by Taylor Rylan
Linus — 12
There was something weird going on with Gage. I could tell through our bond that he was feeling off. What did that mean?
“Alpha? You okay?”
“Yeah, sweetheart. I’m fine. I’ll be home in just a bit. I have some news to share with you, but I want to wait until I get home.”
“Is it bad? Is that why you want to wait?”
“No. It’s not bad at all. But I do want to see your reaction. That’s why I want to wait.”
“Okay.”
I went back to working on making homemade bread. I found out that Gage really liked it, so I tried to make it several times a week. It didn’t matter how much I made, he’d eat it all. I was interrupted by the doorbell ringing and at first, was concerned, but then remembered that if nothing else, I could let Gage know I needed him.
I was set at ease when I saw it was Arik.
“Hi. Come on in. I thought we were coming to your place later on after dinner though?”
“Wow! I’ve never been to Gage’s before. This place is amazing,” Arik said as he looked around the large, open room.
“It is, isn’t it? He said he grew up here. I can’t imagine having grown up in a house like this. Think of all the places you could hide.”
“Yeah. The coven was like that. It’s a lot like a mini hotel.”
I looked over at Arik, shocked. “Really?”
“Yeah. In a way it was cool because there was always someone around. But again, there was always someone around. Arin and I couldn’t get away with anything. Well, it didn’t help that our papa is Master Edison.”
“That had to have been tough. So did your brothers all live there, too?”
“Not George. When he found his mate, he moved to Marco’s pride. He didn’t have a choice since Marco was the Alpha.”
“Oh. Yeah. I guess I forgot about that.”
“Yeah, they come to visit a lot though. Well, as often as Marco can get away.”
“It has to have been difficult to leave all that for our den though. I mean, it’s so small.”
“Yes, but it’s a nice change of pace. It was even smaller before you all arrived. I mean, Ivan brought ten more members. Although, the one family left for the pride over in Lucky Lake when their son scented his mate. But that was part of the reasoning for leaving. Mostly the fact that Hank tried to kill everyone.”
“Yeah, my parents had heard about them. We’d already left our pack from further up north. But traveling was so slow with my parents. We couldn’t travel very fast, and it wasn’t really safe to travel in our fox form. Then when Ivan and his group found us, I can’t tell you how thankful my parents were.”
“I’m sure. I know you miss them. It has to be difficult.”
“It is. Gage helps. I mean, I’m always going to miss my parents. They were taken way too young. Finding Gage the same day, it’s a little surreal but he’s so wonderful, Arik. I mean, the way he dotes on me.”
“Trust me, I know. War is the same way. He’s completely different with me and the boys than he is with anyone else. I’m told that’s just how alphas are. I mean, my dad is like that, too. He’s crazy about Papa. And I’ve seen him be fiercely protective, but then turn around and be the gentlest person right after.”
“That’s a good thing, though.”
“It is. Listen, I came to talk to you a little more about what you mentioned last night.”
“Alright.”
“I want you to know that I won’t rule out the suppressors, but I also want you to know that I don’t carry them in stock. I’ll have to order them, and they could take a few weeks to get here.”
I groaned at the thought. My next heat was due in a few more weeks. I was hoping to avoid it all together. “Okay. I was really wanting to not have to go through another heat. It’s due in a few more weeks.”
“That’s another thing. I wouldn’t be able to start you on them until after we knew for sure you weren’t pregnant. That means we’d have to wait until we got a negative pregnancy test.”
I groaned again. Why were the fates being so cruel?
“I take it that’s not what you wanted to hear?”
“No, it’s not. I really don’t want to go through another heat. There’s no point. We can’t seem to get pregnant, so I don’t know why I have to go through them.”
“Linus, it’s only been two heats. You do realize that female bears can sometimes go years without getting pregnant, right?”
“Okay, first, they’re female. Second, they’re bears. I’m neither. Foxes are notorious for getting pregnant. Fast. We’re like rabbits.”
