***Remi's POV***

I was such a dick this morning. I'm shocked Talon even forgave me. I can't believe I spanked him out of frustration. Such. An. Ass.

Looking at my sleeping mate, I feel like the biggest jerk. He sleeps peacefully, curled around a pillow. His hands are clasped together in a steeple.

I bend down and kiss his precious face. I slip out of the bed and head to the kitchen.

My mom is already preparing lunch. I'm starving. After my conniption fit, I didn't have much of an appetite.

"How's he feeling?" Mom asks.

"Sleeping." I confirm.

"Have you two talked?" Mom questions me.

"He says he forgives me." I groan as I place my head in my hands.

"This is unchartered territory for you baby. Don't beat yourself up." Mom rubs her hands over my spine.

"No, I will save all my energy to beat Talon up instead." I grumble.

"Hey." Dad walks in and his tone is less than subtle.

"What?" I angrily bark. I drop my hands from my face and stare at him.

"Don't take that tone with me." My Dad warns.

"Sorry. I'm so fucking stressed out." I whine.

"I was just going to tell you." My Dad restarts the conversation. "Cut yourself some slack. Talon isn't upset and that's what matters."

"He's not upset because he hasn't processed that I spanked him like he was a child. What the fuck was I thinking? I don't even deserve a mate. Let alone deserve Talon." I admit.

I fucking hate me right now.

"Okay. Okay. Let's have a talk." My Dad beckons me to walk outside with him.

We sit on the porch swing. Dad rests his arm over my shoulders.

"Son, let me tell you how bad our first month of pregnancy was." My Dad chuckles.

"Please do." I mumble.

"You're Mom and I, we did NOT start off great. Sure, we waited about a second after finding we were mates to consummate." My Dad smiles and I can tell he is reliving something that is sure to give me nightmares.

"Anyway, you were conceived immediately. The first few days after we found out, were utter bliss. I coddled. I fawned. I worshipped. It was like second nature." He shrugs as he looks over at me.

"She was hungry. Your Mom was constantly crying. I couldn't help but want to take care of her." Dad continues.

"What happened?" I ask.

"Life. Pack duties piled on. Responsibilities hit me like a ton of bricks. Suddenly, I couldn't make time for your mom at all. I missed our first appointment because I fell asleep in the office. I didn't want to bombard Marcus with my share of the load, so instead I let your mom carry the weight." Dad confesses.

"What did you do?" I urge him.

"Well, your mom was busy carrying both our weight around the house. She was completing her Luna duties. I was so proud. Then the unimaginable happened." Dad chokes up and I squeeze his hand.

"She started bleeding. It wasn't a lot but, it was enough. The doctor explained that the stress was too much. She was pushing herself too hard. He put her on bed rest." My Dad explains.

"Then and only then, I realized my mistakes. Instead of allowing others to step in and help, I was pressuring my precious Luna to push herself farther than she should have. So, I decided from that moment forward to prioritize." Dad sighs.

"I felt so damn guilty. Every morning, I brought her breakfast in bed. Every night I bathed her. I took time to cherish the two people in my life that I was so close to losing." Dad finishes.

"How did you get over the guilt?" I ask.

"I realized that carrying that burden would only make your mom hurt worse. She would see and feel my guilt and in turn blame herself. I couldn't allow that. So, what I am saying to you is this. Let it go. Move on. Do better. You haven't ever had a mate. You have never expected a pup. Hell, you haven't even been around the torrential tornado we call hormones. Let it go, Elsa." My Dad laughs and I join in with him.

The door cracks open and a smaller body climbs into my lap. I wrap my arms around Talon and kiss him gently.

My dad excuses himself and leaves me with a barely awake mate.

"Feel any better?" I ask my love.

"Hungry." Talon whispers as he drapes his limp arms over my shoulders. I wrap my arms around his waist and lay my head on top of his head.

"I know I apologized already. I just want you to know, I will do better." I promise my baby.

