by D. Fischer
Sobs shake her body. She places her head in her hands and says, “I feel like this is never going to fucking end, Ira. I’m going to be pregnant forever and this baby will never come out.”
She’s been crying a lot lately and it seems to cause her a great deal of stress to be subjected to such strong emotions. She’s given me a few choice words every time I visit. Since I’m a midwife, it’s nothing I haven’t heard before.
I lean back in the chair, continue the rocking rhythm, and wait for her sobs to subside. I’ve tried consoling her before and almost lost my hand when she snarled and snapped her teeth at me. The memory of that experience still makes me snicker. But I’ve learned to never give sympathy to this Alpha female—it makes the situation worse.
I had just given Kenna an ultrasound so we could check on the baby’s weight and position. Everything looks good. Evo is still grinning like a proud father. If only he knew what the next few months were going to be like—endless nights of little sleep, spit-up covered shirts, smelly diaper changes..
A smile crosses my mouth at that thought of what labor will be like for him. It’s always rewarding to deliver new additions to a family—a beautiful and miraculous experience.
Evo folds his arms across his chest from where he stands on the other side of the bed. “Baby, you’ve made it this far. Surely another month won’t be so bad.”
Kenna lowers her hands from her tear-stained cheeks and glares at her mate, her mood switching on a dime. “Like fucking hell it won’t,” she growls. “You’re not the one who can’t see their feet, receives continuous kidney shots, and eats everything in sight. I can’t remember the last time I took a shit, Evo. I don’t even remember what my legs look like. And in exactly one fucking month,” she holds up a finger, “I have to push a baby the size of a goddamn bowling ball from a very small hole. How would you feel if you had to push a baby out of your dick? Are you going to fix my vagina, Evo? Because you can bet your ass that it’ll never be the same.” Kenna continues to yell at him as I chuckle quietly to myself, concealing my laughter by averting my eyes and covering my mouth with my steepled hands.
Brenna knocks on the door frame, a smile spreading across her face as she peers in. “How’s the baby?” she asks, walking into the bedroom.
I try desperately to wipe the smile from my face now that all eyes are on me. “The baby’s good, but Momma is having some issues.” I point my steepled hands toward Kenna.
Evo rocks back on his heels, a little frightened of his fire-breathing mate. “It’ll be alright, Kenna,” he mumbles, unsure of what to say that will keep him breathing.
She throws her hands up in the air. “How can you say it’ll be alright? I’ve read that the pain of labor is equivalent to being lit on fucking fire!”
Evo’s face visibly pales.
Bre glances in my direction. “Was Reese able to get some pain medicine for the labor?”
I nod my head. “She’s coming again tomorrow to check on Kenna. She’ll bring it then.”
Reese is here with me, attending to Darla in her new quarters, and checking her strength. Darla is doing well, but Reese likes to be thorough. Since I was coming here away, she decided to tag along. She’s serious about her patients and their health.
Ben strides into the Alpha’s bedroom and kisses Bre on the cheek. “How’s the baby?” he asks the room.
Kenna grumbles and wipes her cheeks. “Will everyone stop asking how the baby is? I’m sustaining its life—he or she is fine and happily tucking their toes under my ribs while it sleeps. Because God-forbid he or she sleeps when I do.”
Ben tucks his face into Bre’s blond hair, hiding his smile. The love they share with each other is so thick in the air, I can taste it.
“Any news about those break-ins?” Evo asks Ben. Ben lifts his head from nuzzling his mate.
Ben and Bre have been helping Kenna with her private investigating business. Since she became Pack Queen, and an Alpha at that, many wolf shifters have come to her for consulting. Jacob, my Pack Alpha, had noticed several break-ins –in town—both business and residential—and had mentioned it to Evo for investigation.
Ben turns his head to Evo. “Not yet. A lot of furniture is stolen, but that’s all there is to go on. I heard something about a conference table, but I have yet to check up on that. My guess is it’s some punk kids looking for a thrill.”
