by Leah Brooke
Glenna let her head fall back against his shoulder, a soft moan escaping at the feel of the light friction from his warm hands. “Do you?”
Leland ran his lips up her jaw to her temple. “Are your breasts sensitive? Am I hurting you?”
Glenna smiled at the concern in his voice, sucking in a breath when he lightly brushed his fingers over her nipples. “Yes, and no.” Her stomach rumbled, drawing a chuckle from both of them.
Leland straightened. “It appears you and the baby are hungry. Let’s get you downstairs. Graham’s cooking breakfast for you, and he’s throwing a steak on.”
Glenna stiffened, looking down at herself. “My robe doesn’t even cover me anymore. If you don’t mind, I’d rather take a shower and get dressed first.”
She didn’t want to face the others looking the way she did, and knew that being showered and dressed would give her more confidence.
Her stomach would just have to wait.
Pulling away from them, she wrapped her arms around herself. “I’d like to have some time alone.”
Joe stood and crossed to her, his eyes searching. “Sure, honey. Is everything okay?”
“Everything’s fine.” She met Leland’s questioning look with a smile. “I’ll be down in a few minutes.”
Joe nodded. “Okay. Tell me which suitcases you need so I can put them on the bed. I don’t want you bending or lifting anything.”
Leland wrapped an arm around her, pulling her close. “I’ll be waiting for you in the kitchen, baby. If you need anything, just call out. I’ll hear you.”
Glenna watched him go, and straightened, more nervous than ever. She knew how important it would be for them for her to get along with their friends, and was determined to make her best effort.
Turning to Joe, who waited expectantly, she pointed to one of her suitcases. “That one, please.”
He seemed eager to please, and rushed to get it for her. “Leland and I are very much looking forward to taking you shopping for maternity clothes. Some of the others are going to get started working on the nursery in the next room. They need to clear it out before we can get the walls ready to paint.”
Dropping the suitcase on the bed, he turned to her with a tender smile that brought tears to her eyes, and reached for her. “You have no idea what this has done for all of us.”
Glenna went willingly into his arms. “What? Knowing that you have mates?”
Rubbing her back, Joe pulled her closer. “We knew that when we read the notebook. We were sure of it when Marc and James found their mate. But, we didn’t know for sure if we could have families. Your pregnancy has breathed new life into the pack.”
Tilting her head back, she frowned, searching her memory. “I don’t remember meeting Marc and James.”
“They’re not here. They moved away, but they found their mate.” Joe chuckled. “She’s got spunk and is perfect for them. They can’t keep their hands off of her any more than Leland and I can with you.”
With a sinking feeling in her stomach, Glenna forced a smile. “So this baby is good for the pack?”
Joe grinned. “Absolutely. Everyone’s very excited. It’s given all of us hope for the future. We went from thinking we would have to live alone for the rest of our lives, to the possibility of finding mates, and now—children.”
Swallowing heavily, Glenna pulled away from him, opened her suitcase and began rummaging inside. “What if they don’t like their mates?”
Gripping her arm, Joe turned her toward him, frowning down at her. “What are you talking about? How could anyone not like their mate?”
With a shrug, she turned back to her suitcase, not really seeing the contents. “You said that it was based on the way they smell. Just because you like the way someone smells doesn’t necessarily mean that you’ll like them.”
“Oh, baby.” Joe wrapped his arms around her again, pulling her close and rocking her. “The scent only lures us in. I guess it’s a way for nature to make sure we don’t miss the woman we’re meant to be with. Believe me, Leland and I know that you’re the one for us.”
He held her back from him, smiling down at her when her stomach growled. “Hurry up and get ready. The baby wants his breakfast.”
* * * *
Leland didn’t want to leave her, hating that she seemed so nervous at the thought of seeing the others again, but he couldn’t very well deny her a few minutes alone.
Hell, he was nervous, too, and wanted to talk to the others before she came down.
He hurried down the stairs and to the kitchen, his mind on getting his mate settled in her new home.
