by Lily Thomas
Books By Lily Thomas
Giant Wars Series
Loving His Fire
Grounded By Love
Melted By Love
Wicked Flames of Desire
Galactic Courtship Series
Xacier’s Prize
Claiming His Champion
Captivating the Doctor
Escaping the Hunt
Abducting the Ambassador
Wicked Prisoner
Seducing the Enemy
Cuff Me Now
Challenging the Arena
Dark Desires in Space
His Fallen Star
His Human Temptation
Racing Toward Desire
Zro’eq’s Fallen Star
His Human Doctor
Ice Age Alphas
The Sabertooth’s Promise
The Sabertooth’s Mate
The Sabertooth’s Mate
Lily S. Thomas
This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events or locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
Cover created by SelfPubBookCovers.com/ KimDingwall
Copyright © 2019 by Lily Thomas
All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce the book or portions thereof in any form whatsoever. For information email [email protected].
www.lilythomasromance.com
ISBN:
ISBN: (ebook) B07VWTZ3GN
Dedication
To all my lovely readers, thank you so much for your continued support and lovely reviews! I hope to share many more amazing journeys with you!
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Epilogue
Chapter 1
“Are you alright?” Aiyre bent over at the waist and placed a comforting hand on Ezi’s shoulder.
Ezi glanced up and sent her friend and clanmate a broad smile. “Yes.” When she saw the lines of worry stay firmly planted on Aiyre’s face, she explained a bit more. “The baby is just kicking. It is nothing to be concerned about.”
Aiyre stood there, her face mere inches from Ezi as she searched her face for the truth. Ezi squirmed under the intense gaze of her friend.
“I’m fine!” Ezi forced a chuckle as she rubbed a hand over her rounded stomach. In these final stages of pregnancy, she hadn’t been able to shift into her pronghorn form, and she could feel her other half itching to escape her human form.
This child was a treasure… or so she kept telling herself, but the closer she drew to the birth, the more she fretted about raising the child on her own.
It would never know its father, but she would be sure to tell it about Drakk. That man had been the kindest she’d known, and although they’d only had one night together before the sabertooth attack, she would forever treasure that memory in her mind. It had been a brief, awkward joining in a cave in front of all the gods.
Ezi sighed as she watched the flames of their village bonfire dancing with flickering glee. A glee she was envious of because it’d been many moons since she’d enjoyed a pleasant humor. She’d found a seat on a log right next to it, and despite the unseasonably warm spring, she found the warmth welcome. It wrapped its comfortable arms around her and eased the tension out of her body.
Kicking out a leg, Ezi eyed the blue beads on her leather moccasin and did her best to relax, but that last kick from the baby had been painful. She rubbed her stomach through her tanned leather shirt. This child was eager to escape, but she hadn’t felt a single cramp yet, and the healer had been certain she’d feel something soon.
Aiyre plopped down beside her. “Are you sure everything is good? Your face keeps scrunching up like you might be in pain, and I’ve noticed you rubbing your stomach a lot.”
“I’m fine,” Ezi repeated. It was nice of Aiyre to be so concerned about her, but the hovering was beginning to irritate her. It’d been non-stop in the last few days. It wasn’t like she didn’t enjoy her friend’s company, but it was hard to see Aiyre so happy living among the same clan of sabertooths that’d killed their clan… killed Drakk and her family.
At that exact moment, one of the sabertooths in the clan walked past, and Ezi warily eyed the man. He could pass for human or even any other shifter, but lurking under his skin was a predator unmatched. And it scared her that she would never know when it would rear its ugly head and rip off her hand.
“There’s a line that forms between your eyebrows every time your baby kicks.” Aiyre raised her finger to Ezi’s forehead and traced a fingertip down between her eyes, distracting her from her racing fears.
Reaching up, Ezi smacked her friend’s hand away from her face as her irritation got the best of her.
“The baby is eager to leave and see the village, and I can’t say I blame it.” Ezi frowned. “It feels like years have passed since I knew I was with child. I’m just as eager to give birth. My ankles hurt when I walk.” The extra weight she’d gained hadn’t been easy on her body.
Aiyre studied Ezi’s stomach. Her eyes were filled to the brim with longing. “I must admit I’m envious of your good fortune. Daerk and I still haven’t produced anything,” Aiyre rubbed her own stomach, a distant look entering her eyes, “and there hasn’t been a lack of trying.” She laughed, and Ezi cracked a smile.
“The gods will deliver it to you when it is time.” Ezi had to believe that because Aiyre would make a great mother, and although Daerk was a sabertooth shifter she had no doubt he would be a doting father. The man had been good to them.
“Eron has been helping us by asking the gods to bless us.” Aiyre nodded her head, her brunette braid bobbing with the movement. “I can’t count the number of rabbits he’s sacrificed for us.”
Ezi patted her friend’s thigh, “It will come. After everything we’ve gone through the gods owe us good fortune.”
