Unexpected Mates (Red Moon Shifters Book 1)

by Grace Brennan

A slow smile spread across Ty’s face, and Parker’s breath caught. He was always gorgeous, but when he smiled, it took her breath away.

  “I’d like that,” he said huskily, gaze dropping to her lips when her tongue darted out to wet them. He had leaned in, lips a breath away from hers, when she gasped and pulled back.

  She put both hands on her stomach, going still and holding her breath. There it was. A flutter inside, like butterfly wings. It was amazing. That was her baby. Her and Ty’s baby.

  “What? What is it? Is something wrong?” Ty asked anxiously.

  Parker turned to him, grinning so big that her cheeks were touching her glasses. “I felt the baby move. I thought I felt it before, but I wasn’t sure. I am this time, though. I just felt our baby move.”

  Ty’s gaze dropped to her stomach, and the yearning in them stole the breath that she’d just gotten back. “What did it feel like?”

  Parker pursed her lips, thinking. “It was like a flutter inside me. Like butterfly wings. Stronger than I’ve ever felt it, but still light.” She smiled. “There it was again! Do… do you want to try to feel? I’m not sure you can, but you can try.”

  Ty’s eyes immediately shot to hers. “Can I? You wouldn’t mind?”

  “Of course not,” she said gently. “Anything to do with the baby, Ty, is okay. Nothing is off limits. This is your baby, too.”

  Ty had gratitude in his eyes, but he was hesitating, yearning still in his gaze as he looked at her belly. Parker reached over and grabbed his hand, trying her best to ignore the zing of awareness that shot through her body, and placed it on her belly where she’d felt the flutters. His big hand was warm and strong as it rested on her stomach, and tingles were spreading where it rested, making Parker want to squirm.

  She felt the flutters again. “There it was! Did you feel it?”

  Ty looked disappointed. “No, I didn’t.”

  Parker patted his hand. “I didn’t think you would, but don’t worry. You’ll be able to soon.”

  Tyler looked reluctant as he pulled his hand away. “I need to get some work done in the office, but it shouldn’t take me long. Lunch will be ready soon and then after that, I’m all yours.”

  Ty got up and walked back inside, and Parker fanned herself as she replayed his words. She knew he didn’t mean them in an I’m yours forever kind of way, but her body had reacted to them as if he had, just the same. But she didn’t think he would ever mean them like she wanted him to, and sadness suddenly overwhelmed her. She loved this baby with everything in her already, and she’d never regret getting pregnant and bringing him or her into the world. But she couldn’t deny that this was probably going to end badly for her, either. Her heart was already half lost to Tyler, and she had a feeling that by the time this baby was born, he’d own every corner of it.

  Chapter Seven

  Tyler was trying to work. He really was. But he kept replaying those moments on the porch swing with Parker. She had looked gut wrenchingly beautiful, her long black curls lifting slightly in the breeze. He thought what he’d heard about pregnant women glowing must be true because her pale, creamy skin had looked like it was. He’d been hard from almost the moment he sat down, and he’d wanted nothing more than to kiss her plump lips.

  He’d been so close, too. He shifted in his chair, hardening again just thinking about it.

  Then they’d been interrupted. By their baby. She’d felt the pup move. He’d have given anything to feel it with her, but like she said, hopefully soon he’d be able to. And next week, he’d get to hear it. See it. His heart felt like it was swelling in his chest, something he wasn’t sure he’d ever felt before.

  He was rubbing at the strange feeling when a thought hit him and he froze. What if having the baby inside of her changed her? What if they took blood or something, and were able to tell that what she was carrying wasn’t the average human?

  Tyler’s head lowered and he slumped in his chair. One more thing to worry about, on top of what felt like an avalanche of worries, crashing into him on repeat. He’d never been one to worry overmuch about shit, but it looked like this was his life from now on.

  Suddenly aware of another presence, he looked up and found Chase in the doorway, studying him intently. His brother sauntered in the room and took a seat in front of the desk.

