by Becca Van
“Your mate is going to be just fine.” Blayk confirmed Rochelle’s condition. “Why don’t you all pull up a chair and talk to her. I believe Keira said she heard every word her mates spoke to her when she was going through the change.”
Jarrod was grateful to be able to sit down. His legs felt weak and shaky, and he knew he was in a bit of shock. He hoped to never have to see his mate in such pain again. Being careful not to jolt the needle in the back of her hand, he wrapped his fingers around hers and squeezed lightly. As he sat there trying to ascertain why she had left the den, he kept coming back to thinking she must have heard him and Brock talking about her craving meat if she became pregnant. At least that was the only scenario he could come up with for why she may have been upset enough to leave.
“Rochelle, I’m sorry we didn’t tell you that you would crave meat if you got pregnant. I didn’t mean to keep such a thing from you, it just never entered my mind. I have been a wolf my whole life, and since I’ve never had a mate before, I forgot to tell you something important. I hope you will find it in your heart to forgive me.”
Using his free hand he smoothed the hair back from her face and bent down close to her ear.
“I love you, baby. Please, get better soon. I can’t live without you, Rochelle. I was so lonely before you came charging into our lives. You are my heart and soul, and I will never let anyone hurt you ever again. If you can hear me and forgive me, please give me a sign.”
Jarrod gasped when he felt one of her fingers twitch on his skin. He looked down at their joined hands and then back to her face.
“You can do it, baby. Come on, Rochelle, squeeze my fingers.”
A slight pressure gripped his fingers for less than a second, but he knew that she forgave him. Tears of joy ran down his face, and he didn’t care who saw him falling apart. Nothing mattered to him more than his mate.
Malcolm, who was sitting on the other side of Rochelle, moved his chair in closer to her and leaned over to kiss her cheek.
“I love you, sweetness. I’m sorry for our oversight, too. We didn’t mean to forget. We are just so set in our ways that I guess we made some mistakes.”
Malcolm looked up at Jarrod and then Braxton, and a slow smile spread across his face. “She squeezed my hand. You’re going to be just fine, sweetheart. We’re going to take good care of you.”
Braxton moved from his place at the end of the bed and nudged Jarrod from his chair so he could get closer to their mate. He wrapped an arm around the top of Rochelle’s head and leaned down to kiss her on the lips.
“You just rest, darlin’,” Braxton said quietly. “We want you to take all the time you need to get well again. And when we have the all clear from Blayk we are gonna spend a whole weekend loving on you. You’ve filled up the emptiness that was in my heart, darlin’. You are the most precious thing in my life. I love you, Rochelle.”
Rochelle moaned slightly and licked her lips, but her eyes remained closed. Jarrod had never heard a sweeter sound. He looked over to Blayk and watched as his doctor cousin checked his mate’s wounds.
“Her wounds should be fully closed in another hour or so,” Blayk explained. “She will sleep a lot, so don’t get upset if she doesn’t wake up until tomorrow or the day after. It will take a full week before she is feeling normal again. I will keep her hooked up to the saline until she is awake. We don’t want her dehydrating.”
“I think we should organize a temporary sheriff to take over until our mate has healed,” Malcolm suggested. “I don’t want her out of my sight again.”
“I’ll see what I can do, but I can’t promise anything, Malcolm. I don’t want to leave her side either, but we are the law of this town and we have a duty to others as well.”
“I’ll be perfectly fine.” Rochelle projected her thoughts into their private mind link for the first time. “You don’t have to sit at my bedside and watch me sleep.”
“Rochelle? You should be resting, baby, not talking to us.”
“I am resting. It’s not like I’m doing a jig.”
“Your mind needs to rest as well as your body, sweetness,” Malcolm said.
“I won’t be awake long. I can already feel myself floating. What happened to Harold James?”
“He’s dead, baby.”
“Because of me?”
Jarrod could feel her distress, and he hurried to reassure her. “It wasn’t your fault, baby. He was out of his mind. We should have driven him out of town long ago.”
