Shifters in the Snow: Bundle of Joy: Seventeen Paranormal Romances of Winter Wolves, Merry Bears, and Holiday Spirits

by J. K Harper

  A strangled sound came from Violet’s throat, and she sank further from him. Her eyes watered, and her bottom lip wobbled.

  Jesus. What the hell had they put her through that such a small mishap would cause such a visceral reaction? The scent of her fear, which had yet to dissipate fully, intensified to the point of making his nose itch with the effort to keep from sneezing.

  “That piece wasn’t good enough for you, anyway. Clearly, I cut it crooked or something for it to go flying out of your fingers like that.” He’d tried being serious and being calm. Neither had worked. Maybe if he kidded with her a bit, she would loosen up.

  Her eyebrows rose a touch, but otherwise, she kept looking at him with a wary gaze, and her fingers clutched in front of her belly. As much as he wanted to be near her, he couldn’t. She—and the baby—needed nourishment. She was way too thin. “If you promise to eat, I’ll leave you alone so you won’t be so afraid, but the little one needs food. Can you do that?”

  He waited for her tiny nod before standing and crossing to the open bedroom door. He glanced at her over his shoulder, smiling when he found her with a strawberry already in her hand.

  Her cheeks flushed, and she immediately cast her gaze down to the comforter. The progress was slow, but it was there. She’d be okay. Eventually.

  Chapter 2

  Violet’s stomach rumbled so hard she was amazed her mate hadn’t come running back in to check on her. Her mate. Why now, when she could never accept his claim—provided he even wanted to claim her—did he have to come into her life? It was bad enough that her panic overwhelmed her to the point of feeling lightheaded each time he came near, but she was carrying another male’s baby. One, no matter what the circumstances of his or her conception, she intended to raise and love as every child deserved.

  She eyed the food on the tray and examined the strawberry still clutched between her fingers. Everything looked delicious. The meat smelled like heaven, and she couldn’t remember the last time she even had cheese. She hardly knew where to start. Protein. The baby needed protein. And lots of vitamins. But the preserves made her mouth water. He hadn’t tasted the bread, but he would have, had she asked. There was an honesty in his eyes that even she couldn’t deny. She reached for a roll and broke a small piece. She closed her eyes to savor the taste. It was so soft it all but melted in her mouth. Her belly grumbled again.

  As much as she wanted the sweet jam, there was no way her stomach would handle a lot of food. She had to do what was right for the baby. Once she started, it didn’t take long for her stomach to fill with the berries and meat. She eyed the bread and preserves again, but there just wasn’t any room. Anything more, and she’d make herself sick. She sighed and stood, placing the tray on the dresser closest to the door.

  She listened for movement outside before pulling the top drawer open. A fresh wave of Joss’s scent billowed from it. She picked up the T-shirt at the top, careful not to unfold it or wrinkle it, and brought it up to her nose. She’d done the same thing a few times, and each time she had, her wolf had perked up a little. Not much, but enough to let her know that she wasn’t completely gone.

  Violet scanned the room. Maybe she could find a spot to hide a roll or two for later. She listened for noise on the other side of the door again. When all was silent, she grabbed two of the soft buns. She couldn’t put them in the drawers. He’d find them there for sure. Maybe behind the bed? She dismissed that idea just as quickly. Damn it, it didn’t matter where she hid them, he’d sniff them out in seconds with his wolf’s nose.

  A huge lump formed in her throat. She’d been reduced to hoarding food? Stashing it so that she could find it again later? She shook her head and placed the bread back on the tray. Her vision blurred, and as hard as she tried to blink the tears away, they streamed down her cheeks. A small sob rose up her throat, trying to choke her.

  Footsteps approached on the other side of the door. Violet’s heart pounded, and her breath caught in her lungs. Everything inside her screamed to run, to get away. She took a step back, then another until her knees touched the mattress behind her. She shimmied around it until she was on the other side of the bed. By the time the door swung open, she’d backed herself into the corner against the far wall.

