Chapter 9
Katie, Conner, Jake and Shana went to the cafeteria at the hospital to eat together. Katie was hoping that Conner and Shana could share a meal without going for each other’s throats, or hers.
Shana could feel Katie’s tension. They sat down at the table in the corner while the men got their food. Shana said, “Conner and I talked and we won’t be fighting anymore. I’m really sorry about the bickering. We use to be very close friends. Somehow, the friendship was strained over the month you were gone, with all the times he asked for your contact information, and then everything that happened when you came back. We both wanted to care for you, I see now that it is his job and I will learn to back-off. If you ever need me, you know I’m only a call away.” Shana leaned over and hugged her friend, “Still friends?”
“Always,” was Katie’s tearful reply. They hugged, cried and laughed.
When the men saw the women hugging and crying, they went back into line to give them extra time. Neither of them wanted to have to deal with anymore tears.
While going through the line Jake mentioned, “Um, did you happen to talk to Katie about the pups? She seemed worried that they’d come out in wolf form.” Jake was attempting to suppress his laughter.
Conner started to laugh openly, “Yeah, we talked briefly about it. I’ll explain it all to her later. We have some news though. I better wait until the mates are here.” Jake looked at him questioning, “Don’t worry. I hope it won’t cause anymore tears. Why do they keep crying?”
“Well, they’ve been through a lot of traumatic events this past couple months. Plus, your woman was just in a car accident today, and my woman is dealing with the loss of her best friend.” At Conner’s look of confusion Jake explained, “Before I met Shana it was only Shana, Trevor and Katie. Now Shana has to deal with her best friend getting mated, and having babies and possibly leaving again. She wants to have Katie close, and is afraid she’ll leave. Shana feels like Katie just got to where she belongs.”
“I have to admit, I’m worried Katie will leave. And to be honest, if she leaves, I’ll follow-anywhere. I need her and the babies. I not only need them, I want them more than you could ever know.” Conner felt and smelled sad, for the first time since he’d come to Jake’s Pack he was sad.
“I understand. Please try and make Katie understand that pack is forever, we don’t leave unless forced out or we choose to leave when we grow. I would hate for you to go. Not just as your Alpha, but as your best friend. I’d like to raise our children together, and have Wednesday night BBQ’s, and watch football and baseball. I am Alpha; I could force you to stay, but I’d never do that.”
Conner smiled, “I know you’d never force me to stay. I think when Katie realizes that this is where her family is, she’ll feel more secure. She’s been through a lot. It seems that every time she starts to get into a routine, or becomes comfortable around us, some tragedy happens.” They had gone through the line, and were walking to the table where the ladies were, dry eyed. Thank God.
Conner slid in next to Katie, before he was able to greet her, she began to dig in. She was shoving a vegetable quesadilla in to her mouth, after slathering it in sour cream and guacamole. He looked across the table at Shana, who was doing the same thing to her BLT sandwich. “I guess y’all were hungry.”
Katie blushed and said, “I’m so sorry, that was rude. Thank you for the food.” And she gave him a chaste kiss on his lips.
Conner licked his lips that were tingling from her salsa, and immediately became aroused, thinking of her in his bed again. Later, he thought to himself.
Katie was shoving another bite of quesadilla into her mouth when she developed a sudden urge to take Conner home, to bed. She looked over at Conner’s half lidded expression, and then further down at his manhood that was straining against his pants.
She finished her bite and looked over at Jake and Shana. “We need to talk and then leave.” She turned to Conner once again sneaking a look at his bulging pants, “You tell ‘em while I finish eating.”
Conner started, “So, Katie has concerns about the safety of everyone at Alpha house. There are two pregnant females, and little Trevor. She’s agreed to stay at my house until the danger passes, or until she realizes that it’s where she wants to stay, raise our children together, and be my beloved mate.” He turned a dazzling smile to Katie who almost choked on her food. “I would, please, ask that we are allowed privacy and no one knows that she’s moved.”
