by BE Kelly
“Right,” Ringer said, clearing his throat. “I went west, deciding to see some of the state parks out there and do some camping—you know, under the stars and all?”
Sophie shrugged, “Camping hasn’t ever been my scene. I’m more of a hotel kind of girl.” Ringer smiled and winked at her, causing her to giggle. He knew exactly what she liked to do in hotels. He was also very aware of how high maintenance little Sophie Payton could be.
“I remember how much shit you gave me for that little dive motel we stayed in while we were in Texas,” he said.
“Sorry,” Sophie said, even though she was anything but sorry for giving him a hard time. “I have high standards, what can I say?”
“Well, you would have hated my little trip then,” he admitted. “I thought it was damn near perfect. I was even toying with the idea of never coming home. No one would have missed me. My relationship with my father had always been strained and once Reap realized I had my eye on you, he all but kicked me to the curb.”
“I would have missed you, Ringer,” Sophie murmured. She was so close, all he had to do was lean in, just a little, and he’d be able to kiss her mouth again. Ringer wanted to taste her, mark her—hell, he even wanted to consume her. But, that would be stupid. He had only so much self-control when it came to Sophie and biting her wasn’t an option. He wouldn’t do that to her. He couldn’t do that to anyone because he knew exactly what it felt like to have every one of your choices taken away like that. The wolf who bit him knew what he was doing. He was taking away Ringer’s life as he knew it and replacing it with a hell that had him locking himself away in a storage unit, not coming back out until the timer unlocked the door for him. He had been able to work out a system that would keep him in and everyone he loved and cared for out until the full moon was over. It was the only way he could remain who he was. Knowing that he wouldn’t hurt anyone was his only solace.
“Baby,” he whispered. Sophie leaned in just a hair closer and before he knew what was happening, she wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him the rest of the way in, letting her lips brush against his own. Fuck, she tasted good. Every time he kissed Soph felt like he was feeling sunshine for the first time after weeks of rain. She was magical and kissing her was wrong. Ringer pulled back, breaking their kiss and held her at arm’s length.
“Ringer?” she asked. Sophie looked so hurt, he instantly regretted pushing her away but he had no other choice.
“Remember,” he breathed. “You promised to hear me out first and then make your decision.”
Sophie smirked at him. “Well, how about if I’ve already made up my mind, Ringer? I’m a quick study and I’ve heard enough of your story to know that I want this. I want you.” Hearing Sophie say those words to him was all he ever wanted but she didn’t know the rest of his story. Hell, he had barely scraped the surface and he needed her to hear all of it.
“I’m a wolf,” he said. Sophie sat back and he let his hands drop from her arms. She looked him up and down and he could tell she thought he had lost his mind.
Sophie giggled, covering her mouth with her hands. “You’re a wolf?” she asked. “Like, grrr? You know, the fluffy, cute puppies that roam the forests?”
“There is nothing cute or fluffy about me. I’m a full-grown wolf and what, or should I say who, you have in here would be considered a pup.” He reached out and put his hand on her belly again, swearing he felt the same flutters as before.
Sophie stood and Ringer let his hand fall from her belly. For a minute, he thought for sure she was going to leave but she didn’t. Soph crossed to the far side of the room and sat down on the only chair.
“I think you should finish your story then,” she prompted. Sophie placed her hands protectively over her belly. “For our baby’s sake, at least.”
“I didn’t know how to tell you, Soph. I couldn’t tell anyone what I had become,” he swore. Ringer panicked at the thought of losing the woman he loved and the child they created together just when he had found them both. Seeing her again made him feel things he thought he had forgotten.
“How did it happen?” she asked. “Were you born this way?”
“No,” he breathed. “I was born a man. I’m the same person you’ve known your whole life, Soph,” he promised. But was he really? Could he promise her that or would his wolf turn on her as soon as he came out to play in the next full moon?
“Please, Ringer,” she whispered. “Just tell me.”
