by Julia Laque
Adam immediately turned to him, and then howled at his Fighters. At the same time, Cyrus called out, “Halt!”
Vampire and werewolf froze in mid fight, the room becoming instantly silent as each side waited for further instructions.
Cyrus had become someone else. Never in his entire life had he felt such agony and the bitter taste of defeat.
Fine. You’ve won her. Take her now. Cyrus’ head rolled on his neck. Get her out of my sight. He turned to Evangeline and pushed her away from him.
Jason caught her. Evangeline’s sweet lips he would never taste mouthed to him, thank you.
He told his coven to stand down. Evangeline jumped off the platform and landed flawlessly on the floor, dashing toward Adam as he four-footed it toward her.
She jumped into Adam’s burly arms, hugging him tightly. Cyrus bit down hard in disgust.
Adam cradled her like a baby and turned toward the door, his pack falling back and following their alpha backwards in the same direction.
His coven watched them retreat, panting heavily.
“Get out!”
They looked to him, but he ignored them, glaring at the place Evangeline had just disappeared from.
They scattered and teleported with quickness.
Good.
Cyrus arched back and let out a yell heard across five towns. The windows of the warehouse shattered at the same time, raining shiny debris in and outside.
****
Outside, the pack froze at the piercing scream and turned to look at the explosion of glass from the building.
Evangeline gripped the fur at Adam’s arms and squeezed her eyes shut.
She whispered to him, “God, what have I done?”
Chapter Sixteen
Adam placed Evangeline down gently by the SUV and stepped away a few feet to phase back. It took a considerable amount of energy to do so when his testosterone level was through the roof and the image of the prick’s hands on Evangeline still seared his mind. Completely naked now, he stormed toward Evangeline who looked pale and terrified. Adam reached out and cupped her face in his hands, bending his head to place his forehead on hers.
Closing his eyes, he calmed his breathing, taking in her scent and warmth and dazedly thrilled to be touching her right now. “Are you all right?”
She nodded mutely.
He let her go, abruptly. “Let’s get the hell out of here.”
Adam opened the passenger door and slipped her inside.
“Put your belt on.”
She nodded and did so.
He came around and sat in the driver’s seat, shaking his head as they took off. He couldn’t believe how things had turned out. The last thing he thought would happen was to end up sitting next to Evangeline on his way home.
He scanned the area for the Fighters. He knew Nick and Alex were still lingering around the warehouse, waiting until he and Evangeline were out of sight, while Ramo and Jason had taken off to patrol around the round house.
Evangeline let out a long breath.
She was with him.
Evangeline was sitting beside him with his baby inside her. God. A baby!
He reached out his keen senses as he’d done back at the warehouse when Cyrus announced she was pregnant. There it was, his baby’s heart beating fast as hell.
Nervous now, he turned to check on her. “How are you feeling?” Shit, it was like he knocked up his high school girlfriend or something.
Evangeline was clutching her stomach. “Is it true?” She turned to him.
Adam nodded.
“It’s so early though. How…”
“I’m a wolf,” he said tersely, and glanced uncertainly at her. “You won’t carry like humans. Our fetuses grow at a rapid rate.” He inhaled sharply. “That’s if you choose to…” God, he couldn’t say it, didn’t want to think it.
Her eyes widened at him. “You think…why would you even say...?”
Adam stared straight ahead as he drove. “Evangeline, I don’t know how this happened.” He scoffed at himself. “Okay, I do, but it has to be the moon heat for us to conceive, but you’re human.” He hesitated. “It must not matter to humans, but I don’t know how this is going to be on your body. We’re going to have to research previous cases like this—”
“Adam, I’m keeping our baby no matter what.”
His chest constricted as he looked at her and grabbed for her hand, twining their fingers together and holding her knuckles to his mouth.
They drove in silence. The closer they got to the round house, the faster he drove. When they arrived, he put the SUV in park and jumped out. Coming around, he picked her up and carried her to the door.