  “So what’s really going on with Parker, Ty? That bullshit excuse about a website doesn’t fly, and I saw you two on the porch. You were awful cozy, touching her and everything. Looked like you were on your way to the bedroom.”

  Ty heaved a sigh, looking down and studying his hands. He hadn’t planned on telling his brother yet. Hell, he hadn’t thought about telling anyone at all yet, although he realized how stupid that was. He should have sat his brother down last night, before Parker even got here.

  “Ty,” his brother said quietly. “What’s going on? I hope you and your wolf aren’t fucking with Parker. She’s a sweet girl, and half the girls at school were always nasty to her. You saw how Wendy and Hannah were the other night. She doesn’t deserve you screwing with her, too.”

  Tyler stiffened, glaring at Chase. “When have I ever fucked with a woman like that, Chase? You know me better than that.”

  Chase sighed. “Yes, I know you, Ty. And that means I know you fight your wolf for control every damn day. How am I supposed to know when he finally makes you snap? Although,” Chase said, staring at Ty contemplatively, “you’ve been more relaxed, more settled, the last few months. So I repeat, what the hell is going on?”

  Rubbing his hand down his face wearily, Ty eyed his brother for a moment. Might as well get it over with. “Parker is pregnant. With my pup.”

  Chase’s mouth popped open as he looked at Ty with shock on his face. “Pregnant? When the hell did that happen?”

  “Four months ago. The last time we’d gone to Cocky Pete’s. Parker was there, too, and one thing led to another…” he said, his voice trailing off. “That’s why she came in the other night and asked me if I’d meet her. She wanted to tell me. Yesterday she did.”

  “Shit, Ty,” Chase replied. “You’re going to be a dad? Is this why you’ve been so different lately? Wait, you just found out yesterday. That can’t be it.”

  Ty didn’t want to go there, but if anyone deserved an explanation, it was his brother. “My wolf has been more settled and quiet since that night four months ago. I think… I wonder if she’s my mate.”

  Chase stared. “You think? Isn’t that something you’d know?”

  Ty rubbed a hand over his face. “My wolf hasn’t actually said she is. I just don’t see how it could be anything else, though. What else would make my wolf suddenly more sane?”

  They talked things through for a few moments, coming no closer to a verdict, before Leah stuck her head in to tell them lunch was ready. Ty stood up and followed his brother to the door, suddenly anxious to see Parker again.

  That evening after an excellent dinner and a day spent lazing around and getting no work done, Parker walked around the farm with Ty by her side. He was showing her where everything was on the farm, familiarizing her with everything. They were walking past a cabin where he told her one of his farm hands, Garret, lived, when the door opened and a tall man with reddish brown hair stepped out.

  It was the other man from Cocky Pete’s. Parker gave him a strained smile, suddenly feeling the crippling social anxiety come over her. It was strange, feeling it after being so relaxed all day. She felt oddly at ease with Tyler and Chase, but apparently that was as far as it extended.

  The man, Garret, seemed to be sober and serious, extending a greeting that was barely polite before turning to Ty to ask about some farm issue. She noticed as they talked though that he kept stealing glances at her belly, and she rubbed it with one hand self-consciously. She’d always had a gently rounded belly, but it was more rounded than ever now, with the baby growing. She couldn’t help but be aware of how instead of looking pregnant right now, she just looked like she was even chubbier than usual
.

  Garret surprised her, though. Turning to her, he said quietly, “You’re expecting?”

  She slanted a look at Ty, noting that he didn’t seem as surprised as she was with the observation. When he just shrugged, she turned back to Garret, replying, “Yes. I’m four months along.”

  Looking between her and Tyler, he finally smiled slightly, the first one she’d seen since he’d come outside. “Congrats, you two. I’ll leave you to your night.”

  Parker frowned as she watched him walk outside. “How did he know that I was pregnant? Or that it was yours?”

  Ty shifted uneasily before he urged her to start walking again. “Well, you are showing. I noticed it now that you’re not wearing one of those baggy shirts. He probably just put two and two together with you suddenly showing up here that it’s mine.”