He nodded, “I was in Yellowstone camping and one night, I heard a noise outside my tent. I thought it was a group of guys who had set up camp just a few hundred feet away. We had met up on one of the hiking trails and when the three of them found out I was out there alone, they kind of took me under their wing. You know, made me an honorary member of their little group. It felt good to hang out with them—like I wasn’t so alone in the world, you know? Anyway, I didn’t feel right setting up my tent next to theirs, so I pitched my tent a few hundred feet away to give them a little privacy.”
“What happened that night?” she asked.
“I unzipped the door to my tent and the next thing I saw was three big wolves staring me down. I tried to make a run for my pick-up since I had a shot gun in the back of the cab. I was stupid and thought I’d be able to outrun them, but I couldn’t. I think they had this whole silent communication thing going on. I’m still learning about all of that now—trying to figure out this whole shifter thing. Wolves can hear each other’s thoughts—you know, telepathically, I guess. Anyway, before I could make a move, the alpha had me pinned to the ground. He was the oldest in the group and he took lead that night, just like he had when we were all out hiking during the day. I hit the ground, his big body perched on top of mine and the last thing I remembered before I went unconscious was how I wished I could see you just one more time.”
“Oh God, Ringer,” Sophie sobbed. He couldn’t take being apart from her any longer. He needed to tell her he was all right, soothe her, hold her. He just hoped like hell that Sophie would allow it.
He pulled her from the chair and wrapped his arms around her slight frame, pressing her belly between them. It felt like he was holding his whole fucking world in his arms. “I woke up the next morning, out in the middle of nowhere. I had a few cuts and bruises but that was about it. Well, that and a bite mark on my shoulder. It hurt like a son-of-a-bitch but by the time I found my way back to my tent, it had healed.”
“Healed?” Sophie asked. He could feel her breath hitch against the crook of his neck and he wrapped his arms tighter around her.
“Yep,” he said. “I was completely healed, not a mark on me. I headed into the ranger’s station, to report the wolf attack but the park ranger told me that the wolves in the area were well tracked and fed. They wouldn’t attack a human unless provoked. When the station manager asked me where my wounds were and I couldn’t provide any evidence, he merely dismissed my claims. Told me that I should maybe head on out of the park. I asked if he had any other campers registered for the night before, namely the three guys I had been hiking with, but he said that he didn’t. That’s when I started putting everything together. I remembered bits and pieces from the night before and how the wolf who dominated me reminded me of the older guy from their group. Still, I have no real proof to go on besides my gut feeling and well, the fact that on every full moon, I turn into a wolf.”
“Oh Ringer,” Sophie breathed. “I’m so sorry.”
“Wait—you just believe me?” Ringer asked. He looked down at her, not able to figure out if she really believed him or was just playing along. He wanted her to buy his story more than anything but Sophie didn’t even question his tale. And as far as stories went, his was a whopper.
“Yes,” she said. “Why wouldn’t I? You have to remember that my brother is married to a seer. Hell, she and her sister are practically witches with their crazy psychic abilities. How narrow-minded would I be if I didn’t believe that there were other magical creatures out in th
e world? So, yeah.” Sophie nodded. “I believe you.”
Ringer pulled her down to kiss Sophie, taking his time, licking his way into her mouth. Soph broke the kiss, leaving them both breathless. “What was that for?” she asked.
“Because you’re amazing,” he said. “I tell you something that to most people would seem completely unbelievable and you just take me at my word.”
Sophie shrugged, “Why wouldn’t I? Like you’ve said, I’ve known you my whole life, Ringer,” she whispered. “What’s it like?”
“What’s what like?” he asked. With Sophie sitting on his lap, touching and kissing him, it was hard to keep up with the conversation.
“Shifting,” she said. “Does it hurt?”
He wasn’t sure how to explain this part of who he was to anyone. Ringer never talked about being a wolf before and the shifting process was still kind of new to him. He was just starting to figure it all out himself. For so long, Ringer had been a lone wolf. Meeting other shifters didn’t just happen. Hell, there wasn’t a dating site for shifters or a social media page dedicated to helping shifters meet up with each other. He didn’t go out of his way to find other wolves and he sure in hell didn’t advertise that he was one himself.