“Of course we’ll keep quiet about it. I’m so glad that you’ve decided to stay together.” Jake said, “Do you think you’ll need extra protection for the house?”
“No, I think we should be okay as long as no one knows where she’s going. We’ll hide. And when they can’t find her, hopefully they’ll make a mistake, and we’ll catch ‘em.” Conner replied confidently while the women continued to eat voraciously.
“Does that mean we can begin to plan a mating ceremony?” Jake innocently questioned.
Katie choked on her food as Shana began to hoot her laughter. “What the hell is a mating ceremony? Why do you guys keep springing this shit on me?”
Motherfuckershitfuckcocksuckers!
Conner scowled at Jake and replied, “It’s okay that you’re not ready, Katie. It’s why I haven’t asked you. When the time is right, and you’re sure of us, then I’ll explain a mating ceremony, and ask you properly. No need to overly stress yourself.” He kissed her temple again.
Katie was wondering why he was acting so weird when she noticed the teasing look on Shana’s face, “What are you snickering at? What’s so funny?”
“Jake is trying to act so cool, but he keeps forgetting that just a few months ago he was the one in this same position.” Shana turned to Jake and winked, “He seems to forget that these things take time, and us ‘mere humans’ don’t like to be dictated to. We also kinda freak out when someone professes their love after only knowing each other for a few days.” Now looking at Katie and Conner, “Don’t worry I’ll remind him.”
It was Conner that began hysterically laughing, “You should have seen him, Katie. He literally ran after her as a wolf.” At Conner’s teasing they all enjoyed a good laugh.
Shana wiped the tears that were collecting in her eyes, from laughing too hard. She turned to her husband admitting, “It is funny when you think back on it. I’m really sorry I gave you such a hard time, but it turned out okay in the end. I love you, Jakie.” Jake smiled at the endearment that Trevor had started for him.
Katie was mid bite when she noticed the same smell of gingerbread cookies. “Alright, who’s hiding the cookies?” At their confused looks she said, “I smell gingerbread, and it’s not the first time today, so someone must have ‘em.”
Shana’s eyes got wide, and Conner looked down at the table blushing. Jake was the one to explain, “You have mated Conner, so you have some of his enhanced senses. Conner will be the one to teach you what the individual smells mean in terms of emotions, but I believe you were picking up the love between me and my mate. The smell of love is similar to cookies; you must be partial to gingerbread.”
“Oh, I get it. So when you feel love for someone, you smell like cookies,” Katie said.
“Simply put. I think you get the concept. I always love Shana, but when I’m having particularly strong emotions, they are easily picked up. Which is why I don’t always smell like cookies. I can remember the first time Shana fell in love with me. We were having a BBQ with the pack, she was across the room from me, but I still caught the scent and couldn’t resist going to her.” Shana smiled at the memory, placed her palm to Jake’s cheek while she leaned forward to kiss him.
“I’ll never forget either. It was the first time I’d felt safe and loved.” Shana stated.
While Shana and Jake were bantering, Katie was thinking. She’d smelled cookies earlier in the day, while she was in the hospital room with Conner, after the ultrasound. Did she love Conner, or was she picking up his lov
e for his future family? She looked over at him, and he was still looking down at the table pushing his food around on the plate. It was a question that needed answering…maybe later. Instead of asking him uncomfortable questions in front of their friends she said, “You gonna eat that?”
Conner gazed into Katie’s eyes expecting to find panic, but instead, he saw acceptance. Why was she not yelling at him, or raging, or crying? He hated not knowing what was going to happen between them. “Are you still hungry? I can get you something more.”
He was even more stunned at her reply, “No, I just want to go home now, your home. I’d like a tour, before I fall asleep and don’t get out of bed for days.”
He beamed at her, “Really, you want to stay in the bed for days? I’m ready when you are toots.” And then he winked at her.
Katie couldn’t believe he had just said that. OMG, she really had meant she wanted to sleep, but now he was expecting some kind of sex marathon. Bloody hell, why do I keep finding myself in impossible situations?