Several of his packs mates sat and stood around the table—apparently as many as could fit at one time.
Graham half turned from the stove, a spatula in his hand, frowning as he looked past Leland. “Where is she? Is she okay?”
Leland went to the coffeepot to pour himself another cup of the strong brew. “She’s still upstairs. Her stomach’s growling, but she wants to take a shower and get dressed before she comes down.”
With a full cup in hand, he moved to his usual seat at the head of the table, pleased to see that although the other seats were filled, the one to his right had been left empty, acknowledging Glenna’s place in the pack.
Looking around the room, he made eye contact with each of them. “She’s nervous about seeing all of you. She’s afraid that you don’t want her here because you think she’ll endanger the pack. She wants to leave here as soon as she’s recovered from giving birth so she doesn’t put all of us in the same danger our parents were in.”
“What?” Graham turned from the stove again, glancing at the others. “I thought she was staying. She’s your mate. Joe’s mate. She belongs here. Didn’t you explain everything to her?”
Noticing that Vincent shifted restlessly in his seat, Leland nodded. “We did. She’s still nervous. She’s afraid someone will get hurt because of her. And she is staying. She just hasn’t accepted it yet.”
Sitting back in his seat, Leland crossed his arms over his chest, giving each of them his best warning glare, letting his gaze linger on Vincent. “I want her to consider this her home now. I want her to be comfortable here. I want to make it clear, and I want you to pass the word to the others, that anyone who makes her uncomfortable or feeling as if she doesn’t belong will answer to me.”
“And me.” Joe went to the refrigerator, glancing at Leland while he retrieved the milk. “She still thinks that we accepted her as our mate just because of her scent.”
Leland sighed, his stomach clenching. “Hell.” Scrubbing a hand over his face, he looked at Joe. “We’ve got to show her how much she means to us without overwhelming her. Any fucking ideas?”
Thomas sat back with a grin. “I think the two of you are more nervous than she is. This is gonna be a hell of a show.”
Vincent jumped to his feet, clearly agitated. “I think we’re all nervous.”
Graham turned from the stove with a grin. “Not me. She likes me.”
Thomas chuckled. “And I fixed her car.” Frowning, he set his cup aside. “By the way, where is her car?”
Leland grimaced. “They sold it.”
Thomas shook his head, his eyes filled with sympathy. “Yeah, we heard about their situation. By the way, Mitch told me to remind you to bring her in this morning.” Glancing at Joe, he smiled. “My brother’s worried about her. He told me three times before he left for the hospital.”
Brock Hale got up to refill his own cup. “Now that she’s here, she’ll be fine. She needs to eat and rest, and we’ll all do our part to make sure she does.” Turning to lean back against the counter, he smiled. “It’ll be different having a woman around the place to spoil. It should be interesting to see how many of us forget that we can’t shift back in front of her. Seeing us all run around naked is likely to upset her some.”
Leland smiled at the image, shaking his head in amusement. “Do your best.” Hearing the shower go off, he glanced toward
the doorway. “She needs to be spoiled. She doesn’t have enough to wear that fits her, so we’re taking her shopping after going to see Mitch. It’s not as cold here as it was in Ohio, but she still needs a coat.”
The memory of Glenna shivering in an ill-fitting coat that she couldn’t even close still had the ability to infuriate him.
Joe nodded. “And a warm robe. I don’t want her to feel like she has to get dressed to come downstairs. I want her to be comfortable.”
Hearing her light footsteps coming down the stairs, and the light scent of her wafting in the air, Leland jumped to his feet, his heart racing. Giving his pack mates another warning glare, he crossed to the doorway just as she approached.
His breath caught at the sight of her, the surge of love for his mate and unborn child nearly bringing him to his knees.
Dressed in jeans and sneakers and one of Joe’s button-down shirts, her hair still damp from the shower, she looked absolutely adorable.
She had a pink glow to her cheeks that hadn’t been there before, and she’d lost some of her pallor.
