Runt of the Litter (Halfbreed Chronicles Book 1) (14 page)

I roll over onto my stomach, ready to snuggle into Avery’s
side, like I’ve been doing every morning since we got here.  I’ve watched
other wolves after they are mated, and though on the outside, I acted almost
indifferent about it, I secretly longed for this connection.  This ease.
 There’s something about being in
love, that
is
different than anything else I’ve ever felt.  In fact, I don’t think there
is anything else like love.  I’ve spent this whole weekend getting to know
Avery more, carnally, and emotionally.  
We’ve spent hours on the beach, and in the water, splashing around, and
laughing.  We’ve spent our mornings and evenings satisfying each other
sexually, and we’ve spent our afternoons reading books to each other, and
making each other meals, and discussing anything and everything.  We’ve
learned those little details about one another: favorite foods, and books, and
movies.  
Who the early riser is, who the night owl is.
 What life was like for the other one growing
up.
 How much our families drive us insane, but also how much they love us,
and we love them.  And we talked about children.  

Avery doesn’t feel all that hopeful that we’d be able to
procreate, simply because most interspecies couples don’t.  But I feel
like we might already be expecting.  I don’t tell him this though, I need
to wait to be sure, and even then, with the way he’s going on about not being
able to have any, I do wonder a bit, if maybe he doesn’t want to.  A part
of me would be okay with it, but if
there’s
any part,
that allows it to be up to me, I’d choose to have a small litter.  

We even talk about our future plans, and Avery shares that
he hopes to work more closely with the Council, to help other half breeds come
into their own.  There’s still so much stigmatization, and though I never
felt that way about
halfbreeds
, he tells me gently,
that unfortunately most purebloods don’t feel the same.  I’d follow him
anywhere, so if he wants to move closer to a Council’s headquarters (there’s
several throughout the country, but the main one is in London, England), then
I’ll be right there beside him.  

So this morning, our last one at the beach, I figure it’s
as good as
time
as any to discuss it a little more,
“What are you hoping to do at headquarters,
more accounting work?”

He nods his head, and pulls me a little closer.  I
would love nothing more than to sit on his face right now (like I have for the
last two mornings), but I’m holding back, for now,
“I want to become the secretary of treasury, eventually.”

I sit up on my elbows and look down at his face, he’s
being serious, and before he says anything else, seems to be waiting on my
reaction,
“My oh my Avery, I didn’t
realize my man was so ambitious.”

He smirks back up at me, and trails the side of my body
with his hand,
“I know it’s a pipe
dream.  The Council has never had a
halfbreed
as
an elected official in the upper ranks, but luckily, even if they decline to
let my try out for the job, I can ask for a general vote, and maybe if I can
convince enough people, they’d vote me in.  
With, or
without, the Council’s approval.
 After that, I’ll earn their
respect with my work.”

My own hand cups his cheek, and I study his face for just
a moment, ready to kiss those worry lines away,
“Even if it’s an uphill battle, I’ll be there with you.”  
He
instantly relaxes, knowing he’s got my full support, before he smiles,
seemingly
self assured
now,
“I’ve overcome harder obstacles, than trying to convince the Council to
hire me.”

I’m wondering if he’s referring to me, but he lets me in
on his thoughts soon enough,
“I’ve had
to convince myself I’m worth more than what I gave myself credit for, and I had
to convince your Dad I’m worthy of you - “

“You are worthy,”
I’m quick to chime in.  I don’t like how dismissive he sounds about
himself,
“Mother Nature wouldn’t have
had us as mates, if you weren’t.”

He merely snuggles me closer, our faces almost touching,
“I know that now.  A lot of things are
different.  I know who I am, a shifter like my brothers.  I still
can’t believe they got to have their abilities at 18, while I had to wait till
I had sex to come into my own.”
 We both laugh a little, because it’s
what I had been trying to explain to him since our first date,
“And now I feel more whole, more confident
than ever.  I know what I want, who I want it with, and nothing is going
to stop me,
besides
myself.  I’ll go by the book,
try to convince the Council to hire me, but if they don’t, I’ll campaign for
the position.”

I shake my head a little, playing coy,
“You want me to be stand up there behind
you at the podium, playing your first lady?”

Avery looks a little more serious than I would have
figured was warranted by my banter, and I’m not quite sure what to make of it,
till he gives me a kiss, which deepens quickly.  Only when we need to come
up for air, do we separate, and I look up at him,
“What was that for?”  

He’s silent though, and reaches behind him, into the
nightstand.  I’m a little confused, but lay there, never quite letting go
of his arm.  It’s a subconscious decision, but even now, I can’t quite
allow him to sever the physical connection we have going on.  When he
turns back to me, he keeps his hand behind his back, and I’m about to ask what’s
going on, when he fills me in,
“Riley,
you’ll never stand behind me.  
Only beside me, with me,
as my equal partner.
 Yes, I want you to be my first lady,
my everything
.  For always.”