  “Are you okay?” Joss asked her from the doorway. The color drained from his face as he glanced to where she was clutching her belly. “Is it the baby? Was the food too much?”

  Joss stepped into the room, his movements smooth as he crossed over to her. Worry and determination fought for dominance on his expressive face.

  “I heard you crying. Are you in pain? I can ask Delana to get something for you,” he finally said when he’d reached her.

  Violet dropped her gaze to the floor, silently cursing herself for the reaction. Before Roger’s reign of terror, she would have proudly called herself an Omega, but her old Mahehkan Alpha and his dirtbag followers had turned her into something she was not. A cowering shell of her former self. How could she hope that anyone else would respect her when she couldn’t respect herself? Squaring her shoulders, she looked at Joss and met his stare. Her heart pounded, but she refused to lower her gaze again.

  “I want to help, but I can’t if I don’t know what’s wrong.” Joss’s gentle voice, combined with the lines worrying his forehead, were nearly her undoing. She sniffled again but blinked fast, keeping the fresh tears at bay.

  She wiped the dampness from her cheeks with the back of her hand and pushed herself away from the wall. The movement closed the distance between them until only a few inches separated them. She took a steadying breath. “I’m okay,” she finally said in little more than a whisper, her voice hoarse from lack of use.

  How long had it been since she’d spoken? Weeks? Months? Karak, the male the Alpha had given her to, hadn’t liked for her to speak—or make any noise for that matter. Any time she’d pleaded with him for her freedom, she’d received a beating for her efforts.

  Joss drew a sharp breath, and his frown disappeared. He didn’t quite smile, but pleasure shone in his eyes, and she was glad she’d said the words.

  He opened his mouth, but a sound just outside the bedroom door stopped him short. An instant later, one of the biggest males she’d ever seen filled the frame. Although she’d caught a glimpse of him before and knew him to be part of the Komoro pack, she’d never met him. Violet took a small step, obstructing herself from his view with Joss standing between them.

  “I knocked, but no one answered,” the male said. He looked from Joss to her and back again, and to her amazement, his cheeks reddened. “I probably should have come back later.”

  “Khet, have you met my mate, Violet?” Joss asked the man.

  “Not officially. Nice to meet you, Violet.” The man didn’t come into the room.

  Crap. Was she expected to speak? Should she keep her mouth shut? She didn’t know the rules here. She brought her hand up and clutched the back of Joss’s shirt.

  “Violet was about to go have a hot bath. If you don’t mind waiting in the living room, I’ll be right out,” he said without missing a beat.

  Khet gave her a small nod, then turned and left.

  “I know you don’t like being outside the room, but I think it’s important you start getting used to your new surroundings. You’re safe here.” He sounded like a broken record saying it, but until she believed him, he’d keep repeating it.

  She almost opened her mouth to protest, but each time she’d snuck out of the room to use the bathroom, she’d eyed the tub and had longed to use it. Freshening up at the sink wasn’t nearly enough to make her feel clean. “I’d like that, thank you,” she said before she lost her nerve.

  The instant her words left her mouth, Joss’s lips curled up into the most stunning smile she’d ever seen. Her heart did a little flip that had nothing to do with fear and everything to do with pleasing the man who’d been taking care of her so sweetly.

  He glanced at her, and a little spark of humor danced in his e
yes. “If you want me to get the bath ready, you’ll have to let me go. Though I’ll admit, I’d stand here with you all day if it’s what you want.”

  She unfurled her fingers from his shirt, releasing him, more than a little surprised that she’d unconsciously hung on to him for so long. “Sorry, I shouldn’t have done that.”

  “Don’t be. And yes, you should have. I’m your mate. I will always protect you, Violet.” He took the hand she’d dropped to her side, brought it to his lips, and gave her a chaste kiss on her knuckles. “Now, let’s see about that bath.”

  Chapter 3

  Joss couldn’t contain his smile as he made his way to the living room. Not only had Violet spoken to him, but she’d turned to him for protection. Okay, so the reflexive action wasn’t a huge declaration of undying trust and devotion, but it was a start, and it was a whole lot more than he’d expected so soon.

