Chapter 236: Moving Into The McCoy Estate

Reid listened quietly, his thumb stroking the back of my hand as the surprised tension in his shoulders slowly melted away into a quiet, profound awe.

"Besides," I added, a small, genuine smile softening my features as my free hand drifted down to rest over the subtle swell of my belly, "Brad is there. I’ve spent my childhood with Betas, and the rest of my life surrounded by Alphas who only know how to handle hockey pucks and gym equipment. I don’t know the first thing about a male omega pregnancy, and it certainly wouldn’t make sense even if the doctors explained. But with Brad, having someone in the house who actually understands what my body is going through... it’s a relief, Reid."

Reid let out a long, breathless laugh, leaning forward until his forehead rested against mine.

"You really are incredible, you know that?" he rasped, his voice thick with emotion as he cupped my cheek, his thumb smoothing over my cheekbone. "Here I was, stressing for three days straight trying to figure out how to tell my mother no without causing a civil war, and you just break it down like a tactical play."

"It’s just common sense, husband," I teased, turning my face to kiss the palm of his hand. "Online business classes from the comfort of a secure private wing, a top-tier safety perimeter, and my father-in-law around to keep me from panicking every time I get a weird pregnancy craving? Sounds like a winning game plan to me."

"Alright," Reid murmured against my lips, a brilliant, breathtaking smile spreading across his face as he pulled me into a warm, lingering kiss. "The McCoy estate it is."

The rest of our stay in Hawaii passed in that same easy, effortless rhythm.

We spent our days relaxing on our private terrace, enjoying quiet dinners cooked by the villa’s chef, and talking endlessly about the future. My mind was basically filled with the steady, quiet certainty of what was waiting for us back home.

When our flight finally landed back in Seattle, the transition was surprisingly seamless.

A sleek black SUV with tinted windows met us right on the tarmac, whisking us straight past the airport madness and out toward the exclusive, gated estate in the hills.

As the heavy iron gates of the McCoy estate rolled open and we pulled up the grand winding driveway, I felt Reid glance over at me, his fingers tightening slightly around mine.

"Ready for this?" he asked softly, his dark grey eyes searching my face for any sign of hesitation.

"More than ready," I replied, giving his hand a firm, reassuring squeeze.

The front doors opened before we even made it up the steps. Brad stepped out onto the wide stone porch first, his face instantly lighting up with a warm, welcoming smile as he walked down to meet us.

"Welcome home, boys," Brad said softly, drawing Reid into a brief, solid hug before turning to me. He gave my shoulder a gentle, protective squeeze, his eyes dropping briefly to the subtle swell under my jacket with a soft, knowing warmth. "It’s so good to have you here, Kain. How was the your honeymoon? Hope the flight was okay?"

"The honeymoon was relaxing and the flight was smooth, thank you, Brad," I smiled, feeling an immediate wave of comfort wash over me. "It’s good to be here."

Fidora stood just inside the grand foyer. She was dressed with her usual immaculate elegance, but the cool, guarded distance that used to surround her was noticeably softer now.

"Kain. Reid," she acknowledged, stepping forward. Her gaze lingered on me for a moment, sharp as ever, but there was no malice in it—only a quiet, respectful acceptance. "Your suites in the east wing have been completely prepared. We’ve set up a quiet study office for Kain’s online courses as Reid conditioned,"

I looked at Reid. Did he tell his mother we would only stay if she did this? Well, it sounded like something he would do.

He winked at me, flashing his signature arrogant smirk.

"...and," Fidora continued. "The medical staff Brad arranged will be on call whenever you need them."

"Thank you, Mrs. McCoy," I said politely, offering her a sincere nod.

Fidora paused, a slight, almost imperceptible softening touching the corners of her mouth. "You’re family now, Kain. Call me Fidora."

As the staff carried our luggage toward the private wing, Reid wrapped his arm securely around my waist, pulling me flush against his side. He leaned down, pressing a quick, affectionate kiss to my temple as we walked down the grand hallway together.

"That’s what I call..." Reid murmured against my hair, a fond, proud smile tugging at his lips. "A winning game plan."

I let out a soft chuckle, resting my hand flat over my belly as we stepped into our new home, completely ready for the next Chapter of our lives to begin.

