The Ancients Series

by Christine M. Butler

  “Nothing. I’m just tired, and I haven’t been taking breaks to eat enough.” His eyes probed me, ever watchful, waiting for me to elaborate, but I didn’t.

  “We’ll talk later. Let’s get you fed, and then we’ll get you home.”

  “Okay, but I want to stop by and talk to the women in the meeting hall once more before we go for the night. I have a couple questions that really can’t wait.”

  “Jess, if you’re tired, we can just go home and you can come back in the morning.” Mikael was serious, and his voice had taken on a stern edge. Evan stopped a few feet away with glasses in hand, not wanting to interfere.

  “I’ll be fine. I promise. I just need to get this over with tonight, so that maybe tomorrow morning we can get straight to the business of making travel plans for everyone.”

  “Wait!” Evan placed the glasses on the table. “Travel plans for who? All of them? What are you thinking, Jess?”

  “Not all. That’s why I want to talk to them first, and give them the option to go or stay.” Evan visibly relaxed, his shoulders sinking lower as the tension released from his stance.

  “Oh, okay.”

  “Fine, but if you start looking off, at all, I’m going to toss your ass over my shoulder and carry you home whether you like it or not.” I smiled at Mikael then. It was rare that he put his foot down with me, and he was sexy as hell the times he did. “What? Why are you smirking at me? I’ll do it!” He stood so fast his chair pitched back behind him, smacking down on the floor with a thud, and before I could say a word, I was being thrown up and over his shoulder. Laughter bubbled up out of my mouth, as I reached down and smacked his ass hard. Then, the movement got to me, and more than laughter threatened to bubble up. It took every ounce of will power I had not to vomit right there. Evan could see my face turn green from where he was standing, and he jumped in to save the day.

  “I’m pretty sure that’s Jameson coming now. You know how cranky he gets about Jess, man, you might want to stop manhandling his daughter in his kitchen.” I could have kissed Evan in that moment. He was so nonchalant about it, like nothing was really up besides getting reamed by a mate’s father.

  Mikael put me back down, but he noticed the unsettled look on my face when he did. “Shit, did I hurt you?”

  I shook my head no, but kept my mouth closed, as I was still trying to keep the bile from raising any further in my throat. To my surprise, Evan hadn’t been lying about hearing my father coming. My mom and dad both walked in, effectively distracting Mikael from me long enough to get myself back under control. I mouthed a quick, “thank you,” to Evan. He simply nodded, and then everything went back to normal as we all gathered around to eat.

  After we ate, Mikael and Evan walked with me, back over to see the women who had been captives of their father. It was odd to have Evan and Mikael in close proximity without barbs being thrown at one another, and fights starting over who was going to date me today. On the other hand, I liked the new dynamic. Evan was starting to slide right into the brotherly role that was lacking in my life since Jack’s death.

  I spent a couple hours getting to know most of the women in the meeting area a little better, and getting a feel for where the packs they would probably do well in. After I spent the time talking to them individually, with Mikael as my translator for those who didn’t speak English well, I figured it was time to get the show on the road. “Okay, ladies, I’m here to offer you your freedom. Your choices are as follows: you can get on a plane and go back to the life you knew before you were taken prisoner; ask to be placed in a pack, here, in the United States; or you can make your home right here in the St. Marks Pack.” I looked around, taking in the reactions as Mikael translated for me, so that they all understood the choice they were being offered. “You don’t have to decide right now. I will be back in the morning, and if you have made a decision, you can let me know then.”

  I noticed that Natalia had a slightly panicked look on her face, and she was gazing back and forth between Evan. and me “We don’t have to go?” She asked in disbelief.

  “No, you don’t have to go. We will work on finding you a permanent place here, if you choose to stay.” Again, Mikael translated both Natalia’s question and my answer for the others.

  “I wish to stay.” Natalia’s eyes were only for Evan now, and he didn’t bother hiding the smile on his face as she spoke.