“But then he might have hurt someone else…” He could feel her drifting off toward sleep, but she asked, “I’m going to want to eat meat now that I’m a werewolf, aren’t I?”
“You don’t have to if you don’t want to, baby. We can get Angie to order more vegetables and fruit in for you, but your wolf may crave meat sometimes. Don’t worry about it now, Rochelle, we’ll work out an alternative,” Jarrod replied.
Rochelle explained why the thought of eating meat was repugnant to her. “No wonder you were a vegetarian.” Brax frowned. “You don’t have to worry about that around here, honey. There have to be alternatives we can find for you, but we’ll look into it later. You just rest and concentrate on getting well.”
“Good, because I really don’t think I could ever eat meat. Maybe I can get Angie to look at getting some of the vegetarian meat alternatives in, such as tofu, and if that’s not enough to satisfy my and the baby’s bodies, I’ll have to look at something else. There’s just one more thing I need to tell you all,” she said, and Jarrod could hear the weariness assailing her.
“What’s that, baby?”
“I love you all, too.”
Jarrod looked at his brothers and knew the stupid grin they wore on their faces was mirrored on his own.
Everything was going to be just fine.
Chapter Fourteen
It took a full seven days for Rochelle to recover, but when she did, she was so full of vim and vigor she wanted to yell out loud to the sky. Even though Jarrod, Malcolm, and Brax hadn’t wanted to leave her side, they hadn’t been able to get anyone to take over the office for them, so they had taken turns going to work and staying with her.
The whole pack had come to visit her while she was recuperating, and the women had even brought her some chocolate from their secret stash, making it a game by keeping their gift a secret. Or so they thought. Blayk had come in just as she popped the last piece of chocolate into her mouth, and even though he didn’t say anything, he had sniffed the air and given her a wink and a grin as he took her vitals.
It was a full moon tonight and also the first time she would change into a werewolf. Keira was sitting beside her on the sofa in the living room, and even though she appreciated the company, Rochelle was feeling a little restless and finding it hard to concentrate.
She looked up when Keira took hold of her hand. “It’s not as bad as you’re imagining, you know.”
“God sakes, I feel like I’m about to throw up.”
“You’ll be fine. The only pain you will feel is a bit like growing pains. Once your wolf takes over, you are going to feel so free. It’s an amazing experience.”
“Everyone is going to see me naked, aren’t they?”
“No one is going to ogle you if that’s what you mean,” Keira explained. “They are more interested in following scents and playing as well as tracking prey.”
“God sakes, I don’t want to do that, Keira. Just the thought turns my stomach. I don’t think I can kill anything that lives.”
“Who said you have to? Stop worrying so much. Just let your wolf take over and enjoy the experience.”
“Do I have to…you know?” The thought of having sex with her men while in wolf form excited her, but she was also nervously apprehensive.
“You only do what you want, Rochelle. No one will force you to do anything you don’t want to.”
“Even my mates?”
“Especially your mates.”
“Are you talking about us, ba
by?” Jarrod asked as he entered the living room.
“God sakes, I keep forgetting you guys can hear everything. Nothing is sacred anymore.”
Jarrod sat down next to her and pulled her onto his lap and whispered for her ears only, “Now, that’s just not true, baby. I promise we won’t take you in wolf form if you don’t want us to.”
“Truly?”
“Yes, truly. And you don’t have to hunt if you don’t want to. We would never make you do something that makes you uncomfortable. You should know that by now.”
“I do,” she said on a sigh. “Sorry, I’m just a little nervous.”
“You have nothing to be afraid of, Rochelle.” Malcolm leaned down and kissed her cheek. “We will be with you every step of the way.”
“Come on, let’s go eat. I’m starving.” Brax headed for the dining room.
“You’re always hungry.” Rochelle giggled.
“What can I say? I’m a werewolf and have a fast metabolism.”
