The entire rescue crew and all their mates jumped out from behind the couch. A banner hung over the doorway that said, “Welcome Home Quinn and Max.” It was the sweetest thing ever, and Quinn started to tear up. She put her hand to her chest and started to sniffle as Juliet waddled across the room to give Quinn a massive hug.
“Congratulations, honey,” Juliet whispered in Quinn’s ear.
Juliet rubbed her back and they held each other for a long time. Drew strode into the room, the picture of a proud papa, and set little Max’s car seat on the dining room table. The sweet baby was sleeping now. Quinn smiled at her mate and child as she pulled away from Juliet’s embrace. The guys were all slapping Drew on the back.
“You’re a dad now,” Corey said, shaking his head in disbelief. “I never thought I’d see the day.”
“Congrats, bro,” Shane said, giving Drew a big hug and slapping him roughly on the back. “Fatherhood is the bomb.”
Quinn could see that Drew was as touched as she was. She walked over to the baby and checked on him. Lily was there with her and Shane’s son Theo. All three women looked down at the baby. Poppy joined them, sighing with longing.
“Whose turn is it next?” Juliet said, eying Poppy.
“We’re not expecting yet,” Poppy said, smiling over at Angus. “We’re just enjoying this time together as mates first.”
“Shane and I aren’t ready for another child yet. Maybe someday.”
“Do you know if your baby is a boy or girl?” Quinn asked Juliet.
“It’s a girl,” Levi said proudly.
“We need more girls around here,” Angus said, encircling Poppy’s waist with his big arms.
Levi looked pointedly at Zach and Corey. “When are you two going to find mates and settle down?” he asked them.
“Never,” Corey said.
“As soon as she signs up for Mate.com,” said Zach.
“You’re looking for a mate?” Quinn asked him.
“I have been as long as anyone else. I just have to wait until she shows up. Right?”
“That’s right,” Angus said, kissing the top of Poppy’s head.
“I hope I have your luck,” Zach said to the rest of the guys who’d found mates on Mate.com.
Drew held Quinn close and leaned down to nuzzle her cheek. She felt the gratitude in his heart, and it filled her with the same emotion. She loved him so much. Being here together with all their friends and family made up for all the trauma and pain that came before.
She could put her past behind her and finally move forward. She was mated to a shifter now. She adored and admired him more than words could possibly express. The only way she could even contain it was through the connection they shared. Quinn felt all choked up but warm and fuzzy at the same time. She would never let her parents’ hatred control her again. As the new mother of a shifter baby, Quinn had to become an advocate for the shifter cause.
Now she knew exactly what she was supposed to do with her life.
Lily and Shane uncovered a buffet of food they’d brought for the surprise homecoming/baby shower the gang put together for them. A stack of baby presents sat in the corner of the room, piled almost to the ceiling. She took baby Max off the dining room table and put his car seat in a quiet corner of the living room. She and Drew hadn’t had time to buy a single thing for the baby, but she had a feeling all those gifts contained just about everything they’d need. Including a crib. If she was right, that massive gift shaped like a giant rectangle was probably just that. She giggled at how cute the whole thing was.
Quinn might be totally exhausted from childbirth and everything else, but being surrounded by the Rescue Bears and their mates made her feel relaxed and loved. It was good to have them there for her and her new little family.
Drew brought her a plate of simple foods, a sweet roll and some fruit. It was exactly what she was craving. She patted his hand on her shoulder and looked up at him with love in her eyes. He returned the same gaze. Quinn let a long breath out, so full of joy.
Levi sat down across the dining room table that was somehow big enough for everyone to squeeze around. He took his cellphone out of his pocket and looked down at a text.
“Looks like we found a buyer for your condo, Quinn,” he said.
“Really? That was fast,” she said.
“We shifters are resourceful,” Levi said.
“Maybe you can have your friend help me buy a house,” Zach said.
“You want to be a home owner, Zach?” Levi asked.
