by Unknown
Stephany felt her brow crease. “I don’t understand. Ward says that over time, if a couple have feelings for one another and share”—she cleared her throat—“genetic material…they imprint on one another, thus becoming mates.”
Patricia nodded her head in agreement, looking like one of those bobble head thingies the humans liked. “Yep. Our bodies are already imprinting. Physically at least we are probably mated. Once our trial period is over, he will publicly claim me and I him, and then we will be considered to be officially mated. Let’s go sit” The human gestured to the living room.
“No ceremony? No waiting for the full moon?”
She shook her head. “No. Like I said, we have already imprinted on each other. He can’t get enough of me.” She smiled, her cheeks turning a light shade of red. “I love the way he sniffs me.”
“Ward sniffs me too. Often.”
The human’s eyes clouded in thought. “That means that he has probably imprinted on you. He must enjoy your scent. Eliot has told me that it drives him crazy with need. I don’t understand why he doesn’t bite you or at least nip you though. Eliot has told me that he has to use all of his will power to keep from sinking his teeth into me.”
Stephany trusted the human. They hadn’t known each other for long, but she had found that Patricia was open and honest. “I know what might be the problem.” She relayed the whole story about how her and Ward had met. About Lance and the accidental mating.
“Oh my word…the male waited until Ward was looking the other way?”
Stephany nodded, telling the rest of the story.
The human took a sip of her tea. “I think I might know what the problem is as well.” She put the almost empty mug down on the coffee table. “I told you that Ward considers himself mated to you and that the clans will feel the same. It’s important that you know that shifters are hung up on making sure that their partner feels the same way. They normally do not allow themselves to imprint on someone unless they are two hundred percent sure that the feelings are reciprocated.” She paused, pulling some loose hair behind her ear. “Although Ward has clearly imprinted on you, he doesn’t believe that you accept being mated to him.”
Stephany pulled her legs underneath herself. “I want to be mated to him, with all my heart, but according to my coven I am mated to Lance.”
Patricia nodded. “There’s your problem. Ward must really care for you to have allowed himself to imprint on you. He is waiting for you to return the claim. To tell him that he is yours.”
“I want him to be mine, but that isn’t fair considering I’m not really his.”
Patricia sucked in a breath. “Don’t let him hear you say that. It would drive him crazy.”
“I can’t change the lores.”
“It doesn’t matter what some old, dusty book says. Listen to your heart.” Patricia’s blue eyes were wide and pleading. She touched a hand to her breast.
Stephany nodded. “I will think on it. It is difficult to go against something I have believed in my whole life though.” It couldn’t be as simple as Patricia was making it out to be. “Has it been easy for you to forsake your human traditions?”
Patricia frowned.
“Won’t you miss having a joining ceremony? I know that humans like to wear a pretty dress and get a ring with a big shiny rock on it.”
Patricia shook her head. “No. There are humans that expect all of those things, but I am not one of them. I think a female like that would have a hard time adapting to life out here. I’m very happy.” She smiled for a few beats before turning serious. “I know that you are not that type of female either. You really need to give this some thought, Stephany. Ward needs to feel accepted by you as well.”
She nodded, feeling miserable. It seemed that the shifters had abandoned some of their lores without any major consequence. It just didn’t seem right to her though. She was relieved that Ward considered them to be mated, yet deep down inside she felt like they were living a lie. Maybe it was because she had thought herself mated to Lance for so many years. Maybe it was because the vampires didn’t know any better, and if that made her a fool then so be it. She only hoped that in time she would be able to accept Ward as her mate. To openly admit what she felt inside. The biggest hurdle of all would be to forsake her lores. She wished that she could do it right now, and was irritated with herself for not being able to just follow her heart as Patricia had put it.
****
It had been two days since he had seen Stephany. Two long worrisome days. His limbs felt like lead. No one had come for him, so he knew that she must be fine.
Both Rushe and Sawyer were panting heavily by the time they arrived back at the village. It was the last time he would be joining the scouting team, the last time he would be leaving, at least until the baby came. Ward felt that it was important to take on all the tasks of his pack members from time to time. He felt that he would be a better leader if he kept himself grounded. It would be easy to put himself inside an ivory tower and exempt himself from menial tasks like scouting their borders. No one would think twice if he put himself above such tasks. It was important to him though that he continue to make the best possible decisions for his pack, that he could show himself to be a strong and capable leader amongst the clans. He’d watched others make poor decisions on behalf of others without understanding their roles. He refused to let that happen to his pack.
The familiar scents of the village were carried to him on a light breeze. The smoke tickled his nostrils. Finding their jeans stash, they dressed quickly.
He took a deep breath as they arrived at the first dwellings, sure he caught his female’s lemon buttery scent. He had to suppress a groan of satisfaction as he definitely inhaled hints of her mouth-watering fragrance on his second try.
“Someone has missed his female.”
