Phone call

After dinner, a small bonfire was lit for roasting marshmallows. Everyone gathered round, couples naturally drifting together, while Christine benevolently watched her grandchildren running about the yard chasing the bubbles she was blowing for them.

In the flickering fire light, I scanned the assembled group. Linda was sitting between our beta, Romeo's legs with her back resting against his chest while his arms were wrapped around her swollen body, gently caressing her belly.

Chloe was snuggled up to her husband and giggling at whatever he was whispering in her ear, while Elena sat beside her mate, contentedly holding his hand.

I recently learned that the other two couples were Lucius and his mate Susan, and Micheal with his fiancée, Aurora. The two men had helped look for Chester the night before.

They were sitting nearby, quietly talking about a movie they had seen recently. Near the edge of the circle of light cast by the fire, I could make out Natalia and Elias holding hands, it