by Leah Brooke
Leland grinned. “Probably stronger. They’re outcasts, Fiona, and not of the same blood. We used to break a lot until the Tremaines taught us how to control it.”
Joshua grimaced. “Especially when we got mad. Why didn’t you tell me the truth?”
Fiona shrugged. “I told Mitch because I wanted to make sure it hadn’t affected the baby, but I was afraid you’d freak out.”
Dane strode across the room and knelt at her feet. “The baby? You’re pregnant?”
“Shit.” Fiona grinned and met Joshua’s gaze. “I’m sorry. I was going to let you tell everyone tomorrow.”
Joshua smiled, his chest swelling. “I don’t care if you tell the whole world. You’re the one who wanted to keep it a secret until you got back.” He slid a glance at Leland, silently warning him to not let on that he’d known.
Fiona reached out to Dane. “Please don’t say anything yet. I haven’t told Glenna, and she’d be hurt if she knew that all of you knew before she did. I’ll tell her in the morning.”
Hiding a smile when Fiona yawned, Joshua turned off the light, leaving only the light of the fire to illuminate the room. “If my pack mates will get the hell out of my way, I’ll stretch out next to you, and you can go back to sleep.”
Mitch rose with a nod. “Good. She needs her sleep.”
Fiona smiled up at him while Joshua lowered himself to the sofa next to her, careful of her hip and wrist. “I’m really sorry that I disturbed everybody.”
Graham grinned. “Scared the hell out of us. At least you know that we’re all just a scream away.”
Joshua stretched out, easing Fiona back against him while Mitch readjusted the pillow under her wrist.
Leaning back against him, Fiona looked up at Leland. “Are they really dead—and don’t lie to me.”
Leland sighed. “We don’t know. We’re going up at first light. If they’re dead, we’ll bury them.”
Fiona stiffened. “If they’re not, they’ll be out there all night injured.”
Leland’s expression hardened. “I’m not risking anyone’s life to go back there and possibly be ambushed just to help them. Our objective was to get you out of there and safe. If they got hurt in the process, that’s on them. We’ll go in the morning and check.”
“What will you do if they’re still alive?”
“That’s up to them. My job is to protect the pack.”
“You all risked your life for me, and I’m not part of your pack.”
Shaking his head, Leland smiled at that. “Yes. You are. You and your sister are definitely part of the pack, as well as Jonas and that baby you’re carrying.”
“Oh.”
Bending to touch his lips to her hair, Joshua adjusted the covers over her. “We protect what’s ours, my mate.”
She eyed Dane, who took the spot at her feet. “What do I smell like to you?”
Dane’s lips twitched. “A combination of you and Joshua. But it changes.”
“Changes how?”
“You smell more like Joshua when you’re afraid or mad.”
“Really?”
“Yeah, but it’s a hell of a lot stronger. That’s how we found you. You were scared, and it was like smelling ten of Joshua at once.”
Fiona smiled and wrapped her good hand around Joshua’s forearm. “You didn’t track them?”
“No. We tracked you. Even though they must have carried you up there, your scent lingered all the way up. The closer we got to you, the more powerful the scent became.”
Sitting up, she turned to Joshua. “Would I smell like that to them?”
Joshua frowned and shrugged. “I really don’t know. Why?”
“Because he kept telling me that I stunk.”
“Really? Interesting.”
Dane tucked the covers around her feet. “Would you mind if I ask you some questions about this tomorrow? I want to take some notes.”
“What kind of questions?”
Dane shrugged. “Like how else they reacted to you and what they said. I’m not sure. We’ll just talk and see what comes up. What you said about how your scent affected them is very interesting.”
“It is?” Fiona seemed pleased by that.
“Yes. We’ve always believed that none of us could have mates. We recently found out that we can, and it turns out that there are times when we’re destined to share a mate. We don’t know much about it, and I think the more informed we are about all of this, the better.”
