“And just what are we doing for food?” Gabriel asked.
“I thought we could grill a bunch of steaks, hamburger, and hot dogs. Everyone else can bring something like chips, drinks, or other side items.”
“It seems you’ve thought of everything.”
“Either Chloe will find her true mate, or your brother will stop dragging his feet. Something good will come of the party. Besides, everyone needs to meet our new addition.”
Gabriel nodded. “I take it you like her.”
“She seems a little skittish. He hasn’t told her what he is.”
“You mean she doesn’t know we’re werewolves?”
Kiera shook her head.
“Are you telling me that my idiotic brother has moved his pregnant girlfriend into his house, and he hasn’t told her anything about who he really is?”
“That’s what I’m telling you.”
“Then he doesn’t think she’s his mate.”
“You can’t say that for sure,” Kiera said.
“I can’t? You don’t think he would have told her?”
“I told you she seems skittish. Maybe he’s afraid of how she will react.”
“I guess I’ll have to give him the benefit of the doubt for now, but I’ll have to talk to him. Soon.”
“Go easy on him, Gabriel.”
“He needs to have some sense knocked into him.”
“He needs his brother to be understanding,” Kiera countered.
“I’ll try your approach, but if you don’t get anywhere then I make no promises.”
Kiera sighed. “I guess I’ll take what I can get.”
“I know he stands by the pack when we need him, but he has to grow up. It’s time for him to take responsibility.”
“If you’re talking about the baby, I think he’s trying.”
“Kiera, this is Michael we’re talking about. If he were really trying, he would have succeeded by now. Do you honestly think Chloe would have said no to him if he had meant it when he proposed to her?”
Kiera shrugged.
“My guess is that my baby brother bungled the whole thing.”
“You’re probably right.”
“Do you think anyone in the pack would take her as their mate knowing she’s carrying Michael’s baby?”
Kiera studied him a moment. “Would you have taken me as your mate if I had been pregnant with someone else’s baby?”
“You know I would have!”
“Then I think you just answered your own question. We owe it to Chloe and to the pack to show her all of her options.”
“Kiera, she doesn’t know she’s part of a werewolf pack.”
“I know, but that doesn’t mean she can’t see her options.”
“You better make sure you mention that when you’re inviting everyone. If someone makes a slip, it could end badly for all of us.”
“Gabriel, I’m not an idiot.”
He chuckled. “I know you aren’t. It’s the guys I’m worried about.”
“Consider them all warned.”
***
An hour later, Ramsey sat at the kitchen table across from Kiera sipping a cup of coffee. He’d been intrigued by her phone call to say the least. A new female in the pack didn’t happen often enough.
“So tell me more about Chloe,” he said, setting his cup down on the table.
“I don’t really know her. I’ve only met her once.”
“But she’s definitely part of our pack?”
Kiera nodded. “Gabriel knew it the moment he saw her. She came here looking for Michael.”
Ramsey snorted. “Figures. Is there a female in the city he hasn’t slept with?”
Kiera fought back a grin. She loved her brother-in-law, but Ramsey had a point. “I’m afraid it’s more complicated than that.”
“What do you mean?”
“She’s pregnant. She came here that day to find him and tell him.”
Ramsey sat back in his seat. “So why have the pack get together? It’s obvious she and Michael are together.”
Kiera shook her head. “Not exactly. She’s staying with him, but only because she doesn’t have another option right now.”
“Kiera, I get the feeling there’s a lot you aren’t telling me. Aren’t friends supposed to tell each other things?”
Kiera told him what she knew, which was precious little.
“I get the feeling she’s alone. I mean really alone. No family, no friends. She mentioned only having coworkers and not friends. It’s kind of sad.”
“Well, she has a huge family now, whether she wants it or not.”
“I just hope that things go well on Saturday.”
Ramsey studied her a moment. “Kiera, I know you well enough by now to know you have an ulterior motive for all of this. Why don’t you just tell me what it is you hope to accomplish.”
“I just want Chloe to meet everyone. Is that a crime?”
“Kiera…”
“And maybe I want her to see that there are other eligible bachelors in the area other than Michael. He may be the father of her child, and for all I know he could be her mate, but she needs someone to support her emotionally right now and Michael just isn’t that person. He can’t even support himself emotionally.”
“Are you sure you aren’t just trying to make Michael jealous?”
“Well, that wouldn’t be a bad thing either.”
“Kiera…”
Kiera sighed. “Ramsey, I want whatever would be best for Chloe. Really, that’s all I want. If Michael is what’s best for her, then I hope she ends up with Michael. If someone else in the pack is better for her, then I hope she finds that person Saturday.”
Ramsey laughed. “I think you’re asking a bit too much. It takes time to find a mate. Just because you gather everyone in one spot on Saturday doesn’t mean she’s going to find the right guy.”
“Maybe not. But maybe she’ll at least find one that will treat her right.” Kiera watched him from under her lashes. “You know you’re intrigued.”
Ramsey grew quiet. “If she’s with Michael, it won’t matter how intrigued I am.”
“I have a feeling you’re going to be very intrigued.”