“Adam, I’m fine. I can walk.”
“Just let me, okay?” he said tautly.
Evangeline kissed his cheek and placed her head in the crook of his neck.
He punched the code on the panel by the door with one hand and slipped inside the house, shutting the door with his bare foot.
Evangeline giggled. “How many times have you come home naked?”
“Too many times to count.”
“The neighbors don’t complain?” She smirked at him.
“As you saw, my house is at the end of the street. I have the Midewin meadow on one side and on the other the houses are spaced out. My nearest neighbor is an old widow and the little lady actually enjoys it. I also think her mind’s slipping, but nevertheless, she gets a show every now and then.”
Adam brought her to the kitchen and set her down on the granite counter top. They were almost eyelevel now. “How do you feel?” he asked again as she hadn’t answered him in the car.
“I felt tired all day and a little nauseous on the way to the warehouse, but I’m feeling fine now.” She reached up and held his face in her hands. “I can’t believe I’m here.”
He turned his face and kissed the palm of her hand, savoring the feel of her touch. “I’m never letting you out of my sight again.” His lips continued on, kissing her wrist, then trailing up her arm to her neck. “Are you sure you’re all right?” His voice was low and heavy now.
She was breathing hard, eyes closed. “Yes,” she whispered.
His hands went down to her waist and pulled her closer to him as hers came around his back and up his neck. He went hard instantly and it pushed up against her thigh. “I need you, baby.” He moaned as she turned her face to his and kissed him hard, her sweet tongue sweeping over his lips, searching his. He kissed her greedily. Adrenaline from the fight ran rampant through his veins and it was all he could do not to rip her clothes off. Adam’s hands came down and squeezed her backside, pulling her up against his arousal as their tongues fused together. He slowed their fierce pace and sucked gently on her lower lip, grazing it with his teeth before pulling away.
Tilting his head back, he stared down at her through heavy lidded eyes. “Stop me if I’m going too fast or too rough. I can’t seem to get a grip on myself.”
The sound of shoes falling on hardwood was her response. Evangeline pulled away from him to lie flat on the counter top, giving him easy access to slide her pants off and toss them on the floor.
Her long legs slid around him, and pulling her shirt down to expose a succulent breast, she took his left hand to mold it over her nipple, encouraging him. Adam didn’t need any more encouragement. He played with her nipple with his forefinger and thumb, pinching it slightly. Her nipple hardened under his touch and she writhed beneath him.
Evangeline moaned as he rubbed the tip of his cock over her hot core, teasing her, and she whispered, “Adam, please.”
“I seem to recall a little vixen torturing me the other night.” Adam’s other hand moved to his mouth, licking two fingers as he hungrily watched her panting for him, and brought them down to rub the jewel she’d flaunted the other night. It had taken an insane amount of self-control not to fuck her in his wolf form and for days he thought of how he wished to touch her again.
Evangeline’s head rolle
d back and her torso shot up. “Adam.”
Jesus, her voice was sexy.
She grabbed his left arm at her nipple, squeezing it hard. “You’re killing me.”
His thumb took over her spot, moving it around in quick circles and slipped two long fingers inside her. She was wet and ready and about to come. As soon as the first spasm closed around his fingers, he slipped them out and slammed into her.
“AH!” they moaned in unison.
Gripping her waist, he began to pump hard, beating his swollen sex into her, never missing a beat. Evangeline hung onto the edge of the counter with one hand and his forearm with the other, her head turned to one side, eyes shut, jaw clenched.
A very small part of him said to take it easy, but he couldn’t do it. The selfish bastard in him had to stake his claim, mark his territory. She was his mind, body and soul, completely and utterly his.
He knew he was gonna come fast at this rate and sure enough, Adam cocked his head back and screwed his eyes shut as a powerful orgasm rocked through him. He moaned deep, slowing his hips as beads of sweat poured down his body.