  His smile, however, died on his lips the instant he caught a glimpse of Khet’s furrowed brows and deep scowl. “What’s going on?” he asked without preamble. It was no wonder Violet had been scared with Khet there. The man was huge. All the Erritrol wolves—the newest members of their pack—were. The fact that they were loyal and kind wouldn’t even occur to someone who had suffered the abuse Violet had.

  But Joss knew better. The man and the others were big, but they wouldn’t harm a single one of their pack mates. Their size and power were what had prompted Delana to seek them out for protection in the first place.

  Khet glanced down the hallway before addressing him. “Rennan spotted wolves hanging around the edges of our territory during his morning patrols. The Mahehkan scent is all along our forest’s edges.”

  Every muscle in his body tightened. “Who’s going after them? Has the team been dispatched yet?”

  “No one. Argram has decided to wait and see what they’ll do. He wants to re-establish the village once he’s sure all of Roger’s bastards are gone for good, and there’s no way to know if those hanging around are Roger’s men or some of the innocents that scattered when we attacked.”

  “I don’t like it. Why not come to the village and speak with Argram? Why skulk around?”

  Khet grunted something in his native tongue, then nodded. “That’s why we’ve increased patrols.”

  “What do you need me to do?” He didn’t want to leave Violet and risk losing that fragile bond they were forming, but to keep her safe, he would. He’d do anything.

  “Nothing. You’re to stay here for now. The unmated males are already out there. Argram just wants everyone in the village to be vigilant if they decide to go into the woods. He’s not forbidding it, but be aware of what—and who’s—around you.”

  As always, Argram’s plan was sound. Their Alpha was not only fair, but he was smart and strategic. If he didn’t want to make a move yet, Joss would respect that decision. “Fine. What about the bastard who hurt Violet? Any news there?”

  A muscle ticked in Khet’s jaw. “James hasn’t identified Karak as one of the dead.”

  “Damn it.” He’d hoped the man had died a slow and painful death. Knowing he still walked the earth after the things he’d put Violet through had fury ripping through every part of him. His wolf bristled, and it was all he could do to keep his growl from rumbling out.

  “Rennan’s out there tracking. It’s only a matter of time before he catches the scents of those who escaped. They’ll have to hunt sooner or later, and when they do, no amount of running will save them.”

  “Delana sent the things you requested. She would have brought them herself, but she’s helping Amalija and Miga organize a welcome get-together for the new pack mates.” He pointed to the bags he’d left by the door.

  “Thanks. I appreciate it. I don’t think we’ll be going out in public for a while. Violet has barely eaten or come out of the room yet.”

  “Those bastards tried hard, but they didn’t break the other women, and they won’t have broken Violet, either. She’ll be fine. She needs time.”

  “I swear, if I catch Karak anywhere near this village, I’ll tear him apart myself.”

  Violet’s scent wafted to him as he spoke the last words. If the sweetness filling his senses hadn’t alerted him to her presence, her soft gasp would have.

  He turned to find her in the doorway, one hand resting protectively on her belly, the other clenched at her side. “He’s not dead?” she asked with a trembling voice.

  Joss wouldn’t lie. Not to her. Not about this—or anything else for that matter. “No, he didn’t die in the battle. We’ll find him, though. I promise you that.”

  She glanced at Khet, who stepped over to retrieve the bags from the floor. Her eyes widened, but she didn’t back away.

  “Delana says she’ll come see you later today or maybe tomorrow. She picked out a few things for you. If there’s anything in there you don’t like, set it aside, and she’ll return it.” Khet handed the bags to Joss, but he kept his gaze on Violet.

  “T-thank you.”

  Violet’s fingers trembled when she lifted them from her belly, and her breaths came in quick, short pants. He was proud of her for having the courage to come out, but anyone could see the panic rising on her pale face.

