Authors: Lynnette Bernard
“Let me help you,” a voice from the top step spoke up.
Mitchell came down the steps quickly, reaching out to take Mia’s elbow and hold her hand as he turned to face Dean. “She looks pretty banged up,” he said quietly.
Dean’s shocked expression as he looked at Mitchell’s bruises was hard to mask. “Dude!” he said in horror. “Who messed you up?” Turning, he faced Jace and Jackson accusingly. “Is this how you treat members of your family?”
Before Jace or Jackson could protest, Mitchell reached out and touched Dean’s shoulder with his free hand. “No, they didn’t do this to me,” he told him honestly. “I used to live with another pack, and they did this to me. Jace and Jackson have taken me in and have been great. I like living here with this family. They’re awesome.”
“Really?” Dean asked as they helped Mia up the stairs.
“Yeah, they’ve been great to me,” Mitchell told him quietly. “I don’t know what would have happened to me if they hadn’t allowed me to stay. I was in pretty bad shape.”
Dean looked at Mitchell with evaluating eyes. He would reserve judgment on Jace and Jackson. And he would keep an eye on Mitchell just to make sure no one else caused him any more harm. He never could tolerate bullies. He had been bullied by his own father his entire life, and he wouldn’t let anyone else suffer the same fate if he could help it.
“Come on, Mia,” Dean said finally, “Let’s get inside so you can sit down and rest.”
Mia stopped on the top step and took a steadying breath. The look she gave Dean and Mitchell was a combination of annoyance and exhaustion.
“I’m fine,” she told them, pulling out of Mitchell’s and her brother’s careful holds.
Mitchell stepped back immediately. “I’m sorry,” he whispered, looking down at his feet, unsure.
“Don’t be,” Dean told him, touching his shoulder and smiling. “You have to know my sister. She’s a force to be reckoned with.”
Mitchell looked up and saw that Dean wasn’t angry with him. He smiled back at him, relieved. “Do you want help unloading your car?” he offered.
“That would be great,” Dean told him, turning to run back down the stairs. “Okay, Mom, where should be put all our crap?”
Laurie laughed and stepped forward to open her car and reach in to take the first load of belongings from the trunk. Jace was by her side immediately. He was not going to allow his mate to carry one thing from the cars. Her job would be to direct them where she wanted everything.
“Bring everything up to the second floor into our private quarters. They can have my old room and Jace’s old room,” Jackson spoke up as more of their pack members descended the stairs to help with the unloading. “We’ll get everyone something to eat, and then we’ll tackle sorting out their things.”
Laurie stepped back and smiled, watching as the members of their pack, their new family, quickly unloaded the cars and carried their meager belongings into the lodge. With so many people helping, it took no time at all before everyone was inside and seated at the kitchen table with Martha fussing over them. Laurie was happy to see her and all but melted in her arms as the older woman embraced her.
“I’m so happy you’re home, Laurie,” Martha whispered against her face. “My boys were beside themselves with worry while you were gone.”
“I’m sorry, Martha,” Laurie whispered back. “I told Vera to tell them that I had a family emergency. I don’t know why she didn’t.”
Martha stepped back and crossed her arms as anger consumed her. “I do,” she spat out. “That jealous old biddy!”
“What do you mean?” Laurie asked, confused. “Why would she be jealous of me?”
“Because she wants her daughter to be mated to your men, that’s why,” Martha answered curtly.
“I’ll deal with her later, Martha,” Jace told her as he came up behind Laurie and pulled her back into his arms, covering her belly with his hand as he held her to him. “Let’s get something to eat, get everyone settled, and get some sleep. It’s late, and I know you have to be exhausted,” he whispered against Laurie’s neck, kissing it lightly and breathing her scent in deeply.
“I
am
pretty tired,” Laurie admitted, melting against the strength behind her. “I guess these last few days have really taken their toll on me. I can barely keep my eyes open lately.”
Martha smiled at her then looked up at Jace. He shook his head just once, letting her know not to say anything. He knew Martha could tell there was a change in Laurie’s scent. She had been around enough pregnant pack members to pick up on the subtle change and know that Laurie was pregnant.
Martha turned away quickly so Laurie wouldn’t see her tears of happiness. Bless the Fates! Not only were there two new children to add to their family, but there was going to be a cub born to Jace and Jackson. Laurie would soon know that she was pregnant, and Martha prayed she would be happy.
A squeal of delight came from the kitchen entrance, turning all attention to Nikki as she rushed toward Mia and Dean with her arms spread open. Both kids went to her immediately and let her hug and kiss and fuss over them.
“Hi, Aunt Nikki. It’s good to see you, too,” Dean greeted her, laughing as he embraced her and kissed her cheek lightly.
The growls from the two men behind her were immediate. Nikki shushed them impatiently and waved her hand back at them, effectively dismissing their jealousy. “Stop it!” she told them quickly, turning to gently take Mia into her embrace. “Hey, honey, are you okay?”
Mia leaned against Nikki, wrapping her arms around her waist and hugging her lightly. “I’m sore but getting better,” Mia told her quietly. “He’s hurt us for the last time, Aunt Nikki.”
Nikki nodded and kissed the top of Mia’s head, running her hand gently down the soft brown tresses of her hair. “Damn straight,” she said angrily. “I’m proud of you, honey. You did the right thing by pressing charges.”
