Forbidden Desire (Lee County Wolves) Book #3

by Teresa Gabelman

  Finally, the door opened and Roxy came out closing the door behind her. Her face looked flushed, her eyes bright like she had been crying.

  “Jeez-o-pete, Mr. Impatient,” Roxy teased. “I’m ready to go.”

  “What’s wrong?” Marcus became instantly alert. He knew her better than he knew himself, and something was wrong.

  “Nothing.” Roxy tried to pass him, but he stopped her.

  “Do not lie to me, Roxy,” Marcus warned with a frown. “Your face is flushed, and it looks like you’ve been crying.”

  “I’m flushed because you’re rushing me,” Roxy countered. “And I’ve not been crying. Now can we please go? I want to be there before the babies come home. You’re always making us late.”

  “What?” Marcus’s head shot back, his eyes widened. “You’re the one who makes us late. I hate being late.”

  Roxy laughed as she hurried down the steps. She grabbed the gifts off the table and headed for the door. “Come on, slow poke.”

  “I’ll give you a slow poke.” He grabbed the keys and swatted her ass.

  The drive was quick, but he still noticed something was off with Roxy. She wasn’t her talkative self on the short drive to Garrett’s. He put it in the back of his mind but would get the truth out of her once they got back home. He pulled up to Garrett’s, and Roxy cursed.

  “Shit, they beat us here.” Roxy sighed and hurried out of the car.

  “Your fault,” Marcus teased, which gained him a glare.

  He followed her inside, and the house was full of activity. Marcus couldn’t help but glance at the kitchen floor that only weeks before was soaked with his brother’s blood. He found Garrett proudly standing over Janna, with one of the babies in his arms. Garrett looked up, and their eyes met. Marcus gave him a wave and a nod.

  Without Slade, his brother probably would have bled to death on this floor. The gunshot wound itself wasn’t life threatening, meaning it didn’t cause any internal damage. It was the blood loss that had been the concern, but the town of shifters showed up at the hospital and gave their blood. Something he would never be able to repay them for. He had shown up at the hospital, and after checking on everyone, he had then headed down to give blood along with Hunter. There was a line. It was something he would never forget. Once Garrett received the transfusion, and he was strong enough, he shifted. Within no time, he’d healed enough to go to Janna.

  Marcus watched Roxy make her way up to the babies. Janna looked a hundred percent better. She had been in premature labor in the woods. Once Dell got her to the hospital, they gave her something to try to slow it down. Slade hadn’t been sure if the babies were strong enough to come into the world. If it had been just one, it would have been fine since a shifter’s pregnancy term is half of a human’s. But with twins, even a few weeks early could be devastating.

  Roxy waved him over as she held one of the babies. “Isn’t she just adorable?” She ran her finger down the baby’s soft, round cheek. “Say hi to your Uncle Marcus.”

  Marcus smiled and touched the baby’s hand. Shifters liked to mate. They usually had big families, and he knew the urge to mate with Roxy after seeing the baby was normal. His makeup was saying it was time. He just hoped Roxy was ready.

  “Can I have everyone’s attention?” Garrett called out, quieting everyone. “We held off telling anyone the names we picked out until we were all together.”

  Janna stood next to Garrett and took the baby girl from Roxy. “This is Maria Huntress Foster.”

  “Well, I’ll be damned,” Hunter said, looking a little emotional. “She’ll be spoiled rotten with a name like that.”

  “A hellion more like it,” someone else called out.

  Hunter looked offended at first but then grinned. “Yeah, definitely a hellion.”

  Everyone laughed until Garrett held up the other baby. “And this little guy is Maximus Marcus Foster.”

  Marcus grinned proudly. “I’m honored and will teach the little guy everything I know.”

  “God help us!” someone yelled as others agreed.

  “Congratulations.” Roxy kissed his cheek. “Uncle Marcus.”

  “Do you have a minute?” Garrett walked up to them. “Can I borrow your mate?”

  “Of course, as long as I can borrow one of those cuties.” Roxy grinned then headed toward the babies.