The suite in the east wing was massive—far larger than my old apartment, about a quarter larger than Reid’s penthouse. It was bathed in soft afternoon light with floor-to-ceiling windows that looked out over the estate’s private gardens.

A fully equipped, quiet study space sat off to the side, complete with a massive oak desk, dual monitors, and plush leather seating. It was clear Fidora hadn’t cut any corners.

Once the staff finished setting down our luggage and quietly exited, Reid closed the heavy double doors behind them.

The moment we were alone, he let out a long, dramatic sigh, slumping his shoulders and sagging against the door frame like he’d just finished a brutal sixty-minute game on the ice.

"God," Reid groaned, running both hands through his thick blonde hair. "I thought my chest was going to explode walking past my mother just now. I was waiting for her to pull out another five-page list of house rules."

I shook my head, a light chuckle slipping past my lips as I unbuttoned my coat and draped it over the back of an armchair. "You really have zero faith in your own family, Reid. She was perfectly civil."

"Civil for her," Reid corrected, striding across the room toward me. He slid his hands around my waist, drawing me flush against his chest, his dark grey eyes searching my face with that familiar, intense warmth. "She knows if she steps out of line, I’m packing our bags and taking you straight back to the penthouse. You and our baby come first. Always."

My heart softened, a warm, steady glow settling in my chest. I reached up, my fingers tracing the sharp, handsome line of his jaw before resting against the back of his neck.

"I know," I whispered softly. "And I appreciate it, Reid. But we’re going to be fine here, so don’t go causing trouble."

A soft knock at the open archway leading into our private sitting room broke the quiet. We both turned to see Brad standing there, holding a warm tray with two porcelain cups of herbal tea. He offered us a gentle, reassuring smile, stepping inside with that effortless, grounding presence that immediately put me at ease.

"I had the kitchen prepare some ginger and chamomile tea for you, Kain," Brad said warmly, setting the tray down on the coffee table. "It helps with the early morning nausea and the fatigue from traveling. Moving into a new space while pregnant can take a toll on your body, even if the flight was short."

"Thank you, Brad," I said, stepping forward to accept a cup. The steam carried a sweet, soothing aroma that instantly eased the subtle tension in my shoulders. "Honestly, I have no idea what to expect over the next few months. Every little twitch in my stomach makes me wonder if something’s wrong."

Brad laughed softly—a warm, nostalgic sound—and gestured for me to sit on the plush sofa. Reid didn’t hesitate, dropping down right beside me and slanting his arm around my shoulders, his hand immediately finding its place over the small curve of my belly.

"It’s completely normal to feel that way, Kain," Brad explained gently, leaning against the armrest across from us. "An omega’s body goes through massive hormonal shifts, especially in the first trimester. Your instincts are going to spike, your sense of smell will get ridiculously sharp, and you’ll feel defensive over your space. That’s why having a quiet, secure environment is so crucial right now."

He looked at Reid, giving his son a meaningful, fond look. "And your Alpha’s job is to nest with you, keep you calm, and make sure you’re eating properly. Don’t let him drive you crazy, though. Alphas tend to get overly possessive when the baby starts growing faster."

"Hey," Reid protested playfully, though his grip around my waist tightened just a fraction, his thumb tracing soothing circles against my side. "I’m just being attentive."

"You’re being a clingy Golden Retriever," I teased, taking a sip of the warm tea and leaning my head against his shoulder.

Brad chuckled, standing up and giving my shoulder a gentle, paternal pat. "I’ll leave you two to settle in. Dinner is at seven, but if you’re too tired, I can have it brought directly to your wing. Just take it easy today, Kain."

"I will. Thank you, Brad."

As Brad quietly slipped out of the room, the villa settled back into a peaceful, peaceful quiet. The breeze outside rustled through the evergreen trees surrounding the property, carrying that crisp, familiar Seattle scent through the slightly open balcony doors.

Reid turned his head, pressing his lips against my temple, his breath warm against my skin.

"So," he murmured softly, his hand resting firm and steady over our growing child. "First official day of our new life. How are you feeling, honey?"

I closed my eyes, letting the warmth of the tea, the comfort of the estate, and the steady, thunderous beat of Reid’s heart wash over me.

"I feel safe," I whispered, turning my face to press a soft kiss to his cheek. "I feel completely at home."