by L. P. Maxa
“What happens when the baby is born? How different will she be?” Baze was asking the questions Corey was too apprehensive to articulate. She was sweating and her pulse had quickened, which he’d no doubt picked up on.
“Riley will continue to be protective over her. He won’t want to be far from her for too long. He will be her best friend, her brother—her bodyguard. God help the man who falls in love with her. He’ll have to contend with a shifter father as well as Riley.” Plimpton smiled at Corey. “As far as her differences, I don’t know. It could be something small, a special talent. It could be something that is more of a destiny, her purpose in this world. She won’t shift if that is what you are afraid of. And you don’t need to worry about her safety. No one will know she is more than she appears to be, unless of course she chooses to tell them. Shifters will be drawn to her, yes, but that’s all.”
Baze glanced over at Corey. “Pardon my asking this, but how do you know for sure that is what’s going on between Riley and the baby? If it isn’t something that’s seen these days.”
Plimpton chortled. “Baze, I am the anthropology teacher at a prestigious school for shifters. The history of our culture is literally my life’s work. This connection I speak of is well-documented. It’s strange and uncommon for modern-day shifters like you and me, but back a century or so, it wasn’t so unheard of.”
Baze leaned forward in his chair, needing more answers. “But why? How does this happen? Why this baby? Why these parents and this accidental pack?”
Plimpton let out a sigh. “My professional opinion? Could be something as scientific as a fluke in the baby’s DNA. It could be something as saccharine as the baby was conceived under a heart full of love for a pack of shifters. It’s written in the history books that people believed such a destiny was willed by the universe, and they never questioned it. Either way, for whatever reason, it’s happened. It’s not dangerous, it’s not wrong, it just is. You should feel blessed. This little girl is a miracle, a phenomenon.”
“Mr. Plimpton, I have already been attacked in relation to Mr. Henderson’s murder. The last thing we need is word getting out that I am pregnant with a ‘rare and special’ baby. Do you understand?” Corey did her best to appear calm and in control of her emotions; she needed to make her point crystal clear.
“You have nothing to worry about, Ms. Cooper. I won’t tell anyone what we talked about today. Secrecy is more important than ever to all of us at St. Leasing.” He stood and gathered up a large stack of papers off his desk. “Now if you two will excuse me, I have a class starting in a few minutes.”
Baze rose and helped Corey to her feet. “Thank you so much for your time, Professor Plimpton.”
Chapter Fifty-One
Corey
Later that night Corey and her accidental pack were once again gathered around her dining room table. Italian takeout this time; they really should cook more. She and Baze had decided to wait until after dinner to tell everyone what they had learned during their talk with Professor Plimpton. Dominic got up and started to put away leftovers, and Riley went to the freezer to grab her dessert. She really was a lucky mom-to-be. She had the best fiancé and mate a woman could ask for. He was always cleaning up and taking care of her. And then there was Riley. He was the most amazing kid with such a kind heart. The other men at the table were all pretty great too. Linc made her laugh, Baze kept her honest and grounded, and Keller had become one of her best friends.
She was snapped out of her warm fuzzy thoughts when Baze cleared his throat. “So. Corey and I talked to the anthropology professor today. We told him about Riley’s connection to the baby. He actually had some answers for us.”
The plate Dom had been rinsing fell to the sink with a loud clank. “You took my pregnant mate to meet with Professor Plimpton, to ask questions regarding my daughter without me?”
“Uh, yeah, sorry, man. I didn’t actually think you would mind all that much.” Baze looked over at Corey who was smiling, clearly enjoying seeing Baze fumble for the right words for once.
“Well, I do mind. Next time you and Corey decide to take a field trip, at least let me know. Everyone always leaves me out of the damn loop.” He left the dishes in the sink and joined his people at the table.
“Hey, this is all on Baze, he basically dragged me there against my will.” Corey looked over at Riley and smiled warmly; she knew he was probably nervous about what they were going to say. “Riley, you and the baby do in fact have a special connection. A bond. Plimpton said that this type of thing used to be a lot more common, when shifters spent their lives living in packs.” She trailed off, unsure of what to say next. Luckily Baze picked up her slack.
“The baby is special, so to speak, and the ‘universe’ intends for you to protect her. Apparently, every so often a female is born that will have small pieces of the shifter DNA. There is no way of knowing exactly how she’ll be different from an average human female, only that she will be.”
Dom looked over at Corey, searching her face. “Will she shift?”