“I don’t think it does,” Ringer said. “Honestly I have no idea. I’ve been worried that I’ll end up hurting someone when I shift, so I’ve been locking myself away in a storage unit.”
“You’re kidding,” Sophie said. “You literally lock yourself in a storage container?”
“Yeah,” Ringer breathed. “You have to understand, I haven’t been doing this for very long.”
“Almost five years now,” Sophie challenged.
“Sure, but I didn’t have anyone to talk to about this. This little condition of mine didn’t come with a handbook, you know. I’ve had to try to figure it out as I go—well, until now.”
“What’s changed?” Sophie asked.
“Perdition changed me,” he admitted. He had heard a rumor while he was milling around Texas, trying to find something to occupy his time and thoughts while he was unsuccessfully getting over Soph. There was supposedly a shifter pack of bikers who had a little MC in NOLA, of all places. He toyed with the idea of returning home but knowing that Sophie would be there, serving as a constant reminder that he had her and let the woman he wanted slip through his fingers, wasn’t something he was rushing home for.
“Perdition?” Sophie asked.
“Yeah. They are a MC, like Reckoning. They meet over at Tito’s bar and I have to admit, I’m damn lucky that I found them. When I was trying to find my way, after you left Texas, I wasn’t sure where to go. I mean, where the hell would someone like me fit in?” Sophie stroked her hand down his jaw and he leaned into her touch, needing more. “Soph,” he whispered. She sat back from him and her smile was sad.
“So, you have a club here in town?” Sophie asked. “You’ll be sticking around then?”
“Yes,” he said. “I have good reason to stick around now,” he whispered, rubbing his hand over her belly.
“Why didn’t you bother to check in on me—you know since you’ve been back?” Sophie asked. That was the million-dollar question. If he was being honest, he’d tell her he was scared that she’d tell him she didn’t want to see him. He worried she’d send him packing and then what would he do? He couldn’t leave town again since he was prospecting for Perdition. He’d worked too hard to be a part of something. Ringer had finally found a place he belonged with men and women who were just like him. He wouldn’t give that all up now. He finally had a family and he hoped that Sophie and their baby would be a part of that family too.
Sophie
She wanted to take back her question as soon as she asked it. When Ringer didn’t immediately answer her, she waved her hands in the air, like a crazy person, as if trying to erase them. “Forget I asked,” she said. “You were busy, I get that,” Sophie lied.
“No Soph,” Ringer whispered. “I was a chicken shit. I wanted to find you, stop by your place to let you know I was in town,” Ringer stopped talking and looked down at where their hands were joined. For a minute, Sophie thought he might be done talking, but then he sighed and looked at her, determination in his beautiful brown eyes. “That’s not completely true either,” he whispered.
“What’s the truth here, Ringer?” she asked.
“I was a chicken but I never gave coming to see you even a second thought,” he admitted.
Sophie’s heart felt as if it had sunk into her stomach. “I see,” she murmured.
“I don’t think you do, Soph. I was afraid that if I showed up on your doorstep, begging you to give me a chance to be a part of your life, you’d tell me to get lost. I asked you for one night but I wanted so much more with you. I have for so long now, Soph—I’ve just been too afraid to ask you for more.”
“More,” she squeaked. “Like what are we talking here? Dating, just sex? What exactly do you want from me, Ringer?”
“Everything,” he breathed. “I want fucking everything with you. Well, and now our baby,” he said, running his big hand over her belly.
Sophie was afraid to tell him that she wanted the same thing. What if he only wanted her because of the baby? How would they exist in a world together—her as a human and him as a shifter?
“Oh God,” Sophie whispered. “Will our baby be a shifter?”