“What about the office cubicles?” Kenna asks.
I still my rocking, my heart skipping a beat. Kenna glances at me, feeling my emotion. Pushing my feet back against the carpet, I continue to rock, trying desperately to calm my nerves.
The cubicles . . . the cage-like cubicles at the Rogue wolf territory. Could it . . . could the Rogues be stealing the furniture?
Bre rocks on her heels before leaning against Ben. “I was going to go visit Flint,” she tentatively announces to the room. Thankfully, she catches Kenna’s attention. “Does anyone want to come with?”
Quickly departing the room while the Pack helps Kenna out of the bed, I go in search of Reese, taking deep breaths as I do. I think it’s about time we head back.
I pass the kitchen and wave at Kelsey and Darla. They’re preparing food for the Pack, while Jeremy fiddles with a tablet. Kelsey told me he’s an accountant, so I’m sure he’s nose deep in business related ventures.
Exiting through the sliding glass door of Alpha quarters, I find Reese chatting with Dyson. As I approach, I hear parts of their conversation.
“Just let me know if you need someone to talk to.” She places a comforting hand on his shoulder. “I know a few wolf shifters who specialize in trauma counseling.”
I stop a few feet from them, stuff my hands in my pockets, and clear my throat, announcing my arrival. They turn their heads toward me. “Do you have a minute, Reese?” I ask.
She nods and Dyson excuses himself. Instead of joining his Pack as they currently make their way to Flint’s quarters, he hunches his shoulders and heads toward his own. Evo and Kenna watch as he passes but don’t comment. They must be giving him space too, although their expressions say they are concerned.
I turn to Reese when we’re alone. “Kenna has high blood pressure and significant swelling in her legs.”
Reese folds her arms across her chest and nods once. “She’s pre-eclamptic.”
I rub the tension from the back of my neck. “That’s my assessment, too. What would you like to do about it?” I drop my hand to my side, feeling slightly defeated.
Reese’s chest rises as she sighs. “I’ll talk to her when they’re done with Flint. She needs to be on bedrest and take it easy. If she has any seizures, she’ll need a C-section, and this place isn’t set up for that. We’ll have to plan accordingly. High blood pressure can get dangerous.”
ChapterFour
Irene Scott
I wait with Reese, leaning against the white siding until the Alphas and Betas exit Flint’s quarters. Reese gives me a nod before leaving my side and follows them into the Alphas quarters to deliver the news on Kenna’s condition.
I take a deep breath. I’ve been waiting for a chance to do this ever since the wolf caught my attention from his window. He looked so lonely, so desperate . . . so broken. I like to fix things, and I have experience in dealing with people who have PTSD. My intentions are to help this wolf, see if I can do anything for him.
Once completely alone, my shoulders push off the siding and I leisurely walk to Flint’s door. I hear him whine in agitation from inside. Glancing around me, I hesitate before gently turning the knob.
As I open the door, the most pleasant of scents reaches my nose. I inhale deeply, trying to place it, but I’m unable to identify the source. The wolf quiets his whines and replaces it with snarls and snorts. He can’t see me yet, but he knows there’s someone here.
I softly latch the door behind me and take tentative steps toward the bars that separate the wolf from the rest of the quarters. My eyes immediately land on the feral wolf. I watch as he scen
ts the air and his growling subsides. He perks his ears forward and cocks his head to the side.
Bending down to my knees, I sluggishly slide my hand between the bars and pat the ground. I’ve heard this wolf is feral and close to Rogue, but so far he isn’t showing any signs of attacking me. I briefly wonder if Flint has gained any control in there.
We hold each other’s gaze until he takes a step forward. His large paws pad softly against the carpet as he steps with curiously to my hand. After a brief sniff, I frown when he places his head in my hand. Not thinking twice about it, I run my fingers through his soft fur. A content grumble vibrates from his chest and the heat coming from his body seeps to my bones.