  Parker studied him in silence, sensing there was more to the story, but dropped it when she saw how uncomfortable he was. What he said seemed unlikely, but she supposed it could be true.

  Ty finished up his tour and they ended up in front of the porch just as the sun was setting. Parker turned to him to say something, but all thoughts flew from her head when she took note of how Ty was looking at her. His chocolate colored eyes were filled with heat, and she tipped her head back as he moved in closer.

  His hands found her hips and Parker’s breath caught as he pulled her in closer. The heat from his body made her shiver, and her blood was warming up. Just from the simple touch of his hands on her and the closeness of their bodies.

  “I’ve been wanting to kiss you all day,” Tyler said huskily. “It’s been hell trying to resist you, and I don’t think I can anymore. You’re so damn beautiful, Parker. Tell me you want this.”

  Parker swallowed hard, lost in his eyes. “I want this,” she breathed.

  Ty leaned in slowly, his breath wafting across her lips as he hesitated for a moment more, drawing out the anticipation, before he leaned in and placed his lips on hers.

  Finally. She’d been wanting this, longed to feel his mouth on hers again, for four months. She’d spent countless hours reliving the feel of his lips, and even more hours daydreaming of it happening again.

  And now it was, and it was even better than she remembered. Her whole body felt alive in a way it hadn’t in months, in a way it only had one other time in her life. Ty’s tongue brushed her lips, and Parker moaned at the feel of it as she opened up and let him inside. His tongue brushed hers gently before tangling with hers and becoming more aggressive.

  Her whole body was on fire, threatening to incinerate her. She’d never imagined a kiss could make her feel like this, but Ty’s did. She felt it, and his hands, on every part of her body, and she shifted her thighs together, hoping to ease the ache that his kiss had brought on.

  She brushed up closer to him and Ty’s hands began to roam her body, leaving trails of heat in their wake. One hand moved around to touch her stomach and he suddenly paused. Wrenching his mouth away from hers, he set her away from him, breathing heavily.

  “I’m sorry,” he panted. “But I can’t do this. I have to go.”

  Bolting away from her, he went inside the house like the hounds of hell were nipping at his heels. Parker stood there, breathing heavily, struggling to control the hurt she felt as his dismal and the way he had ran.

  What had just happened?

  Everything had been fine. More than fine, it had been the most amazing kiss of her life. It had gotten more intense, his hands moving, and then…

  He’d touched her belly.

  Parker felt her shoulders droop at that realization. The extra padding on her belly had probably turned him off, maybe even disgusted him.

  She could understand that. There had been times when she herself had felt disgusted when she looked at her body in the mirror.

  But this extra fluff on her belly was because of the baby. He knew that. He was the one who’d helped her look like this.

  Then, maybe that’s what had turned him off. He’d remembered that she was pregnant. Maybe the thought of her carrying a baby, even if it was his, grossed him out.

  Parker fought to feel anger, struggled to feed the tiny spark of it she felt deep inside. But as she headed inside, head down and posture defeated, all she could feel was a crushing hurt. In the end, it didn’t matter why he’d rejected her. Only that he had.

  Chapter Eight

  When Parker woke up the next morning, the hurt from the night before was still there, but she was also filled with determination. She wasn’t here to try for anything more with Tyler. It didn’t matter how much she wanted it, how much she longed to truly be his. She was here so they could get to know each other. She was here to give her child a shot at having both parents.

  She showered and dressed before grabbing her laptop and heading downstairs. Tyler had said he oversaw the outer operations of the farm in the morning, so she wouldn’t run into him. She’d grab some breakfast and then get some work done.

  She paused in the sitting room, setting her laptop on a table before looking out the window. An angry thunderstorm had broken out just as she’d gone inside yesterday, and this morning, everything was shiny and still wet, washed clean from the rain. She loved storms, and it had soothed the hurt inside of her a little last night.

  Ty had been right about the storm, and she was glad he had been. Ty’s rejection of her still hurt, but she felt like the storm had washed her clean, too. Reminded her of why she was really here. Her hand dropped to her belly. The precious life she was growing was the reason. Nothing else mattered.