My eyes widen as I realize what’s happening - a proposal.
 I never expected one.  Our mating bond is stronger than any piece of
paper from the human world.  But as he pulls the
ringbox
around, I can’t help but want what he’s asking for, something I never knew I
did before.  I don’t know what to say, I’m almost overwhelmed, tearful, but
happy.  And as he pulls my ring finger to him, I grin,  
“I haven’t said yes yet baby - “

Avery slides the ring (a beautiful ruby, on a platinum
band) onto my finger, and smiles from ear to ear,
“Oh but you will, won’t you.”  

It’s not even a question, as much as a statement, and I
chuckle,
“Besides the point babes, I
think getting some has made you cocky.”

He wraps his arms around my waist, and rolls me under him.
 I giggle as he begins to trail his lips over my collarbone, but it
quickly turns into a moan, when he positions himself between my legs,
“I’ll show you cocky.”

Chapter.
29 - Avery

We knew we’d have to come home soon enough.  

I still have a job (for now), and need to save as much as
I can, before we can move to Atlanta in the spring.  And Riley needs to
pack, seeing as she’s moving in with me.  Lou doesn’t mind, he understands
- besides it’s only for a few months, then he’ll have the place all to himself.
 

Of course the first thing I got when I walked through the
side door hours ago, was a big
ol
congratulatory slap
on the shoulder from Lou, and promises to take a run with him and Liam, during
the next full moon.  I’ve never phased before, so I think having them
beside me would be a good idea.  Though I can’t help but imagine Riley in her
wolf form joining me.  And soon enough, I have to wonder if we’d mate
under the moonlight in the middle of the woods . . .

“Avery?”
Liam and Haley are behind me, having just arrived for another family dinner
with Riley’s family - and I pray this one goes better than the last one.
 Everyone knows we’re mated, our scents are all over one another now, and
I look slightly different from having come into my own.  I’m certain I’ve
gained ten pounds of muscle, and leaned out a little.  I look stronger,
and am more confident now, standing tall; and though my brothers will always
tower over me, I will never be the runt of the litter again.  So when I
turn around, I smile down at Haley, and she looks genuinely happy for me.
 If anyone in this family has always been kind to me, it’s her, and I know
it makes her overjoyed to see me come into my own.  

“You look amazing,”
she says in her usual sing song voice, and I can tell I’m blushing a little,
while Liam ropes his arm around my neck, and pats my chest, saying out loud
what I was planning on keeping internal,
“Yup,
and all it took was you getting laid!”  
I’m sure Lou’s booming laugh
would roar through the house, but luckily he’s still at the festival site
(having gone there shortly after I arrived), in order to help set things up,
like he does every year.  Haley just shakes her head giggling.  But
I’m not embarrassed.  I’ll never be, not when it comes to my Riley.
 Even though we’ve only been apart for a few hours, I’m ready for her to
be here with her family.  We haven’t told people we’re engaged, though
it’s not an unexpected step after mating.  Not all mates get married, but
most do.  And I can’t wait.  I want to tie her to me in every way I
can, in every way she lets me.  I love her, and I need her by my side soon.

The festival is in a few days days, and we’re expecting
someone from the Council to stop by tonight, after the
sun
sets
, to go over the
bloodwork
Haley sent in.
 It’ll be good to know what the results are, if anything, so we can make
plans.  Limbo has to be the worst feeling, and I’ll be glad for everyone,
when we can find out what’s going on with the baby.  

Liam and Haley seem as relaxed as can be expected and they
settle in the living room, while I finish dinner.  After helping me get it
all set, I hear the doorbell ring, and practically run to it, grateful when
Riley’s smiling face is on the other side.  I pull her right to me, and
she manages to get a tiny little laugh out, before I cover her mouth with mine.
 It’s not a deep passionate kiss, after all, everyone can see us; but it’s
enough to make me feel better, at least for a few hours until dinner is over.

When I look into her beautiful bright eyes, I smile, and
she leans back into me, resting her head on my shoulder,
“I’ve missed you.”  
I cling to her, already regretting that we
checked out of that cabin.  We should have stayed a week,
“I missed you, too.”

“Alright, alright
enough of that - let’s eat.  I’m starving,”
her Dad (at least since
I’ve met him) has always gotten straight to the point.  And luckily, the
dinner passes uneventfully.  There’s even some laughter, and family tales
shared; and for a little bit, we forget all about someone from the Council
coming – well at least I did.  Just as soon as the dessert plates
had been set, Haley jumps a little when the doorbell rings, and Liam is quick
to wrap an arm around her, to hold her steady.  She does such a good job
smiling for everybody, that it makes me sad to realize she was hiding her
anxiety.  I’m really hoping the council member brings some good news.