“Sometimes,” Aiyre looked over at her before glancing back at the bonfire, “I wonder if the gods will ever do enough to make up for the destruction of our clan. How can they?”
Ezi was in full agreement. The father of her child, Drakk, hadn’t deserved to die. None of their pronghorn clan had deserved to die, and now they were living here with the same sabertooths who’d destroyed their clan in a single horrible night.
Glancing around, she watched the clan around her. The people here were good at heart, and they’d proved it over and over again. Ever since Brog, the leader, had been kicked out, Ezi and Aiyre had been accepted into the clan fully. Without their evil leader here to taint them, they’d come to realize the error of their ways… but it was too late.
An entire clan had nearly been wiped out.
Although she’d been reassured over and over again that no one would harm a single hair on her head, Ezi sometimes flinched when one of the sabertooth shifters shifted into their animal form. Violent nightmares still plagued her every time she closed her eyelids. She was born a prey shifter, while this clan was full of natural predators, and it unnerved her. At any moment, one of them could decide to rip out her throat, and ther
e’d be nothing she could do about it.
She closed her eyes and sucked in a calming breath. There was no need for her to panic. The gods may not be able to atone for that night, but they had been blessing this clan with new life and filling their meat tent once more. The winter had been scarce, and Brog had been convinced killing her clan would give them a better chance at survival, but he was gone now.
“And Brog?” Ezi opened her eyes and glanced over at Aiyre who was using a bone needle to finish sewing a pair of pants back up for Daerk who’d ripped them while out hunting. Aiyre wasn’t just good at being a hunter, but she was even skilled with her hands. Ezi would be lying if she said there wasn’t a little jealousy inside her. She wasn’t a hunter, and her other skills were limited.
Aiyre heaved a sigh as she continued with her task. “Nothing yet.” She drove the bone needle through the tanned leather with a light pop.
“I worry about him coming back to retake the clan from Daerk.” It was one of the nightmares that plagued her at night. That man loved blood, and there was no doubt in her mind he would be back.
“We all do, even the sabertooth shifters.” Aiyre glanced up her brown eyes scanning over Ezi. “But don’t worry about him for now.” Aiyre sent her a smile that was meant to comfort. “He’s gone, and he won’t be welcomed back.”
“Ooo!” Ezi pushed a hand against her stomach as another pain seared through her abdomen.
“Are you okay?” Aiyre dropped the garment she was sewing, rushed to Ezi’s side, and dropped to a knee. Placing a hand on Ezi’s leg, she asked again, “Are you okay?”
“Yes, I think s,” Ezi groaned as another pain rolled through her.
“You aren’t fine.” Aiyre darted to her feet, glancing around frantically as she searched for someone to help her.
“I’m fine!” Ezi didn’t want anyone worrying about her. “Aiyre… ooo!” Another pain screamed through her. Gritting her teeth, she squeezed her eyes shut.
“Daerk! Daerk!” Aiyre hollered at the top of her lungs as she spun around in a tight circle.
Ezi’s eyes popped open at Aiyre’s hollering.
Everyone near them stopped and turned. If Ezi hadn’t been so focused in on her protruding stomach, she might have felt a bit of embarrassment crawl over her face, but at the moment she was too distracted to care.
“What is it?” Daerk ran out from behind a hut and rushed over, his hands taking a hold of Aiyre’s shoulders as he searched her face.
Ezi would have laughed at the overprotective nature of these sabertooth mates if another pain wasn’t rolling through her and curling her toes in her moccasins.
“It’s Ezi!” Aiyre pointed over to her.
“What’s wrong?” Daerk’s panicked golden eyes skimmed over Ezi. He’d been just as watchful as Aiyre these past few moons. The two of them were worse than a pair of birds looking after a nest of eggs.
“I’m fine.” She had no idea how many times she would have to repeat that until someone finally believed her.
“It’s the baby. I think it’s coming. We need Eron… and your mother.” Aiyre smacked Daerk’s shoulder when he just continued to stare at Ezi in horror. “Go and get them! Now!”
The moment he fled the area in a scramble of panicked steps, Ezi shook her head. “Men.”
Aiyre nodded her head as she bent down beside Ezi. “The moment a child is being born, they lose their ability to think. Perhaps it’s a good thing I’m not with child yet. I don’t think I could deal with him being a fretful mess.”
“I’d do anything to have Drakk being a fretful mess over me.” Ezi sent Aiyre a wobbly smile as she longed to feel Drakk’s embrace once more. Now that the baby was coming, she worried she wouldn’t be able to do this without Drakk by her side.
“I know.” Sadness gripped Aiyre’s voice. “Now, wrap an arm over my shoulder so I can help you over to the birthing hut. It will be more comfortable for you and give you a place to relax without prying eyes.”
“Yes, thank you.” Ezi grimaced again as another sharp pain shot through her. She didn’t need to be attracting attention from the sabertooth shifters. She’d done her best to disappear into the shadows of the village since arriving here. She could barely name half the village.