Mitch grimaced. “I’m afraid you’re pretty much going to be under the microscope until you have this baby. We missed most of Glenna’s pregnancy, and we have a chance to learn a lot more with yours.”
Joshua tightened his arm around her. “If you upset my mate, you’re going to piss me off.”
“We won’t upset her. Fiona, if we get on your nerves, just tell us.”
“Oh, I will.”
“When you go tomorrow, can I come with you?”
“No!”
Joshua, Leland, and Mitch all answered as one.
Shaking his head, Joshua toyed with her hair. “It’s too dangerous. Why would you want to go?”
“They left my suitcase at the airport, but I had my purse with me. It had all the money I’d made in it, along with the money you gave me.”
Leland headed for the door. “We’ll try to find your purse, but the money can be replaced.”
Joshua understood his mate well enough to know that she’d planned to give the money he’d given her back to him and to spend her own money on the things she needed for herself and the baby. “How much did you have saved, honey?”
“You won’t believe this, but I managed to save fourteen hundred dollars. I wanted to wait until I came back here to shop for the baby.”
Sharing a look with Leland, Joshua smiled. “You can shop for the baby all you want. You can also pick out the washer and dryer because trying to decide which ones to get gave me a headache.”
He lied without a qualm, wanting her to pick out the rest of the things for the house. He’d noticed that she’d spoken about coming back here instead of coming home.
It irritated him, but he hoped that living here and picking out things for the house would make it feel more like home to her.
Once everyone left, he leaned back, flattening one hand protectively over her abdomen. “I should have waited until you came back to buy the sofa. I just wanted to make it feel more like a home to you.”
“I love the furniture. I also love the bathtub. It was a thoughtful thing to do.”
“I have to admit the thought of seeing you naked and covered with bubbles appeals to me.”
Fiona giggled. “You have a one-track mind.”
“Yes. You. Making love to you. Holding you. Taking care of you. You’re my number one priority, my mate. You and the baby. Now, go to sleep. You’ve had a hell of a day.”
“I’m fine, Joshua.”
“I know exactly how you are, Fiona. Go to sleep. If you feel like it tomorrow, we’ll go shopping for some of the stuff that you need—and don’t tell me you don’t need anything. I have no idea how to shop, and I’d rather not have to do that alone again.”
Fiona giggled again and moved to a more comfortable position. “Scared?”
“Terrified.”
“I’ll go with you and show you how it’s done.”
“That’s my mate.”
Chapter Eighteen
When Fiona woke the next morning, she immediately knew she’d overslept.
Blinking against the late morning sun streaming through the large living room window, she pushed herself to a sitting position, groaning when her muscles protested.
“I was afraid of that.” Joshua’s deep voice came from somewhere behind her, but before she could turn, he appeared at her side.
Crouching beside her, he gripped her chin, turning her face to study the bruise. “Colorful.”
Smiling, she reached for him, surprised at the tightness in her left cheek. “I’ll b
et. The makeup I have left is in my purse.” She gestured toward her face. “I hope they find it so I can do some repair work.”
“You don’t need any makeup.”
“I’ve got news for you, darling, I love makeup and can’t wait to buy more, and if my face looks anything like it feels, I’m going to need a lot more.”
Joshua smiled, studying her features. “You’re kidding. You like wearing makeup? I think I’d like to see that.”
She smiled again, wincing at the tug to her sore cheek. “I started wearing makeup when I was thirteen, mostly because I knew my parents would object.”
Running his hand over her hair, he smiled again. “You must have been quite a handful. What did they say?”
“They didn’t notice. I used to save babysitting money and allowance money to buy the good stuff. I learned how to use it right and got a job as a bartender because I looked older.”
“You worked as a bartender? Yes, I can see that.”
“Started as a waitress, but bartenders make more.” Smiling, she pushed her hair back, grimacing at the tangles caused by going to bed with wet hair. “Glenna never liked wearing makeup, but I love wearing it. I love shopping for it, playing with it, experimenting with it.”
