Page 34 of Pack Baby for the Silver Foxes

“You’re close.”

“I’m close. I’m not going under.” His hand spread wide and steady over Mary’s stomach, and his voice came out rough and entirely certain. “She’s the reason I won’t.”

Hudson kissed her temple. “Still with us?”

“Yes.”

For a while, the room held only breath.

“I think my heat is over,” she said, wondering.

I shook my head. “That’s not how it works.”

“I know how it works. I’ve read the pamphlets.” Her hand found my forearm and stayed there. “The pamphlets also said alphas start talking about breeding and babies, but I thought that was a lie.”

Mary sagged between us, cradled against Hudson’s chest. Her scent softened by degrees. The violet remained, but the frantic edge had eased. Blackberry warmed under whiskey. Rain cooled the air.

“We just got a little carried away.”

“Well,” she said eventually, voice hoarse. “That was nice.”

Hudson laughed. “It’s not over. And what do you mean, nice?”

“It was nice, easy. I don’t like to inflate egos during a first performance review.”

I laughed. “Did we pass the test?”

“A little more practice is needed. And perhaps don’t get so alpha-like with your verbal.”

Hudson’s arms tightened around her. “You need sugar.”

She laughed. “I need a priest, and then a shower.”

“Sugar first,” he said.

“You’re very bossy.”

“My apologies.”

“Accepted. Bring juice and a muffin.”

Hudson reached for the orange juice on the bedside table and held the straw to her mouth and watched Mary drink. Only a little, but she drank.

“Are you cold?” I asked.

“I’m a furnace.”

“You’re shivering.”

“That’s the lack of sugar. I need that muffin.” Hudson pulled the duvet up over her body.

“Food next,” I said.

She picked up the duvet and glanced down at where she was still joined with Hudson. “Ambitious.”

Hudson brushed her hair back from her damp forehead. “Are you in any pain?”

She considered the question. I felt the answer in her body before she spoke, the way she relaxed by a fraction. “Less than before.”