“I can’t believe how much food you all eat, and that goes for me, too, now. I have never eaten so much food in my life. I am going to get fat.”
“You don’t have to worry about that, baby. Your weight won’t change from what you weigh now. The only time you will gain weight is when you are pregnant, but you’ll lose any excess fast. Michelle was back in her jeans within a week, which made her very happy, so I’m told.”
“Oh, goody. The thought of being fat while pregnant doesn’t bother me, but having to carry extra weight around for months afterward is just downright mean,” she said in a garbled voice. “Jarrod!”
“Don’t panic, baby. That was just some of your wolf coming out.” Jarrod leaned down and kissed her on the lips. He stroked a palm up and down her back in a soothing, calming motion. “Are you ready to go to dinner?”
“Okay.”
Jarrod stood up, but he didn’t let her go. He carried her into the dining room. When everyone smiled at her, she felt her cheeks heat but smiled back. She loved the way her mates had looked after her over the past week.
They’d brought her drinks and food when she was in the infirmary, and Jarrod had even given her a sponge bath. When she had been allowed back into their suite, her men had each taken a turn spending a full day with her and seeing to her needs. What she treasured the most were the nights when she was surrounded by their warm, masculine bodies and she felt so safe and contented. Her men were careful not to bump any of her healing injuries even after she felt perfectly fine. They had been so solicitous and loving, she often felt tears of love and happiness prick the back of her eyes.
Jarrod lowered her into her seat but didn’t sit down beside her. She glanced up at him curiously and then to Braxton, who was seated on her other side with Malcolm next to him. The scrape of chairs on the tile floor drew her attention, and she looked around the table to see everyone else rising to their feet.
Jonah tapped his wineglass lightly with a spoon to get everyone’s attention.
“Tonight is a night for celebration. We welcome our new wolf sister, Rochelle, to the pack and hope you enjoy your first of many changes to your animal form. This dinner is in your honor, Rochelle. May you live long and have lots of pups.”
Rochelle smiled and thanked everyone and watched with awe as Angie, Cindy, and the other women began to bring in platters of food. They were piled high with roast beef, lamb, and pork, as well as platters of steaks and some vegetables. Although the scent and sight of meat no longer made her feel queasy, she still couldn’t bring herself to eat any of it. Maybe one day in the future she wouldn’t remember the animals she had come to care for when she was a child, but until then she would continue to get her nutrients from her fruits and vegetables.
She’d also done some research while convalescing and had found a local farmer who treated his animals really well and killed them in the most humane way possible. She had decided that if she craved meat and had to eat it while pregnant, then she would ask Angie, the Alphas, and her men to buy their meat from that farm. Rochelle figured if she had control over where the animals came from and they’d had a good home, then maybe she could eat it if and when necessary.
Once dinner was done, everyone made their way outside to the rear garden. It was a bit disconcerting when people began to strip out of their clothes. She looked up at Jarrod, Malcolm, and Braxton, not wanting to see anyone else naked.
“Are you ready, darlin’?” Brax asked, placing his hands on her shoulders.
“I don’t think I’ll ever be ready.”
“You’ll be fine, sweetness. We won’t leave your side.” Malcolm took hold of one of her hands.
“Let me help you, baby.” Jarrod moved in close and began to unbutton her shirt.
Once she was naked she watched in awe as her men undressed. God sakes, they are so hot. And they are all mine.
“We certainly are, baby.” Jarrod smiled at her.
“God sakes, I can’t believe you heard that. Get out of my head.”
“We aren’t in your head, sweetness. You broadcasted that thought loud and clear.” Malcolm took hold of her hand again. Braxton moved in close behind her and wrapped an arm around her waist. She looked up at the moon and scratched the skin of her arm.
“Don’t scratch, baby.” Jarrod took hold of her other hand. “It’s just your wolf you’re feeling. Watch me, Rochelle, and call to your wolf. Don’t fight it. Just relax and let go.”