Ramsey grumbled under his breath and took another sip of his coffee.
Chapter Seven
A few days later, Chloe sat at the kitchen table looking over the want ads. She still hadn’t found a job and her prospects were no better today than they'd been weeks ago. She hated the fact that she couldn’t pull her own weight. Michael hadn’t complained or said anything, but it didn’t feel right to rely on him for everything.
“Still looking for a job?” Michael asked as he walked into the room.
“Yeah, but I don’t know why I bother. I think they keep listing the same jobs every week.”
“Matt still needs someone at his office, if you’ve changed your mind.”
Chloe sighed. “Do you think he’d take me on temporarily? Maybe on a trial basis to see if it’s a good fit for both of us?”
Michael grinned, knowing he’d just won a small battle. “I’m sure he would.”
“Then go ahead and make the call. Any job is better than no job. I hate that you keep paying for everything.”
“Chloe, even if you have a job, I don’t expect you to pay for stuff around here. I want you save your money.”
“But I want to pitch in.”
“And you do. You wash the dishes, clean the house, and help with the grocery shopping. You’ve been doing all of the tasks I can’t stand ever since you moved in.”
“Michael, that isn’t what I meant and you know it.”
“You might not be helping in a monetary way, but you’ve been helping in other ways, Chloe. I don’t expect you to pay for stuff. I don’t want you to pay for stuff.”
“Is that some of your macho crap?”
He grinned. “Maybe it’s something like that. Or maybe I just want to help take care of you and our baby.”
“I guess I can’t argue with you for now, but once I start making some money I plan on contributing in some way or another.”
“When you get your first check, we’ll talk about it. Until then, stop worrying so much.”
Chloe nodded and folded the newspaper shut. It was a small relief not to have to job hunt any longer. Working part-time would keep her mind occupied and give her some spending money. It wouldn’t solve her larger problems, but it would be a good start.
“When you talk to Matt, find out what the dress code will be,” Chloe said as she glanced down at her jeans and knit top. Cassie had given her a lot of maternity clothes, but only a handful were considered business casual.
“I will. I’ll call him on my way in to work. What do you plan on doing today?”
“Actually, I thought I might ride with you and walk over to Kiera’s. The party is in a few days and I’m sure she could use some extra help.”
“Get your stuff together. I’m leaving in about ten minutes.”
Chloe nodded and stood. “I just need to grab my purse from the bedroom.”
“I’ll meet you in the car,” Michael said, heading for the front door with his cell phone in hand.
At the garage, Chloe got out of the Corvette and closed the door. She rubbed her aching lower back and stretched her muscles. While Michael’s car was sleek and beautiful, it was killing her ever-changing body.
“I’ll meet you back over here when it’s time to go home,” she said as she walked around the back of the car.
“I can come across the street and pick you up,” he offered.
“Okay. If Kiera and I go anywhere for party decorations or anything, I’ll call and let you know.”
Michael nodded and watched her cross the street. He walked into the garage and was greeted by the curious eyes of Hunter and Ramsey.
“I take it that’s Chloe?” Hunter asked with a jerk of his chin in Chloe’s direction.
“Yeah, that’s Chloe,” Michael answered with a grin.
“Kiera didn’t mention she was pregnant,” Hunter said.
Michael shrugged. “Maybe she didn’t want anyone to form a bad opinion of Chloe before they met her.”
“I take it the baby is yours.”
Michael crossed his arms. “She rode here with me, didn’t she?”
Hunter grinned. “That isn’t saying much. Lots of women have ridden around in that car.”
Michael ground his back teeth and held back a growl. He knew he had it coming, but he didn’t want anyone thinking badly of Chloe. He also didn’t want them thinking she was free game.
“She’s staying with me right now,” Michael answered, hoping to put the matter to rest.
“So she’s your mate?” Hunter asked.
Michael shrugged, getting uncomfortable with the conversation. He’d be willing to bet money Chloe was his mate, but he wasn’t about to admit it to Hunter.
“Don’t we have some work to do? Or is Gabriel paying you to run your mouth these days?” Michael asked.
Ramsey had watched the two spar in silence and was about to comment when his cell phone chirped with an incoming text message.
Kiera needs your help today. Can you work tomorrow instead?
“Well, it seems the two of you will be working with Gabriel alone today,” Ramsey said as he tucked his phone back into his pocket.
Hunter rolled his eyes. “Guess that means you’re playing chauffer again.”
Ramsey grinned. “Something like that. Gabriel just sent a text and asked if I would help Kiera today.”
Michael tensed. If Ramsey was helping Kiera, that meant he would be around Chloe all day, too. He wasn’t sure he liked that idea.
“What’s Kiera doing that requires your help?” Michael asked.
“I don’t know, but when the alpha asks me to swap my days off, I do it,” he answered.
Michael bit back a curse as he watched the other werewolf lope across the street.
“Not happy that Ramsey will be spending the day with Kiera and Chloe?” Hunter asked with a knowing look in his eye.
“Fuck off,” Michael growled.
Hunter laughed and walked over to the Charger he would be working on for the morning. “I’ll take that as a yes.”