“Help us.” Aiyre waved over another clan mate. A sabertooth clan mate.
The woman rushed over and took Ezi’s other side as they guided her through the village huts. Smoke trickled up and out of most all of the tents, and as they passed by Tor’s tent, Ezi couldn’t help the flashback.
Tor had been one of the sabertooths to save Aiyre and herself, after their clan was attacked and killed by the former leader of this sabertooth clan. He’d declared her as his mate, but it had been too soon after Drakk’s death, and she’d rejected him, harshly. Tor had been gone for nearly nine moons after learning she was already with child and still in love with Drakk… too in love to even give him a chance. She knew some in the clan blamed her for his disappearance, but they didn’t understand what she’d gone through, what she was still going through.
Another pain seared through her, and she gasped for air as her legs buckled a bit and brought her back to reality.
“We’re almost there.” Aiyre encouraged as they continued to guide her past huts.
She understood the sabertooth shifters had mates, but she was a pronghorn shifter, a mateless species. She’d been unable to accept Tor after Drakk’s death… it’d been too soon… not that she thought any amount of time would change her mind. How could she mate with someone from this clan? What would Drakk think of her if she chose to mate with a sabertooth?
Another pain had her doubling over at the waist as her mouth opened on a silent cry.
“A few more steps.” Aiyre continued to encourage her forward.
Ezi pushed past the pain. Nothing was more painful than the emotional pain she’d endured the night Drakk had been murdered. Nothing. She gritted her teeth and continued to move her feet.
The three of them pushed past the birthing hut’s fur flaps, and she sighed when she saw the bed of furs waiting for her inside. Soon she’d be relaxing on those furs while Eron, the healer, and Tira, Daerk’s mother, took care of her and guided her through this process.
A rush of hot liquid seared past her thighs, and Ezi paused.
“What is it?”
“My waters,” Ezi said dumbly as her head dropped, and she spotted the dampness of her leather pants.
“We’ll change your pants once you are laying down and comfortable.” Aiyre pulled her along with the help of the other woman.
When they reached the bed of furs, they slowly let her down until she was lying comfortably on her back against the thick pad of furs.
“Relax.” Aiyre smiled down at her.
“I’m not sure the baby will let me. It seems eager to join this world.” Ezi shook her head sadly.
“What is it?” Aiyre asked as she undid the leather strings of Ezi’s pants and whipped the garment off of her.
“This baby has no idea how sad and cruel this world can be.” Despair rose inside her chest. If Drakk was here, she might feel more optimistic, but right now all she felt was panic.
Aiyre shook her head, her brunette braid swinging behind her back. “I know the pain this child will bring back,” Ezi opened her mouth, but Aiyre was quick to raise a hand and toss her a stern glance, “but this child will also bring you copious amounts of joy. Joy you can’t imagine right now, but it will.”
“I’m here!” Tira rushed into the tent with several leather bags thrown over her shoulder. “Let’s get her into a dress. It will make the birth easier.”
Aiyre rushed to the other side of the birthing hut, and Ezi relaxed, knowing the women around her would see her through this. It was her first birth, and although she’d been around other pregnant women, she’d never seen the process. She’d be lying if she said she wasn’t a bit scared. Many women lost their lives during the birthing process, and she still wasn’t sure if t
he gods were done casting ill upon her head.
“Breath,” Tira instructed her. She raised her hand and then lowered it as she demonstrated breathing. “The pain will only get worse from here, but you need to remember to breath. We don’t need our new mother fainting because she was panicking.”
Ezi tossed her a tentative smile. She wasn’t exactly happy to hear that things were going to get worse before they got better, because it already seemed pretty terrible to her.
“Now let’s raise these legs.” Tira smacked her calves lightly until Ezi raised her knees into the air.
Aiyre rushed over a dress clasped in one of her hands.
“Lean up,” Tira instructed Ezi, and she did as she was bid.
Aiyre gripped the hem of her shirt and stripped it off her before slipping the dress over her head in a matter of seconds.
“Now lay back down.” Tira smiled at her, and despite the golden eyes of the sabertooth shifter staring at her, she calmed a bit. This was Daerk’s mother after all, and she’d helped Aiyre and Ezi merge into the clan seamlessly.
“What else can I do?” Aiyre looked more worried than Ezi felt.
Right now, there was more for her to focus on, like giving birth to a new life.
“Boil some water. We will need to brew all sorts of teas for her, and I should have everything else we need.” Tira pulled one of the leather bags towards her before digging through the supplies. “The goddess of fertility will look after you.” She placed a statue of a large-breasted woman with a plump figure near Ezi.
“What’s wrong?”
Ezi barely heard Aiyre’s panicked voice over her scream of pain. Something was wrong. Something was terribly wrong. Sweat poured off her brow, and when the pain stopped, she laid her head back down. She needed to rest, but every time she thought it was over a searing pain like someone was spearing her through the middle would course through her.