“What if we take a blood sample and see if we can determine if there’s anything else that’s wrong?”
“That works. It’s not like I have many other options. If you want blood, you got it. When do you want to do that?”
“We can do that this evening if you’d like. Just talk it over with Gage later, and then let me know. Have you ever had an ultrasound?”
“No. Why would I? I haven’t gotten pregnant yet.”
“I realize that. But an ultrasound can show us what’s inside, and we can see if everything is where it’s supposed to be or not.”
“Oh. That makes sense. Can we do one of those this evening, too?”
“Sure. The machine is there just waiting to be used again.”
“Great. I’ll talk to Gage later and give you a call and let you know.”
“That sounds like a plan. I really should be getting back home. I’m supposed to be having lunch with my brothers in a bit,” Arik said as he stood up from the couch we’d sat on.
“You know, you could have just called.”
“Yes, I’m aware of that. But I was running to the store anyway. I figured I’d swing by while I was out. Orin and Aspen are watching the boys, and War is at work. I’m feeling better but not a hundred percent yet.”
“Do you need me to take you home? Are you okay to drive?”
“Thanks, Linus. I’m fine. I just tire easily still. I’m in my first trimester, and I’m experiencing morning sickness and lack of energy.”
“Are you sure? I can either drive you or call for someone.”
“I’m good, I promise,” Arik said as he continued to walk to the front door. When we arrived at it, I opened it for him, and we both stepped through and out onto the front porch. “Gage really does have a beautiful home.”
“I agree. I love it here. We shift and run through the woods on a regular basis. I never had that before.”
“No?”
“No. We had to be careful when we shifted. Too many polar bears wanted to eat us.”
“Oh, I guess I didn’t think about that.”
“Yeah. Our pack was way north. And we had the non-shifter type of polar bears.”
“Wow. Yeah, I can see why you didn’t shift regularly. Now you have a grizzly for a mate. That’s a difference.”
“It is.”
“I’m going to get going. I want to try to make War dinner tonight. He said he’d be home well before then, so I need to get if I want to have it ready.”
“Okay. Be careful going home.”
“Always,” Arik said as he waved and descended the steps that lead down from the porch. Once he climbed into the cab of his truck, he waved again and then he turned his truck around to leave. I realized just how cold it was outside and I headed back inside where it’s warm.
“Sweetheart? You okay?”
“I’m fine, why?”
“No reason. Just checking in with you to see how you’re doing. Work is a little slow, so I thought I’d just say hi.”
“Isn’t it good when work is slow for you?”
“Yes. But it tends to make for long days.”
“That’s understandable.”
“I gotta go. War wants to chat. He’s driving me a little bonkers lately.”
“Well, you could always resign again.”
“I’m tempted, but I won’t. Okay, I’ll check in
later. I love you.”
“Love you too, alpha.”
When I realized that Gage was otherwise occupied, I went back to mixing up my bread dough. It would need to rise for several hours, so it was something I always needed to start early in the day.
After getting the bread dough kneaded and set out to rise, I decided to make a chocolate cake to go with dinner. Chocolate always went with Italian, so why not?
I was so engrossed in making the cake that I didn’t realize it was lunch time. My stomach reminded me though when it growled loudly, I looked up from the task of putting the frosting on and realized it was well past one in the afternoon. I’d missed lunch altogether. Not wanting to ruin the dinner I was planning, I quickly made myself a sandwich and made do with that.
I had some laundry to finish, and I really needed to work on shopping for some new linens online. I just hadn’t made it a priority. But Gage wanted me to be sure I had everything how I wanted it in the house, so we were getting new sheets as well as new towels. He had basic white. Everything. Was. White. That just wouldn’t do.
So after I had devoured my sandwich, I went to the office to check out my options online for shopping. I hated the idea of not being able to feel the sheets before purchasing them, but I didn’t have much of a choice. So I went searching, determined to do some damage to Gage’s credit card balance.