Ward glanced at Rushe who had his eyes solidly on his midsection. Ward glanced down, seeing the head of his dick peeking out from the top of his low riding pants. “Get your eyes off my cock.” He tried to sound stern, but the thought of his female had put a permanent grin on his face for the last half an hour. Even in wolf form he must have looked like a grinning fool, with lolling tongue and all. Ward tucked himself into his pants better. Next time he would take a little care instead of dressing so hastily.
Rushe shook his head. “You’re so fucking lucky. I would give anything to be able to sink myself into—”
“Spare us the visual.” Sawyer kept his eyes on the path ahead.
They turned the corner and his cabin came into view. The door opened, both Stephany and Eliot’s human walked out. Ward paused mid stride and then quickly picked up the same pace as before. His female’s eyes widened as she turned to face their direction. Stephany waved and he reciprocated.
Rushe whistled, and before Ward could stop him he had opened his big trap. “Wow, Stephany, I don’t think I’ve ever seen a female with a belly that size before.”
Stephany paled, her hand traced the deep contour of her stomach. “Is this not normal? Why didn’t you say something?” She turned to Patricia.
“You’re the second person I have seen pregnant since coming here. What do I know?” She put her hands up. “You’re smaller than most humans in their final stages. You look fine to me.”
Her belly had almost doubled in size since he saw her two days ago. Putting a strong rein on his emotions, he turned to her and smiled. “You are pregnant with the alpha’s heir, so it is expected that you will be a bit bigger than normal.” He wanted to tell her not to be concerned, but the words died on his tongue as the fear welled inside of him. Had he been wrong to think that this baby would take on his traits? He would never forgive himself if something happened to her.
“That’s not a bit bigger”—Rushe said while pointing at Stephany’s belly—“That’s just plain enor—”
Needing to shut him up, Ward punched the other male with one quick jab to the nose.
It wasn’t hard enough to break an
ything, but Rushe grabbed his face, his eyes watered heavily. “Hey….what the hell was that for?”
“You are both dismissed.” Ward put an arm around his trembling female and ushered her into their home.
“Oh God, oh God…” She mumbled under her breath. “I’m so worried for him.” She sniffed, both of her hands were on her belly, fingers splayed.
“Please don’t cry. I can’t take it when you cry.”
“I’ve only ever cried once.” She turned her beautiful eyes on him.
“It was the worst five minutes of my life.” He kissed her. “I missed you.”
“Oh, no,” Stephany gave his chest a push. “Don’t you dare try and change the subject. Level with me, Ward.” When he didn’t answer immediately she added, “Please.”
He frowned, feeling deep grooves appear in his forehead. “You are bigger than any human or shifter female that I have ever seen.”
She gasped into her hand, her eyes welled with tears. “You need to promise me that you will try to save him. I will do my best to birth him, but if it comes to it, you have to…”
Ward had to work hard to suppress a roar, he put a finger to her lips. “No, Steph. I don’t want to hear such negativity.” He worked hard to keep his heart rate under control, but the thought of her dying had adrenaline coursing through his veins. It made him want to punch something. Hard and repeatedly. To tear something apart, with teeth and claw.
“We need to face facts. We need to be prepared. It’s not going to help to bury our heads in the sand.” She traced his face with her fingers.
“The baby can come anytime now. Size wise, where are you in relation to a vampire female?”
She sighed. “You are worried.”
“Let’s sit.” He led her to the lounge area and they took a seat next to one another. “It is my job to be worried. Like you said, we need to face facts. Now, how big are you in relation to a vampire female?”
Stephany shook her head. “I have not seen that many vampire females in their final stages, but I am still smaller. Patricia says I am smaller than a human and vampire females get much bigger than humans so”—she shrugged—“I’m definitely smaller.”
“We’re okay then.” He growled, trying and failing to keep the concern from his voice. His eyes dropped to her distended middle, his hand absently rubbed her belly in slow circles. Ward locked his jaw to suppress another growl that threatened. The thought of losing his female, of something happening to his son.
She covered his hand with her own. Her wide, blue eyes shone with unshed tears. “You are worried. I can see it.”
He smiled, but it felt tight and forced. “I am sure that he will come soon…that it will all work out.”
“Are you trying to convince me or yourself?” A tear fell and she quickly wiped it away. “The vampire healer who checked me told me that I have one of the narrowest pelvises she has ever seen. If our son gets much bigger”—she bit down on her lip, swallowing hard—“I am worried that he will get too big.”
The need to punch something increased. His beast bristled inside. Ward rose to his feet, needing to move. Needing to do something. “I’ll admit, I’m worried.” He paced. “You are still smaller than a human and therefore much smaller than a vampire female.”
“I’m really scared, Ward.” Her voice cracked and his heart stopped beating.
He went down on his haunches in front of her. “You will have this baby soon.”
“You said ten to twelve weeks. I only just hit ten. He’s growing quickly. At this rate…”
He couldn’t stop the roar this time or the curse that followed. “Don’t say it.”
“We agreed that we were going to face facts.” Her voice had a panicked edge, but other than that she was rock solid. He admired her strength, his feelings for his female grew.
“If only there was a way to make this baby come now.”