Still, she looked tired.
He’d have to be careful not to let her overdo it today.
She and the child meant everything to him, and he and Joe had to somehow convince her of that.
Smiling, he held out his arms, his heart jolting when she readily stepped into them. “Hi, baby.”
How could she not know how much he loved her?
* * * *
Glenna’s knees shook at the ordeal ahead, and she found herself burrowing into him at the sight of the number of men gathered around the kitchen. “Hi yourself.”
Graham leaned back to see her around Leland, grinning when he saw her. “Welcome home. I hope you’re hungry.”
Thankful to see a familiar face, she smiled back at him. “Starving.”
Leland ran a hand over her hair. “Why didn’t you dry your hair? I don’t want you to get chilled.”
“I didn’t feel like drying it. It’ll be dry in a little while.” Smiling at Graham as Leland led her into the kitchen, she took Joe’s outstretched hand. “Thanks for letting me borrow your shirt.”
With a laugh, Joe pulled out her chair, kissing her neck as she lowered herself into it. “It never looked that good on me.”
Somehow, she doubted that.
Graham appeared at her side, holding a pan. “Everything’s ready. Eat up, honey.” He placed a steak and fluffy scrambled eggs on her plate. “I’ll get the grits and toast. Don’t glare at me like that, Joe. I called her honey. Get over it—unless you think an endearment from me can lure her away from you.”
Thomas smiled as he rose from the other side of the table. “If that’s the case—hold on, sweetheart, and I’ll get you some orange juice.”
Giggling, she reached for her milk, stilling when a low growl sounded from behind her. Turning in her seat, she looked up at Joe, smiling at his scowl. “Stop growling and sit down.”
Laughter filled the room, the tension vanishing in a heartbeat.
One of the other men winked at her. “I like her. It’s nice to see the Alphas can be shaken once in a while.”
Glenna looked at Joe, watching Vincent’s approach from the corner of her eye. “I’ve heard you mention that, but I don’t know exactly what that means.”
Graham came back with a small pot and began to spoon grits onto her plate. “Leland and Joe are the Alphas of the pack—the ones in charge. They’re usually right about things—”
Leland raised a brow. “Usually?”
Graham waved a hand negligently, and continued as if he hadn’t spoken. “Which makes them cocky and a pain in the ass at times, so if we get the chance to tease them, we take it.”
Vincent came closer. “At least they weren’t prowling around all night.” Holding Glenna’s gaze, he reached out to take her hand in his. “Last night was the first time they slept all night since you left.” To Glenna’s shock, he knelt next to her. “I’m sorry for scaring you away, and I want you to know it’ll never happen again. It wasn’t personal. I was just concerned about the pack. We’re all relieved to have you back.”
He looked so shaken and so much like Joe that she found her nervousness melting away. Squeezing his hand, she smiled, bending close to kiss his cheek. “I understand. I have a sister and I have a feeling I would have done the same thing in your shoes.”
Getting to his feet, he glanced at her belly. “I can’t believe I’m going to be an uncle.” He turned to look at his brother. “Do you think any of us could ever have a girl?”
A heated discussion ensued, with almost all of the other men jumping in.
Joe sighed and shook his head, leaning close to be heard. “I wanted to introduce you to everyone, but this might take some time. Eat your breakfast.”
Graham leaned over her with a plate of toast. “They’ll go on like this until the baby’s born. They already having bets placed on the day you’ll deliver and the baby’s weight.”
Leland lifted a hand. “Enough.”
Although he didn’t raise his voice, the room became silent. “Can we have some quiet long enough for Glenna to have her breakfast?”
Joe began the introductions, each man taking the time to smile and welcome her before Joe went on to the next.
Glenna waited until they were done before reaching for her fork again. “It’s nice to meet all of you. I know I’m going to have trouble remembering all your names.”
“Not mine.” Graham grinned at the others as they began to file out of the room. His eyes reminded her of melted chocolate and crinkled at the corners when he smiled. Gesturing toward her plate, he studied her features. “Good. You have a little more color in your cheeks.”
