by Renee Rose
She patted my hand and gave me a small smile. “Want to tell me about yours?”
I sighed, taking a break from stuffing my face. I’d eaten all but two little hot dogs and half the dip. I wiped my mouth with the napkin then looked down and saw a glop of barbeque sauce on my shirt. I tried wiping at it, but Janet stilled my hand. I could only imagine what I looked like. I’d cried myself to sleep, and my hair was a snarl. I was wearing Audrey’s hand-me-downs that didn’t fit all that well. I put the napkin down. A stain on my shirt wasn’t going to make me look worse.
“The short version?”
She nodded. “Sure.”
“My parents are… religious. The kind who preach but mess up on the practice part. They weren’t married when my mom got pregnant. There was a quickie marriage, and I was born early.”
Janet’s dark brows went up, but she said nothing.
“They believe marriage is for life. That what God has joined together, no man shall put asunder and all that. It didn’t matter if they didn’t like each other. Or blamed their loveless marriage on me. My ex… well, he never did become my ex, did he?” I gave a humorless laugh and took a little drink. “Todd wasn’t a nice guy.” I told her about leaving Todd and how he refused to divorce me. “My parents sided with Todd. I should have been a better wife and all that. Staying and being miserable was what was important to them. I didn’t agree, and now we don’t talk. Pretty much, it was Todd or me, and they chose Todd.”
Janet clucked her tongue and gave me a soft smile. “We favor marriage for life, too. By we, I mean shifters. And we don’t marry, we mate. But you know all that. Now. The difference is, males would never hurt their mate, either emotionally or physically. Never.”
I nodded.
“Males are also as dumb as a box of rocks.”
I had a spoonful of dip halfway to my mouth when she said that. I dropped it back in the container and laughed.
“It’s true,” she said. She put her hand to her dark hair and patted it. “I have a mate, two boys of my own and the Wolf three. Plus a few other friends they’ve all brought home over the years. If you have questions about shifters, specifically male shifters… even more specifically about male shifters I’ve birthed, then fire away.”
I pushed back my chair and stood. Went to the fridge and opened it. Then shut it. God, did I have questions. Glancing over my shoulder at her, I said, “I… I don’t know if I’m ready for the answers.”
I opened the freezer, found a tub of Rocky Road ice cream and pulled it out. “Want some?” I asked.
“No, honey. Thank you.”
I dropped back into my chair, ripped off the lid. After grabbing the spoon from the dip and licking it clean, I scooped up some ice cream.
“Why didn’t he tell me?” I asked.
She sighed. “Box of rocks, remember? Did Audrey tell you how she found out Boyd was a shifter?”
“She didn’t tell me Boyd was a shifter.”
“She couldn’t, honey. I know she’s your best friend, but pack law is stronger than human friendships. She’d be endangering her mate and her unborn child if she did.”
“Toss in the baby and make me feel bad,” I grumbled.
“She found out when a teenage shifter got shot, and he shifted while she was helping him.”
My eyes widened. “Is he okay?”
She smiled at my concern. “Of course. Shifters have rapid healing abilities. But Boyd didn’t tell her before she discovered it the hard way. Marina found out when the barn roof collapsed at Audrey’s wedding reception.” She patted my hand again. “Audrey didn’t tell Marina either.”
I gasped. “She didn’t? Her own sister? Oh man, she must have been furious.”
“My point is, the guys are idiots. They think we females can’t handle tough stuff. They love to protect us, even from the things we need to know.”
“I didn’t even know I was mated.” I stared at her then blushed. “Oh my God, you knew.”
She nodded and smiled. “I am so happy to know Clint’s claimed you.”
“It’s because I’m having his baby.” I poked the ice cream.
“Definitely.”
That hurt. A lot. I stared at the lumps of chocolate in the ice cream. “I don’t want Clint if that’s all he wants. Todd didn’t really want me. He wanted a possession. My parents felt obliged to save face.”
