by Sky Winters
“I think this is an opportunity, Zebe.”
“An opportunity for what? To prove we know nothing about parenting a child? We hardly even know one another. I’m a wolf shifter. You are a bear shifter. Who knows what this child will be.”
“Loved, that is what this child will be. Loved by the both of us. I think you and I were destined to be together. I felt it from the moment I first laid eyes on you in the bar. Do you not think I already knew you were a wolf before I came near you? I just didn’t care. I wanted you, needed you in some weird way. It is like I was drawn to you instantly.”
“I felt a pull myself, even after I realized what you were.”
“Then, let’s just give this a shot. Us, the baby, everything.”
“I don’t suppose we’ve much choice.”
“This is an opportunity for us to show our families and the community that we can all exist as equals. We can all be a part of one another’s lives without having to fight just because we are different. This baby could bring everyone back together.”
“Or it could just drive us all further apart and us completely out of town, or worse.”
“I refuse to think that way.”
“Look what happened to my brother, Blake.”
“The actions of a few don’t speak for the whole. I know, for a fact, that my family and my club are seeking out those responsible for killing without any serious provocation. If your brother just drifted and they killed him for it, they will be punished. Unless he attacked them first, they will pay for their actions. It was excessive and unnecessary. No one wants to go back to all-out war.”
“Perhaps so, but it won’t bring my brother back.”
“No, but we can possibly be the ones that end this animosity between our families once and for all.”
“Do you really think that?”
“I’d like to believe it. Time will tell, I suppose.”
“Then, let’s go tell the masses.”
“No. I don’t think we are ready for that just yet. There are those that will try to stop a reconciliation. I won’t risk having you or the baby harmed before it can even be brought into the world. I think it is best that we keep it quiet until it is born and then pursue peace between our sides.”
“Makes sense. Plus, we don’t know what this thing is going to be. What if it is some sort of awful creature? I mean, half bear, half wolf? How does that even work?”
“I don’t know. I suppose we will find out.”
“Okay. We will begin making plans tomorrow. Right now, I feel exhausted. Do you think I could just lie down for a while?”
“Of course. Go relax in my bed for a while. I’ll start us some dinner and wake you up in a bit. I’ve got some fantastic steaks. I’m guessing you like yours rare too?”
“Usually, but I’m feeling a little queasy at the moment, so we may have to go with medium well.”
“Good enough. Do you need anything else?”
“No, not at the moment.”
“I’ll start the steaks marinating and get the prep work done then. Rest well.”
“Thanks.”
Zebe lay in the darkness of Blake’s room, the thick curtains closed to keep out the daylight which had already started to fade. Day one of ten was already passing and he knew the time would fly by before it was time for the baby to come. He didn’t want to show just how very afraid he was. He was a pack leader, for fuck’s sake. Still, he was more frightened than he had ever been in his life. If only his brother was here to talk to. He had always made things better. He didn’t even remember falling asleep, but before he knew it, two hours had passed and Blake was sitting on the edge of the bed, stroking his cheek softly.
“Do you feel any better?”
“A bit. I think the supplements may be kicking in. I don’t feel quite as tired as I did, but now I’m starving!”
“Good. Dinner will be ready in just a few minutes. I’ll leave you to get yourself together before coming out to eat.”
“Thanks, Blake. You’re being incredibly good to me.”
“Well, you are carrying our child. I’m looking forward to raising it with you, in all honesty. Even if we have to move to some other place and hide from our families to do so, I’ll do that with you. We’re in this together now.”
“Yes, we are. I’ll be out in just a minute.”
“Okay. I’ll be waiting.”
Blake kissed him on the cheek and made his way back to the kitchen to finish up dinner. By the time Zebe made his way out to the table, it was already set and the food was out on the table waiting for him. Blake pulled out a chair for him and then sat on the opposite side to eat his own meal. He wanted to be polite, but he was ravenous and scarfed it all down quickly.
“Well, you really wolfed that down,” Blake quipped
“Really? Trying to be punny?” Zebe shot back.
“A little. Are you still hungry?”
“Honestly? Yes. I feel like I could eat a whole wildebeest by myself.”
“Well, I’m fresh out of wildebeest, but I do have plenty of food. Come into the kitchen and get whatever you want.”
Zebe followed Blake to the kitchen and waited as he opened the fridge and the cabinets. He stood at the kitchen counter where he rapidly ate a leftover pot roast with potatoes, onions and carrots and then made his way through various fruits and vegetables. He finished with a small cake from the deli and drank an entire gallon of orange juice.
“Oh boy. This is going to be an expensive pregnancy,” Blake laughed.
“I’m sorry.”
“No, don’t be. You’re eating for two. We’ll make a list of what you want and make sure you have plenty. I can duck out to the store in the morning.”
“I’ll go with you.”
“I don’t think so. You’re already showing. You don’t go from having six pack abs to having a keg overnight without there being questions. Even if you didn’t draw attention with that, we can’t be seen together just yet.”