"We're learning Rem. I understand." Talon yawns into my shoulder.

I chuckle while standing up. I walk into the pack house and quietly close the door behind me. I join everyone at the table and sit down with Talon in my lap.

I rub his back as our plates are set down in front of me. I thank Mrs. Williams. She bends over and kisses both me and Talon on the forehead.

When Talon smells tacos, he immediately becomes alert and turns to face the table.

"Eat up, sweetheart. Please." I whisper.

Talon nods and starts eating his lunch slowly. He doesn't speak. His mouth is occupied with food.

"How are you feeling Lloyd?" I ask.

"Tired. Hungry. My stomach feels tight." Lloyd yawns and I laugh.

"Seems to be the going rate." Jace confirms as he rubs Ally's back.

"I could do with a little more sleep." Ally nods as she picks up her coke and empties it.

Jace stands and grabs another can before returning to the table and opening it for his mate.

"I hope you guys are doing better than me." Lutz groans.

Lloyd giggles and I smirk.

"Trouble?" I ask knowingly.

"Let's just say I'm wasn't prepared for the hormones." Lutz kisses Lloyd's cheek.

"Don't badger yourself babe. I said it was okay." Lloyd rubs his hand over Lutz and they intertwine their fingers.

"What did you do?" Jace asks.

"Well, I was tired. So I um, fell asleep." Lutz rubs the back of his head and Lloyd blushes.

"Where's the problem?" Jace asks.

"I was horny. This fucker fell asleep while I was giving him head." Lloyd barks up.

The table erupts in laughter.

"Yeah, I did. Lloyd cries hysterically because he thought he did a bad job and I was bored. But, I was just tired from two training sessions in one day." Lutz excuses himself.

"Well, how about we take it back to once a day for everyone. We have more important things to take care of aside from restitution. You all apologized. Let's just drop that part of the punishment." My Dad offers.

"If that's okay with Talon. I would appreciate it." Lutz agrees.

"Yeah. I agree." Talon smiles after he cleans his second plate.

"Still hungry, baby?" I ask him with a kiss.

"No, stuffed to the gills." Talon leans back and burps obnoxiously.

"Is that part of pregnancy? No manners?" Jace laughs.

"Actually, it's not unusual for there to be more air trapped in the digestive track." Jenny explains.

"I have a pup pressing my food against my esophagus and stomach. Expect to be burped on." Talon giggles unapologetically.

I rub his back and he returns the favor by burping again.

I roll my eyes at the disgusting man in my lap.

"Just keep it at the top." I warn.

"Ew, Remi. That's gross." Talon squeals.

"You literally just air vomited. That's gross." I tease.

"Better out than in." Ally laughs as she belches too.

Jace makes a show of gagging. Ally slaps him harshly across the back of his head.

"Animal abuse." Lyle cackles.

"This is entertaining." My mom giggles.

"Glad you're amused." I cut my eyes over at her. She covers her face as she continues giggling.

I look down as Talon tugs on my shirt.

"What's the matter baby?" I ask.

Talon jumps up and runs to the bathroom.

I sigh as I walk quickly behind him. He slams to his knees as his head hits the toilet seat. I rub his back patiently while he empties his stomach.

"Here." Mrs. Williams wets a rag and hands it to me. I place it on Talon's neck while he completes the expulsion.

"Is this really normal?" Talon whines in between heaves.

"Hate to tell you. But, yeah." His mom confirms.

"Ugh." Talon groans.

I help him rinse his mouth before picking him up in my arms and carrying him down to the couch. I lay him down slowly and place a cool cloth on his forehead.

I lean down and kiss his stomach. I smooth my hand over it and whisper to our pup. "Pup, please be kind to Daddy. He isn't feeling all that great. Take it easy on him, hmm."

"I'm okay." Talon whispers. He leans his head back and closes his eyes. His hand caresses his abdomen.

"You don't have to be strong, baby. I'm here." I promise.