“Honey—”
“I won’t be an obligation.”
“Male shifters aren’t like human men. The first time Clint breathed in your scent, he knew you were his. Forever.”
“That’s insane. His nose was broken the first time we met. That meant that… oh my God, I threw up on him.”
She laughed. “Yet he still wanted you.”
I covered my face with my hand. “He did.”
“The wolf finds his mate by scent. That’s how Tom found me. How Boyd knew Audrey was the one. The same went for Colton and Marina. Even Rob, and he’s alpha. You’re Clint’s. Baby or not. That’s it. The entire love story from his perspective is right there.”
“Seriously?”
She nodded. “You’re human, so you don’t have the same response right back. It’s much easier when it’s a shifter-shifter match.”
“I bet.”
“This is what’s probably torturing Clint right now—that you don’t understand the depth of what he feels for you. He’s never once questioned you being for him, and he never will.”
“You’re his mother, you have to say stuff like that.”
She shook her head. “I’m a shifter. It’s easy because when a son says he’s met his mate, he’s met his mate. Do you… do you care about him?”
I poked at the ice cream some more. “Yes.”
“Do you want him… forever?”
“I thought so, but… Janet, he’s… I won’t say because you’re his mom.”
“He’s an enforcer. I’ve heard. As a shifter parent, I couldn’t be more proud.”
My mouth fell open. “He kills people. I saw firsthand last night.”
She shook her head. “He kills rogue shifters. He does it under orders. Do you think snipers in the military are bad?”
I frowned. “They’re doing their jobs taking out bad guys.”
“Exactly.”
I blinked. “It was scary.”
She offered me a small smile. “I bet. Wolves fight. The customs are different. It’s complicated, but you’ll grow to understand.”
“He left me here alone. If he’s so protective, where is he?”
She laughed and pointed toward the front door. “Go look out the window.”
I popped up and went to the front window. There was Clint, across the street in his truck.
“He was there all night. Others took his place earlier, so he could rest, but he’ll be there all night again.”
“But…”
“You’re his mate, Becky. He’ll never leave you. Never leave you unprotected. You’re cherished and loved, watched over, even if you refuse him.”
I turned to look at her. “You’re kidding.”
She shook her head. “He’ll watch out for you and the baby no matter what. Knowing he’s an enforcer means he’s going to be even more diligent.”
“That’s crazy.”
“Remember, I said they’re dumbasses?”
I nodded, biting my lip as I stared at Clint. He was looking out the side window at the house, right at me. I had no idea if he could see me or not, but it was as if he could sense me.
“We females need to keep them in line. You’re doing a mighty fine job of it with Clint. You’ve got to make them think they’re in charge, but really, you’ve got them all figured out. You’re gonna raise that granddaughter of mine to wrap Clint around her little finger too.”
“You’re devious.”
Clint was dangerous but not to me. He’d fought that… wolf last night because I’d been in danger. He’d risked his life for us, and I had a feeling he’d do it again. He
took care of his own, his pack… or me, his mate.
Oh my God. Clint did it all for me. It was a shifter way of showing me his love. A gruesome, bloody, naked way to do it, but still...
“We females have to be,” she continued. “The males, they’re also loyal and loveable and sweet and—”
I gasped, my hand flying to my belly. The baby had kicked. Or rather, it was the first time I felt my baby kick. Our baby.
“Is it the quickening?” Janet asked.
I nodded, eyes misting. Call me sappy, but it felt like a sign. I may not know a man’s my mate by his scent, but the way my body leaned toward that window, toward Clint…
The way it felt so wrong to be apart from him—that had to mean something.
I’d lumped him in with Todd for his dishonesty, but he was the opposite. He wasn’t manipulating me. He didn’t make me wrong. He hadn’t shown up here last night with demands. When I told him not to call, he’d honored my request. And yet he’d still driven into town and stayed all night long—in freezing weather—watching over me.