  Turning away from the window, Parker headed into the kitchen, shyly greeting Leah when she got there. Leah directed her to the counter, where pancakes and bacon were waiting, and Parker filled a plate while Leah poured her a glass of orange juice after she passed on coffee.

  Parker sat at the table to eat, smiling a bit uncomfortably at Leah as the older lady sat down across from her with a cup of coffee for herself. She’d never been very comfortable eating while others weren’t, but she couldn’t tell her no.

  “How are you liking the farm so far?” Leah asked her.

  Parker smiled as she swallowed a bite. “It’s beautiful. I think I’m going to enjoy my time here very much.” Parker hesitated for a moment, feeling fairly certain that Ty hadn’t told anyone about the pregnancy yet. “It’s going to look stunning on the website.”

  Leah snorted before taking a sip of her coffee. “And when are you due?”

  Parker felt her eyebrows raise. “Ty told you?”

  “No, but I can tell. You have that look about you. And I had six babies myself, so it’s a look I know well.”

  “Oh, wow, six?” Parker shook her head as she smiled. “I can’t imagine doing this six times.”

  Leah chuckled. “I couldn’t either, when I had my first. But I wouldn’t change a thing. Those babies are the best thing that ever happened to me. Well, I guess they’re not babies anymore. All grown up, and all of them living somewhere else now. I wish I saw them more, but we all talk on the phone fairly often.”

  Parker chatted with Leah more about babies and pregnancy while she finished her breakfast, staying to talk after she was finished. Leah had a lot of experience and was full of valuable advice, everything coated in humor and laughter. Parker had a feeling they could get pretty close if she stayed long.

  Leah finished off her coffee and stood with a sigh. “I reckon I ought to get back to work. And I’m probably keeping you from that website you’re designing,” she said with a wink thrown Parker’s way.

  Parker laughed as she stood up. She offered to wash her dishes, but Leah shooed her away with a joke about trying to take her job, and Parker headed back to the sitting room. She sat down and opened her laptop to work, but her eyes kept straying to the window.

  She sighed and rubbed her head, frustrated that she couldn’t focus. She didn’t have anything pressing at the moment and had scheduled it like this for a reason while she took her trip, but she d
id still have deadlines she wouldn’t mind getting ahead of.

  She slumped back in her chair, looking around the room, taking in again the old and worn furnishings. She wondered if Red Moon was struggling a bit financially or if Ty and Chase just put everything back into the farm operations. She thought back to the ancient desktop computer on Ty’s desk. It was probably more of a financial struggle, because she couldn’t see Ty not updating that since it had to make dealing with farm work difficult.

  Parker sat up as a thought hit her. She might be able to help. Maybe she really could build a website for Red Moon. Website’s really weren’t what she did, but she was experienced in them from building her own. She just needed to know exactly what Red Moon did: what crops they grew, what animals they raised, and what animals they sold. She’d grown up in a ranching and farming community, but she’d grown up in town. Her dad was a banker and her mom was a teacher. She didn’t know much about farms, but she could learn.

  Feeling excited, Parker closed her laptop and headed outside. She’d just take a look around until she waited for Ty to get back to the house. She would put her idea to him then and ask him questions about what they offered here then.

  Parker wondered around for a moment, not sure where to start. She walked to the equipment shed and peeked inside quickly before moving on. She had no idea what most of that did, so it was best to leave it alone until she had Ty or Chase with her.

  Tucking her hands in the pockets of her shorts, Parker strolled slowly around, taking everything in. She passed a pen with goats inside and smiled at their playfulness. She’d never been around animals other than house pets, but she was enjoying the change. When she got to the pig pen, she stopped and then climbed on the bottom rung to get a better look.

  The pig inside was huge, and Parker assumed it was a female, since there were some piglets nearby. They were the cutest things she’d ever seen, playing in the mud and having a grand old time. Momma pig wasn’t exactly cute, but her size was impressive.