Ringer stilled, “I’m not sure,” he said. “I’ve never really had to give that much thought. Most of the guys in Perdition are full-blooded wolves. I’m one of the only ones who was turned by an attack. Hell, I’ve mainly kept to myself and observed the other guys in the club. They usually keep to their own kind too—you know, not mixing with human women. I’ll have to do some research. Would it be so bad if he is a shifter?”
“I don’t know,” she breathed. “I have no idea how to take care of a baby let alone a wolf baby,” she admitted.
“A pup,” Ringer corrected. “Some of the guys have pups with their ol’ladies. I’m sure they’d be happy to give us some pointers.”
“Us?” Sophie asked.
Ringer shrugged, “Maybe I’m pushing here or just hopefully assuming you’ll agree, but I’d like to be a part of the baby’s life, Soph. Honestly, I want to be a part of your life too, but with what I’ve told you, I understand if this is all just too much for you.”
Sophie wanted to admit that it was too much and run away as far and as fast as her legs could carry her. But, having Ringer here, in the flesh, was almost too good to be true. She had dreamed of this reunion with him for so long—fantasized that he’d find out about their baby and want to be a part of her life again, both of their lives. Sophie just never imagined Ringer would reappear in her life as a wolf shifter.
“I won’t lie, this is a lot to take in,” Sophie admitted. “I’d like to take this slowly. You have every right to be a part of our son’s life, Ringer,” she said.
“And your life?” he whispered.
“I’ll need to think about it,” Sophie said. “Just give me some time?” Ringer nodded and helped her to stand from his lap. He stood and crossed the small room. Sophie wanted to protest that he didn’t need to leave, but she had just asked for him to give her some time.
Ringer paused his hand on the doorknob and turned back to face her. “I’d appreciate it if you didn’t share my story with anyone else, Soph. I’m still trying to figure it all out myself.”
God, that was a big ask. She knew that keeping Ringer’s secret wouldn’t be easy but he had saved her life, keeping her safe when the shit went down with his dad. She owed him at least her silence. Sophie nodded and Ringer turned to leave. Watching him walk out of the room was harder than Sophie thought it would be. She sunk to the bed and quietly sobbed into her hands.
“What now?” she cried. “What should your Mommy do, little one?” Sophie ran her hand over her belly. “Should we give your daddy a chance?” Sophie nearly jumped out of her damn skin when she felt a little flutter
inside her belly. If she wasn’t mistaken, the baby had just moved, tugging at her belly, as if trying to communicate with her. “You want us to give Daddy a chance, don’t you little man?” Another wave of flutters made her feel as if her belly was full of butterflies. She giggled and nodded. “Alright then,” she agreed. “I think you’re going to be a handful, little one.” Sophie stood and checked her make-up and hair. It was time for her to face her big brother and tell him that she was going after the man he had warned her about. She was going to convince Ringer to make her his—whatever that might entail because if she was being honest with herself, she already was. She just had to stop being a chicken and tell Reaper.
Sophie walked down to the main bar and could feel everyone’s eyes on her. Reaper was staring her down like he wanted to beat the shit out of someone—anyone but Sophie knew her brother would never hurt her. Beth’s sympathetically smiled and nodded.
“Reap,” Sophie said. “I think we need to talk.”
“You think?” he barked. “You’re pregnant with Ringer’s baby, aren’t you?” he sounded like he was accusing her of something bad, but she refused to believe that her night with Ringer or her baby were mistakes.
“I know you want to make this into something bad, Reaper, but it’s not. I’m going to be a mother. Our babies will grow up together,” she said, reaching out to rub Beth’s belly. Her sister-in-law was due any time now. She loved that her little nephew and her son would grow up together.
“Well, I for one love that idea,” Beth said. Reaper growled and shot his wife a look as if letting her know he wasn’t asking for her help. “Don’t look at me like that, Reaper. I can have a say in this. You’re acting like a complete jackass and Sophie deserves better.” Beth stood her ground, hands on her hips, staring her husband down and Sophie couldn’t hide her giggle. She loved the way Beth seemed perfectly matched for her hot-headed brother.