With a sob, I flung open the door and ran toward Clint, just like at the police station. He was there, would always be there, waiting for me. Protecting me even when he couldn’t himself.
Instantly, he climbed out and stalked toward me, opening his arms when he got close.
I leaped at him, wrapping my arms around his neck, my legs around his waist. A hand cupped my ass to hold me as the other sank into my hair.
“Sugar.”
We stood on the front lawn and kissed. And kissed. I wasn’t cold. I didn’t feel anything but every inch of Clint’s hard body and heat.
“My job here is done,” Janet said. “Get her inside, Clint. Don’t be a dumbass and claim her again in the front yard.”
25
CLINT
If my mate wasn’t in my arms, I would’ve dropped to my knees, humbled by the grace of fate to bring her willingly back to me.
“Sugar,” I croaked, barely hearing my mom. “Please forgive me.” I wasn’t a guy of many words, but I had a million to say to her right now.
Everything I would’ve said from the beginning, if I’d been able. Everything she deserved to know. She’d given me everything, and I’d had to keep secrets. No longer.
“Clint.” There were tears caught on the one word, and it fucking killed me knowing I’d put them there.
I carried her back into Audrey’s house and tossed my jacket on the couch, never putting her down. My wolf wanted me to carry her straight to the bedroom and claim her again. Satisfy her until she screamed my name for all the neighbors to hear. But we needed to talk. I needed to know she forgave me.
I kept her cradled in my arms but sat in an armchair, arranging her on my lap. I couldn’t bear to let her out of my embrace, even for our talk. Her scent soothed me, calmed my wolf. She felt soft and warm. I’d recognize every inch of her anywhere.
My hands settled on her hips, my thumbs stroking over the curves of her ass. “Sugar, I’m so sorry. I wish to fuck I could have a do-over with you. I’d do it all different.”
Her blue eyes searched my face, vulnerability showing there. I wouldn’t tell her this aloud, but she looked a mess. It was like a poisoned blade to the gut knowing I’d made her cry all night. That her hair was matted on one side, that her top had… sauce on it. Yet even with all that, she was the most beautiful thing in the whole world.
“Yeah? What would you do?”
I groaned. “Well, first of all, I’d have figured out you were my mate that night at Cody’s. I didn’t get your scent, but my body sure as hell responded to you. My wolf, too. Even after I let you get back to your friends, I didn’t want it to be a one-night fling. I should’ve known it was because you were mine.”
She touched the place I’d marked her.
“And that,” I lifted my chin toward it. “I’m so fucking sorry. I never meant to mark you without your permission. That was so shitty. It was an accident. My wolf was just so fucking satisfied to have you under me, I just…”
“Slipped?” Her lips twisted into a smile.
I let out a relieved laugh at seeing it on her. “Yeah, I slipped. Take it as a compliment. You made me lose complete control. You do, every time we’re together.”
She snuggled in my lap, wiggling her ass around to get comfortable. Of course, my dick took that as an invitation to get harder than stone. “Your mom told me a little but tell me about this bite. Not the concept of it but my actual one. What does it mean?”
I stroked my thumb across her cheek, grateful for having the privilege of touching her again. “Sugar, it means I’m your man. Forever. Remember I told you about wolves mating for life?”
I was close enough to see her pulse quicken. Hear her little intake of breath.
“I remember.”
“It’s true of shifter wolves, too. We’re loyal to the death. To our pack, to our families and especially—always—to our mate.”
“What if I’d told you I didn’t want you to bite me?”
I winced. “That would’ve been very difficult for me. I would’ve tried to respect your wishes—of course—but my instinct to claim you was so strong.” I grinned. “You might’ve needed to tie me up before we had sex.”
Her breath quickened, and she squirmed in my lap. “Well, that sounds hot.”
“Well, it’s still on the table, if that’s what you’re into, sugar.” Anything to get my sweet human back in the sheets. Anything to satisfy her. “Remember, if you have needs, it’s my job to see to them. Whatever they are.”
