He sat up, burying his head in her breasts. Avery wrapped her arms around his shoulders and her legs around his waist. Her soft, rounding belly pressed between them.
He held her tight to him, groaning as his cock grew thick and stiff inside her. He licked up her neck, over her earlobe, and claimed her mouth.
With a growl, he released deep in her womb, his hot seed pulsing inside her. Avery throbbed around his release with one of her own, wanting it to never end.
They sat there, holding each other in the dim light, kissing softly and gently before any words were spoken. When she crawled off his lap and curled up beside him, he threw the blankets over their naked bodies and covered them both in warmth.
As she lay her head on his chest, she ran her palm over his heart.
“Please don’t leave me again, Lucien. I can’t bear it.”
“I have never left you, Avery. You must believe me. I will always be here for you.”
“I need you beside me. In my home. In my bed. I need your body here with me. Not just your heart and soul.”
“Sleep now, dearest. All will be well. All will be revealed.”
She held him close, committing everything about him to memory. His smell, the curve of his waist, the ridges of his abs, and the feeling of his chest under her cheek.
He turned off the lamp, and Avery rested in his arms. The part of her that thought this was all crazy screamed out for answers. She wanted explanations. She wanted to demand he stay.
The quiet, faithful part of her that believed in magic and fairy tales sighed. Knowing that fate would play out as it saw fit. She knew in her soul that Lucien adored her as much as she did him. There was no denying that. She could feel it as plain as day. There was no question in her mind that his words were true or that he would be faithful to her.
She drifted off to sleep, both comforted and anxious about what tomorrow would bring. There was no way around the split in her emotions. Not until this all made rational sense and Lucien came to stay, forever. Until then, she had to accept that she would feel unsettled and not quite right.
She didn’t notice when he slipped away in the night, but when she opened her eyes, she knew he was gone. Avery didn’t even have to get up and look around the house to know he wasn’t there.
The whole place felt somehow empty, as if even the house missed him. Her heart hurt as she lifted herself out of bed. How many months would she have to live without him?
She placed her hand on her rounding belly, feeling the quickening of her child within. It was a strong one, just as the doctor had said.
Her baby moved and twisted almost constantly, as if telling her he was there, that he belonged to his mysterious father. Lucien belonged to the night. He belonged to the forest. But mostly, he belonged to her. No matter how long he stayed away, no matter what happened, the connection they shared was unbreakable. They were part of each other: mated, fated, two halves of a whole soul.
As she went about her daily chores, her mind replayed the previous night’s events over and over, keeping her aroused and anxious all day.
How she missed him already. Even with the deep, abiding knowledge of their love, she couldn’t help but feel depleted by his absence.
9
As evening approached, the day after Lucien’s visit, Avery went to check on the barn. It had been a massive project at the back of her mind that she didn’t want to deal with. Since she was feeling distraught already, she was more willing to open up the depressing can of worms that was the barn.
She pulled open the creaky barn door and peered inside with her flashlight. The rays of late afternoon sunlight streamed through the openings between the wooden plank walls.
Running her flashlight over the ground, walls and then up to the ceiling, she noticed something that almost made her drop it in the moldy, old straw that littered the floor.
The roof beams that had been a rotting hazard had been replaced by pressure treated lumber, creating a whole new support structure for the roof.
What the hell? Backing away, she closed the door behind her and strode back to the house, past the chicken coop. Her little birds were doing well and would be laying in a few more months. They clucked at her as she hurried by.
How had the barn roof beams been replaced? Her mind had been fuzzy since the first time she’d met Lucien under the full moon. Things hadn’t quite made sense since. It was only because Avery trusted the unseen forces of the universe that she didn’t think she was stark raving mad.
But this? Her barn repaired without any explanation? It just wouldn’t incorporate into her mind, no matter how fuzzy. She hadn’t heard a single peep overnight. She didn’t have beams stocked for the repairs or any of the other heavy equipment it would require.
She shook it off as she put her tea kettle on the stove. If she let this get to her, she surely would lose it. There was far too much at stake to freak out now.
There was a farm to run and the baby would come in six months’ time, no matter if the father came back to her or not. She couldn’t let the strangeness of her world rule her. There were other forces at work. Forces like mortgages and snobby older brothers.
After pouring herself a cup of tea, she took the warm mug into the spare bedroom and looked around. Maybe it was time to start getting her nursery ready. It might take her mind off all the other craziness happening in her world.
Making a note to herself to go nursery shopping the next time she was in Portland, Avery took her tea to the living room and watched TV on her new satellite television. Ever since the satellite company had installed her TV and Internet service, she’d felt a little more connected to the real world.
She’d even started making a website for the farm. Eventually, she planned to sell value added items to customers through the site. Stuff like herbal remedies and healing salves. It would be a good supplement to her income from the farmer’s market.
She sat down beside her computer in the spare room and clicked on the Internet. There were a few emails in her inbox so she opened it up and read through the senders list.
