by Abby Wood
He never dreamed there were two groups that put them all at risk. The larger group he'd known about, but the smaller one he'd never seen before the morning he introduced himself to Chloe. It was stupid and careless of him to lump them all together.
The last couple of miles Chloe fell behind him and Darren. He slowed and circled around to run at her side.
"Are you doing okay?" He kept Darren in his sight.
Her breath came in pants, and her tongue hung out, but she kept running. "I guess. I'm so much weaker now. I don't understand why or the reason I couldn't shift."
"We'll figure it out." Granger moved closer, brushed his side against hers, and sprinted forward. "I'll make them pay for taking you, but I want to see you safe and guarded first."
"Send the others. I don't want you hurt." She dropped back to a walk at the sight of Granger's cabin up ahead.
"No." He shifted and opened the door. "I want revenge. They must know never to mess with my family."
***
Chloe stretched, opened her eyes, and sat up in a hurry. "How long have I slept?"
Granger sat at the end of the couch. Her feet were propped up in his lap, and he ran his hand up her bare leg. "Six hours."
"Oh man." She groaned. "It must be the middle of the night."
He nodded. "You needed your sleep. We don't know what kind of drugs they gave you, and sleep is a good way to gain your strength back." He lifted her legs, stood, and faced the couch. "Get up and shift. Let's see if everything works the way it should."
"You do know that I tried to call for you. I woke up, saw the man, shifted, and he stabbed me with something. Afterward, I called and called… Our communication didn't work."
"I know." Granger sighed. "It isn't your fault. That is why we need to get rid of these men. As long as they hunt us, we will always be at a disadvantage." He rubbed her cheek. "Now, let's test this out. Go ahead and shift."
She inhaled deeply. What if it didn't work anymore? Maybe those people knew a way to change shifters back to humans. At least shifters who were once human, as she was.
The hallway lamp cast enough light on her that she looked away from Granger to hide her worry about losing a part of herself. All those years of denying her lynx, and suddenly she agonized over the damage the drug may have done to her body. Without her lynx, she'd never feel complete now.
"Stop stalling." Granger reached over and squeezed her hand. "You can do this. Let your lynx out."
She inhaled, closed her eyes, and shifted. In an instant she stood on all four paws. She cried out in joy. Yes!
Darting around the living room, over the couch, and between Granger's legs, she wore off the excitement. She flopped down onto her side and batted the bare skin at his ankles with her claws.
He threw back his head and laughed. "Okay, change back."
She shifted so easily and quickly that her human body was what slithered up his leg and then his toned stomach. Plastering herself against him, she wound her arms around his neck. "God, it feels good.
I'm whole…complete again."
"Damn straight you feel good, but you always do." He nuzzled her neck.
She sighed and dropped her head back. His tongue came out and caressed the tender skin at her neck. She moaned, unable to keep her eyes open. Her mate's touch melted her insides. Her hands fell to roam his chest. She marveled at the smooth, almost hairless skin and the way the muscles bunched tight under her fingertips. His body so different from hers, she never got tired of exploring every inch.
She felt a deep shiver run through his torso. She lifted her head and frowned.
"What's wrong?" She smoothed the long strands of hair that fell down each cheek.
He closed his eyes and inhaled, then opened them again. "I almost lost you."
"But you didn't. I'm here, because of you." She drew his face down and touched her lips to his.
Gentle at first, she tasted and cajoled the hardness out of his mouth. His lips relaxed and became pliant. She drew in his bottom lip and ran her tongue along the edge. Natural lubrication rushed to the entrance of her pussy.
Granger didn't have to lift a finger, but rather stand there and let her touch his body. She parted her lips, and her tongue delved inside the warm recess of his mouth, making her moan. His tongue came out to tempt her more, adding to her hunger.
Smooth, solid, and strong, his tongue explored her mouth as well, stroking and teasing her until she squirmed in his arms. His cock pressed against her stomach, hot, hard, yet with skin so soft. She reached down and wrapped her hand around the tip. The blood pulsed inside its hardness, and her nipples ached and throbbed in response. Her body matched the desire that radiated from him.