“Relax Katie, I was just joking. I understand you’re probably tired, so I’ll take you straight home. We’ll send Mrs. Quinn to retrieve your stuff from Alpha house, and pick up some more food.”
“Mrs. Quinn? Who’s that?” Katie was even more confused now.
“She helps to run the house because I am often away on pack business, or working. I’ll be spending a lot of time at home though, if that’s where you’ll be. I think you’ll enjoy Mrs. Quinn.”
Shana smirked when Conner was done talking about this Quinn lady, odd, what was she missing?
* * * * *
Shana was disappointed to hear that Katie was moving out, but she knew it was in her friend’s best interest. Katie and Conner needed to get to know each other, and let the emotional bond develop. Plus, Conner’s home was safe, and if Katie went and spent some time there, maybe it would convince her to stay in the area. She didn’t want to lose her friend, and she knew it would devastate Conner if he had to switch packs again. She briefly wondered if she should tell Katie how important Conner was to the pack. No, she was not going to interfere again. If Katie wanted to talk, she could simply call.
Chapter 10
Katie was walking to the parking lot, before she realized that Conner’s vehicle had been in the accident too. “Whose car are we taking, since yours is out of service now too?” Katie inquired.
“Tinker towed the Camaro to the shop. It’s got a lot of damage, and I’m still waiting to see if it’s a total loss. He was kind enough to bring me one of my other cars so I’d be able to get us home.” He walked up to the passenger side of a new white Dodge Challenger and opened the door for her. The vehicle was beautiful, pure white, not a speck of dust, with black rims and black leather interior; decadent.
Conner watched as Katie ran her fingertips along the exterior of the cars body, mouth open, clearly liking what she saw. “Is this your car?”
He smirked, “Well I didn’t go out and steal a car while my pregnant mate was in the hospital if that’s what you’re asking.” He saw her look of irritation and followed with, “I have a key, see.” Holding up the key he said, “It’s mine. I bought it a few months ago as a present to myself. Isn’t she pretty?”
Katie loved this car so she said, “Maybe I should drive this time. Last time I sat next to you in a car, I ended up here strapped to a board.” She was smiling extra wide.
Conner knew she was joking but the truth hurt. “I’ll make you a deal. I drive this time, and when you’re feeling better, and you’re safe,
I’ll give you this car.” He held out what appeared to be a spare set of keys.
Katie’s eyes went wide and she looked thoughtful for a moment, before shaking her head and saying, “I don’t want your car Conner.”
“What do you want from me Katie?”
She slipped into the car and replied, “I guess that’s the question of the month. I’ll let you know when I figure it out,” As she closed the door in his face.
He was stunned; they were getting along just fine, and then…wham. He did something wrong but, for the life of him, he couldn’t figure out what it was. She sure didn’t accept gifts with grace. A thank you would have been nice.
How dare he try to bribe me with a car! She didn’t want his damn pity. Granted she didn’t know what she wanted but, she was damn sure she didn’t want a sugar daddy. Plus, in eight months she was going to have to get a mini-van for her litter. She snickered to herself.
Thinking along those lines was depressing. She was in need of a job, a house, a nanny, and car in the next eight months. She was pretty sure Conner wasn’t filthy rich. She looked out the window at the road they were on; did all werewolves live in the forest?
“Can we talk about why you’re upset? What did I do wrong?”
“I don’t need your pity Mr. Matthews. I can provide for myself, like I always have.”
“Is that all? It’s not pity I’m giving you. I know that you can provide for yourself. And I’m damn proud you’re so independent, but I’d like to feel a part of this relationship too.”
“Relationship? Yeah right. Do you mean we can be fuck buddies and you’ll pay me in cars?” She knew she was being unreasonable, but she felt bad and she wanted him to feel bad too. After all, it was his ‘skills’ and lies that got her pregnant in the first place. She hated liars.