Rochelle kept her eyes on Jarrod’s and watched as they changed to a glowing gold. She moaned when the itch spread over her body but didn’t try to scratch this time. Braxton helped her to kneel on the ground, and Jarrod followed her down.
“That’s it, darlin’, let that pull drag you back.”
Rochelle felt the nails of her hands and feet lengthen, and when she looked down she saw fur racing out along her limbs. It was the same color as her hair. Muscles twitched and bones cracked and popped, causing a deep ache in her bones, but the pain wasn’t unbearable. She looked up to see Jarrod standing before her on all fours. He was absolutely magnificent. His fur was two shades lighter than hers, and she could just imagine what he would look like with hair.
Her eyes skittered to the side, and she took in Malcolm. He was nearly as big as Jarrod in wolf form, but his coat was a light brown. Turning to Brax, she noted his fur was lighter than Malcolm’s but darker than Jarrod’s. All their eyes were that glowing gold color.
“Are my eyes gold, too?”
“Yes they are, baby. You are magnificent. I have never seen a sexier wolf.”
“What do I do now?”
“What do you want to do?” Malcolm nudged her neck with his snout.
“Run!”
“Then run, darlin’.” Brax prodded her rump. “We’re right behind you.”
She needed no further urging. Rochelle leapt away and took off running. There were so many scents to sort out. She could smell the other pack members and identify each of them by smell alone. Her hearing picked up every little rustle, and she could see so clearly. It was as if it was daylight. A breeze swept along her coat, making her shiver, but it was a shudder of elation. Never had she felt so attuned to nature as she did at this moment.
Lifting her head, she howled at the moon, letting her song express her feelings. Her howl was echoed by every member of the pack, until lastly her mates joined in with her as she bayed again.
Her mates directed the path she took, and she went along with them since this was her first time out. They ended up in a clearing where a small lake shimmered in the light of the moon. Looking down as she padded to the edge of the water, she studied her reflection and chuffed before taking a drink. She thought she looked okay as a wolf, but since she hadn’t been vain when in human form, she wasn’t really concerned. All that mattered to her was that her mates seemed to like what she looked like in either form.
They ran and played for nearly two hours, but soon she wanted to head back to their rooms for a bath. The buildup to tonight had last
ed a full week, and now she just wanted to be alone with her mates.
When they arrived at the edge of the garden once more, she watched as each of her mates changed back into their human form and dressed. Each of her men ran their fingers through her coat and scratched behind her ears. She moaned with delight and chuffed out a laugh. Now she knew why dogs liked to have their ears scratched.
“Look at me, darlin’.” Brax gently held her face. “Concentrate on what you look like and how you feel when you are human and push your wolf back.”
Rochelle did as Braxton suggested and felt her body begin to reshape. It seemed to her that it was a lot easier to change back to her original state than it had been to call forth her wolf. No doubt over time she would find it easier and easier to transform.
Jarrod passed her her clothes, and finally she was dressed. She intended to reach out and take Jarrod’s and Brax’s hands into hers, but Malcolm surprised her. Squealing in shock, she found herself swung off the ground and into his arms.
He grinned down at her and then began to walk toward the house. Instead of letting her down in the living room like she expected him to, Malcolm continued until they were outside the bedroom door.
“Close your eyes, Rochelle,” he ordered quietly. “Good girl. Now keep them closed, and no peeking.”
“What’s going on?”
“You’ll find out soon enough.”
Malcolm moved again, and although she had the urge to peek, she didn’t. The scent of flowers filled her nostrils, and Malcolm slid her down the length of his body until her feet were on the ground. He shifted again and pulled her down onto his lap.
“You can open your eyes now.”
Rochelle gasped. The bed quilt was covered with the petals from roses and orchids. The floral scent permeated the room. Candles were lit and covered nearly every surface, and the light was turned down low.
“It’s so beautiful. Thank you.” She kissed Malcolm’s lips and hugged him tight.