“Then we’ll go and buy you all the makeup you want.” Joshua frowned. “You don’t wear anything crazy, do you?”
“Crazier than shifting into a wild animal covered in fur?” Fiona threw the covers off and slid her legs from the sofa with the intention of going in search of the coffee she smelled.
Joshua didn’t move out of her way. Instead, he placed his hands on her thighs and leaned closer. “We haven’t really talked about that, have we?”
Averting her gaze, Fiona stared down at his hands, her stomach fluttering at the thought of hurting his feelings. “I don’t think I’m ready for that conversation yet.”
Joshua’s eyes became shuttered. “Fair enough.”
“I thought I was hallucinating.” When he started to rise, she caught his wrist. “I’m sorry. It’s a lot to take in.”
His hesitant smile made her feel even worse. “I understand, my mate. I wanted you to find out in a much different way.”
“I never even thought such a thing was possible.” Blowing out a breath, she shook her head, still struggling to come to grips with it. “How did Glenna find out?”
Joshua smiled and rose, holding out a hand to her. “She came to the farmhouse to surprise Leland and Joe one day, and Vincent was patrolling. At that time, we knew nothing about mates and stayed away from relationships. Vincent knew that Leland and Joe loved your sister and was afraid that she was going to hurt them. So, when she showed up at the farmhouse to surprise them, he leapt out at her.”
Fiona pressed a hand to her heart, imagining Glenna’s reaction. “He must have scared the hell out of her.”
“He did, but then Leland and Joe scared the hell out of him.”
“Really? What happened?”
“Leland and Joe heard her scream and ran out, shifting as they did. One stood over her while the other confronted Vincent. I can’t remember which one it was, or who was with Vincent, but Vincent was the only one who tried to scare her. The Alphas weren’t happy.”
“The Alphas?”
“Leland and Joe were the eldest, and when the Tremaines rescued us, they took charge of us. They’d already shifted and helped the others learn how to deal with it. How to hunt. Everything. They protected all of us.”
“They’re the Alphas, but would they have really protected Glenna from the others if they had to?”
Joshua frowned. “She’s their mate. They’d do anything to protect her.”
Taking his hand, she smiled up at him, remembering how he’d kept himself between her and everyone else. “Like you did.”
Lifting her hand to his lips, he smiled, but the remembered horror burned in his eyes. “Baby, I would die for you. My job is to protect you. Against anything or anyone. Don’t ever forget that.”
“You could have fallen off that ledge.”
“My balance, especially when I’m in panther form, is very good.”
“So, then his would have been, too.”
Joshua grinned. “Obviously not as good as mine.”
“Even in panther form, you’re huge. You carried me down that mountain on your back.”
“I was just glad Mitch secured you so well. I was scared to death you would fall off, especially when you got so still.”
“I was nervous, but I knew it was you. I tried to make it easier for you, but once I realized that you had me, I relaxed. You seemed to move much better without me trying to help, and I trusted you.”
“I’m glad.”
“I have so much to learn.”
“We have a lifetime, my mate. Do you want to go soak in the bathtub?”
“No. I want coffee and a shower.”
“Mitch doesn’t want you to drink coffee, and you can’t get your wrist wet.”
Fiona wrinkled her nose at him. “I have a feeling Mitch and I are going to have some serious disagreements before this baby comes.”
Joshua grinned and seemed a little more relaxed, but his eyes still held a trace of apprehension. “My money’s on you, my mate. Come on. I can wash you easier than you can wash yourself, and I’m going to take advantage of it as long as I can.”
Even without coffee, she felt much better after taking a bath and getting dressed. Running her fingers through her damp hair, she grimaced. “I wish I had my blow dryer.”
Joshua frowned, running a hand over her hair. “It’s cold out today. We should wait until it dries.”
“I’m hungry.”