Without thinking, without conscious effort, I’m compelled to join him. So much so that I am unlocking his cage before I realize what I am doing. He curiously watches me as the lock hits the carpet. I swing the bars open and take a step into his space.
Flint Rockland
My wolf’s heart pounds a loud rhythm. This woman has my full attention and my wolf is captivated by her. Her presence makes me feel more alive than since before I was taken.
I watch, slightly fearful as she unlocks the cage. I try to contain my fear so it doesn’t frighten my wolf, but he doesn’t seem to notice. In fact, all the walls he’s mentally built to keep me in are wavering.
I mentally shake my head while this woman holds his undivided attention and carefully push forward to the surface as she, again, runs her fingers through his fur. She speaks soft and caressing words to him.
She unlatches the lock on the bars and drops it to the carpet. Stepping inside, she pauses before bending to the floor and resting on her knees. As she runs her fingers through his fur another time, I take my chance.
Slowly, carefully, I feel him retreat into me as I surface. Shock crosses the woman’s face as my bones creak and reshape into my human form.
Now fully human and naked, I stare at the carpet in my bedroom through my own eyes, breathing heavily from the effort of the shift. I pay close attention to my wolf, making sure he’s content with the retreat. Once satisfied he isn’t going to fight back for the surface, I tip my head up and stare at those fear-filled liquid-chocolate eyes.
With much effort, I reach up and touch her full bottom lip with the pad of my thumb. My heart swells, filling that empty void as I memorize the feel of her skin. It beats faster with each stroke, reminding me how close I was to the edge—how close I was to losing myself . . . my life.
Shocked with fright, she doesn’t move, but her eyes soften at the comforting gesture. The pull to her is like one I’ve never felt. Every part of her calls to me. My heart slows, sinking to the rhythm of the pulse visibly beating in her neck.
I lean forward and brush my lips against hers, needing to taste her . . . needing to feel if her lips are as soft against mine as they were against my thumb.
At first, she doesn’t respond, but I continue with the feather-like brushes. When her eyes flutter closed and her lips move against mine, we exhale a contented sigh, our breath fanning over each other and mingling in the small space between us. Her scent swirls up my nose on an inhale, fogging my thoughts and bringing life back to me.
My hand reaches up to the back of her neck and I tilt her head to deepen the kiss. Shifting my weight, I move up on my knees and tower over her. I barely feel the strain of my unused muscles, too consumed with my task, her scent, her touch.
Her hands grab my bare hips as her breathy sighs escape through our joined lips. The kiss is gentle and sincere, but deep and enthralling.
An object hits the floor, making a loud thump, causing us to jump and effectively breaking our connection. I turn my head with reluctance.
Brenna, her mouth hanging open, stands in the open doorway. “Holy hell,” she whispers, holding a plate that once held the meat now on the floor. “Irene?” She looks at the woman in front of me. “What the hell is going on?” Shock raises her voice above a whisper.
Irene clears her throat and removes her hands from the skin on my hips. The heat from her touch leaves as she moves away from me. She slowly stands, brushes her pants, and turns without a backward glance. “I better– um– Reese is probably– I should go,” she stutters before rushing from my room.
Bre, her mouth still wide open, steps aside to let her pass and watches her go before turning her wide eyes back to mine. “Are you going to tell me what the hell is going on? How are you back? I was just here and you were all growly with fur.” She picks the meat up off the floor, places it back on the plate, and sets the plate on an end table in my living room.
I try to stand but fail in my attempts. Not using my muscles has caused them to become weak.
Bre crosses the space between us, grabs my elbow, and helps me to my feet. “Here, sit on the bed. I’ll get your clothes.” She holds my elbow, bearing most of my weight, and helps me to the edge of my bed. After disappearing into my closet, she returns with a pair of shorts.
She bends to the floor and turns her head in a modest gesture while holding my shorts open for me. I gingerly slip my legs inside, the soft cloth soothing against my skin.
Once my lower half is clothed, she stands up and places her hands on her hips. “How are you back, Flint?”