She tore her mouth away. "Fuck me."
She trailed her lips down his neck, then his chest, and sought out his nipple. Her teeth nipped the hard pebble. He groaned and thrust his hips forward. She gazed up into his face as she licked the sensitive nerve endings and smiled. Sinking down onto her knees, she pulled his cock into her mouth, not breaking eye contact. His pleasure at her touch showed on his face.
He loved her.
Sliding her mouth down the length of him, she coated his cock with saliva. She sucked and drew back. Not daring to let go of the bulbous head, she kept her lips sealed around his girth. Flicking her tongue, she teased the large vein on the underside. He rose up onto his toes, his leg brushed her breasts, and she moaned.
"Enough." He pulled her hair, removing her mouth from his cock. "Lie down."
He positioned himself between her legs, and then his fingers found her clit and rubbed it in a circular motion. She mewled. The sweetest desire flooded her pussy.
His mouth clamped on to her nipple, and he returned every tantalizing move she made on him earlier. Her hips rose and fell. The need to orgasm grew. Her body screamed for release.
"Grange?" She arched up off the floor. "I need—she gasped—you!"
Capturing her mouth, he thrust his cock deep into the tightness of her pussy, slick with juice, letting his length touch her womb.
"Jesus, you're so wet, tight." He bucked his hips. "Yeah." He ground his pelvis between her legs. "I love your scent covering me."
"Oh." Her jaw closed, and her breath hissed out. "Yes. Yes. Harder."
He drove her crazy. Her blood pounded through her veins. Her hips rose to meet each plunge of his cock. His balls slapped her anus and sent her over the edge.
Grabbing his arms, she stiffened, held her breath, and let her orgasm claim her body. Each muscle in her body quivered at the release, and she sank back down to the floor. Granger heaved and lunged balls-deep into her pussy. A roar of pure male satisfaction filled the room.
His hips jerked in response to her muscles convulsing around him. A shudder ran through her lower stomach, and she purred. His lovemaking fed her spirit.
Granger kept his weight braced off her with his arms but let his head drop. He inhaled deep and blew out. She mewed. This is what their love created. The love they shared grew stronger every time they fucked.
"I love you." She lifted her arm and ran her hand down the side of his cheek.
He kissed her little finger and opened his eyes. "God, I love you too."
Chapter Twelve
With her arms braced around the toilet, she sank to her knees. A wave of bitter bile rose in her throat, and she gagged. Oh God. Why wouldn't she stop getting sick?
"Here, Aningan." Granger handed her a wet washrag. "Wipe your face, and come lie back down."
"I'm sorry." She did what he ordered and tossed the rag on the floor. "I don't understand. The only time I've really been sick was when I turned into a shifter. I was sick for weeks, but it was different."
She put her hand on her forehead. "Do I feel warm to you?"
Granger laid his palm against her skin. "No, you're cool to the touch." He led her into the living room. "I made up the couch. You can lie here. I've called Gretchen over to stay with you, and Lance is standing guard outside th
e door."
She groaned. "Do you have to leave? Can't the other men take care of it?"
"No."
She plopped down on the couch. "I know." She sniffed. "I'm sorry." She shook her head. "It's just this damn…cold or flu talking."
Granger frowned and rubbed his chin. "Maybe I should take you into Fairbanks. Have a doctor see you." He walked toward the door but continued looking at her. "You've been throwing up ever since those men drugged you."
She waved her arm. "Answer the door. I'm just sick, Granger. I'll probably be better tomorrow."
Gretchen stepped into the cabin, stripped off her hat and coat, kicked her boots behind the door, and gasped. "You look like shit."
Chloe managed a chuckle. "Thanks."
"God, I'm sorry, but you do." Gretchen turned to Granger. "What's wrong with her?"
He shrugged. "I don't know. Ever since she was drugged she's been throwing up and sleeping a lot." He scratched his head. "She hardly eats anything because she gags at the smell of food."