There were a few from the small health food stores she’d started selling through. She read them quickly, making note of their orders for the coming week.
Her first zucchinis would be ready to harvest soon and there were plenty of buyers for her goods. When she finished with the business emails, she noticed one from her mentor, Valerie.
She opened it quickly and read through the text.
Hi Avery,
I haven’t heard from you in a few months. How are you doing out on your land? Have you been to the market yet? I’m sure you are working as hard as ever, but how are you with your stress management? Have you had any more strange dreams?
My friend Margaret is a healer who specializes in the kinds of troubles you’re having. She told me she’d stop by your place tomorrow on her way to Portland.
Valerie added her friend’s phone number and name so Avery could get a hold of the healer if she wanted to cancel or arrange a time.
She didn’t want to reject Valerie’s kindness, but the way things were going, Avery really didn’t know if she wanted to talk to anyone about it. Even a “healer” might think she was insane if she told her the truth. There was only so far that most people’s minds were willing to go before they thought something was just bonkers.
Still, Avery knew she could use someone to talk to. Maybe it would be easier to talk to this woman. She’d known Valerie a long time. She looked up to her. She almost idolized her. That made it all the more difficult for Avery to open up to Valerie about this kind of thing.
Maybe Margaret would be exactly the ear she needed to share her troubles with. She hoped so. So, using the Wi-Fi to connect her cell phone, she sent a text to the number Valerie had left for Margaret.
I’m looking forward to seeing you tomorrow whenever you can make it.
A few moments later, a message pinged back on her phone.
Looking forward to meeting you to
o. Valerie has told me a lot about your situation. I hope I can help.
One thing Valerie didn’t know was that Avery was pregnant and the father was a phantom, a phantom who she could swear was also a wolf.
Avery had only seen the wolf a handful of times since Lucien was shot. Each time he would come to the edge of her land and watch her from afar, then disappear into the underbrush without a sound.
Avery knew that Lucien was the wolf, but she could never tell anyone else about that. Not Valerie, not Margaret, and certainly not her family. But she’d let Margaret do whatever healing techniques she knew and then be on her merry way. It couldn’t hurt anything.
The next morning, Avery waited for Margaret to arrive while harvesting her crop for the farmer’s market. As the sun reached its zenith, Avery heard a car rumble to a stop in her gravel driveway. She hurried around the house to see a short, plump, Hispanic looking woman emerge from a beat up old Honda.
Margaret flashed with colorful fabrics and the light that reflected off the dangling silver jewelry she wore. The woman strode forward and swept Avery into a big hug before Avery knew what was happening. Margaret seemed ageless. From what Avery could tell from her embrace, she was surely quite strong.
When Margaret let her go, her eyes glinted in the noonday sun. She squinted at Avery and smiled.
“I can see why Valerie sent me to see you,” she said.
“Why?”
“These are things to discuss over tea and cookies. I brought the cookies.”
Avery led Margaret into the house and made a pot of tea before sitting down with the older woman at the kitchen table. A plate of freshly baked lemon shortbread sat between them. Margaret took a sip of tea from her mug and squinted at Avery again.
“I haven’t seen this kind of thing in a long time,” Margaret said.
“What?”
“You’ve got shadows around you but they aren’t dark.”
“What does that mean?”
“The baby is due in the fall. But will he be here then?” Margaret said.
Avery hadn’t told anyone about the baby except her doctor. She stiffened, staring at Margaret’s cryptic expression. What else could this woman see?
“When will he come?” Avery whispered.
“The shadows are dark around him. Deep darkness. It keeps him hidden from view. Only the moonlight can chase away the shadows.”
“That’s when he comes. During the full moon.”
She might as well spill the beans now. Margaret was further out there than Avery even was. Margaret could see it all. Maybe she could make sense of it.
“The wolf howls in the woods at night, but the shadows keep him.”
“What shadows?”
Margaret gripped Avery’s hand and her eyes went blank as she stared into space. Her fingers curled around Avery’s wrist, biting and cutting off the circulation.
“Anger. Tradition. Dominion. Force. A curse is upon the house.”
“You’re hurting me.”
Margaret let go of Avery’s arm and her face slowly turned back to normal.
“This is good tea,” Margaret said, taking another sip.
“What about the curse?”
“Curse? I was channeling; I can’t remember.”
Avery frowned. “You said there was a curse upon the house. Do you know when he will come back?”
“The wolf or the man?” Margaret said, picking up another shortbread.
“The man. I need him. I love him.”
“And so you should. For fate has woven this web. But a web can trap the unsuspecting. It can snare the saints and sinners alike.”
“I don’t understand.”
“It isn’t for me to say. But, I can tell you this. Your child will be healthy, no matter how it comes into the world. Now, I’ve got to get going. I’m expected in Portland in less than three hours.”
“Wait. Can’t you help me?”
“No one can help you, dear. You must help yourself.”
Margaret stood from the chair and started to the door before she turned back to Avery.