  “Okay, then we’ll get you taken care of first thing in the morning.” I turned to Mikael then. “I’m ready to go home now, please.” I felt like the last of my energy went rushing out of my body as a wave of dizziness came over me. Mikael reached out, seeing that I was unsteady on my feet, and swept me up into his arms.

  “I’m taking you home, you’re going to get some rest, and then we’re going to talk about what you’re doing to yourself.”

  “Okay.” It was all I could muster the energy for at the moment, and then I put my head on his shoulder, and closed my eyes.

  “Is Jess okay?” Ashley’s voice pulled me back from the void I was about to slip into. It was then that I realized Ash had been there, amongst the girls, trying to help out, and I hadn’t even noticed. I hadn’t even said hello to her. I was a horrible friend. I deserved a horrible friend award.

  “Hey, Ashley. I’m fine, just tired.”

  Ashley snickered. “Maybe I should swoon on my feet, and feign being tired so my man will sweep me off my feet and carry me in his arms to our bed.” I’m not sure why Ashley picked right up with teasing, if I was her I would be yelling at me for being so out of it.

  Asi huffed good-naturedly. “All you have to do is ask, my love, and your wish is my command.” He reached down and swept my best friend up in his arms, with her laughing the whole way. It was so good to see them happy together. Thankfully, I figured Asi was the reason that my best friend hadn’t noticed, or at least hadn’t mentioned, my neglect.

  Mikael didn’t give me time to watch them be silly though. He turned to walk toward the Jeep that was parked just on the other side of the building. “I’m going to get Jess home. Ashley, can you pick her up tomorrow? I have to get back to the dog rescue for a few hours. I’m training a new manager for the facility before we officially start taking in dogs.”

  “Sure thing, Mikey.”

  “Don’t call me that.” He said, cocking his brow up.

  “Someone’s gwumpy today!” She teased in a baby voice. I laughed, and Mikael pretended he was going to drop me until he heard me squeak, and then he pulled me closer to him and walked us to the Jeep.

  “Make sure you’re actually getting some sleep, Jess! You look like shit!”

  “Thanks, Ash!” I yelled back to her as Mikael sat me down in the passenger seat of the Jeep and started buckling me in. When he had me secured, and was moving to get back out the door, he stopped with his lips hovering just above mine. Then, he leaned in just a fraction of an inch so our lips brushed, but just barely. It was the barest of touches, but my body was scorched where he touched, and just as quickly he was gone, and the cool night air was taking all that heat with it.

  “Let’s get you home.”

  “You’ve been through a lot, Jess. You need more rest.”

  “I appreciate you being over protective of me, Mikael, but I know my own limits.”

  “Do you? I had to catch you earlier, because your body was giving out. That happened in front of seventeen women who are enigmas to us. We don’t know what any of their intentions are.”

  “Well, I can guess what Natalia’s are…” I offered flippantly with a big grin. “She’s all about that brother of yours.”

  “Nice try.” Mikael slouched down, and then bent at the waist as he began taking his boots off his feet.

  “What?” I asked innocently as I continued to strip out of my clothes.

  “Changing the subject the way you did. We’re not done talking about this, Jess. I love you. I love that you think you can handle balancing the whole world on your shoulders, but even the strong
est person needs rest sometimes.”

  “You’re right. I’m sorry.” I tossed my pants across the room, and they landed in the laundry basket that sat on top of an old chair over there. Then I stood in just my t-shirt and panties, ready to head to the bathroom and grab a shower, when the nausea hit full force. “Oh God!” I swore before I started running for the bathroom.

  “Jess? Are you…” I was puking before he could get out the rest of his sentence. “Okay?” Mikael came in the bathroom behind me, and pulled my hair up, holding it out of the way while I continued to empty out the contents of my stomach. “Seriously, enough is enough. Are you ready to tell me what’s going on?”

