Did she? She huffed out a breath.
“No, Connor. Don’t punish him. This is my problem and I’ll deal with it.”
“Well, think you can head this way to deal with it? Like now? The last thing I need is him partially shifting and taking out some guy on my crew.”
She glanced down at her cutoff shorts and tank. She wouldn’t be winning any beauty pageants, but then no one would be looking at her anyway.
“Yeah. I’ll head out now. Give me ten minutes.”
“Make it five.”
Her alpha hung up and she stared at the phone. Shoving it into her pocket, she slipped on the flip-flops by the door, grabbed her keys and her small purse, and headed out. How Connor thought she’d make it across town in five minutes she didn’t know, but her alpha had spoken. Now she just had to pray that Ashton Grove’s finest weren’t out to clock her as she broke every speed limit in town. That was a conversation she didn’t want to have. Sorry Officer. You see, I’m a werewolf and my alpha demanded my presence within five minutes. So sorry for doing sixty in a thirty. Yeah, that would go over well, with both the cop and her alpha. Straight jacket anyone?
Allie pulled into a parking space at the job site, grabbed an elastic off the gear shifter and pulled her hair up into a ponytail. Her stomach clenched as she thought about facing Cain. Maybe he’d say or do something that would fuel her anger and distract her from the lust that raged through her whenever he was near. Getting out of the SUV, she approached the singlewide and knocked on the door.
“Come in,” Connor called through the door.
She pushed it open and poked her head in. “Where’s the bad kitty in need of a spanking?”
Connor grinned. “No foreplay on the job site.”
She snorted.
“Grab a hard hat and head east. You’ll find him putting up some support beams.”
She snatched a hat off the rack by the door and dropped it onto her head. Talk about uncomfortable! If she didn’t think Connor would get in trouble for her not wearing it, she’d have chucked it at him and refused.
Allie avoided two by fours, buckets of nails and screws, and tried to keep an eye on her surroundings as she approached the tiger who was hard at work. Oh goodness. He’d taken off his shirt at some point and all of those muscles she’d been so fascinated with the other night were not only on display, but were glistening in the sunlight.
Someone let out a wolf whistle and she whipped her head in that direction. An average looking human male was checking her out as he hefted some lumber onto his shoulder. She was about to let him have it when she heard a rumble. A quick glance in Cain’s direction showed he was no longer working and was fast approaching the ass who’d whistled at her.
“That’s my woman you’re eyeing,” Cain snarled as he approached the man.
Idiot that he was, the man merely smiled bigger and shrugged his free shoulder. “I don’t see a ring on her finger. She still has options.”
Before Allie could grab Cain, he launched himself at the man, the boards tumbling to the ground with a clatter. She almost felt sorry for the asshole as Cain plowed his fist into the guy’s face. If the crunch was anything to go by, he’d broken the man’s nose. This so wasn’t good! She was supposed to be diffusing Cain, not making him worse. She’d always been taught to stay back when shifter males fought but, if she didn’t get in there and break it up, this could end badly.
As she tried to worm her way between them, the man lashed out, hitting her in the middle of her chest and sending her flying. She landed on the hard, unforgiving ground with bone-rattling force. If anything, it just made Cain worse. He landed blow after blow until the guy was a bloody mess and couldn’t lift a finger against him. As he dropped the man on the ground, he approached her, his knuckles bruised and the skin broken.
With a gentle touch, he tipped her chin up. “Are you okay?”
“I think so. Maybe a little bruised, but I’ll be fine.”
Connor approached them quickly. “What the fuck happened?”
“Greg decided Allie was up for grabs since we aren’t married, so we fought. Then he knocked her on her ass. He’s lucky I don’t kill him.”
Connor assessed the damage. “I think you’ve already earned him a trip to the hospital. Take Allie and go to my office. We need to talk.”
Connor addressed the gathering crowd. “Someone want to take him to the E.R.? Tell them to bill the company for the visit.”
