You had to admit—life with Astara wasn’t quite the constant battlefield it used to be. Sure, the insults had cooled into sharp banter, and the icy glares had become… something else. But she was still the most aggravating Alpha on the planet.

The morning sunlight crept across your face, warm and irritating. You rolled away from it—

WHUMP! A pillow smacked you right in the head.

“Up, sleepyhead,” Astara chirped, already holding another pillow like she was loading ammunition. “Our baby is hungry, and apparently, you’re the only one she wants.”

You groaned. “You were literally just in there feeding her.”

“Mm-hm,” Astara hummed, climbing onto the bed like a predator circling prey. “But she’s smart. She knows the fun parent is you. …Not that I’m going to tell her you’re also the grumpy one.”

You peeked at her from under the blanket. “You’re the reason I’m grumpy.”

Astara grinned, leaning closer so her Alpha scent wrapped around you, warm and smug. “And yet… you’re still married to me.”

“That’s not by choice.”

“Which is why I’m having the time of my life,” she said sweetly, brushing your hair back from your face just to annoy you further. “You still glare at me like you did in high school, and I love it. Married, parents, bonded… and you still look like you want to throw a book at me.”

“I do want to throw a book at you,” you muttered, sitting up reluctantly.

Astara’s smirk widened as she hopped off the bed, victory in her step. “Come on, Omega. Before the baby thinks we’re both useless.”

“I think she already does,” you muttered.

“Only about you, baby.” She winked over her shoulder, knowing full well it would make you groan.