Gretchen clapped her hand over her mouth. Her eyes grew wide, and then she blinked quickly several times. Chloe wrapped her arms around her middle and moaned. Her stomach twirled out of control.
Her friend moved over to the couch. "Oh. My. God."
"Don't worry. I don't think it's catching." She gazed up at Granger. "At least, Granger hasn't gotten sick this last week."
Another knock on the door drew everybody's attention. Granger twisted the handle and stood back to let Darren inside.
Gretchen leaned over. "Are you pregnant?"
Chloe's head snapped up, and she frowned. "Why?"
"You've got all the symptoms." She peeked at the men talking beside the door. "Don't you know the signs of pregnancy?"
She shook her head. "My…my mom died when I was a baby. My dad didn't talk about sex and babies." She snorted. "Animals don't get sick and it's pretty basic…they mate, they get pregnant. I know enough to know, it's different for women."
Gretchen grinned and stood up. "Hang on.
There are pregnancy tests in the pantry at the community cabin." She walked over to the men and whispered into Granger's ear.
His eyes narrowed, widened, and then narrowed again. He snatched his coat off the hook on the wall and stormed out the door without saying a word or looking at her. I'm such an idiot. He probably thinks I'm the stupidest woman in the world for not recognizing all the signs.
Her stomach seized, and she ran for the bathroom. Slamming the door, she fell toward the toilet and lost the rest of her toast. She sobbed, but no tears came. So tired of getting sick, she wondered if Gretchen was right. Could she really be carrying a baby? Her and Granger's child inside of her?
The door clicked, and Chloe turned her head. Granger slipped inside and shut the door behind him. He stuck out his hand. A home pregnancy test.
"I…I…I don't know how to use it."
He opened the box, read the instructions, and handed her a plastic stick. "Pee on it."
"Granger?" She held the thing between her fingers. "Are you mad at me?"
He shook his head. "Scared."
"Of what?"
"Just take the test. We'll talk when it's over." He pulled her sweatpants off her hips, placed his big strong hands on her shoulders, and pushed her down onto the toilet. "I'll be right out—"
"No!" She inhaled, blew her cheeks out, and exhaled. "Stay in here with me. I don't want to do this alone." She stared down at the plastic stick in her hand. "Please?"
He nodded.
Holding the stick between her legs, she willed her bladder to relax. Granger turned on the faucet, and she snorted. His ideas amazed her. The sound of the running water helped, and she quickly provided what was needed for the test to work.
Granger held out his hand, set the stick on the counter, and stared down at the small square at the end of it. She joined him. Nothing happened.
"What does it do?"
"A blue circle shows up if you're…you know. If you're not…you know, it'll show a pink X." He didn't raise his head but continued to study the test.
"Oh." She shivered. "How long does it take?"
"Three minutes."
She swore a huge clock ticked in the background, but they both studied the plastic strip without another word. Granger leaned forward, closer to the counter. She squinted and lowered her head. Was that...?
No, it was still white. She held her breath and sat down on the edge of the toilet seat to view it from a different angle.
"Holy. Shit." Granger picked it up and shoved it in front of her face. "Look."
A perfectly round blue circle showed up against a white background. She stood up. Her arms hung straight down at her sides. She was pregnant. They created a baby.
"Oh baby." Granger framed her face with his hands. His thumbs swept the tears that fell down her cheeks. "Don't cry."
She shook her head. "A baby, Granger. We did it. We didn't even have to try. I mean, we weren't trying, and we got pregnant." She gasped and choked on a sob. "Oh. My. God. I'm going to be sick."
"No, no, no. Breathe." He sniffed. "Through your nose. Let's get you propped up on the couch. I don't want you losing any more weight. You need to eat—"
She held up her hand. "Don't talk about food."
He led her out to the couch. Darren and Gretchen stood in the middle of the room. If she talked, she'd throw up. She let Granger tuck her into the corner of the couch.
"Is she okay?" Darren dared to ask.
Granger sat on the edge of the couch, brushed Chloe's hair out of her face, and smiled. "She's wonderful."