Joshua smiled, pressing a hand to her abdomen. “You should be. Come on. I have a jacket you can wear. At least your sneakers are dry. I put them by the fire. We’ve got to go shopping. You need boots that fit, a warm coat, and a hell of a lot more clothes.”
“It doesn’t make sense to buy a lot of things now, especially when I’m going to get bigger soon.”
“You need things now. You can buy your makeup. I can’t wait to have all those little pots and tubes all over the counter.”
Lifting her chin, she shook her head. “I’m not letting you buy things for me.”
“Fiona, be reasonable. You’re not going to work. You’ve already seen the danger of being unprotected. You’re my woman. My mate. You’re carrying my baby. You’re making a big deal out of it because you’re used to taking care of everyone. It’s time to let someone else take care of you. Don’t you realize how much you’ve changed my life?”
“I hate depending on anyone.”
“I know, my mate. I depend on you to be here, and I’m still getting used to it.”
He bundled her into his coat, gripping the edges to pull her close. Bending to touch his lips to hers, he slid his hands inside to cup her breasts. “You’re just going to have to get used to being taken care of because I couldn’t stop if I wanted to.”
Straightening, he zipped her into his coat. “You’re ridiculously adorable.”
Fiona looked down at herself and started laughing. “I just look ridiculous. It comes down past my knees.”
“At least you’ll be warm.”
After slipping on the leather jacket he’d worn when she met him, Joshua led her down the hallway, his eyes narrowing at her look. “What?”
Pausing next to the kitchen doorway, she pulled her sleeves up to place her hands on his chest. “You were dressed this way the first time I saw you, and I thought you were the most dangerous man I’d ever seen.”
His faint smile fell, the amusement in his eyes disappearing. “And now?”
“And now I know you’re the most dangerous man I’ve ever met—and that you make me feel safer than I’ve ever felt in my life. You’re also the gentlest. I love you, Joshua, but I’m scared.”
Sliding one hand into her hair, he used the other to cup her jaw, running his thumb back and forth over her bottom lip. “Of what, my
mate?”
“Of losing myself. Of becoming too dependent on you.”
Joshua smiled faintly, his eyes glittering with emotion. “You could never lose yourself, my mate. You’re too strong. I love that strength, but I also love that you need me. I love you, but I’m scared, too. Scared that you’ll look at me one day in disgust because of the beast inside me.”
“The beast inside you saved me. I have to admit that seeing black panthers still scares me.”
“I know. Over time, you’ll get used to it. Just know that every one of us would do whatever it took to protect you.”
“I know. Still, it’s a little jarring.” She turned away again, stopping abruptly when she looked in the kitchen. “What did you do?”
The double wall ovens that hadn’t been there before gleamed.
Joshua smiled and pulled her close, apparently pleased with himself. “Glenna said that you liked to bake. I don’t want you to have to go up to the farmhouse when you do. I know that Glenna picked out some baking pans and stuff for you, but when we go out, you can pick out your own. That way Glenna has some at the house that you can use when you want to bake with your sister, but you’ll have your own in your home.”
Realizing how important it was to Joshua for her to consider this her home, Fiona grinned. “You’re spoiling me.”
“I hope so. Once you’re spoiled rotten, I’ll be the only man who can handle you, so you’ll have no choice but to stay with me.”
“And once you taste my desserts, you’ll be a purring pussycat.”
“With you, baby, I already am. Come on. Let’s get you fed. We have a lot to do today.”
Walking along the new stone pathway, they made their way to the farmhouse, where everyone outside greeted her with frowns and winces.
Raising her voice so that everyone could hear her, she glanced at Joshua. “Everyone looks glad to see me.”
“We’re all glad to see you.” Graham turned from the grill. “Damn, honey. That looks sore.”
Dane came forward, his jaw clenched as he gently turned her face, inspecting the bruise. “You need to put some more ice on that.” He sent Joshua an accusing look. “Why don’t you have ice on it?”