“What about Todd? I’m still--”
I shook my head. “You’re not a suspect. Selena called while I was in the car. You’ve been cleared. With Donald dead, they’ll never discover the truth.”
“It’s over,” she repeated.
“There’s his estate to clear up, but Selena said she’d handle it for you.”
“I don’t want to think of him anymore.” She bit her lip. “As for us, if I had it to do over, I would’ve given you my number that night at Cody’s,” she said, kindling warmth in my chest. “Or told you when I found out I was pregnant.” She ducked her head. “It was… disrespectful, especially knowing now how you feel about family. You, personally, and shifters in general. I’m not used to parents really wanting their kids.”
“Sugar,” I said with a sigh, my thumb stroking her cheek again.
“You took that revelation a lot more gracefully than I took yours. I’m sorry, too.”
I closed my eyes. “I’ve killed people. You saw it. That will never go away.”
She looked to me with sad eyes. “Your mom said your job was like being in the military, being ordered to kill the bad guys. Killing is killing, but you were justified. Last night, you were protecting us.”
“Sugar,” I said, the one word pained.
“I know the difference between good and bad. You’re good.”
I cradled her face and pulled her head down to kiss her forehead. Was it really that simple? I owed my mom a lot. Thank fuck she could explain shit better than me. “Yesterday was a disaster from start to finish, and it was all my fault. I’m sorry you had to go through it. But I want you to know that I tendered my resignation as council enforcer as soon as I marked you. I didn’t want to be away from you. I didn’t want the job. What it meant. I will never invite danger near our family again. While I can’t say I’ll never kill again, I’ll only do it to protect what’s mine. Our family.”
“Our family,” she whispered, reaching out to touch her fingertips to my lips. “I like the way that sounds.”
“That’s what I want, sugar. Desperately. I’ll do anything to have you. Please say you’ll give me a redo.”
She laughed a watery laugh. “I’ll totally give you a redo. Does that mean we’re going back to Cody’s?”
I chuckled. “I wouldn’t mind getting you in that storeroom again. Although I don’t know if fucking hard up against a wall is the best thing for the baby.
”
She smirked. “It’s fine for the baby, but we’d better do it soon because in a month or two my belly will get too big for that.”
“There’s lots of ways I can take you. Don’t you worry none about that.” I slid my palm over her sweet baby bump. “I can’t fucking wait for you to get big. You’re already the most beautiful pregnant female on the planet.”
She pushed my hand lower, between her legs, and I didn’t bite back the growl.
Her brows shot up and eyes widened with excitement. “Ooh. I think your wolf wants me.”
I launched myself out of the armchair, already carrying her toward the bedroom. “Sugar, my wolf always wants you. We’re talking twenty-four-seven.” I lowered her onto the bed and pulled her pajama bottoms and panties off. “I’m wild for you.”
“Uh uh.” She sat up and reached for my shirt, yanking the snaps open to reveal my chest. “Where’s the rope?”
26
CLINT
Oh, damn. I wasn’t going to last five minutes. Maybe not even two. The idea of Becky tying me up and having her way with me had my balls tight, my cock painfully thick.
I shucked my clothes while she searched Audrey’s drawers and produced a pair of tights. “These should work,” she said.
They would. Certainly not because I couldn’t get free of them. Nothing she could tie me up with could actually hold me, but for her, I’d follow any command. I let her wrap my wrists and attach them to one of the bed posts then watched avidly as she stripped off her pajama top and cupped her beautiful breasts.
Holy. Fuck. She was lush and curvy and perfect. Her tits were even bigger, the nipples enlarging too. More to suck and lick and nip.
“You’ve had your mouth on me, but I haven’t had a chance to return the favor.” She crawled on the bed in a slow seduction. She had no idea just how hot she was. I clenched my fists trying not to rip the tights to shreds and grab her.
My cock jutted out perpendicular to the bed, bobbing for her attention. Pre-cum dripped down the crown.