Total pages in book: 81
Estimated words: 77952 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 390(@200wpm)___ 312(@250wpm)___ 260(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77952 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 390(@200wpm)___ 312(@250wpm)___ 260(@300wpm)
His words reverberate in my mind. The thought of tying her to us irrevocably is potent and dangerous. But also… beautiful.
The image of Scarlet swollen with our pups is what fills my mind as Reed finally drifts off to sleep, and I’m left to keep watch over my pack.
***
In the morning, we load ourselves and sweet Ahya into the truck. Scarlet cradles the baby in her arms as I close the door. Her red curls peek from under a wool cap, and her cheeks are rosy and eyes bright with wonder at the trees rustling overhead. Everything in me stills to watch them together; two strangers, but so bonded, there’s no longer an inch of space between them.
As we drive toward town, the cab is quiet. Finn and Reed seem as lost in thought as I am, our wolves’ desire for the claim almost overwhelming. I picture a future filled with mornings like this, of quiet roads, family contentment, and anticipation of a day spent happily.
But that will only happen if Scarlet can see that this future is her destiny.
At the baby store, the light is stark with bright overhead panels illuminating cribs, colorful toys, and walls lined with pastel clothing. Reed positions himself near the exit, alert, while I stay close to Scarlet and Ahya. Braysville Town isn’t strictly our territory, and there is always a chance we can come across other shifters, wolves, or otherwise, while we’re surrounded by humans.
We move through the aisles following Scarlet, who lifts tiny socks from the rack, her eyes soft. She smiles when she finds a onesie printed with woodland creatures and a forest scene. She picks up organic formula packs, passing them to Finn.
I imagine returning to this store again when she’s swollen with our cubs. I guide her gently from rack to rack, pointing out items I know Ahya will grow into, and boys’ clothing I like, too. For our sons, I think. I wonder if she understands.
At the register, I pay and am presented with the purchases in two large bags. Finn carries the box containing the stroller and another containing a car seat, and we flank Scarlet and Ahya as we approach Reed to leave the store.
Glancing left and right, I observe the townsfolk going about their days. A couple passes us, and the woman smiles as Ahya waves her arms up and down, clearly excited to see so many people. I stick close, my wolf senses on high alert.
Protect.
Mate.
Mine.
The words buzz through me, bunching my muscles against an invisible threat.
Invisible until the breeze fills my nostrils with the scent of a rogue wolf.
A tall figure pauses fifteen feet ahead, his face tipped. He’s scented us, too. He’s lean and angular and his scent freezes me. One of Gregory’s pack has crawled out of the woodwork at the worst possible time.
Reed braces as Finn becomes aware. I position myself between the man and Scarlet, hoping it will be enough to mask Ahya’s scent. The stranger stares, not threatening but interested.
My wolf snarl is silent, but I bare the tips of my fangs beneath my mask of calm, enough to glint in the morning sunshine. His stare flicks to me and then to my brothers. Scarlet, unaware of the danger, moves slightly to the side to avoid bumping into my back, and I throw my arm up to prevent her. A flicker passes across his expression at the sight of her and our defensive stance. He knows she’s someone special now. Not our mate because she carries no wolf marking, but enough to warrant our protection. Then his eyes drift to the baby in her arms.
“Don’t move,” I grit out to Scarlet, who flinches with sudden awareness.
If he approaches, we’ll be forced to take action, and none of us wants a snarling battle of fangs and claws on Main Street.
“Nixon.”
A gravelly voice calls my name from the coffee shop to our right. Hunter is there with his family, holding a tray. My stillness alerts him, and Robert and Evan respond immediately, stepping forward and guiding Scarlet to where Goldie is sitting with their sons.
Like ice in the spring sun, the threat melts into the crowd.
“Take care of her,” I order Finn, striding after the enemy wolf to confirm he’s leaving town. Reed follows a little behind, and we both pause when we observe him climbing into a black truck.
Reed growls low and possessively. “It was going to happen sometime, but not when she’s unclaimed, Nixon. We can’t leave her unprotected.”
He’s right, of course.
I’m not a patient man, and now my hand has been forced.
“She’s ours,” I say. “They’re both ours. The claim happens tonight.”
***
“Thank you,” I say to Hunter, Robert, and Evan, shaking each man’s hand in turn.
“Trouble?” Hunter asks.
“Pack politics,” I say. Our truce with the bears of Blackwood Forest is new, and I’d rather not drag them any further into wolf business.