The Werewolf's Baby
A Billionaire Shifter Pregnancy Romance
By
Natalie Kristen
Copyright © 2017 Natalie Kristen
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without the author's written permission, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews. The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. No part of this book may be scanned, uploaded or distributed via the Internet or any other means, electronic or print, without the author's written permission.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are used fictitiously or are the products of the author's imagination. Any resemblance to actual locales, events, establishments or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
The author does not have any control over and does not assume any responsibility for third-party websites or their content.
About this Book
She thought it was just for one night…
Kerry Scott will do anything to save her sister. Anything. Even putting herself up for auction at The Ring, an exclusive, private club for some of the wealthiest, most powerful shifters in the city.
It's just for one night, right?
Wrong.
And Kerry doesn't realize how wrong she is until it is too late...
Nathan Chase, billionaire and alpha werewolf, is at The Ring for business not pleasure. But when he sees that sweet, brave human woman on stage, he is determined to keep her out of the clutches of all those ravening, predatory shifters. She doesn't belong in a place like this.
She belongs with him.
Winning her is just the beginning. When secrets come to light, Nathan will stop at nothing to keep his mate and unborn pup out of danger.
* * * * *
CHAPTER ONE
“Kerry! Psst, Earth to Kerry...”
Kerry started and looked up as Simone nudged her gently. “Hey, you okay?” Simone whispered.
“Me? Yeah. Of course. I...I'm fine.” Kerry straightened up and pushed her hair out of her eyes.
Simone nodded but the frown remained on her face. Kerry knew that Simone wasn't fooled. Her friend could see that she was troubled.
“Talk to you later,” Simone said and gave her a hip bump since her hands were full. Kerry watched Simone carry the laden tray to the back of the restaurant and turned back to the table. No doubt Simone had noticed her standing at the same spot and moving her cloth up and down a spotless tabletop with a dazed expression on her face.
Taking a deep breath, Kerry turned and saw a few of the other waitresses watching her and whispering among themselves. They quickly averted their eyes and pretended to be busy with their chores when she approached the counter.
But Kerry couldn't be bothered about what they were thinking and saying about her. Those women always found someone to gossip about. It was as if they had nothing better to do with their lives and their time. Talking about other people seemed to be what they did best.
Kerry didn't have the time or energy to indulge in mindless gossip and small talk.
There was already too much on her mind and her plate.
As she was about to grab the coffee pot, Simone appeared at her side and pulled her away. “Leave it,” Simone hissed. “Let the other girls refill the coffee pot. You are in no state to handle hot coffee in a fragile glass pot.”
“What?” Kerry huffed, highly offended. “I...”
Simone shook Kerry's shoulders gently. “What is it?” she asked softly. “You're not here, Kerry. Your body reported for work this morning, but your mind is somewhere else. What's going on, Kerry?”
Kerry closed her eyes and took a painful breath. She wanted to tell her friend everything. Instead, she only managed a single word. “Tia.”
Simone's grip tightened on her shoulders as she muttered incoherently. Simone was the only one at work who knew about Tia's condition. Kerry just couldn't bring herself to tell anyone else about her sister's illness. She didn't want to be fodder for gossip.
“But...you told me that Tia's responding well to the chemotherapy,” Simone said, squeezing her arm. “Tia's getting better, right? Where is she now? Is she...”
Kerry bit her lip and met her friend's worried gaze. “Tia's at home. She's okay.”
Simone nodded but said nothing. They both knew the truth. Tia was not okay.
Her sister had cancer.
Tia was only eighteen years old and she should be out having fun and living large like every other eighteen-year-old.
Instead, she was battling an insidious, internal enemy. The enemy was lying low for now. But Kerry knew too well that the cancer could rear its ugly head at any time and strike her brave, beautiful sister down without warning.
Kerry knew that the odds were against them. She kept her hopes and spirits up for Tia's sake, but she knew. She'd spoken to the doctors, the families of other cancer patients, and she'd done her research. And she saw what the cancer did to her beautiful baby sister.
Before Tia got sick, she was so active, vibrant and strong. She was still strong. God, no one was stronger than Tia. The girl was so brave, and she remained cheerful and independent even though she was sick. She refused to stay in bed the whole day and insisted on helping out around the house.
Kerry remembered the first time she had gotten home after work and realized that Tia had been doing some light chores around the house. She had washed the dishes, swept the floor and done some laundry. A blazing row had erupted between the sisters, and Kerry had screamed herself hoarse.
“What do you expect me to do, just lie in bed and wait to die?” Tia had tried to reason with her.
“Yes! No! Just...don't do anything! What if you fall? What if you feel giddy all of a sudden or...”
“What if, what if, what if! This isn't life, Kerry! I'm not living the life I want, but I am still living. I am not dead. I sleep so many hours already, and I'll sleep when I'm dead. But I. Am. Not. Dead!” Tia had screamed back. “I am still alive! Or have you forgotten that?”