“Holy shit,” he hissed, gasping for air. Shoulders pumping up and down, he bent over to brace himself on the counter. “I’m sorry.” He shook his head, his breath shaky. “Did I hurt you?”
She looked spent, but the gorgeous smile she gave him told him she was just fine. “Of course not and don’t ever apologize for that.”
He helped her up and kissed her softly. “I should have been gentler. The baby—”
“Is fine.” She kissed him again. “The baby is thrilled we’re together. Don’t worry.”
He let out a huff. “You’re carrying my child. I’m afraid I’m going to worry for the rest of my life.”
Adam lifted her off the counter top and carried her up the stairs to the newly renovated bathroom off the master bedroom.
He set her down near the sink. “I need a shower and uh,”—he looked uncomfortably at her—“you smell a little like him.”
She nodded silently and looking around at all the gray marble, she said, “It smells like fresh paint.”
Adam lifted her arms to take off her shirt. “I just redid the whole bathroom, me and Jason.”
She looked around again and he could swear understanding washed over her face, but she left it alone.
Adam opened the shower doors and turned on the faucet. “I’d love to try out the new whirlpool with you, but it’s late and I think you should rest.”
She smiled dreamily at him. “A shower is fine.”
They showered together, taking turns to lather each other up, pausing several times for heated kisses.
When they were dry and snuggled in his California king-sized bed and down comforter, neither of them felt the least bit tired.
Evangeline lay in the crook of his arm, rubbing his chest. Adam could not describe in words how it felt to have her here with him. He had the woman he loved in his arms and the baby they had made together. No man in the world could be as happy as he was right now.
His heart skipped suddenly. First thing in the morning, he was researching werewolf and human mating. They couldn’t be the first people to have done it, but if it were dangerous he would have heard something by now.
“Adam.”
“Yeah, babe? Are you comfortable?” he asked, shifting her closer to his side.
“Yes, very.” Raising her head to look at him, she rested her chin on his chest.
“I forgot to take my pill when I got home.” Her expression was worried. “It honestly slipped my mind. As soon as I got up, my sister was there, yelling at me, and then Max came and told my father everything and took me to the King’s Coven. It was irresponsible of me—”
“Shhh. I’m not blaming you, Evangeline.” He smoothed her hair with his free hand. “God, I’m thrilled you’re carrying my baby. We just need to be smart about this now.” He looked at her sternly. “The baby is growing fast. That’s why you’re feeling nauseous and tired so soon, because you’re carrying a werewolf.” He waited for her eyes to widen or for some sign carrying a wolf inside her disgusted her, but none came.
Evangeline simply stared thoughtfully.
“Which,”—he took a deep breath—“is why I mentioned options earlier. It’s your body, Evangeline, and completely up to you if you want to carry the child to term or not.”
“I told you, I’m not terminating this pregnancy.”
“I know what you said, but it’s a lot to ask of you. You’re still young and have no knowledge of raising our breed. I would understand if you didn’t want to.”
She thought for a moment and his insides froze. Shaking her head suddenly, she said, “I’ve been studying the supernatural for years. I know humans have bred with werewolves successfully.” Evangeline stared at him hard. “You have no idea how happy I am I’m carrying your baby. We’re going to get through this and be proud parents of a little boy or girl.”
Adam’s throat stung as he listened to her and gulped hard before he spoke. “You know, babe, it may just be both. Werewolves tend to breed like any other animal.” God, she could be carrying a litter. The thought made his heart quicken. He’d love to have a whole mess of kids with her, but he just didn’t know how her body would handle it.
She smiled brightly at the prospect then sensed his nervousness. “We’re going to be fine. I know it.”
He prayed to God she was right. If anything should happen to her, it would be his fault. If he lost her, he’d jump off the damn Willis Tower, no, he’d burn his fucking house down with him in it. Yeah, he’d need to suffer.