  I heaved once more, into the toilet, before answering. “I’m a little busy...” I managed to get out before round two was upon me. Then I was busy again. Mikael managed to get a hold of one of my hair ties, and pulled my hair back with that so he could leave me long enough to get a wash cloth, wet in cool water, and ring it out. He brought it back and placed it at the nape of my neck, which immediately made me feel a little better. I stopped tossing my cookies long enough to look up at him.

  Concern, anger, and frustration all took up residence in the look he was giving me. So, I decided to just come right out with my little secret. “Surprise!” I mock-shouted it with my hands in the air, fingers splayed apart in a little spirit wave.

  “Surprise?” He questioned, and then reached over me to flush the rest of the vomit down the toilet. I cringed a little. I was definitely off my game, if I ever had any to begin with.

  “Surprise, your spawn is making me sicker than hell.”

  “My what?” Confusion ruled his features. “My spawn? What the hell are you talking about, Jess?” That’s the moment when it hit him. I saw the flicker of recognition. I watched the dawning take place. His features went from confusion, to close observation, and as if he were afraid I was playing a trick on him, he quickly retracted the smile that started to spring forth on his handsome, stubbly face.

  “Are you saying what I think you’re saying?” He questioned as he helped me up off the floor. I managed to shuffle myself to the sink and rinse my mouth out before I bothered to answer him.

  “I’m pregnant.” I finally said, and then I turned to face him.

  “How?” His eyes trailed from my face down my body to land on my perfectly flat, okay, somewhat sunk-in stomach.

  “Well, we had sex. We had a lot of sex.” I laughed half-heartedly as he managed an Ashley-level eye roll.

  “I know how it happens.” I giggled at the thought that I had just said basically the same thing to Evan just hours ago. “I meant, you know, how did it happen since I wasn’t with you during your heat cycle?”

  “Well, there’s this funny thing that happens with the white wolves…”

  “Son of a bitch. Of course, nothing’s normal with you.”

  “Okay, that’s slightly insulting.” I pulled the washcloth back off my neck and tossed it on the counter before walking out of the bathroom.

  “Jess, you know that’s not how I meant it.” Mikael was trailing after me, but I didn’t care. I was exhausted, and now, despite just puking my guts up, I was hungry again. Being pregnant was apparently going to suck. I flopped my ass down on the bed, and tucked the covers in around myself.

  “Please, talk to me.” Mikael pleaded in that sexy, gravelly voice of his that I loved so much. How was I supposed to resist that?

  “If a white wolf doesn’t successfully get with child after her first heat, she can continue to go into heat again and again until a pregnancy occurs. Serena assured me that it’s only the first pregnancy that it happens with. Something about it being nature’s way to ensure that the white wolf line is continued somehow.”

  “So, when?” Mikael cut himself off. I could see his mind working as he figured out the same thing I did. “Oh my God, our little in-house honeymoon we took?”

  I nodded in agreement.

  “Well, damn.” Another thought occurred to him them. I saw when realization hit. “How long have you known?” He stood beside the bed, looking down at me. “You said Serena told you it happens, so you already talked to her about it.”

  “Yes. I wasn’t ready to tell you yet.”

  “Well, who else did you decide to tell before you finally got around to me? Your mom? Ashley?”

  “No. The only other person who knows is your brother.”

  The growl that erupted from Mikael then was deafening. “My brother?” His question was shouted at me and reverberated off the walls. “Why the hell would you tell my brother before me, Jess?”

  “I didn’t.” I was pouting again, and really, if I hadn’t already cocooned myself in the blankets, I would have been looking for something to throw at Mikael’s big head.

  “You just said…”

  I cut him off. “I just said he knew, not that I told him. He asked me about it today.”

  “What do you mean he asked you? Why would he do something like that?”

  “He told me I looked like I was glowing, and that you were a lucky bastard.” I huffed. “You’re really the unlucky bastard who’s sleeping on the couch tonight though.”

  “Oh, I don’t think so!”

  “Yes, you are!” I was completely serious, and I was angry with him.

  “No!” He stalked back around the bed, and got in his side, under the covers, as if to prove a point, so I got up, out from the wonderfully comfortable cocoon I had created, and stood there facing him for just a minute.