It was easy to get lost online, and when I next looked up, it was an hour later. I needed to get the ingredients for the red sauce for the lasagna simmering, so I reluctantly closed the browser and went to the kitchen to start the tomatoes. Besides, I didn’t need nursery decorations anyway, right?
I had a lot to think about, and I hoped that Gage was open to all of Arik’s suggestions. The more I thought about it, the more I realized that Arik was right. He said the same thing that my mate had been saying all along. It was upsetting to not be pregnant yet, but it could always be worse. I thought about the members of the den and realized that most of the members were only children. War and Troy had multiples, but they weren’t mated to bears, either. Gage was mated to me, and if we ever figured out what was wrong, it’s a good possibility that we’d have several children.
“Sweetheart, did you eat?”
“Hi, alpha. Yes, I ate a sandwich.”
“That’s it? Why not more? I don’t want you to be hungry.”
“I’m not hungry. I was busy and forgot about lunch, so I just made a quick sandwich. I promise to eat a big dinner. I have a delicious meal planned.”
“Sounds good. What are we having?”
“If I tell you, it won’t be a surprise.”
“Oh, it’s like that, is it?”
“Not really, no. I’m making your favorite.”
“Yummy, steak. I do love a good, medium rare steak.”
I growled and heard Gage laugh through our bond, which meant he’d projected the laugh to me. I loved the man, but he was asking for it.
“You know how much I love your lasagna. Thank you. Do we get bread, too?”
“Maybe. But I’m thinking I should throw the bread dough out. I mean, you’re picking on me and all.”
“Hmm, yeah, I am. But you’re so fun to rile up. Especially when we’re in the bedroom. Or on the couch. Or the back deck, or the…”
“I get it,” I said, cutting him off. The last thing I needed was to get horny while he was at work and couldn’t do anything about it. I remembered my visitor. “Oh, hey. Arik stopped by. He had an idea and suggested I come in for an ultrasound and some bloodwork. If everything comes back okay, I can go on the suppressors if we still want me to.”
“Sweetheart, I’m not overly fond of the idea, but it’s not my body. Remember when I said I had news?”
“Yeah. Are you going to share it before you get home?”
“No, but it’s probably along the same lines as what Arik was talking about. Sweetheart, we really need to talk about a lot of things this evening.”
“I’m always willing to talk, alpha.”
“I appreciate that. I just want you to know that I only want what’s best for you.”
“I know. I love you, Gage.”
“I love you, too, sweetheart. I’m going to finish my paperwork, and then I’ll be home.”
“Okay. Will you let me know when you leave?”
“Always do.”
“I know. I appreciate it, too.”
“And I love that you worry about me. Okay, if I don’t get this paperwork finished, I won’t ever get out of here.”
“Typety-type then!”
Gage — 13
I was busy doing the paperwork I’d mentioned to my mate when the bell chiming above the door let me know we had a visitor. When I looked at Emerson walking in, he had a thankful look on his face.
“Why do you look…relieved?”
“Is your Alpha not here?”
“No. He went home after lunch. Arik wasn’t feeling the greatest. He went to check on him. Why?”
“Umm…I might have a problem. Do you have a few minutes before you leave?”
“Sure. What’s up?”
“I’m pretty sure I scented my mate, Gage. What do I do? Will Alpha War be okay with that?”
“You scented your mate here? In Honey Creek?”
“I think so.”
“You’d know if you did.”
“Well, my wolf started getting after me to follow this really sweet scent. It was almost like sweet, clean air. I don’t know how else to describe it. But it wasn’t really strong, so I think maybe whoever it belonged to had already left.”
“Where were you?”
“The store. I was shopping for groceries.”
“I’m trying to think, Emerson, but we don’t have many unmated den members left. Do you think you’re joining a mated pair, and you’ll be in a triad?”