“I suppose you are right. I’ll at least give you some money to help out.”
“Don’t worry about that. I have plenty money.”
“Still, I’d like to do my part.”
“I think you are doing more than your fair share already,” Blake replied, placing his hand on Zebe’s already noticeably rounded belly.
“What are we going to do, Blake?”
“I don’t know. Come on. Let’s go sit down in the den and we’ll try to figure out a plan on how to break the news to everyone without getting mobbed.”
“I think we should start with just the elders. Maybe call them together for some sort of peace talks and see how they react to that. When we have them all together in a room and know they are at least interested in making peace, then we can tell them what has happened. They are old and superstitious. Surely the fact that we have born a child into the world that belongs to both families will serve as a sign that peace is a must for all of us,” Zebe told him.
“I think that is probably the best plan. If we can convince them, then they will dictate down to the younger members and it will be accepted, even if not all of them agree with it.”
“Let’s hope so. So, we concentrate on getting this baby born and then hope for the best. What is our contingency plan?”
“Simple. If they say no, we don’t wait for a skirmish to break out once they’ve alerted the others. We go there already packed to head for the east coast, far out of harm’s way.”
“How will we live? Our entire lives are here. We both have the clubs and our businesses to run. How will we make a living?”
“I have plenty of money saved up for an emergency and I would say that events unfolding that are not in our favor certainly qualifies. We leave and don’t look back. We rebuild somewhere else.”
“I have some money saved too. It’s hard to walk away from what you’ve worked hard to build, but I guess we may be left with no choice if it comes to that.”
“Then, as soon as the baby is b
orn and you are well enough to get out, you will go to your place and pack what you need. I’ll keep the baby here. Once we are packed, we’ll call a meeting with the elders and present our case to them. What happens after that depends on their reaction.”
“I don’t know if I’m more afraid of giving birth or facing them.”
“Completely understandable.”
“Tell me it is going to be okay, Blake.”
“It will be fine,” Blake replied, reaching out to caress his cheek for a moment before pulling him into a kiss. Zebe felt it down to his toes. If nothing else was clear about their future, the fact that he had met Blake for a reason and belonged with him was a certainty in his mind. He curled up against his chest, feeling like it was precisely where he should be.
The moment was shattered as someone locked loudly at the front door. Blake eased up from the sofa and peeped through the blinds of a nearby window. He walked back to the sofa and sat down, whispering to Zebe.
“It’s just my cousin Jacob. He’ll go away if I don’t answer.”
Zebe nodded, but it quickly became apparent that Jacob was not going away. He pounded on the door and yelled for Blake to answer it.
“Come on, Blake . . . man. I know you are in there. I need help. My bike broke down just up the road.”
“Great. Give me a minute and I’ll get rid of him.”
Blake knew it would have been hard for Jacob to walk out of here. He had injured his leg in a bike accident a few years ago and it had healed improperly. Despite Doc breaking it back apart and resetting it several times, it was just never right again. Jacob walked with a noticeable limp unless he was shifted and he couldn’t very well walk down the outer road in were bear form. It must have been hard for him to even make it down the long gravel road that led here.
“About time, man. I’m sweating my balls off out here.”
“Sorry about that. I was busy.”
“I need you to take me back to town and get the flatbed for my bike. Motor’s fucked.”
“I can’t right now. Just take mine and leave it at the shop while you bring the truck back to get yours. I can pick it up later when I come into town in the car.”
“I appreciate it, man.”
“Just stay here. I’ll get you the keys.”
“Man, it’s hot out here. You care if I come in and get some water?”
“Um, yeah. Give me a minute.”
“What the hell? You hiding a body in there?”
“Not yet, but if you don’t shut up, I might be. I’ll be right back.”
Blake shut the door and leaned against it, looking toward the sofa. Zebe wasn’t there. Walking toward the center of the room, he saw that the bedroom door was closed. Good. He walked back over to the door and told Jacob to come in. The younger man followed him to the kitchen and accepted the glass he handed him to retrieve water from the filtered pitcher in the refrigerator.
“That’s better. I was completely parched. Let me get out of your hair and go get my stuff taken care of.”
“Alright. Just park the bike inside and I’ll get it back later.”
“Sounds . . .,” Jacob started to say, but the words drifted off as his nose suddenly lifted into the air, sniffing around them. “You smell that?”
“I don’t smell anything. You’ve been out in the sun too long. Get going.”
“No, man. It smells like a wolf.”
“You’re just imagining things. I’ve got stuff to do. Get going.”
“No. I’m telling you that there is a wolf nearby. I can smell him, just like I smelled that one along the river when Harper and me were hunting.”
“You saw the wolf shifter that was killed?”
“Yeah, man. Who do you think killed him? He was on the wrong side of the river.”
“Did he attack you?”
“No. He was just dead in the water and drifted over from how it looked. Harper and I sent a loud and clear message about what happens to mange riddled wolves who don’t stay on their own side of the state.”