  “You’re a big fat jerk. I was in there puking my guts out, tell you I’m pregnant, and the only thing you do manage to do is yell at me about everything. Oh, and you insinuated I’m some sort of freak too. Thanks for all the support, asshole.” I snatched my pillow, and stalked off to the bedroom door, but Mikael was there before I could even put my hand on the handle.

  He took the pillow from me, tossed it back across the room onto the bed, and then pulled me into his arms. It seemed like one fluid move, and I didn’t have the strength to stop him. “I’m sorry.” He sighed deeply, and kissed the top of my head. “I’ve been so worried about you, and then to find out you got pregnant, and what that means, and you don’t seem very happy about it, because why else wouldn’t you tell me right away?” Everything came trailing out of him then, and I knew I had been a big fat jerk too.

  “I was worried that something bad would happen and I would get both of our hopes up for nothing. I was drugged, a lot, when I was held in that cage. What if…”

  “You thought you would lose the baby?”

  Tears sprang free from my eyes then. “Yes.”

  “Oh Jess, this is what I’m here for. You’re supposed to share these things with me so that I can help. I’m going to cancel work tomorrow. We’re going to see your mother, and Ashley, because they will know what to do. They can keep an eye on your health.” He moved me so I was far enough away from him that he could look down into my tear-stained face. “We’ll figure this out, but in the meantime, you will get more rest. You will make sure you’re eating well. And most importantly, you will stop acting like you have to get through everything on your own. You are not any less of a person for having help. The strong know how to rely on others to carry part of the weight, it’s how they grow stronger.”

  “When did you get so smart?” I sniffled.

  “When I stopped pretending I wasn’t in love with you.”

  My heart melted right then and there. My mate took me to bed, without any further hesitation. At least, that is, until something crashed downstairs, and my heart felt like it was going to take burst through my rib cage and take flight instead.

  “What the hell?”

  “It was probably just the guards downstairs.” Mikael reassured me. “Stay put, and I’ll go check.”

  “Since when do we have guards downstairs?”

  “Since we got you back. You just didn’t leave the room enough to notice before.” Mikael left the room, and it wasn’t long before I hear
d voices coming from the hallway. “You can try, but please, make it quick. She needs to sleep.”

  “I swear, I will.” It was Ashley’s voice. I recognized it now.

  “I’m going to go take care of the noise makers downstairs. Let Jess know everything’s fine, and that I’ll be back up shortly.”

  “Okay.” Ashley burst through the door then, and came over to give me a hug. “Hey. Mikael said he’ll be right back, but everything is fine.”

  “No offense, Ash, but what the hell are you doing here?”

  “Asi and I are staying here in one of the other rooms for a few days. We needed to get away from the craziness over on the pack lands, and I figured you could use some company too.”

  “Oh. Did Mikael know about this?”

  “Of course, that’s why he asked me to,” she tossed up air quotes, “pick you up and bring you back to the pack.”

  “Gotcha.” I slid further down in my bed, and pulled the covers over me. “I’m so tired,” I managed to get out through a yawn.

  “I think your mate is going to kill some guards down there. They’re in the middle of a rowdy round of poker, and he’s chewing them all out.”

  “Sorry, Mikael,” I heard a male voice saying as footsteps bounded up the stairs.

  “My mate is with child, she needs rest, and you lot will keep it down while she gets it.”

  “WHAT?” Ashley shrieked. “Did he just say what I think he just said?”

  I smiled at Ashley, and she crawled up on the bed in the little space that was between the edge of the bed and me. Ashley ran her hand over my belly. “Seriously?” She asked.

  “Yes, seriously, although I planned on telling you a bit differently, tomorrow.”

  “Oh my God, I can’t believe it!” Ashley beamed. “I’m going to be an Aunt!” Mikael walked in then, with a pack of crackers in hand, and I could have shoved Ashley out of the way and kissed him for being so thoughtful.