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I don’t understand how Lizzie bonded with her before I did. How could she hear my mate when I hear nothing?
The thought eats at me in the night. As I stare down at her child though, our child, I’m reminded of how grateful I am that he waited to make an appearance until I got them here safely. My heart drops and my eyes travel along his face. I keep remembering that he’s not mine. And it fucking kills me each time the thought comes to me. I look between Lena and her son. Her eyes are almond shaped with dark thick lashes, her lips are thin, but the bottom lip is lush. Her cheeks high and jaw narrow. He looks nothing like her. He looks just like Shadow. My jaw ticks and my fists clench. I fucking hate it. I have no right to claim this child as my own, but I’m damn well going to do it.
Shadow’s a dead man. That’s all he is. He’s no father. He had no right to claim my mate. This child is mine. Just like Lena is mine. A low growl grows in my throat but stops as I see Lena’s body hunch forward in her sleep. I gently trail my fingers down her jaw and down farther to her neck. She’s so beautiful. My eyes linger on the silver scar on her skin as I settle the baby and put him down. I’m going to fucking destroy that scar. I can’t wait to ruin it with my own bite. At least three bites. And then I get the other side of her neck all to myself. The scars will be faint, but I want my bite to be clear and obvious to everyone. I don’t want it mixed with his wrongful claim to her.
Sighing heavily, I run my hands through my buzzed hair and down my face. Shock and disbelief from all that happened has deprived me of sleep. Just last week I was mateless and without a care in the world. A smile widens across my face. Now I have a family. How the fuck did I get so damn lucky? My smile dims as I watch Lena turn in her sleep. She doesn’t even know she’s my mate. I’ll tell her. It fucking hurts that I have to tell her because she feels nothing between us.
None of this should have happened this way. I don’t know how she came to be Shadow’s, but I’ll slowly torture him if his claim has broken my mate’s ability to feel our bond.
I always imagined my mate would feel this spark and pull, and I still have hope that in the morning she may feel the pull. With one last look at her beautiful form, her chest rising and falling with easy breaths, I quietly make my way to the door. The floorboard barely creaks and I pause, looking back and holding my breath before moving forward once again.
If I’m useful to her, surely she’ll accept me even if she doesn’t feel it. Nervousness creeps down the back of my neck along with the fear that is very real: she could deny me. After what she’s been through, I could very well see that happening, and it didn’t escape me when my pack brought up the possibility among themselves while I drove home in silence with her. Nothing like this has ever happened and I don’t know what to expect.
Swallowing thickly, I make my way to the kitchen, ignoring every thought in the back of my mind. I’ll grab her something to eat before I wake her. She’s got to be hungry. She had a quick shower while I changed the sheets, but other than that she hasn’t done anything but hold her son.
My bare feet smack on the tiled floor as I enter the kitchen with hollow hope. I shouldn’t be surprised that I’m not the only one here. Lizzie and Grace pop their heads up from their bowls of cereal and smile brightly at me. Still in their pajamas, they’ve had little sleep if the bags under their eyes are anything to go by. A low chuckle escapes me.
“Morning.”
“How are they doing?” I hear Lizzie’s question as I open the door to the fridge. It soothes nearly every worry knowing how welcomed my mate is. They love her already and I fucking love them even more for it.
I grab the bottle of orange juice, not bothering with a glass, and take a few gulps before setting it on the counter to take it to Lena before answering, “They’re doing good. They’re both sleeping,” I turn to peek at them. “So that’s good right?” They both stand and gather around the island with dreamy eyes.
Grace nods her head. “Sleep is good.” She glances at Lizzie before adding, “We have so much to do.”
“We’re going to throw Lena a baby shower!” Lizzie squeals.
“I know it’s late, but she still deserves one. And then of course we have to set up the nursery. Unless she plans on keeping him in her room for a while. Well I guess either way we’ll have to set it up.” Grace continues rambling while I dig through the fridge for some fresh fruit and grab two cups of yogurt for her niece and nephew. I pause after closing the door. My niece and nephew.
Without hesitation I turn to them to ask, “Are the kids awake yet?”
“Not yet.” It’s odd the relief I feel knowing the two of them are keeping an eye on the little ones. “They need a shower bad. We have their rooms to set up, too.”
Lizzie lets a hand fall to her tummy and my eyes follow the movement. I take in her scent without intention and raise my brows in surprise. I can already smell her pregnancy. More shock hits me. It’s very early on, but the scent is strong. I don’t think she even knows.
I wonder which one of her mates got her pregnant. Suppressing a laugh, I keep the next thought to myself: I don’t want to be around when they find out. I scent the air again, but Grace isn’t scenting any differently. It’s early yet, so I just leave it be.
Clearing my throat, I go back to my task and listen to Grace rattle on. “Whatever you two think,” I tell them and make it obvious that I am not staying to chat. I don’t think I have much to offer in terms of décor and showers.
“You think we could make the living room into a playroom?” Grace spins on her heels as they continue to talk about adding onto the house and redecorating. I watch them walk out of the kitchen waving their hands in the air as they debate the merits of the color yellow for the playroom since it’s a “happy” color.
Taking in the quick breakfast I nod, somewhat satisfied. I’ve got a couple hard-boiled eggs, an apple, yogurt, and orange juice. I don’t know if she’ll like any of it, but at least it’s something. Before I can leave though, I find myself with company again. This time it’s Devin.
I know it’s him without having to look up. His footsteps are heavy and even. “We have to leave soon. We need to take care of Shadow’s pack before they come for us or, more likely, before they run.” His voice is low; he speaks with his eyes watching the doorway, making sure the women are out of hearing range.
I tap the bottle against the countertop. He’s already dressed in black jeans and a black, long sleeved Henley. He’s ready to act. Knowing my Alpha, he’s been on edge and waiting since the moment I first told him.
He murmurs the question quietly and with caution, “Does she know?”
“No.” I’m sure she’s figured out that I’m going to kill Shadow and his pack. I don’t think she’ll object, but I’m not going to give her the chance. I don’t like the thought of making her upset, but this is a done deal. He will never touch her again and the only way to ensure that is put him six feet in the ground.
“We need to speak to Alec first.” My eyes widen in shock as they lock with his.
“You want their permission?” My tone is incredulous, and I know better than to speak to my Alpha like that, but he can’t be serious. We don’t ask for permission from the Authority. We never have and there’s no need to now. This has nothing to do with interspecies relations. No one’s going to miss these fuckers when we take them out.
“Not permission. No.” Devin sits on the barstool, leans back, and crosses his arms. “Do you remember when we confronted Shadow’s pack before?”
I nod. “Of course.” Shadow’s pack used to have claim to Shadow Falls, until Devin came back to fight for the territory. It should’ve been his all along.