Two men surged forward, lifted the injured guy between them, and walked off.
Connor faced them again. “Didn’t I tell you two to go to my office?”
Cain scooped Allie up into his arms and began striding toward the singlewide. Allie gazed up at him, not quite sure what to think. Part of her was angry that he’d gotten into a fight just because some guy made a comment and whistled at her. But, secretly, her inner wolf rolled over in joy that their mate thought so highly of them. Oh crap. She was starting to think of the tiger as mate material. All the testosterone must be getting to her.
When they entered Connor’s office, Cain sat in a chair near the desk and held Allie on his lap. She wriggled, trying to get free but he wouldn’t let her. The look in his eyes told her he was worried.
“I’m fine,” she assured him.
The door slammed and she looked over Cain’s shoulder to see a furious Connor approaching them.
“No, you aren’t,” Connor said. “You need to make an appointment with the pack doctor, today, to get checked out.”
“Connor, it’s just a bruise or two.”
He lifted a brow as he sank into his chair. “And what if the baby is in distress?”
Allie froze and felt Cain stiffen.
“Baby?” she asked. “What the hell are you talking about?”
“I’ve never smelled anything like it before,” Connor said. “Your scent has changed. I don’t just smell you anymore, but a mixture of Cain, you and another scent. I’ve never heard of anyone being able to scent a pregnancy before but, in your case, I can. Must be the tiger genes. Damn unpredictable cats.”
Cain’s arms tightened around her. “She’s pregnant?”
Connor gave him an incredulous look. “You mean you can’t smell it?”
“I knew she smelled different, but I just thought that was because of my mating mark. My saliva entering her system could have given her a faint scent of tiger.”
“This is more than that.”
Cain rose, Allie still in his arms. “I’ll get her to the doctor right away.”
“Sit!”
Her tiger sank back into his chair.
“I can’t have you starting fights on the job site, Cain. I know for sure that Greg’s nose is broken but, if it’s worse, I’ll have to let you go. Or at least suspend you until this job is done.”
“How am I supposed to take care of my mate and child if I don’t have a job?”
“Have you thought of joining the local law enforcement? They’re hiring three spots. I already sent two of my wolves over to apply. There’s no reason you can’t, as well.”
“If Greg presses charges, there’s no way they’d hire me,” he pointed out.
“I’ll talk to Greg. He shouldn’t have pulled your whiskers if he didn’t want a reaction.”
Allie fought to get free. “First of all, until I see a positive test result, I won’t believe there’s a baby. Second, just because you marked me doesn’t make me your mate.”
Connor cleared his throat. “If you’re pregnant, I’m going to have to let the mating stand, Allie. You’ll need protection and Cain, as much as I hate to admit it, is the best you’re going to get around here. I didn’t recommend him to the police force lightly. Before you decide he isn’t the guy for you, maybe you should get to know him a little better. There’s no one better in the pack to protect you.”
She looked up at Cain. “What’s he talking about?”
Cain sighed. “I don’t go around advertising it, but I’m ex-Special Force
s. I spent eight years in the military. What Connor probably doesn’t know, is that he has at least two other males in his pack that were in the military. I’d trust them with your safety, but if you think I’m letting you go…”
Allie wasn’t sure what to think. There was obviously more to Cain than she realized.
“Take her to the doctor,” Connor said. “Then head over to the station to pick up an application. I’ll try to keep you on the job as long as I can, but I think you’d be better off in a different environment.”
Cain nodded and rose. “I’ll handle it. Sorry if I caused you any problems today. My tiger’s instinct to protect Allie was stronger than I was. She’ll always come first.”
Did he mean that? She would always come first with him? She’d never had anyone think of her that way before. Allie wasn’t even sure her parents had felt that way. Maybe having Cain for a mate wouldn’t be horrendous. He just needed to learn that she had value as something other than a housewife. She didn’t know where he got his archaic thinking from, but she’d just have to school him when it came to modern women. Obviously the kitty hadn’t dealt with a strong woman before, and Allie was determined to always be a strong woman. No way would she sit back and let the “man of the house” take care of everything. It just wasn’t in her.