Corey shook her head. “No. She won’t shift. Professor Plimpton assured us that wouldn’t be the case. He said it could be something as small as a special talent or it could be something as big as her purpose in this world. People used to believe that it was willed by the universe. And because she is special, she will need special protection.” Corey placed her hand on Riley’s arm. “And that’s where you come in, kiddo. You are her cosmic soul mate, which means you will be her brother, her best friend, her bodyguard. You and this little girl will be connected for life.”
Riley nodded his head. “So that’s why I don’t like people touching your stomach and why I can feel her presence, and why I knew she was a girl?”
“Right. You and she are linked, and you have been from the moment she came into existence.” Baze looked around the table. “Plimpton said that there is no rhyme or reason as to why this baby girl. He did mention that it was more common when shifters lived in packs, and he said that whether we meant to or not, we have formed a pack. The six of us, working together, running together.”
Keller spoke up. “We are a pack. We’re a family. I love you guys, and I don’t know what I’d do without you. I feel like the four of us were close before, but having Corey here, and now the baby and Riley…? It makes it feel more…I don’t know, just more.”
Linc nodded in agreement. “I feel the same way. I know I joke around a lot, but you all mean the world to me. Even you, Riley.”
“Thanks, Coach, that was heartfelt.” Riley grinned sarcastically.
“You know what I mean, man. You are one of my ballplayers, but ever since Corey showed up, you’ve become more than that. You’re one of us.”
Baze sat back in his chair, arms behind his head. “That’s true. It wasn’t until Corey came to town that I started thinking of Riley as more of a brother than as a ballplayer. Maybe the universe really does have the bigger picture all figured out.”
Linc chuckled. “It was destined that Dom find his forever. And it was destined that she be such a pain in the ass that it takes five shifters working around the clock to keep her out of trouble.”
“Thank you, Linc. Your way with words and your sweet sentiments astound me.” Corey yawned and stretched.
“Are you getting tired, baby?” Dom reached over and pulled her into his lap.
Corey laid her head on Dom’s shoulder, “I am getting sleepy. I swear this little girl drains all my energy.” She yawned again. “Okay, I’m done. I’m going to bed.” She kissed Dom’s cheek sweetly before she stood. “Don’t forget we have our first doctor’s appointment tomorrow. We have to leave campus at nine o’clock sharp.”
Dom smiled up at her. “I won’t forget. Promise.”
Corey turned to Riley. “Meet us at the athletic building, kiddo, we’ll write you an excuse for missing class.”
Riley looked surprised. “What? I get to go to the doctor with you guys?”
Dom looked over at
Corey and winked. They had talked about letting him go to the appointment even before they understood his connection to their daughter. It had just seemed right, like without him something would be missing. “Of course you do. You’re her big brother.”
“Wow, thank you guys for letting me be part of that.”
Chapter Fifty-Two
Dominic
That night when Dom crawled into bed, he couldn’t help but think about the months to come. It was going to get crazy around St. Leasing. The FBI would be arriving at any second to investigate Mr. Henderson’s murder and his allegations that shifters were real. Apparently that allegation was a national security matter. Ha! Faculty and students were going to be interrogated and studied. Everyone was going to have to lie their asses off. He also knew that they hadn’t seen the last of Jace and Jasper’s psychotic father. Everything was connected and they were going to have to figure out a way of proving it to the feds without giving away their biggest secret.
And somewhere in the middle of all that, he was going to become a father. Dom looked over and gazed at his mate. She looked so damn beautiful with the moonlight on her face. Her long dark hair fanned out over the pillow. Her hand rested on her stomach, already showing love and affection for their daughter. He had a breathtaking fiancée, a special baby girl on the way, and so much love in his heart for both of them that he felt like he was going to explode.
He grinned to himself, he didn’t even care anymore that he sounded like a pussy. Somewhere along the way, he had become a romantic sap and he wouldn’t change it for anything in the world.
St. Leasing continues with Keller and Molly’s story – Breath Taking
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
L.P. Maxa lives in Austin, Texas, with her husband, daughter, three rescue dogs, and one stray cat. The fish died. She loves reading romance novels as much as she loves writing them. She’s new to the writing game but has published four books in her first year alone. Inspiration can come from anywhere: a song lyric, a quote, a weekend with friends. The tiniest things spark amazing stories.
ALSO BY L.P. MAXA
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Play Hard
Play For Keeps
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