  “How you feeling?” Marcus followed Garrett outside where Hunter was obviously waiting for them. “Where’s Slade and Jill? I thought they’d be here.”

  “Feeling real good, never better in fact, and they got called back,” Garrett replied. “They were hoping to stay until tomorrow, but something came up and they had to leave.”

  Marcus watched Garrett closely and knew something big was about to happen. Garrett usually said what was on his mind without hesitation, but he could tell he was choosing his words.

  “I wanted to thank you both for what you did for Janna and me. If it wasn’t for you, I probably would have lost my life, my mate, and my babies, as well as Leda. I can never repay you for that.”

  “You’ll never have to repay us for that,” Marcus said, and Hunter agreed. “It’s the shifter way. We take care of ours.”

  Garrett nodded, then glanced out over the yard. “I’m stepping down,” he blurted before looking at each of them.

  “What?” Hunter frowned. “No, wait. What?”

  “It’s not just me anymore. Janna doesn’t even know. But I am stepping down as alpha.” Garrett held his hand out before Hunter could say anything else. “I can’t put my family in this kind of danger anymore. I’ve been thinking this for a while, but this shit like Jasper Simone’s son coming back is a wake-up call. There’ll be others out there seeking revenge because I killed someone. It’s different when I take that chance, but it’s selfish to have my family in harm’s way when they don’t have to be. The last thing I’ll do before I step down is take care of the motherfucker who shot me. The others can be dealt with however the new alpha sees fit.”

  “Well fuck!” Hunter cursed, looking conflicted. “I mean, I understand, but damn, man. This sucks.”

  “What do you say, Marcus?” Garrett looked him directly in the eye.

  “Before Roxy, I would have given you hell, but I understand. Now you have babies and well, yeah, it sucks because you’re one hell of an alpha to our pack, but I get it and I support you.”

  “Thank you.” Garrett nodded. “That means a lot. I’m offering you both the position. If you both want it, then you have to fight for it. I expect an answer soon. I want this done as soon as possible. If neither of you wants it, I’m going to offer it to Dell.”

  Marcus took it all in. He wouldn’t really say he was surprised by Garrett’s decision, but it was a reality check in the kind of life they lived.

  “Any one of you will make a great alpha. I wanted you to know first and will wait until you make your decision before I approach Dell,” Garrett said, then clapped Hunter on the back. “Now come on, and let’s enjoy the rest of the day with family and friends.”

  Marcus smiled and followed them in, but his mood took a drastic turn. It wasn’t as festive as it was before. His eyes met Roxy’s questioning gaze, but he gave her a smile of reassurance. He didn’t want her to worry.

  ******

  Roxy knew something was wrong as soon as Hunter, Garrett, and Marcus came back inside. She also knew Marcus’s smile was as fake as hell. Clare had walked up to see the babies, and they began talking, but she wasn’t focused. Looking around, she didn’t see Marcus anywhere.

  “Hey!” Emily called out, waving her over. “Can you help me put out the food?”

  Roxy agreed, but in truth, she wanted to find Marcus. Clare came over to help, and in no time, the food was out, and people were filling their plates. Every time she went to find Marcus, someone stopped her to talk or she needed to help with something.

  Finally, she got away and searched and searched. Walking outside, she spotted him leaning against the old wooden
fence in the side yard. After heading down the steps, she crossed the grass. “Hey, I’ve been looking everywhere for you.” She glided into his arms. “You okay?”

  “Yeah, fine.” He smiled down at her then hugged her close, putting his chin on her head.

  “Well, we’re both lying to each other,” Roxy said, and he pulled away from her.

  “I knew something was wrong.” He frowned down at her. “What is it?”

  “You first.” Roxy stared up at him. “Please.”

  “You know I can’t deny you when you say please so sweetly like that.” Marcus sighed and then cursed.

  “I know.” She chuckled. “That’s why I do it.”

  “Garrett’s stepping down as alpha,” Marcus said, then looked toward the house. “He’s offered the position to me or Hunter.”