When they reached the parking lot, she pointed to her SUV. “I drove. Just set me down and I’ll take myself to the doc’s office.”
Cain shook his head. “I’ll send someone back for your car later. I’m not letting you out of my sight right now.”
She bristled, but the intensity of his gaze, as he looked at her, stopped her tirade.
“I need to be near you right now, Allie. My tiger won’t rest until it knows you’re safe, that the baby is safe. Don’t push me away. I’m not like your wolves. I won’t just go somewhere and lick my wounded pride. I’ll break shit and tear someone up.”
“That should probably frighten me,” she muttered.
His gaze turned tender. “I would never harm you, or our children. But the beast inside of me is wilder than the wolves you’re used to. Tigers are…Well, we’re just different. We’re damn near obsessive when it comes to our mates and we never start a fight we can’t finish. You’ll always be safe with me; I promise you that, Allie.”
“I guess there’s a lot we don’t know about one another.”
He smiled. “There’s plenty of time for us to learn more. I’ll call Matt and set up an appointment for tomorrow.”
Her brow furrowed in confusion. “Appointment?”
“To look at some houses.”
“Now wait just one minute! I never said anything about moving in with you.”
He settled her on the seat of his truck and buckled her in, grabbed a shirt out of the backseat and drew it over his head. “Whether you like it or not, Allie, you’re my mate and you’re carrying my cub. I meant what I said. I’m not letting you go. As for us living separately, it isn’t safe. Most of the women in my family have miscarried at least twice. If you think I’m taking a risk with you and my child, you’d better think again. I’ll try not to stifle your independence, but I’m going to be by your side every step of the way.”
“How am I supposed to be independent with you hovering over me?”
“We’ll work it out.”
Chapter Six
Cain felt excitement thrumming through him at the mere thought of Allie carrying his child. He was terrified she’d still try to pull away from him, but he was confident he could convince her to stay by his side. There would be things she needed as an expectant mother that only a mate could provide. All right, anyone could provide those things, but he would have to convince her that a mate was her best bet. With his luck, she’d just try to move in with a friend. Good thing Gabriel was a recluse at the moment, or she could go to him for help. Cain had no doubt the alpha would allow her to stay in his house if she insisted on not accepting Cain as a mate.
He glanced at her, where she sat on the table. Paper crinkled under her as she shifted. There had been an immediate opening in the doctor’s schedule and they’d been taken back right away. Poor Allie had been poked and prodded, had her temperature taken, and had blood drawn for the pregnancy test. Now they were just waiting to see the doctor. He watched her, looking for signs of nervousness, but she seemed completely cool and collected. If he didn’t know why they were there, he’d never have guessed she was waiting on results for something so life altering as a baby.
The door opened and the doctor entered. A wolverine shifter in his forties, Cain was a little surprised the doc hadn’t been hit on by more women in the pack. He wasn’t a bad looking guy with graying brown hair and kind blue eyes. Word was that when the doc heard the news that demons were heading to Ashton Grove, he called Gabriel himself to see about switching packs, wanting to lend a helping hand.
“Well, Miss Jenson. Your vital signs all look good.” He pulled his glasses off and looked up at her. “So it seems you’re here because you think you might be pregnant.”
Allie nodded.
“And this is your mate?” the doc asked, indicating Cain.
“Yes, I am,” Cain answered, not giving Allie a chance to deny him.
“Well, I have some good news for you. And for the pack. You are, indeed, pregnant, Miss Jenson. In about nine months, the pack will be welcoming a new addition. I’m going to give you a prescription for prenatal vitamins and I want you to set up an appointment for a month from now, so we can do a follow-up.”
“Thank you, doctor,” Allie said.