Adam chased away his crazy thoughts. It was no use thinking about it now. He had to focus on Evangeline and their baby. They were his life now, his family.
“Wait a minute. Did you say Max told your father about my taking you?”
Evangeline lifted her head sharply off his chest. “Um, yeah.”
“Fuuuuuck.” He shut his eyes and pinched the bridge his nose with his fingers. “Your dad’s going to shoot me, isn’t he? First I kidnap you and then impregnate you in the space of a few days. Jesus, if I were him, I’d shoot me and feed me to the vampires.”
“No, we’re going to work this out. In fact, I think he is going to be pleased I’m not marrying—” She froze in midsentence, her face paling. “Oh, God, what’s Cyrus going to do to my father?” She sat up in bed, holding the comforter to her chest. “How could I have been so stupid? He’s going to kill him for what I did!”
He sat up too, leaning his back against the headboard. “Calm down, babe. I really don’t think he’s going to do anything to your father.”
She stared at him wide-eyed. “Why? What happened? I know he was communicating with you telepathically. What did he say?”
Her knowing their vampire ways bugged him slightly. “He said I’d won you and to get you out of there.”
She jerked her head. “And?”
Adam watched her carefully now. “He said to get you out of his sight.” Just as he thought, she looked troubled by this. She stared at the headboard in thought, her eyes unfocused. “Does that bother you?”
Evangeline turned to him as if she just realized he was there. “Of course not, I mean, my feelings aren’t hurt or anything, but he…he…didn’t look good.”
Adam felt the ugly sense of jealousy run through him. He leaned his head back as he watched her with a scowl. “He realized how we felt about each other and it killed him. We all felt it.” He was referring to his Fighters now. The intensity of the king’s feelings toward Evangeline made him sick to his stomach.
“Why do you think he won’t hurt my father?”
Adam tamped down on his bitter feelings. Evangeline was here now, in his bed with him. “Several reasons. One, he gave you up. Forcing this marriage on you was a game to him and he lost. He’s feeling defeated and humiliated, and I don’t think his wounded pride will want to bother with your father now. He’ll want to show both of us he doesn’t care. Second,
and I think you already know this, you and I are mated under werewolf law as you’re carrying my baby.” His eyes softened at her as he said this. “Therefore, any threat against your father and he’ll have the entire Blacktail pack to deal with, even more so than he did already.” He played with the ends of her hair. “Despite our temper toward each other, we really do want peace…eventually.”
Evangeline lay back down and hugged him hard. “I hope you’re right.”
“I don’t want you worrying about a single thing, okay? Let me deal with everything, even your father.”
Evangeline laughed nervously.
This time it was Adam who lay in the crook of her arm, with his hand protectively covering her belly.
****
“Mom? Did you hear what I said?” Evangeline stood facing her mother in her parent’s master bedroom. Rachelle was at the edge of the bed where Evangeline had told her to sit before revealing the big news.
They had decided to wait till after Evangeline got off work the next day so they could be together when she told her parents. As the baby was growing fast, they couldn’t exactly wait to make the announcement. Adam told her she would be showing in two weeks.
Adam had had the foresight to call Maxwell last night and let him know Evangeline was safe and with him. He assured Max he was going to relay to Geoffrey everything that had taken place.
After the incredibly uncomfortable introduction to her father, Adam told her he needed to speak to Geoffrey alone. The look on Adam’s face told her not to argue, this was going to be a heated discussion and he didn’t want her getting upset. Anxious, but eager to get this over with, she’d gone upstairs to find her mother, leaving Adam to break the news to Geoffrey about last night’s events and her condition.
Rachelle’s face was pale as she stared mutely at her daughter now. Her mother was a woman of few words, always melancholy or worried about something, the complete opposite of Evangeline and Katherine.
Evangeline sometimes wondered if her mother was actually happy being married with two daughters. It seemed she loved her family from afar, never actually expressing her love and affection.
“You’re pregnant?” her mother asked quietly.