“I don’t know. I wouldn’t think so though. But who knows what the fates have in mind for me.”
“Well, if it’s someone from the den, they’re most likely already mated, or it was someone passing through. We only have just a few members that aren’t yet mated. Aside from all of the new cubs. And they’re too young, so you wouldn’t scent them.”
“You mentioned you had a few unmated members?”
“Yeah, the one that comes to mind the quickest would be Cassie. She’s Ivan and Sam’s youngest. Well, until they have their cub that is.”
“She’s old enough for a mate?”
“I thought she was seventeen, I could ask Grayson for you if you’d like. So you’re attracted to females?”
“I am and who’s Grayson?”
“Oh, I forgot you haven’t met everyone yet. He’s her brother. He’s mated to Jai. They’re both park rangers.”
“It’d be great if she was my mate, although, it would be lousy if I had to wait until she turned eighteen.”
“I’ll have Grayson give you a call, and you can ask him any questions you might have. Sound good? I can’t say I recall when her birthday is. They’ve only been with the den about a year now. I know Grayson just turned twenty-one, so it’s possible she’s already over eighteen.”
“Thanks, Gage. I appreciate it. It might all be for nothing. It’s possible that whoever it was I scented was just passing through town.”
I nodded as I typed up the text to Grayson and hit send. Within a minute, he responded and I shared my news with Emerson.
“Okay, Grayson just said he’s headed out the door and home to Jai. He’ll give you a call once he gets home.”
“Thanks, Gage. I really do appreciate it.”
“It’s no problem, Emerson. We all want everyone to find their mate. Let me know how things work out.”
“I will. Now get out of here and head home to your mate. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Yep. I’m headed there now,” I replied as I saved my work and shut down my computer after logging out of the programs. When I looked up, Emerson was on the phone, so I just waved as I walked out the door.
&nb
sp; “Sweetheart, I’m leaving. I’ll be home in fifteen minutes.”
“Perfect. I’ll put the lasagna in the oven now. It’ll be ready in an hour.”
“Sounds wonderful.”
I left the station and walked out to my cruiser. I’d started taking the SUV home and left my truck with Linus. He was still nervous about driving it but assured me that he’d get better and more comfortable once he’d had more practice. I’d do anything for my mate, and if he wanted a smaller vehicle, that’s what we’d get him. But for now, I liked knowing he had the truck in case he wanted to go somewhere.
In no time, I was pulling onto the gravel drive that led to our cabin. The garage door was open, so I carefully parked my cruiser in my spot and was met by my very enthusiastic mate when I closed the door.
“Hello, alpha. I missed you.”
“Hi, sweetheart. I missed you, too,” I said before picking him up and giving him a deep kiss. I slowly made my way into the house and was hit with the smell of the lasagna that was in the oven cooking. I kept Linus in my arms—although he was wrapped around me like a monkey and not the fox he actually was—and swiftly ascended the stairs to our bedroom. I walked over to the bed and let go of my mate’s ass, and he flopped back onto our bed.
“I’m not sure if we have time for you to knot me, Gage.”
“That’s fine. That wasn’t my intention anyway. I just wanted to change out of my uniform and put up my weapon,” I told him as I unbuckled my belt and removed my holster. After securing it in the box on the top of my dresser, I stripped out of my uniform and went in search of something comfortable to wear.
“Gage, it’d be such a shame to not at least fool around a little while we wait for dinner,” Linus said from the bed.
“Very true. But instead, we could talk. I have some important things to talk to you about.”
“Oh? Does it involve the news you wanted to share?”
“Yes,” was all I said as I pulled on a pair of sweatpants and a clean T-shirt.
“Okay,” Linus said as he sat up and started twisting his hands together. What did he have to be so nervous about?
“Sweetheart, look at me,” I said as I crouched down beside the bed and reached for his hands.
“You’re getting rid of me, aren’t you? Because I can’t give you cubs?”