“Remember, one month,” the doc said as he backed out of the room. “Congratulations!”
Allie looked at Cain and he tried to read her expression. Fear, excitement, denial. She was switching from one emotion to another so fast he almost couldn’t keep up. When she was back to fear, he stepped forward and took her hands in his.
“We’ll get through this, Allie. It might not have been planned, but the baby is still a blessing.”
“I think I’m ready to go home.”
“We’ll pick up your prescription on the way. I’m guessing the doc is going to leave the slip with the front desk. You can pick it up when you schedule your next appointment. And I will be going with you. To every appointment.”
She nodded and slid off the table, the paper bunching and crackling.
Cain wrapped an arm around her waist, refusing to budge when she elbowed him in the ribs. He escorted her to the front and stopped at the reception desk. After they picked up her prescription slip and set up her next appointment, he walked her out to his truck and helped her into it. Cain made sure she was buckled before he walked around and slid into the driver’s seat. True to his word, he stopped at a pharmacy on the way to her apartment to get her prescription filled. When they reached her place, she practically leapt from the truck and power walked to her apartment. He caught up with her and placed a hand on her arm, stilling her.
“You don’t need to be alone right now.”
She twisted her arm free. “I need some time, Cain. At least give me tonight to mull things over.”
“Fine. I’ll pick you up at eight for breakfast. I’ll call Connor and tell him I’ll be late to work in the morning.”
“You shouldn’t do that, not when your job is being taken from you,” Allie insisted. “Don’t make him regret keeping you on until you find something else. He didn’t have to do that.”
“I think Connor would agree that the baby takes precedence right now. You heard the doctor. This isn’t just good news for us, Allie, but for the entire pack. We’re growing, bringing in a new generation. Our son or daughter will grow up playing with the babies we already have in the pack. If it’s a girl, she may even grow up to mate with Michael and Chloe’s son, Mason.”
“Slow down there, buddy. The baby is the size of a pea right now. Let’s not get ahead of ourselves.”
“Yeah, yeah.” He smiled. “I know you’re scared, Allie. I promise to be there for you eve
ry step of the way. I can’t begin to tell you what this means to me.”
She snorted. “I know your type. You’re a man-whore like some other men around here I could name. I’m thinking a baby was the last thing on your mind.”
“Not since meeting you,” he said softly, then turned and walked away, leaving her with her jaw hanging open.
Getting back in his truck, he decided there was no time like the present to get to work on his future. He pulled up in front of the Ashton Grove police station about ten minutes later. Ten minutes that he’d spent grinning like a fool, happier than he’d ever been before. He’d have to call his parents and share the news, but he was worried about telling them too soon. He hadn’t lied when he said most tiger babies were miscarried. Of course, no one in his family had mated a wolf so maybe that would make a difference. Both of his parents were tigers, and his sister had mated a tiger. He was bucking tradition, but knew his parents wouldn’t care as long as he was happy.
He pushed open the double glass doors and strolled inside, inhaling the scent of lemon cleanser and unwashed bodies. His nose wrinkled in distaste. Since he’d never been processed the other night, he didn’t see a problem with applying for the job. Of course, if they thought he was a troublemaker, he’d be out the door empty handed. Giving the woman at the front desk what he hoped was an engaging smile, he leaned on the counter.
“I heard you were looking for a few officers,” he said.
Hard blue eyes met his. Damn, that gaze would freeze a man’s nuts off. She reached across the counter, grabbed an application and slapped it down in front of him.
“Complete this application and return it no later than Monday at four o’clock. That’s P.M. in case you’re a smart ass and plan on returning it before the roosters’ crow. The applications will be reviewed on Tuesday. If you make the cut, you should hear from us by Wednesday afternoon. This is just step one, so don’t get cocky if you get a call back. There’s a physical, an agility test, and a psych eval that have to be completed before you get any further.”
He nodded. “Understood.”
“Remember. Four P.M.”
MoonlightDrifter Page 5