Michael tried to focus on his work, but his mind and his eyes kept straying across the street. He hadn’t missed the way Ramsey had quietly assessed Chloe when she’d gotten out of the car. Hunter may have commented on her pregnant state, but it hadn’t seemed to faze Ramsey at all.
Chapter Eight
Ramsey walked up the front steps of the Victorian as Gabriel came out of the front door.
“Morning, Ramsey.”
“Morning, Gabriel. I thought I’d take you up on your offer and work tomorrow.”
“That will be fine. I believe the women have a full day planned.”
Ramsey chuckled. “Since when has Kiera done anything less? She always plans a full day.”
“That she does,” Gabriel answered with a smile. “I’ll leave you to it.”
Ramsey entered the house and closed the door behind him.
“Kiera?” he called out.
“I’m in the kitchen,” she answered.
Ramsey followed her voice and stopped in his tracks in the kitchen doorway. The petite redhead stood at the counter beside Kiera. The woman was even more stunning up close.
“Ramsey, this is Chloe. Chloe, this is Ramsey. He’s a close friend of the family and works with Gabriel and Michael at the garage,” Kiera said by way of introduction.
Ramsey knew from his previous conversation with Kiera that Chloe didn’t know they were werewolves. It bothered him that he had to hide part of himself from her.
“It’s nice to meet you, Chloe,” he said with a smile.
Chloe blushed and stammered a response and shifted so that her hair hid her face,
“Ramsey is going to escort us around town today,” Kiera said with a smile.
Chloe’s blush deepened. “That’s awfully nice of you.”
“I help out when I’m needed,” he answered, fighting a grin.
His eyes flicked over to Kiera who was smiling as well. It was obvious to both of them that Chloe was at least a little bit attracted to Ramsey since she was blushing and stammering. Hopefully, she’d feel more comfortable around him by the end of the day.
“I thought we’d stop by the party store on Fifth Street first,” Kiera said, glancing down at a list she had on the counter. “After that maybe the mall?”
Ramsey groaned. “Taking you to the mall never ends well for me.”
“Surely you aren’t afraid of a few shopping bags?” Kiera asked with a grin.
“A few, no. The few hundred you come out with? Definitely.”
Chloe watched the easy banter without comment.
“I’ll be right back,” she murmured, swiftly exiting the kitchen. Once she was in the entry, she stopped unsure of where she was going.
“Are you okay, Chloe?” Ramsey asked from behind her.
Chloe gasped and whirled to face him, her hand at her throat.
“I’m sorry,” he said with a grin. “I didn’t mean to startle you.”
“I was just looking for the restroom.”
He nodded to the left. “It’s over there.”
She nodded and headed in the direction he’d indicated.
Ramsey watched her walk off. He could feel her loneliness as if it was his own and the ache nearly killed him. Regardless of whether or not Chloe was his mate, he was going to make sure she smiled and laughed. He wanted her to feel like she belonged, to feel like she had family and friends who cared about her.
“Everything okay?” Kiera asked as she stepped into the entry.
He glanced down at her. “Everything’s fine.”
“Why do I get the feeling there’s more to it than that? You look rather serious.”
“Just had a revelation of sorts I guess.”
“Oh?” Kiera asked with an
arched brow. “And what’s that?”
“She’s lonely. I mean really lonely. I could feel it like it was my own.”
Kiera studied him a moment. “What do you plan on doing about it?”
Ramsey glanced down the hall. “I plan on making sure she’s never lonely again.”
Kiera smiled. “I had a feeling you’d say that.”
Ramsey narrowed his eyes at the alpha’s mate. “Why do I get the feeling I’ve been set up?”
Kiera shrugged. “I’m sure I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“You planned today, didn’t you? The moment you saw Chloe you decided to ask me over.”
“Maybe.”
Ramsey sighed. “Let’s hope this doesn’t blow up in your face, Kiera.”
“How could it?”
“What if she’s in love with Michael? Ever think of that? She is carrying his child.”
Kiera chewed on her lip a moment. “I think she wants to be loved so badly that she’d love anyone who loved her first.”
“For your sake, I hope you’re right. If not, you’re only setting her up for a rough road. Besides, Michael seemed a little territorial at the garage when Hunter was asking questions about Chloe.”
Kiera snorted. “Then I guess he should’ve stepped up to the plate a little sooner. She’s been staying under his roof. What’s he waiting for?”
“It’s not always easy for men to tell women how they feel.”
“Well, if he doesn’t, he has no one to blame but himself.”
As the bathroom opened, the two fell silent.
***
Chloe left the bathroom and found Ramsey and Kiera waiting for her in the entry hall.
“Are we ready to go?” she asked.
“Since I’m not sure what all we’ll need, I figured we’d ride in Ramsey’s car,” Kiera told her.
Chloe nodded. “Just let me grab my purse from the kitchen.”
She quickly ducked into the kitchen and grabbed her purse off the kitchen counter. Returning to the entry hall, she smiled at Kiera and Ramsey.
“I’m ready if you two are.”
Ramsey opened the door and ushered the ladies outside.
“Which car is yours?” Chloe asked eyeing the vehicles across the street at the garage.
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