"Wanna explain what's going on?" Darren shot Gretchen a frown. "She won't tell me anything."
Granger shook his head without looking at his brother. "She's going to have your nephew or niece."
"Huh?" Darren stepped closer to the couch.
"She's pregnant, dumbass." Gretchen laughed. "She's going to make you an uncle."
It took him a few seconds to digest the news, but when understanding came, a grin lit up his face. "Uncle Darren. I like it."
Time seemed to pass slowly, yet the whirlwind of the news kept Chloe's stomach from settling. She needed to breathe and think about what this meant. A baby!
She'd always hoped to have children, but after hearing Granger tell her the misfortunes of other shifters who had tried and failed, she tried to block the idea from her mind. But the wish never left no matter how hard she tried to tell herself it didn't matter.
"Go ahead and go do your business." Chloe smiled. "Finish what you have to do and come back to me."
Granger leaned down and whispered. "We're going to have a baby."
She giggled and laid a hand on her stomach. "I know."
"I'll hurry." He kissed her cheek. "I love you."
"I love you too."
Granger joined Darren on the other side of the room, where they stripped off their clothes and left through the door Gretchen held open. Chloe closed her eyes. Peace and quiet at last.
Gretchen squealed and sat down on the edge of the couch. Chloe jumped and covered her mouth. She snarled behind her fingers. "Too. Much. Movement."
"Sorry." Gretchen patted the blanket Granger had placed over Chloe's legs. "Sorry." She grinned and whispered, "I can't believe my friend is going to have a baby. This is so exciting."
Chloe lowered her hand, smiled, and laid her head back on the couch pillow. "I know." She covered her stomach with both hands. "It doesn't seem real. There is so much to do."
"I'll help. Everyone will help."
"I know." She grinned. "I bet this will be one spoiled baby."
"Yes. It's been years—at least twelve—since we've had a baby born into the clan." Gretchen lifted the glass of water on the coffee table and offered it to Chloe.
She frowned but took the glass and sipped. "Ugh. I remember hearing a woman call in on the radio and complain she was always sick the first few months. Have you heard the same thing?" She groaned. "Growing u
p, I wish I had paid more attention on those trips into Fairbanks. I feel so uneducated about all this baby stuff, living in the bush without someone to talk to about…life." She rubbed her eyes. "God, my dad would have loved a grandchild."
"I'm sorry. You must miss him so much." Gretchen took the glass from her.
Chloe nodded and counted her fingers. "I guess I'll have the baby around October."
Gretchen shook her head. "Try the beginning of April."
"What?"
"The baby will come around the beginning of April. We go into heat in January or February, depending on the weather. It's only the end of January. You'll follow the lynx gestation period of sixty-eight days, give or take a couple." Gretchen moved her lips in silent counting. "Yeah, maybe even close to the middle of March."
"Oh my God." Chloe sank down deeper into the couch and put her arm across her forehead. "Please tell me that the baby comes out looking like a human, not a cat."
Gretchen laughed. "Of course, but your kid will figure out how to shift at an early age."
She squinted. "How early?"
"Three or four years old."
Chloe groaned. "I'm not ready for this."
"You'll be. Once it's time, you'll be ready to hold him…or her." Gretchen chuckled. "Or them."
"I can't believe this." Chloe curled onto her side. "I once took care of a bobcat that had four kittens at the refuge."
"Don't worry. So far none of the shifters have had more than two, and that was…"
She gazed at Gretchen. "What? What were you going to say?"
"Darren was a twin."
"Oh shit." She rubbed her hand over her eyes. "This is completely insane. I don't even know what to do or how to take care of a baby."
"Aw, don't worry about it. You've taken care of animals your whole life. It's pretty much the same thing." Gretchen nodded.
She gave in to the nerves that bounced around inside her body and laughed hysterically. Gretchen tried to hand her the glass of water again, but she waved it away. Tears ran down her cheeks, but she couldn't stop laughing. She was going to have a baby lynx, and twins ran in Granger's blood? Oh, shock me more, please. I haven't heard enough.