“What the fuck is wrong with you? He didn’t even mean to come over here!”
“Didn’t mean to or not, he was in dangerous waters and should have been more careful.”
Before Blake could react further, the bedroom door burst open and Zebe came charging out, right at Jacob. The look on his face was pure hatred, no doubt having heard the conversation from where he had been concealing himself in the bedroom.
“You worthless piece of shit! My brother never hurt anyone and would have never harmed you!”
Jacob looked bewildered for just a moment, but as Zebe’s hands met his chest in a massive shove that sent him flying out the open front door, his eyes narrowed and he came back up from where he landed on the ground, shifting into bear form.
“Jacob, no!” Blake shouted at him, but he was already lunging toward Zebe, who was helpless against him without his shifting powers. He prepared for the attack the best he could by doubling over and protecting his growing midriff, which Jacob apparently had not even noticed. Instead, he heard a heavy thud as Blake shifted and threw his own weight against Jacob, pushing him back out the door. The two of them rolled around on the front lawn, all claws, growls and blood.
Zebe felt sick at his stomach again. He couldn’t even help Blake. It was his fault that this was happening and he couldn’t do a thing to intervene. It seemed to go on forever as the two bear shifters clashed with one another, using teeth and claws to do damage. Though Blake was a bit larger, Jacob seemed more agile and was getting far too many swipes in against him. There was blood everywhere.
Blake fell to the ground, heaving for breath, giving Zebe just enough time to pull away and head for the door again. Zebe stood his ground, refusing to run from the piece of human waste that had killed his brother. The bear was almost upon him when Blake once again threw himself onto him and pushed him away to one side. Their heavy bodies thudded against the side of the house and Zebe watched as Blake bite heavily into Jacob’s neck, ripping his throat out and falling back on his haunches as it lay bleeding and panting on the ground.
Jacob’s bear form faded away as he resumed human form, his eyes fixed and his breath still. He was dead. Blake shifted and walked over to him, looking down at him with tears in his eyes. It was obvious that he was distraught at what he had been forced to do, but Zebe couldn’t say he was sorry about it. He made a note that Harper would be dealt with personally when he was able to do so. Looking up, he saw a scratched, bloody Blake walking toward him, his wounds healing rapidly.
“We need to get you out of here until I can deal with this. People will come looking for him and they will smell you, just as he did. I’m going to take you home until after they’ve come to deal with his body,” Blake told him in a shaky voice.
“What will you tell them happened?”
“Just that he attacked me and it was self-defense.”
“They will want to know why he attacked you.”
“Don’t worry about it. I’ll deal with them. I just need to get you someplace safe first.”
“Okay, Blake. I need to take care of some things at home anyway.”
“Let’s get going then. I’ll call them on my way back.”
Zebe followed him out to the car and climbed in on the passenger side. They drove back to his place in complete silence, each lost in thought. Zebe looked out over the water as they crossed the bridge that divided them. Today’s events with Jacob only made him warier of how things might unfold when they confronted the elders with their news. While he’d like to think a hybrid baby might be just the thing to bring their people together, he had some serious reservations about it.
Finally, they were pulling into his driveway. Blake helped him from the car. It had already begun to be uncomfortable just getting up and down with his growing belly in the way. How women spent months in this condition was beyond him. It was decidedly obtrusive and inconvenient for him already. Blake walked him into the house and looked around to
make sure it was okay before kissing him goodbye.
“Lock the doors and don’t answer them for anyone.”
“No one is going to bother me here.”
“I’d just like to be sure of that.”
“Okay, Blake. I’ll see you soon.”
“You certainly will.”
Hours passed and Zebe was beginning to get worried. Finally, headlights flooded the front window. He waited breathlessly out of sight of the window to make sure it was Blake before going to the door. His heart thudded as footsteps sounded on the front stoop and there was a knock at the door. He hated being so frightened, but without his shifting ability and an unborn child to protect, he had little choice but to exercise caution.
“Zebe, it’s me,” Blake called from the front door.
“Thank goodness! I was getting worried,” Zebe told him as he unlocked and opened the door.
“It was a bit of a mess, but it’s settled now. I told them that he confessed to me that he had been the one who killed the wolf shifter on the river for no other reason than he had drifted into our territory by accident and that we had words, as I felt it would only bring more trouble. Then, he attacked and I had to put him down. It was mostly the truth. I just left you out of it. They will learn that part of it soon enough.”
“At least it is over now and one of my brother’s killers has been brought to justice.”
“No, both of them have. I told them about Harper. They will take care of him.”
“How so?”
“Let’s just say he will be of no harm to anyone else. The fact that they are concerned with an unnecessary kill tells me that they will be open to what we will be sharing with them next week.”
“I certainly hope so.”
“They are clearing Jacob’s remains from my house. Do you care if we just stay here for now? I think it might be best if we steer clear for a couple of days. I told them I was going to get away for some fresh air.”
“That sounds good to me.”