Conner was trying really hard not to get his hackles up, but Katie was pushing him. On purpose, and he wasn’t sure how much more he could stand. “I understand you’ve had a tough week, but I’m not the bad guy. I’ve tried, time and again, to support you and give you what you need. I don’t deserve your attitude. Just tell me what you want.”
“I don’t want anything Conner. Just leave me alone.” She knew she was being bitchy, but too much had happened in the last week and she was exhausted.
What could he say to that? They drove in silence for another fifteen minutes, before pulling into the driveway. He pushed the button to open the garage door, drove in, and closed the doors. Turning off the car he took the keys, opened his door, slammed it closed and went into his house.
Katie couldn’t believe it. She took her phone from her pocket and dialed Shana, “Why didn’t you tell me his house was huge? What the hell is going on? Is everyone rich in this damn town?”
“Calm down Katie. Trevor told me to mention it to you but I forgot. In all fairness, I was thinking about your safety at the time. Conner’s father is the Alpha of the Australia pack, and is extremely wealthy, but what you are looking at is all Conner. He’s made his own fortune.”
“Why does he need such a big house? He’s only one guy.” Why was this upsetting her so much? She had her own money, and had no intention of mooching off of him.
Snickering Shana answered, “When I first saw his house, I asked the same question. And he told me he had built the perfect home for his future family. He said everything he had done would be to ensure that if he ever found his mate, that they would have a safe and happy place to raise their cubs. It sounded so sweet but at the time he looked so, lonely.” Shana sighed, “Is he there? Where are you?”
“Ugh, I kinda freaked out on him again when I saw his house, and he locked me in the garage.”
“Do you want me to pick you up? What do you mean lock?” Shana sounded worried for her.
“It’s not what you think. I pissed him off so he closed the garage door for safety, but the only place to go is in the house and I’m…scared. He’s a great guy, but for some reason he makes me feel inadequate. I don’t want his pity. I’ve always been independent, and I don’t want him to think I need him.”
“It’s not bad to need people, Katie. But I’m sure Conner wants to be wanted, not just needed. Understand?”
Shit, I’m such a bitch. Conner had offered everything, and she had rejected him again. It’s not that she didn’t want to be in a relationship, she just wasn’t good at it. “I better go face the music. Talk to you later.”
�
�Call me if you need to talk, or want to come back. I’ll always be here for you, and for Conner.” Katie heard the phone disconnect. Shana loved them both and Katie felt awful putting her in the middle, again.
Katie sat in the car a moment to collect her thoughts when the door to the house opened, in the doorway stood a tall pudgy blond woman in her fifties. She looked motherly as she strode confidently out to the car. She pulled open the door with a bit of force and leaned into the car, “Will you be coming along then dearie? I’ve been waiting to meet you for some time now. Conner has talked of nothing else for the past month. I have been preparing the house for you since I got Conner’s call last month.” Turning a frown on Katie, “It took you long enough to get here, Dear? Are you well, because you’re looking a bit peaky, do you require some tea? Look at me blabbering on. I’m sorry but I’m so excited to finally be meeting you, Ms. Ward.”
What the hell? Now Katie knew she was thrust into the twilight zone. Who was this woman? Oh God, she hoped it wasn’t Conner’s mother. What should she say, ‘Hi ma’am I’m Katie, Conner’s friend and baby mama. Your son is so nice, but I’ve pushed him away and put him down at every possible moment. Nice to meet you.’
Katie was dragged through the door, and into the most gorgeous kitchen she had ever seen; stainless steel appliances, a lovely tan granite countertop with cherry wood cabinets. There was a large island in the middle of the kitchen. But when she searched she couldn’t find Conner.
“Hello ma’am I’m Katie Ward, nice to meet you.” She held out her hand to shake but the older woman pulled her into a hug.
“Oh, you smell like apricots. Did you know that? And something more…” She came at Katie again to sniff but Katie held up her hand and halted her forward progress.
A Second Chance (Fated Mate) Page 7