Kerry had broken down and crumpled into a heap. She didn't even know what she was doing any more. It was Tia who put her arms around her and assured her that everything would be all right. Tia was the strong one, not her.
She was the big sister, yet she couldn't even take care of her baby sister. Kerry wanted to wrap Tia up in cotton wool and protect her from all the pain and suffering in the world. But pain was a part of life. So was cancer and death. It wasn't fair. It just wasn't fair!
Tia couldn't go out of the house, but she didn't want to be a burden to anyone. She didn't want anyone putting their lives on hold to stay by her side. Besides, they needed the money. “Go to work, Kerry. You can't stay at home with me all day. I'll be fine, really,” Tia had insisted.
So when Kerry was at work, a neighbor would check in on Tia every few hours. And Tia diligently texted Kerry throughout the day to assure her worrywart big sister that everything was fine at home.
“Kerry...” Simone's voice broke into her thoughts. “Talk to me.”
Kerry took a moment to focus on her friend. She kept seeing her sister's face and hearing the voice of Dr. Arun in her mind.
CHAPTER TWO
“I was at the hospital with Tia yesterday,” Kerry said at last. “I spoke with Dr. Arun.”
“And?” Simone prompted.
“Dr. Arun said that there's a new cancer drug available. He said that the drug has been tested and the results were very promising. Accordi
ng to him, eight out of ten cancer patients have been completely cured by this new drug.”
“Eight out of ten?” Simone gasped. “That's like eighty per cent!”
Kerry nodded rapidly. “Yes. That's the highest percentage I've heard in a long time.”
“It's like a miracle drug!” Simone breathed. “How...”
“They inject a small, concentrated dose of the drug into the patient every week,” Kerry went on. “Dr. Arun said that it normally takes about ten injections before any results can be seen. If the results are positive, they will follow up with one injection a month until they are sure the cancer is gone.”
“Oh my God!” Simone squealed, hugging her. “This is fantastic news! Tia is going to get well!”
Simone frowned when Kerry didn't respond. “What is it? Why aren't you excited about this?” she asked, peering curiously at Kerry.
Kerry made a strangled sound and whispered, “The drug...one dose costs ten thousand dollars.”
“Ten grand a dose?” Simone spluttered. “And she needs at least ten doses, right? That's...”
“...one hundred thousand dollars,” Kerry finished flatly. “It's an optional, alternative treatment, and Dr. Arun told me that some patients do choose to continue with their chemotherapy instead of opting for this new drug.”
“But...but...”
“I know. Eighty per cent!” Kerry's eyes shone as she grasped her friend's hand. “I'm going to make sure that Tia gets the drug!”
“Kerry,” Simone began.
But Kerry wasn't listening. She had ignored Tia's objections at the hospital and she wasn't in the mood to listen to anyone telling her that she couldn't afford this treatment for her sister.
She had quarreled with Tia again this morning, and her sister's words still echoed in her mind.
“You're already taking on extra shifts at the restaurant, and you work every single weekend, Kerry. You're twenty-five, you should be having fun, going out with your friends, going on hot dates. Instead, you work, and you work some more. Then you come home and take care of me. You don't go out, you don't buy anything nice for yourself. I know how much you've done for me. But there is no way we can pay for this treatment. The chemo is working fine. I'll get well. I promise you, Kerry. I promise!”
Kerry had made a promise to Tia as well. “I promise you too, Tia.”
“Promise what?” Tia had asked in confusion.
“I promise that you'll get well.”
She never, ever broke a promise to her little sister.
Kerry narrowed her eyes when she saw Simone rubbing her chin. It was a sign that her friend had something to say but didn't know how to say it.
“Spit it out,” she ordered. “Just speak your mind. Unless you're going to tell me to drop the idea.”
Before Simone could say anything, Kerry snapped angrily, “I don't want to hear you, or anyone else, tell me that I can't afford this new drug for Tia. Tia promised me that she'll get well, and I am going to hold her to her promise. I may have to work two or three other jobs, but I will make damn sure I get the money!”
CHAPTER THREE
“Two or three jobs?” Simone said slowly. “What kind of jobs...?”
“Anything. I will do anything, Simone!”
“Anything?”
“Anything,” Kerry replied firmly.
“Okay.” Simone pressed her fingertips together and blew out a breath. “I, um, I may be able to recommend you a job. I, well, you see...” She hesitated before plowing on, “I have been working at this...club, on and off. It pays really, really well.”
“Club?” Kerry's eyes rounded.
“It's a pretty exclusive club. It caters to shifters, wealthy shifters,” Simone said carefully.
“Right. So...you're a part-time waitress there? And you're saying that the tips are really, really good?” Kerry leaned forward eagerly. “Can I sign up?”
“It's not a waitressing job,” Simone answered.
“I'll do anything. Wash the dishes, clean the toilets...”
“It's an auction,” Simone said in a rush.