  “Did Lanie tell you when they’re planning the get-together?” Joss asked, taking the attention from her and onto him again. Khet’s eyes narrowed, but he didn’t bother commenting on his use of the nickname. Joss has called his sister that since they’d been kids, and if his brother-in-law didn’t like it, then he’d have to get used to it.

  “Day after next, I think. You’d better confirm that with Delana, though,” Khet said as he headed for the door.

  “Thanks again for bringing that stuff over. I would never have known what to buy on my own.”

  Khet nodded and glanced over at Violet, giving her one of his rare smiles. “Was nice finally meeting you, Violet.”

  She swallowed hard. “Likewise.”

  Joss expected Violet to retreat to the bedroom as soon as Khet left, but she stood there, staring at him. Her breaths had slowed, and she didn’t look as scared, but she remained silent.

  “You look like you have something to say.”

  She swallowed and gave her head a little shake, then huffed and clenched her hands at her sides. “I have no money to pay you back for those things,” she finally blurted out, her cheeks turning a deep rosy color.

  It took a moment for what she’d said to register in his mind. He wasn’t sure if he should laugh or pull at his hair. What the hell was she talking about? “You’re my mate, Violet. It’s my honor and my pleasure to provide you with everything you need. The food in the kitchen? It’s yours. If you’re hungry, help yourself. You’re free to read the books on the shelves, and if you don’t find any that you like, we can get you something you would enjoy reading more. Even those T-shirts in the top drawer you seem fond of, you’re free to take them. Wear them. Do whatever. I don’t mind.”

  “How did you—”

  “I can smell you on the fabric,” he supplied as he smiled and stepped closer. “Before you get upset…it makes me happy to have your scent on them—on me—when I’m wearing them.”

  She opened her mouth to speak, but then shut it, pulling her bottom lip between her teeth in a way that made him want to have a taste. “Come on, let’s see what Delana chose for you,” he said before he could make good on his desire to kiss her.

  Chapter 4

  Violet had learned to be afraid of gifts—or rather, gift-givers. It hadn’t taken her long after Roger had taken over as Alpha of the old Mahehkan pack to figure out that the price of kindness was sometimes much greater than the cost of a present. But one look at Joss, with his eagerness to please shining brightly in his eyes, had her heart fluttering for a reason so far apart from fear that she could hardly recognize it anymore.

  Hope. Did she dare let her guard down with this man? Delana, his sister, had been gentle and kind. But more importantly, she was…free. She came and went as she plea
sed, moving about the village at will. As far as Violet could see, the woman was unharmed. She seemed happy—deliriously happy. When she spoke of her mate, she positively glowed.

  With more determination than bravery, Violet crossed over to Joss and held her hand out, taking one of the overflowing bags from him. When her fingers came up steady—more or less—her confidence rose. “Thank you.”

  “You’re welcome. And when you’re feeling up to it, you can go pick things for yourself.”

  The baby chose that moment to give her a good kick to the ribs on her right. She gasped and clutched her belly. The instant she did, Joss’s smile dropped.

  “What’s wrong?” he asked in a rush.

  If ever there was a man who was unsure about a pregnant woman, Joss was him. “The baby is active today. He’s a strong kicker.”

  His eyes rounded, and he frowned. “Does it hurt? I’m not sure if I like that.”

  She almost smiled at the seriousness in his gaze. What did he think he’d be able to do about it if it did? “It doesn’t. Not at all. I’m glad he’s moving around more today. I think he appreciates the meal.” Heat rushed to her cheeks, but she didn’t look away. She’d eaten as well as she could throughout her pregnancy. She wouldn’t feel bad for things that were beyond her control.

  Joss’s gaze flew back to hers from where he’d been looking at her belly. “You know it’s a he?”

  Try as she might, there was no stopping the smile from emerging at that point. The goofy look on Joss’s face wouldn’t allow it. “I don’t, actually, but it’s better than calling him or her an it.”

  He nodded gravely. “You’re right. I’m sure the baby wouldn’t appreciate that.”

  The small burst of joy deep inside her dimmed a little. Joss would make a great father. If things were different, she could see herself building a future—a family—with him.