“Sure. I’ve still got almost all my shifter veteran’s benefits. I’m ready to settle down and buy my own home. I figure, if I really want a mate, I should get ready for one.”
“Our boy is growing up,” Drew teased.
“This is great news because I know exactly what I’m going to do with the money,” Quinn said, checking on the baby.
“What’s that, babe?” Drew asked.
“I’m going to start a PR firm of my own. Right here on Fate Mountain. It will be dedicated to promoting the positive qualities of the shifter community and the shifter businesses in our town.”
“Quinn, that sounds amazing,” Drew said, leaning in to kiss her cheek again.
“So, your PR firm will be dedicated to promoting shifter lifestyle and shifter businesses?” Lily asked.
“That’s right. I know now that it’s my calling to help heal the injustices inflicted on shifters by people like my parents.”
“You’re a hero, Quinn,” Angus said.
“I just want to make things right, in whatever way I can. I know PR. I can help that way.”
The gang continued to chat about the exciting things happening in all their lives. Everyone had an opinion about what Juliet should name the baby girl. Shane started to pester Corey about why he didn’t want a mate, and Corey’s face started to turn bright red.
“Why would I want to add all that drama to my life? Look at you all. You mates might love each other, but look at what it took for you to get there. No thanks. That’s not for me. I’d rather be on my own than go down that road. Shane and Lily took fifteen years to get together. I know how much pain you both went through. I’d rather spend my time alone with my computers in my cabin at the lodge. That’s all I want out of life. No mate or cubs for me. Thank you very much.”
“You’ll change your mind,” Levi said.
“No, I won’t,” Corey protested.
The rest of the group looked at each other knowingly, and Lily started to giggle when Shane leaned in to take a long sniff of her neck. The two of them could barely keep their hands off each other most of the time. They had the most PDA of all the couples in the group, much to Corey’s constant disgust.
After everyone was done eating and all the presents had been opened, the guys helped Drew carry all the baby’s things into the new nursery. Once everything was in place, baby Max had a comfy place to sleep. Everyone said their goodbyes, and Quinn and Drew were finally alone.
They sat on the loveseat in the nursery, watching their baby sleep in the new crib that Levi had given them. Quinn felt a warm rush of pride and joy as Drew held her close. The house was warm, but Quinn heard the rain start to patter on the roof outside.
“It’s raining again,” Quinn whispered sleepily.
“But we’re safe and warm.”
“And together at last,” she said, hugging him closer.
He kissed the top of her head and felt his beard brush her cheek. She felt for the first time in nine months, or perhaps in her entire life, that she could finally rest. With a deep sigh, Quinn closed her eyes, dozing and happy to be safe in her beloved’s arms with their baby sleeping right beside them.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
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ALSO BY SCARLETT GROVE
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Chief Bear
Wild Bear
Big Bear
Draconians
Alien Commander’s Bride
Alien Warrior’s Mate
Alien Fighter’s Woman
Alien Alien General’s Wife
Alien Architect’s Bride
Midnight Sun Shifters
Bear His Love
Bear His Baby
Bear Wardens
Bear Witness
Bearly Believing
His To Bear
Called By The Alpha
Alpha Fated
Dragon Princes of Endor
Taken
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Choices
Merged
Mystic Harbor
Unbearably Stranded
Her Two Alphas
Cat Scratch Fever
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Braving Darkness Series
Marked By The Alpha Wolf (Book One) Braving Darkness 1
Marked By The Alpha Wolf (Book Two) Braving Darkness 2
Marked By The Alpha Wolf (Book Three) Braving Darkness 3
Touched By The Dragon Lord (Book One) Braving Darkness 4
Touched By The Dragon Lord (Book Two) Braving Darkness 5
Touched By The Dragon Lord (Book Three) Braving Darkness 6
Desired By The Archangel (Book One) Braving Darkness 7
Desired By The Archangel (Book Two) Braving Darkness 8
Table of Contents
Copyright
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
About the Author
Also by Scarlett Grove
Brew Bear Page 11