“That’s it.” He smiled. “You’re genius.” He leaned forward, having to reach over her belly and kissed her solidly on the lips. Going back down on his haunches, he took both her hands in his. “It has happened before that a human female went over time. We took her into Sweetwater and had the human healers make the baby come. They gave her some sort of medicine that brought on labor. Maybe we could do the same with you.”
“I’m not a human, Ward.”
He chuckled. “I had noticed, sweetheart, trust me. A human wouldn’t have your amazing canines…”
“Fangs.” She smiled, looking a little more relaxed.
“Fangs…” He growled the word. “Have I ever told you that I love the way you sink them into me.”
Her eyes clouded, turning stormy blue in an instant.
“What is it?” Cupping her jaw, he tilted her chin back up so that she was looking at him once more. “Speak to me, Steph.”
She sighed heavily. “Now is hardly the time. We have this baby to worry about.”
“If you have something on your mind, I want to know about it. I don’t want you worrying about anything right now.”
She nodded once. “Why don’t you bite me anymore, Ward? You’ve claimed me, but you don’t bite me. Don’t you want to?”
Ward clenched his jaw. His teeth distended just at the mere thought of biting his female. “I have to use every ounce of self-control not to bite you.”
“Well then…”
“I’ve claimed you and I am yours, Stephany. I need you to know that I will always be yours, but you do not consider yourself mated to me. I can see it, can feel it. It would be wrong of me to mark you in that way.” He sighed. “Maybe one day…”
Her eyes darkened. “Why did you do it before?”
“It was wrong of me.” He shook his head. “I feel things when I am with you…I allowed myself to give in to my instincts before.” He paused. “This was only supposed to be a one-time thing. I guess deep down inside, I knew that we belonged together, Steph, even then.” How did he make her understand?
“I want to be your mate so badly that it hurts, more than you will ever know. I find it really hard to shrug off the lores though. To turn my back on the beliefs of my species. I have seen Lance as my mate for twenty long years.”
A low growl was torn from him at the mention of the other male’s name.
His female flinched but held his gaze. “I’m sorry.” Her eyes were solemn. “I can’t help it. I wish to God I could feel differently. My heart is yours, but I can never be your—”
“Don’t say it…” Ward grit his teeth, trying hard to put a rein on his emotions. “Don’t ever say those words again, Stephany. It would kill me. Understand that I consider myself to be your mate. I have imprinted on you on a cellular level, it is a bond that can never be broken. I will never want another female. You are it for me. Do you understand that?”
She nodded, biting down on her lip.
“Good. I hope that in time you will come to feel the same.” She tried to say something, but he stopped her with the shake of his head. “I will pack a bag. We are going to Sweetwater. It will be risky, but we will have to go to one of their hospitals. I can only hope that the vampires don’t find out.”
“We don’t have to go to a hospital, I know a doctor. She is a friend of Tanya’s. That way we can avoid such a public place.” She clutched his hands. “Brant and Zane may have scouts out looking for us.”
He felt everything in himself tighten. “They will definitely have eyes everywhere and this time swearing allegiance will not be enough.”
“They will want your head.” Her eyes turned fearful.
“Hey.” He tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear. “They have to catch me first.”
“You forget, I will be there slowing you down.”
“You would have to get a whole hell of a lot bigger to slow this wolf down, honey. Light as a feather.” And to prove a point, he stood and in one easy motion lifted her with him.
She shrieked with surprise, her cry quickly turned into a fit of laughter though. Tucking
her against him, Ward took a seat while leaving Stephany on his lap. She shook her head. “You’re crazy,” Steph whispered, her shoulders still shook with laughter.
“Crazy for you.” He kissed the top of her head. “Now tell me a bit more about Tanya’s friend. Won’t she let the vampires know the moment we call?”
Stephany shook her head against his chest, pulling away only so she could look him in the eye. “She wouldn’t do that if I asked her not to. She will understand the need for secrecy, and she is a very good human healer. If she can’t help us personally, then I am sure she will know someone who can. I trust her not to say anything.”
Ward held her gaze for a long time. What choice did he have? If this human betrayed their trust, his head would end up on the end of a spike. Yet if they did nothing, his female and son were at risk. He had put Stephany in this position and he would keep her safe at all costs, even if it meant his life. “You put your feet up while I pack a bag and inform the others.” He wished that he could just bring the healer here, but there were too many risks involved considering Stephany was a vampire. His female might need the human hospital, so it would be much safer if she was just in Sweetwater. Once she and the baby were strong enough, he would bring them back.
She made to stand, but he held onto her. “Let me help you pack.” She pushed at his chest.
He shook his head. “The trip will be hard enough on you. Please rest while you can.”
She smiled. “Who knows, maybe it will bring on the labor naturally?”
“It might. Let’s hope that he waits until we are close to town though.”
Her jaw clenched and he wished that he’d just kept his big mouth shut. She swallowed hard. “Did I mention that I was scared? I’m such a coward.”
He pulled her towards him. “It is normal to be afraid. I will be with you every step of the way.”