“You can keep the cookies though.”
Avery leaned back in her chair and watched the woman disappear out the front door. She didn’t even bother getting up to see her out. Manners weren’t important at times like these. She just sat there, her arms crossed, her face in a confused scowl.
Why the hell had Margaret come here? There was a rumble in the driveway and Avery got up in time to watch the Honda pull away. She sighed and turned back into the living room, suddenly feeling cold in the drafty old house.
She pulled a sweater around her shoulders and made her way out to the garden to finish packing up her vegetables.
Margaret had created more questions than she’d answered. But at least she’d said the baby would be okay. Avery had a sonogram appointment in a few days and would finally learn the sex of her baby.
That thought was what she had to hold onto now, now that nothing made sense, no matter where she turned.
10
After making all her deliveries to the local grocery stores, Avery set up her stall at the farmer’s market. Now, she not only had greens but early-season vegetables to offer the patrons of the market. As customers filed in, she couldn’t help but think about her doctor’s appointment the next day. It was even more exciting to her than selling out every single item in her market stall.
Halfway through the day, one of the people from the fresh cheese stall beside her offered to grab her a hazelnut butter and banana crêpe from one of the vendors for lunch. When the sweet girl from the stall next door arrived with her crêpe, Avery accepted it happily and tipped the girl with a bunch of spinach.
As Avery was taking her first bite, her worst nightmare was realized. Standing in front of her was not only her snobby brother Frederick, but her mother and father as well. She couldn’t tell if they looked more shocked or mortified to see her sitting there amongst her vegetables and greens. She put her hand to her growing belly and then quickly moved it away, not wanting to hint at her condition.
“When Frederick told us you had a stall here, I couldn’t believe it,” her father said.
“Hi, Dad,” Avery said, putting down her crêpe.
“Avery, we haven’t heard from you in months. Is this what you’ve been doing with your inheritance?” her mother asked.
“Yes, it is, Mom. And if you all don’t mind, I’d like to get back to the business of selling my vegetables, for money, to strangers.”
“Don’t take that tone with your mother, young lady,” her father said.
“Seriously? You came down to my place of business to insult me and you’re going to question my tone? You’re lucky I don’t call security.”
Her brother scoffed and her mother frowned.
“Darling, it’s just that we are all so worried about you,” her mother said.
“You guys are worried about me? You just want to make me feel small for choosing to do with my inheritance what I wanted to do.”
“Now that I see how successful you’ve been already with your gardening thing, I’m beginning to see some validity in your choices,” her mother said.
“Well, thanks for believing in me, Mom.”
“I’ve always believed in you, Avery,” her mother said.
“But I had to prove myself first, right?” Avery said, growing angrier by the moment. There was too much going on in her life to be confronted like this.
If she had to spend another awkward, irritating moment with her family, she might just lose it. She was about thirty seconds from having a complete meltdown and going into some kind of convulsive ugly cry when her mother sighed. Avery could see her mother’s shoulders visibly relax and lower. The woman gave her a look that was more authentic than Avery had seen from her in a very long time. It made Avery blink twice, and her impending meltdown faded into the background.
“Honey, I was wrong. I’m sorry,” her mother said
“Helen, why are y
ou apologizing?” her father said.
“Because, I’m tired of treating my little girl like a failure. She’s not a failure. It’s quite clear that she’s worked extremely hard and has a high level of expertise in her gardening thing. The least we can do is be supportive of her. Your mother left her that money, Stanly. Avery was right, she has a right to do with it what she pleases. I, for one, think she’s doing a great job.”
“I do admit, this is pretty impressive,” her father said.
All the while, Frederick just stood there staring at her with his arms crossed tightly over his chest.
“I can’t believe I’m hearing this. You two were just telling me a week ago at brunch how disappointed you were in her behavior,” Frederick said.
“It’s time to move on, Frederick,” her mother said.
Her brother shook his head and walked away. Avery frowned at him, regretting that he couldn’t come around like her parents seemed to be. Her mother scooted around the long folding table and wrapped Avery in her arms, holding her close.
“I’ve missed you, Avery,” her mother said.
“I’ve missed you too, Mom,” Avery said.
Her mother pulled back and looked at her with a puzzled expression. Her gaze went from Avery’s eyes down to her stomach and back again.
“Are you pregnant?” her mother whispered.
“Yes,” Avery said.
She was tired of keeping it all inside. Her mother was here, apologizing, willing to hug her. She hadn’t gotten a hug from her mother in years.
Unfortunately, her mom’s face fell and she stepped away.
“Who’s the father?” her mother said.
“The man I’ve been seeing. He’s been helping me on my farm.”
“Is he going to marry you?” her father asked.
Avery didn’t want to lie, but at the same time, she didn’t want to lose the affection of her parents either. She knew that she would never live up to their expectations, but she didn’t want them to hate her. She did want to be a part of their lives.
The Alpha's Curse (Wolf Shifter Pregnancy Romance) Page 5