Kerry blinked at her. “An auction? What auction? I...don't understand...”
But she did. The picture formed slowly but clearly in her mind as the words sank in.
Club...wealthy shifters...auction…
She wasn't born yesterday. She could join the dots and see the picture.
Most shifters preferred living in small, remote towns surrounded by forests and mountains. They kept away from humans and kept close to nature. There were some shifters living in the big cities but they tended to keep a low profile. Some of the most successful business owners in this city were shifters, but these new billionaires were smart enough to keep out of the limelight. With crime rates rising in the big cities, people were wary and suspicious of shifters and were quick to blame the shifters for any violent, unsolved crimes. As a result, the shifters found it safer to simply avoid the humans as much as they could. Outside of work, most shifters preferred not to socialize with the humans.
Exclusive, private shifter-only establishments began sprouting up to cater to these wealthy shifters. There was good money to be earned, and savvy investors and entrepreneurs were quick to grab the opportunity.
“The Ring is a private club where the clients can bid for the Gem they want,” Simone explained quietly. “The men and women on auction are called Gems.”
“I see.” Kerry licked her lips and tried to swallow but her throat felt too tight and dry.
“The starting bid is a thousand dollars.”
“One thousand bucks...for one night,” Kerry whispered breathlessly.
“You usually earn much more,” Simone said. “If the bidding is very aggressive, you can sometimes get ten thousand bucks.”
“Ten thousand—that can pay for Tia's first injection,” Kerry said fervently. “I have to do this. How? How can I be a Gem? Is there someone I can call?”
Simone shook her head. “You don't call them. They call you.”
“Okay. So...how do I get them to call me?”
“I have a contact, a friend of a friend. If you're really sure you want to do this, I'll give you his number. You send him your picture, and he sends it to Madam Jen. Madam Patricia Jen owns The Ring.”
“Give me the number. I'll send him my picture right now!”
“Kerry, are you sure...”
“I said I'll do anything. And...these rich shifters won't hurt me, right? They won't do anything illegal, like...”
“No. Madam Jen takes care of her clients, but she protects her Gems as well. You won't be harmed.”
“Right. Let me go slick on some lip gloss before I snap my picture,” Kerry said brightly. She took two steps towards the bathroom before turning around to frown at Simone. “Why didn't you tell me about this before? You never told me that you were working at The Ring.”
Simone winced. “I...I didn't want anybody to know...”
“It's a way to earn more money,” Kerry said stoutly. “We're earning it, not stealing it. And if we need the money...” She shrugged and let her voice trail off.
Did Simone need the money? Simone had never mentioned that she was having any money problems.
Kerry stole a glance at Simone as she went to grab the lip gloss from her bag. Simone was only a year older than Kerry but she had gone through a miscarriage and a bitter divorce. Simone didn't like to talk about her past and Kerry didn't want to probe. And she was so busy taking care of Tia that she didn't really have the time or energy to stick her nose into anybody else's business.
Kerry abruptly spun on her heel and went back to Simone. “Simone,” Kerry said, taking her friend's hand. “I...I've been pouring my troubles out to you, but I haven't taken the time to really listen to you. You...”
Simone shook her head. “What are you talking about? Your sister is sick. You should focus on her. You're a great big sister...”
“...but a lousy friend,” Kerry finished.
“You're a good friend,” Simone insisted. “And we do talk.”
“Not about you.”
“What about me? I don't have any troubles...” She feigned a laugh.
“Simone...”
Simone waved a hand. “Go. Pretty yourself up. I have to warn you though. You can send your photo but you may not get a callback. So...good luck.” She flashed Kerry a lopsided smile and a thumbs up.
Kerry nodded and turned away. Simone always seemed so confident and cheerful, but Kerry was beginning to see the cracks in that bright, shiny veneer. Everyone had their own burdens to bear and secrets to keep, but she wished that Simone would confide in her. She knew that Simone had scars from her past, but they were friends, weren't they? Friends didn't judge each other.
She needed to be a better friend to Simone. But right now, she just had to concentrate of doing one thing. The sooner she could get her hands on that money, the sooner Tia could start with that new treatment.
Kerry pushed into the bathroom, clutching her tube of lip gloss in one fist and her phone in the other. She just hoped that her eye bags and dark circles wouldn't be too obvious in the picture.
CHAPTER FOUR
Nathan Chase walked past the long line of people in front of The Crown and silently made his way towards the back of the building. The Crown was one of the most popular clubs in town and the queue was always extra long on Friday nights. But that wasn't where he was going.
The Crown was for humans who liked loud music, pretentious décor and being seen in the right place with the right company.
The jarring noise which tried to pass itself off as music wafted out when the door to the club opened to let in a group of excited, well-dressed yuppies. The thick scent of human sweat coated the air all around him, but his wolf had long learned to ignore the oppressive scent and noise. It was either that or get out of the city and move to a remote shifter town.
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