Scooping up a forkful of grits, she smiled her thanks. “This is delicious. Thank you so much.”
“You’re welcome.”
Turning to find Leland sipping his coffee and watching her over the rim of his cup, she shook her head. “I never realized so many people lived here.”
With a smile, Leland sat forward, brushing his fingers over her hair. “That’s only about half of them. Others, like Marcus and James, are still part of the pack, but no longer live here, and even others are away right now. Finish up so we can go see Mitch.”
The affection and caring in their eyes couldn’t be mistaken, but would it be enough?
Her life and theirs were tied together—because of the way she smelled to them, and the baby she carried inside her.
Would it be enough?
Leland waited for her to finish and led her to the hallway, where he helped her into a thick leather jacket several sizes too large for her. “Is something wrong, my mate?”
No matter how hard she tried to resist him, she melted at the gentle caring in his eyes. She leaned into him, her nipples beaded at the contact. “Not a thing. Let’s go. I don’t want to keep Mitch waiting.”
Chapter Twenty-One
Glenna staggered through the front door, and dropped onto the sofa, pleasantly tired and full from a big lunch. “I can’t believe you bought so much.” She blew out a breath, gently rubbing where the baby kicked. “I can’t believe I ate so much. You must have been hungry.”
“I’m sure he was.” Graham came out of the kitchen, wiping his hands and grinning as he looked out the window. “Looks like you bought out the store.”
Startled at his sudden appearance, she smiled. “You people are always sneaking up on me.”
Graham’s slow smile was filled with mischief. “Sorry.”
“No you’re not. I should buy bells to put on your necks so you can’t sneak up on me.”
Graham threw his head back and laughed. “I can just picture that!” Kneeling in front of her, he helped her take off her shoes. “You have more color in your cheeks. Did you have a good time?”
Wiggling her toes, she smiled at him. “Buying things for the baby was so much fun, but you should see what they bought for me. You’d think I was going to be pregnant forever. I’l
l never be able to wear all those clothes.”
Joe grinned as he came through the door, his hands filled with bags. “We didn’t even buy that many. Your stomach started growling before we could finish. Stay put. I’ll be right back for you. I’m going to put your clothes in the bedroom to put away later, but I’m going to leave the baby’s things down here until we get the nursery set up.”
Graham straightened and turned away. “Did you get the furniture? The room’s ready to paint as soon as your mate picks out the color.” Turning back to her, he smiled. “You look a little tired to pick something out now.”
Glenna nodded, letting her eyes close. “They wore me out, but it was a lot of fun. You should have seen Leland and Joe oohing and aahing over baby clothes. I think they had more fun than I did.”
She couldn’t wait to get the baby’s things out to look at all over again. “I want to call Fiona. She’ll get a big kick out of it.”
Leland came in behind Joe. “I’ve been meaning to ask you something.” He paused just inside the door, his expression thoughtful. “We were careful not to let Fiona know that we’re shape-shifters because we didn’t know what you’d told her. What did you tell her about us?”
Glenna opened one eye. “I didn’t tell her anything.”
She could only imagine her sister’s face if she’d told her that, especially after finding out that Glenna had no idea which one of them was her baby’s father.
Joe paused on the stairs, his eyes going wide. He exchanged a look with Leland and Graham before turning back to her. “You didn’t tell her?”
When keeping one eye opened prove too much trouble, she closed it again. “I told you I wouldn’t tell anyone.”
Leland’s chuckle had her opening her eye again. “She’s in for a hell of a shock, then, isn’t she? I should call Joshua to warn him.”
Opening her other eye, she frowned. “Why’s Fiona in for a shock, and who’s Joshua?”
Leland grinned and started up the stairs. “You didn’t really think we’d leave your sister in such a dangerous place, did you? Joshua is one of the pack, and he left to get your sister late last night. He’s going to gather all of her things and bring her here.”