Chapter 4: Priority

Sinclair POV

All week long, I have worked tirelessly on the enhancements. Kaia and I finally figured out the right ratios and then added the additional configurations for the larger subjects. We tested it on a deer, and it worked. It was fantastic. We were nervous that the deer would be hurt, so we decided to do everything in small increments and not all at once.

By the end, we were able to get everything together, and now the only thing we have left is to turn it into a glove form. Then we will test everything again and make sure it is working correctly in that capacity. I’m packing up my bag, and I’m getting ready to head out.

Aric arrives, though, and I stay an extra hour with him. “I have something I wanted to tell you, sis.”

“Oh, yeah? What’s that?” I asked.

“You’re going to be an aunt.”

I jumped up and into his arms, squealing and smiling broadly. “Seriously?! Poppy is pregnant? You’re sure?”

“She’s about six weeks. I asked for an additional printout of the ultrasound. I wanted you to see for yourself,” he said, handing me the picture.

It’s a grainy, black-and-white photo. I can clearly make out the pup in my sister-in-law’s belly, though. I see the small shape of the head and nose. I cover my mouth and start crying.

“Our family is growing,” I whispered.

He smiled proudly. “Yeah, it is.”

“Do you know if it’s a boy or a girl?” I asked.

“Poppy wanted to be surprised. So we are picking names that can be either for a boy or a girl.”

“What have you come up with so far?” I asked.

“Bailey, Jordan, Carey, and Rene.”

“Those are pretty good. You know, Sinclair is also a unisex name. I’m just saying.”

He laughed and then said, “You’re right. I will tell Poppy.”

“I mean, I’m not smug. It could be a middle name,” I grinned.

Aric shook his head. “You off for Adrian’s welcome party?”

“I am. I don’t know what to wear. I will probably just wear some jeans and a T-shirt.”

Aric smiled. “I thought you might say that. I told Kaia that this is a party and that maybe you should have a dress. She liked the idea.”

He went to the guest closet and pulled out a garment bag. “It’s nothing fancy, but Kaia knows your tastes, and I thought as your big brother, I could gift you something.”

Tears swell in my eyes. I don’t think I’ve ever been gifted anything in my life. I opened the garment bag, and inside was a simple, pale blue dress. The design will definitely complement my plain body. He then pulled out a box of short heels for me.

I put the dress and box aside and hugged him. “Thank you, brother.”

I feel the tears sliding down my face. He doesn’t realize how significant this moment is for me. My first gift. I have never gotten birthday presents or Christmas presents. No one ever gifted me something just because. I don’t even celebrate my birthday because it is sad to celebrate the day you were born, when no one cared that you existed.

“Hey, why are you crying?”

“I want to remember this moment, Aric. It’s really important to me,” I said, wiping my tears. “Just know that I’m happy you are my brother.”

“Your half-hunter brother,” he said with a smirk.

“My brother, period.”

When I brought back Ronan’s DNA, we confirmed that he is Aric’s father. I wanted him to have that closure. He had a hard time coming to terms with the fact that Poppy had been a rogue. Poppy had a hard time coming to terms with the fact that Aric’s father is a hunter. They both found their dynamic, and I helped them get there. They were both worried about each other’s past and suffered when they couldn’t take a step forward.

I finally brought them together and explained to Poppy, woman-to-woman, about Aric’s past. Then I popped my bone-headed brother in the back of his head and told him why her past doesn’t matter any more than his bloodline. I reminded them that the Moon Goddess paired them together for a reason and they should hold on to that, because the world is a very lonely place.

I would know. I live it every day since the moment I was born. It’s humbling to remember that, of course.

“Love you, sis. Take the dress and shoes, and have a good time tomorrow night.”

He brought me in for another hug, and when he let go, I grabbed his gift and then climbed into my car. I started my thirty-minute trip back to Blackstone. I don’t feel like listening to music. I don’t want to think about configurations or designs. I certainly don’t want to think about the loneliness that continues to weigh more heavily on me, day by day.

‘Maybe we should leave for a while and go to other packs. We can try to find our mate, Clair,’ Mali suggested.

‘We have work to get done, Mali. A lot of people are depending on me,’ I said.

‘Who do we get to depend on?’ she asked sadly.

‘After this war is done, we will go on that road trip and see if we meet our mate. Maybe he is a tech guy like me,’ I said. ‘So that’s why we haven’t met him. He is probably like me, in that he is always knee deep in work.’

‘I hope not,’ she said quietly.

‘Why? It would make sense.’

‘Because I think our mate should be someone who can take care of us. Someone who can take us out for fun. We never have fun. We always work. No one ever cares if we ever want to do something more than just look at technical stuff all day long.’

‘Hey, Aric just gave us a pretty dress. It’s our first gift. He cared and even said to have a good time at the party tomorrow.’

She scoffed. ‘Aric has his mate. They are expecting a pup. When do we get a happily ever after, Clair?’

I sighed. ‘I don’t think someone like me gets to have one, Mali. I’m sorry you got paired with me. You have to suffer the loneliness alongside me.’

I used to be okay with being alone. I didn’t see people around me who loved each other. I figured it was better to be alone than to be in bad company. I didn’t mind my own company. I still don’t. I know how to be alone. I’ve spent a lifetime being alone.

These last few months have been rougher on me, though. Aric, Poppy, Isaiah, Kaia, Aiden, Thalia, Jonah, Rory, Austin, Rebel, and all the other mates around me. They are so deeply in love. It’s on display all the time, like a huge megaton projector. All of them are building futures together, while I float from pack to pack.

The only person feeling like a third wheel, day in and day out, is me.

‘What about Adrian?’ Mali asked.

‘He’s widowed. At least he loved, and for a short time, he was loved, too. At least he knows what that felt like. Things ended terribly, but even he got to experience something I had never experienced. Plus, he has his family's love. Everyone I have held as family has their own families. I don’t exactly fit anywhere. I don’t belong anywhere. Besides, we are not mates.’