Page 5 of From the Edge

Ted blinked. “He really hates Rowan.”

Mell said softly, “Her magic usually draws lust from alphas, so her energy smells like an alpha. That sets him off. They have had a few fights, but she tries not to hurt him.”

The orcs and elves looked at her. “She tries not to hurt him?”

Mell shrugged. “She knows I like him.”

Rowan snorted. “She doesn’t get out much, so if she likes someone, I get out of the way. He needed the occasional nudge to stop his attentions. She was uncomfortable.”

Mell snorted. “Nudge? You laid him out.”

Rowan chuckled. “Well, another reason he hates me. I consume lust, which means the blue bat was aiming at his toes when I was done. That’s what made him mad.”

The men around them looked alarmed.

The combination of the two bodies was nearly complete. Rowan patted the belly again, and it completed in a rush.

Ted stared as the orc stood, shook his head, and looked skyward.

One of the other orcs said, “He’s getting the download.”

Rowan backed away, swayed, and straightened. Mell steadied her. “You should have accepted more healing.”

“I don’t enjoy touch like you do.”

Mell sighed. “And you put yourself out for me. I know. Thank you.”

“Right. Can I call your cousin to see if she noticed you were gone?”

Mell chuckled. “Fine. Do I still have a room at your place?”

“Of course. It’s clean and ready for you. I may or may not have started collecting baby stuff, but if you and your mate want to live somewhere else, you will have a start for the baby room.”

Mell said, “I am not leaving.”

“He looks bossy.”

“I don’t give a fuck.”

“You did. That’s why you are here.” Rowan patted her belly.

Mell snorted. “Butthead.”

“Yup. I am going to go make that call. You stay here and wait for tall green-blue and creepy to remember you.”

“Yeah, great.”

Rowan looked at Ted and Lucia. “Can you stay with her?”

Ted nodded. “We’ve got her.”

Rowan nodded, squeezed Mell’s hand, and said, “He will be in a better mood if I am not here.”

Mell sighed. “Hurry back.”

Chapter Two

Rowan called the first of the two numbers, and when a woman picked up, she said, “Hello, I am looking for Dell Umbridge.”