Mia nodded silently, allowing Nikki to soothe her briefly before carefully stepping out of her embrace to look toward her mother as she stood next to the two men who seemed to really care for her. She hoped with all her heart that her mother had finally found the love and caring that she deserved.
Laurie looked at her daughter with obvious love in her eyes. She was so proud of her. She was proud of both of her children. They had survived a life of abuse and poverty with her, yet they had remained kind, loving, and supportive people. She couldn’t help the tears that filled her eyes.
Jace and Jackson’s thoughts of love and caring surrounded her, making her feel protected and, for the first time in her life, cherished. She was grateful for the emotions they sent to her through their bond. She turned to smile at both of them, sending them the warmth of her appreciation and smiling when she saw their eyes flare with happiness and need at the feel of her sharing with them.
Mate, I think you need to eat and rest while we visit with the pack.
Jace’s voice was warm and caring in her head.
She smiled and reached out to hold his hand, loving that he immediately entwined their fingers as he led her to the table and pulled out a chair for her to sit. He immediately sat beside her at the head of the table.
“Martha, sit and relax. We’ll order take out,” he told her before she could fuss about making dinner.
“I could go for a pizza,” Laurie spoke up, looking at Jace with longing.
Jackson chuckled and reached down to touch Laurie’s cheek gently. “Pizza it is,” he said quietly, his eyes sparkling with pleasure as he looked down at her. Without hesitation, he leaned down and kissed her tenderly, lightly licking her lips before giving her one more kiss. He turned to Jace and couldn’t stop the grin that spread across his face.
And so the pregnancy cravings begin.
Jackson’s voice held humor, but much more.
Jace smiled and nodded. He couldn’t help the surge of happiness that he felt, knowing that the baby growing inside their mate was already making its presence known.
Chapter 22
Sitting on the oversized lounge chair on the back deck, Laurie sighed contentedly. Everyone was finally settled in for the night. The kids were safely tucked away in their new rooms. Both were tired and a little unsure, but Laurie knew they would soon feel welcomed and a part of Jace and Jackson’s pack. She was happy to see that Dean was already becoming fast friends with Mitchell and knew her son would be just what the young man needed to help him get over his insecurity of being new to the pack. Dean would be good for Mitchell. He would make sure that the abused man would be looked out for. It was Dean’s way.
Martha had fussed over both her children, and Laurie knew the woman was sincere in her welcome and immediate acceptance of them. Despite Mia and Dean’s wariness, she could tell that they were already warming to their new family. Little Tammy had already stolen their hearts. Julia had made Mia laugh, and Laurie could never thank her enough for helping her daughter see humor again. Mia had set herself up as protector as far back as Laurie could remember. It was about time her daughter could enjoy herself and not worry so much.
Shadows emerging from the tree line surrounding the ranch drew Laurie’s attention. Her heart sped up at the sight of the two beautiful wolves walking toward her, their steps quick and sure. No matter how many times she saw them in their wolf form, it still sent a thrill of wonder through her. If someone would have asked her just two weeks ago if she could ever believe in the possibility of wolf shifters, she would have thought them certifiable. Yet here she was, waiting with anticipation for the two wolves to reach her, wanting to welcome them into her embrace and hold them.
She settled back against the lounge chair and smiled as the wolves stepped up onto the deck, coming to stand on either side of her chair, waiting patiently. Laurie patted the spots on either side of her then held her arms out wide to the beautiful wolves.
“Come up here,” she told them quietly, her voice soft with wonderment.
Both wolves climbed up onto the chair and settled on their haunches, waiting. Laurie smiled and reached out to stroke their heads, running her hands slowly down the softness of their pelts.
“You’re beautiful,” she told them, her voice barely above a whisper. “I still can’t believe the magic of you both.” She leaned forward and nuzzled against their faces, drawing them toward her until they were both resting their heads on her shoulders and their bodies lay flush against her sides. She reveled in the feel of their weight against her and sighed contentedly. “I love holding you against me,” she told them honestly, absently petting them as she spoke. The soft rumble of their contented growls made her smile, and she hugged them to her tightly for a minute before resuming her petting. She loved their strength and felt warm and protected as they lay against her. “Can you understand me when you’re in your wolf form?” She looked down at them, waiting patiently for them to somehow answer her. “Can you talk to me through our bond?”
Yes, sweetheart.
Jace’s deep voice echoed soothingly in her mind.
When you pet us like this, it’s difficult to think of anything but your touch.
Laurie smiled and scratched his head behind his ears, laughing out loud at his satisfied rumblings. The same sounds escaped Jackson as he received the same scratch.
“You guys are so easy,” she told them.
They settled back in the lounge, content to sit quietly and listen to the soothing sounds of the night. Jackson moved slightly and nuzzled his nose against Laurie’s neck, licking her slowly, making her giggle at the touch of his soft tongue.
Closing her eyes, Laurie settled into the warmth of the wolves’ bodies and found herself dozing off. In the darkness of the back deck, the two wolves transformed into men and embraced their sleeping mate. They cuddled her into their arms and held her tightly against them, loving the way she immediately reached out to hold their arms tightly against her chest.
“She’s so tired,” Jackson whispered, ghosting his hand across Laurie’s forehead to gently caress her cheek, leaning forward to kiss her softly.