked. “I want to share our news with Marc.”