"It's worth it." Talon breathes out.

I lay down behind him and cuddle up against him. My mom walks over and turns on the Trolls movie. I smile and focus on the tv.

Jace and Ally get comfortable in the chair beside us. Lutz situates Lloyd between his legs and throws a blanket over them on the floor. We watch a kids movie while our mates relax.

"I'm so jealous." Lyle sighs.

"You can sit with us." I pat the spot at Talon's feet.

Lyle smiles and sits down. He places Talon's feet in his lap and mindlessly massages them. Talon moans and I cock an eyebrow at my adorable mate.

"Feels good. Don't stop." Talon orders.

"Yes, Luna." Lyle chuckles.

"Now I'm jealous." I groan.

"I'm sure he moans for you." Lyle jokes.

"Damn right, I do." Talon looks up and smiles wickedly at me.

"Bon fire is in two days." I blurt out.

"Who all is coming?" Lutz asks.

"A few packs that we are allies with. We invited the Riversbend pack, the Full Moon pack and the Sacred Heart pack." I inform them.

"Oh god, the Full Moon pack." Lyle groans.

"You don't like them?" I ask perturbed.

"It's not that. Their Omega has a major crush on me. He follows me around like a puppy. You know him." Lyle whines.

"Spencer?" I ask.

"Yes, Spencer McNally. He's adorable but, he is just so fucking clingy." Lyle groans.

"I'm gonna die so hard if he is your mate." Lutz guffaws.

"Don't jinx me." Lyle cries.

"You can reject him." I cringe as the distasteful thought leaves my lips.

"No." Lyle barks out loudly.

"How long has it been since you have seen them?" Talon asks.

"A little over a year. I had to stop visiting. Spencer tricked me into bed one night. Not, that we did anything. But, I couldn't trust him after that." Lyle explains.

"Uh, how exactly does a an omega trick a Lead Warrior into bed?" Ally asks.

"He spiked my drink and then took care of me." Lyle rolls his eyes.

Lutz falls over laughing.

"That shit was priceless. I walked into the pack house and Lyle was losing his fucking shit. Spencer was in tears trying to explain himself. Lyle was threatening to have a rape kit conducted. Epic." Lutz laughs.

"It's kinda fucked up." Jace sneers.

"He didn't do anything. I just jumped to conclusions. He apologized. I accepted. I just thought distance would help." Lyle rubs his eyebrows as he defends the little psycho.

"It's a little bit sweet." Lloyd purrs.

"How?" All six of us shout.

"He wanted you. He probably just wanted to be close to you. You can't blame him. It was a means to an end." Lloyd excuses.

"It was crazy." Lyle grins.

"Then why are you grinning?" Talon sits up and looks at Lyle accusingly.

"He was warm." Lyle smiles.

"You liked the attention." Jace points over at Lyle.

"Shut up." Lyle shakes his head no. But, his smile betrays him.

"I ship you two." Talon calls out.

"It would be better than Alpha Ramon's son." Lutz physically shutters.

"What did Riversbend do to you?" I ask. Malik Riversbend is the Alpha Ramon's son. He is a bit on the wild side.

"Not to me. He is just so fucking cocky. He acts like he walks on water." Lutz growls.

"So, competition." My baby jokes.

"Talon, be good." I whisper.

"Call it what you want. But, if I ever act like that now, slap the hell fire outtta me." Lutz shutters.

"Please act out." Talon giggles.

"I see someone is feeling better." Lutz glares at my mate.

"Yep." Talon wiggles his ass up against me.

"Glad. Now I can kick your ass." Lutz lunges at Talon and starts tickling my sexy mate. A peel of laughter leaves Talon's lips.

"Can't. Breathe." Talon taps out after a few minutes.

"Behave." Lutz laughs.

We finally get up and go outside. We take a walk and keep bantering. Guessing who Lyle would get mated with was our favorite subject.

I ship Spencer and Lyle too. I think he has a little crush on the scary Omega.