Days had passed, and I could feel it in the smallest shifts of my body, the subtle warmth that had been growing inside me. At first, I had ignored it, thinking it was just fatigue, the aftermath of our intense nights and the constant tug-of-war between training, mates, and my own powers. But the truth was undeniable, whispering in quiet pulses through my body: I was pregnant.
I didn’t know how to feel. Happiness, fear, and an overwhelming surge of protectiveness collided in me like a storm. I had never imagined carrying life, not like this, not with all of them… all of my mates, all of them entwined with me in ways deeper than I had ever dared. And yet, the knowledge made my heart swell, trembling with both terror and joy.
The first to notice wasn’t any of my mates. It was Geri. We had spent the day training lightly, or rather, I had been practicing with all five of them watching, each lending me strength, guiding my movements, correcting my technique. And then he paused mid-step, his hands dropping from my shoulders, eyes narrowing in a way that made me shiver.
“Bam,” he said quietly, almost to himself, “your energy… it’s… different. There’s something… growing.”
I froze, my breath catching. “Geri… what do you mean?”
He tilted his head, lips pressing into a thin line, eyes dark with an emotion I couldn’t read. “I mean… you’re carrying something. Someone.”
My heart stuttered violently. I wanted to laugh in disbelief, to deny it, to push it away. But deep down, I knew. I had known for days now, and hearing him confirm it made the truth hit me like a wave crashing into rocks.
The others noticed soon after. Cole’s hands found mine almost instinctively, concern etched into the sharp angles of his face. He lifted a hand to my stomach, pausing a fraction of a second before his fingers settled there. The warmth of his touch was intoxicating.
“You’re… pregnant,” he breathed, voice low, filled with awe and protectiveness. “I can feel it. Our child… ours.”
Cristof, ever the composed one, didn’t say much at first, but his hand brushed the top of mine. His eyes softened in a way I hadn’t seen before, shadows of his usual intensity giving way to something entirely human, entirely tender. “This changes everything,” he said quietly, almost to himself. “And yet… it doesn’t change us. It only strengthens what we already are.”
I felt my chest tighten, tears threatening. Even Geri, usually so bold and teasing, had gone silent, merely placing a hand over mine as if shielding me, protecting the life growing inside me with everything he had.
Radolf and Cloud exchanged a look before stepping closer. Radolf rested his palm gently on my belly. “I… I always imagined this,” he admitted, voice soft. “But I never thought it would actually happen. And yet, here you are, carrying life, carrying all of us with you.”
Cloud’s hand followed, covering mine atop my stomach. “We’ll protect you,” he whispered. “Every single one of us. This child… it’s part of our bond, our family. And we’ll make sure it’s safe, no matter what.”
Even with all of their voices and touches, it was Yance’s gaze that made my heart skip the hardest beat. He had been quiet up until now, standing just outside the circle, observing. His expression was unreadable, his golden eyes darkening with a storm I couldn’t name. And then, slowly, his lips curved into a soft, almost wistful smile.
“You’ve carried life… and it’s ours, yet not just ours,” Yance said quietly, stepping closer. “This child… will be a beacon. A bond between all of you, and a legacy of the love that surrounds her. You… you’ve grown so much, Bam. So strong.”
I felt my knees weaken slightly. “Yance…” I whispered, unsure if I should be fearful or comforted. His attention had always carried weight. Even when he wasn’t directly by my side, his presence demanded respect and notice.
He crouched down slightly, fingers brushing a stray lock of hair from my face. “I’ve watched all of you care for her, for you,” he said softly, his gaze flicking to each of my mates in turn. “And it’s… a sight that makes a man respect love in all its forms. You are all hers, and she is yours.”
I swallowed hard, realizing that the gravity of what I was carrying wasn’t just a life-it was proof of every bond, every choice, every piece of devotion I had accepted. Five men loved me. And now, the child within me was a symbol of that love, uniting us in a way I hadn’t imagined was possible.
Geri broke the quiet, placing a hand lightly on my back, leaning close so that his lips brushed against my ear. “You’re glowing, my Luna,” he whispered, his voice rough with emotion. “And this child… it’s part of us. You’re part of us. Always.”
I pressed my hand against my stomach, feeling the faint, almost imperceptible stirrings. My heart twisted with a mixture of fear, love, and anticipation. “I… I don’t know if I can do this,” I admitted softly, voice trembling. “I’ve never carried a life before… I don’t even know how to protect myself sometimes, let alone… a child.”
Cole’s arms tightened around me, one hand cradling my stomach, the other around my shoulders. “You’re not alone,” he murmured. “We’re all here. All of us. You don’t have to do a single thing alone, Bam. Not now, not ever.”
Cristof’s hand pressed lightly on my other side. “We’ll adjust, we’ll protect you, and we’ll train you to grow stronger. But most importantly…” His gaze softened, dark intensity melting into warmth. “…we’ll be here to watch over both you and the child. Every day.”
Radolf and Cloud both nodded in agreement, their hands still pressed over mine. “This child… is our bond,” Radolf said. “Our love, our strength, and our unity. We won’t let anything harm it-or you.”
Yance’s presence at the edge of the circle reminded me of the broader world, the dangers that waited, and yet… his respect for all of us being here, together, kept the tension from crushing me.
“You five have proven yourselves,”