I look up into her eyes, annoyance and exhaustion evident on my face. “Can’t you just be grateful I’m here?”
I didn’t know how to answer her. Words are failing me. If I told her that Irene had magically lowered my wolf’s defenses, enabling me to shift, it would bring endless questions. I’m too weak for endless questions.
Tears well in her eyes as she sits next to me. She wraps her arms around me, resting her head on my shoulder. “They were talking about killing you, Flint,” she whispers. “Evo and Kenna said they could barely feel you anymore. They thought you were suffering.”
I shakily lift my arm and place it around her. “I was,” I admit.
She releases me, tears streaming down her face. Grabbing a chair, she moves to sit in front of me. “What happened?” She wipes the tears from her cheeks and sniffles. “What happened at the Gray Pack, Flint?”
I shake my head. “I’m not ready for that yet.” Impatience curls her top lip and wrinkles her nose before she averts her gaze to her hands in her lap. She pulls at her fingertips.
I change the subject. “How are you doing?” I wait for the answer she doesn’t supply. “You’re not sleeping,” I add in a whisper.
Still glancing at her hands, her eyelids close further as she narrows them. “I sleep just fine.” She lifts her head, her hair fanning her cheeks. “We’re talking about you right now.”
I cough, my throat like sandpaper. Bre rushes from the room and returns with a glass of water. I take a few refreshing gulps before I speak. To make her less worried, again, I switch the subject. “Where is everyone?” I wipe my mouth with the back of my hand.
“They’re inside the Alpha quarters.” Taking back the glass of water, she sets it next to my bedroom TV.
I hear my front door slam against the living room wall. The vibration echoing through my quarter makes me wince. I can feel a headache coming on.
“Bre, you okay?” Ben shouts, his marching inside my living room audible. Each stomp he takes alerts my wolf.
He must have noticed my gate was wide open because a stream of curses leave his mouth. “Bre?” he shouts again.
Bre rolls her eyes when he stops dead in his tracks in my doorway. “I’m fine,” she says.
Ben’s expressionless face turns into a small smile. “Flint,” he says. “You’re back.”
I nod once. “I am.”
“How—” Ben beings before Bre cuts him off.
“—Let’s not talk about that right now.” She sighs, slaps her knees, and stands up. “Will you help me get him to the Alpha quarters?”
Irene Scott
I watch the budding trees fly through the window on the passenger side of the car. Hordes of birds flit from one tree to another. Sometime
s they fly deeper into the blue sky, acting as one unit, and taking a variety of swirling shapes. With the windows open, I can hear their chatter. I rest my head against the side of the car door and breathe in the fresh scent of wet earth.
“What’s the matter with you?” Reese asks from the driver seat.
Upon my insistence, we left in a hurry shortly after I left Flint’s quarters. I have no idea what happened, how it happened, why it happened. It just happened. One minute, I entered his bedroom, the next, he’s naked and kissing me. He stirs things inside me that I have yet to figure out. Then, I kissed him back . . .
I’m not saying I’m not attracted to him. He’s striking with dark brown hair, a square, sturdy jaw, and his physique is built well. He’s the kind of man that females notice, and he probably gets away with just about anything because of his attractive looks.
I hesitate to answer because I know the truth. I felt that pull and know what it means. Flint is my mate. My heart should be aflutter with twitter, my soul should be singing. But it isn’t. Sorrow replaces what should be the happiest day of my life.
“Let’s just get home, alright?” I answer quietly, staring out my car window and watching the world flash by.
I can’t have a mate. I shouldn’t have a mate. It could get people killed. It could get me killed. This is my price to pay.
Flint Rockland
Two days later . . .
I lower myself to the smooth rocks and sit next to my Alpha female, staring over the pond as the sun sets.
Content to continue watching the newly arrived geese like myself, she relaxes her posture and releases a sigh.
She pulls her hair into a bun. “You’re getting around a lot easier.”
I quirk my eyebrow. “And you waddle like a penguin. We’ve all got our problems.”