  “Why’s he stepping down?” Roxy asked. She didn’t really understand the whole alpha thing, but knew it was a big deal, and Marcus seemed truly upset.

  “Because of family.” Marcus looked back at her. “Being alpha brings not only a lot of responsibility but danger as well. When you have a family, they’re at risk.”

  “Oh,” Roxy replied. Her stomach flipped and dipped. “And what do you want to do?”

  “I don’t know. It’s a big decision, and I want to make the right one for us, for the pack, and for Garrett.” Marcus tipped her chin up, looking into her eyes. “I’m sorry, this just has my mind whirling like crazy.”

  “Whatever you decide, know that I’m behind you,” Roxy assured him and meant it. She was in this for the long haul.

  “Thank you.” Marcus leaned down, kissing her softly.

  “But I think I really need to tell you something before you make your decision.” Roxy backed away from him so she could watch his reaction.

  “What?” Marcus reached for her, but she backed further way. “Why are you backing away from me?”

  “Because I want to see your expression when I tell you that I’m pregnant,” Roxy said, then cringed looking at him, waiting.

  Marcus opened his mouth, then shut it. Barely a second later, a large grin spread across his face. “You’re sure?”

  “That’s why I was in the bathroom so long,” Roxy said, still watching him closely. “And if four positive tests mean sure, then yeah, I’m pretty sure.”

  “Yes!” Marcus shouted and grabbed her, picking her up in the air. “Fuck yes!”

  “So, I take it you’re happy.” Roxy laughed as he slowly lowered her so he could kiss her, but her feet still didn’t touch the ground.

  “Hell yes, I’m happy.” Marcus finally put her on the ground. He hugged her close. “Thank you.”

  “For being pregnant?” Roxy grinned against his chest.

  “Yes, thank you for being pregnant and coming into my life.” He kissed her again.

  “Well, you needed to know for when you make your decision about the alpha stuff.” Roxy frowned. “Sorry, I don’t really understand the whole alpha thing, but I trust whatever decision you make.”

  “Let’s not talk about that right now.” Marcus laughed, then grabbed her hand. “I want to tell everyone I’m going to be a dad.”

  “Whoa, hold on there.” Roxy pulled him back. “We can’t do that here at Garrett and Janna’s party.”

  “The hell we can’t.” Marcus tugged her toward the house. Once inside, he stood in the middle of the room and yelled, “I’m going to be a fucking dad!”

  “Oh, damn!” Hunter shouted in fake shock. “Let’s pray it’s not a girl!”

  Everyone laughed and started to congratulate them, but Marcus held up his hand and everyone became silent. He turned to Garrett and Janna, who both wore large grins. “I don’t want to steal your thunder—”

  “Too late for that.” Hunter snorted, then laughed when Marcus glared at him.

  “But—” He turned to Roxy and knelt on the ground. “I did this once, but now I want to do it in front of my family and friends so no one can question my feelings for you.”

  “Marcus, you don’t have—” Roxy started to say, but tears choked her.

  “Hell yes, he does.” Clare cut her off, excitement in her voice.

  “Roxy Patel, will you marry me?” Marcus held a small box with a simple single stone diamond ring inside.

  “Yes, I will marry you,” Roxy whispered, then held out her hand and still on her ring finger was the twig ring that he proposed with in the woods. He went to remove it, but she snatched her hand back. “Don’t you dare.”

  “She’s already bossing him around.” Hunter sighed, then grunted when Emily elbowed him in the stomach.

  Marcus slipped the ring on her finger; it butted up against the other. He stood in front of her. The seriousness in his eyes had her sighing, crying, and wanting nothing more than to be alone with him.

  “I’ve waited my whole life for you.” Marcus leaned down, kissing her, then took her in his arms.

  “I know exactly what you mean.” Roxy held him close and felt like she had finally come home.

  The cheers were loud as they were surrounded, everyone congratulating them. She was a little embarrassed by all the attention, but seeing the joy on Marcus’s face, she smiled. This definitely must be the shifter way.