With Liam helping Haley to the living room, Lou still not
back yet from the festival site, and me with my hands full in the kitchen
putting the finishing touches on a cake, I look over at the dining room table,
and ask if someone wouldn’t mind getting the door.  Both Savannah and
Riley suggested they would, but Savannah is the one who ends up at the door
first.  I can see the dining room from where I stand, but not front area,
so I have no idea what’s on the other side of the door.  But by the time I
carry the cake into the room, I greet what looks to me, to be a very pale man
in his early thirties, with long black hair, which is slicked back, and tied
into a ponytail.  He’s maybe an inch taller than me, but has a smaller
build (accentuated with a buckled maroon colored vest).  

And I’m sure he feels practically unsafe in a room full of
shifters, and werewolves.  Because it doesn’t even take me a full whiff to
realize, he’s a vampire.

I’ve only ever met one before, and even that was brief.
 The Council stripped them of their immortality a long time ago, and
vampires can’t procreate.  They are made, by special orders, and it is
absolutely forbidden to bite anyone but your mate.  All vampires feed off
of donated blood, and retain several abilities.  If I
wasn’t
so worried about the news for Haley, I’d probably chat the guy up, because I’m
genuinely interested in other creatures (especially one with such high prestige
among most supernatural beings).

Seeing that he hasn’t stepped inside yet, I welcome him
and place the cake down on the table.  He nods, and Savannah moves aside
to let him in.  Riley even offers her hand to shake his, and he reaches
out with a gloved one,
“Thank you for
allowing me to visit, I can see you are in the middle of things, so if I could
speak to Mrs. Gallagher, I can try to get out of your hair quickly.”
(
the
hair pun in a room full of werewolves doesn’t go
unnoticed by me, and I smirk, seeing as the guy has a sense of humor).

When I lead him to the living room, Liam and Haley rise
instantly.  There’s quite a bit of tension in the air, and I think
Savannah is trying to lighten the mood, by quickly inquiring if the vampire
wouldn’t like to stay for dessert.  But he doesn’t even look at her,
instead keeping his focus on Haley, as she shifts nervously,
“Thank you, but I cannot stay.”  

Savannah seems bummed, and Riley joins my side, while her
father mumbles under his breath,
“Good
riddance.”  
I’m not sure if the vampire heard, but as soon as he
leaves the room, Savannah actually slaps her father’s back - I didn’t think the
little one had it in her.  

While her Dad remains behind to lick his wounds, I follow
Savannah and Riley as we try to listen in near the living room threshold.
 We are poor spies, and I know all too well that Liam, Haley, and the
vampire realize what we’re doing.  But they are kind enough to indulge our
curiosity, and begin the meeting even with our prying,
“Mr. and Mrs. Gallagher - I wouldn’t dream of keeping you in suspense
much longer.  I have come bearing good news about the fetus.”  

We are instantly relieved, and before he can even
elaborate, we practically barrel into the living room.  The vampire is
resolute on sitting firm, and stiff, and not at all phased by our accolades of
well wishes to Liam and Haley.  But of course, there’s the test results to
go over, so as we gather around the couple, the vampire opens an envelope to
show a few graphs, and labs, and explain what the Council found,
“After separating your blood from the
fetus, we studied the genetic make up, and I’m not sure how you feel about it,
but the good news is you won’t have to be on
bedrest
at one of the Council safe houses.”

Liam, naturally, asks what he means,
“The baby you are carrying is a human.  
A full
blooded, average, baby.
 Of course there are always things than can
happen, but trying to deliver a creature baby, won’t be one of them.”  
Haley
is so shocked, she can barely say a word, while Liam pulls her to him, and
kisses her face all over.  Neither of them would have cared if the baby
came out purple, but knowing that she can expect a relatively safe pregnancy
and delivery, is leaps and bounds above anything we could have hoped for.

Finally, when the congratulations settle, the vampire
rolls the papers together, to hand to Liam for his own review, then actually
smiles - sort of,
“Would you like to
know the sex of the fetus?”  
I know I would want to know, but that’s
for Liam and Haley to decide, and they enthusiastically reply ‘yes’.  The
vampire clasps his hands together over his knees,
“It’s a girl.”  

I’m pretty sure we’re going to scream this house down in
excitement.  Within moments, we’re crowded around Liam and Haley, and even
Riley’s Dad is sneaking on over to congratulate them.  This house is being
filled with love right before my eyes, and I’m honestly just so grateful that
the baby is okay, and healthy.  The anxiety that had been clouding all of
us,
is just evaporating.  The baby is okay, I’m
engaged, and as soon as the vamp leaves, we’re going to celebrate into the wee
hours of the morning.  

Thinking of, I spot Savannah leading the vampire back to
the door, and though he seems to be doing his best to ignore her, she actually
touches his sleeve just enough to make him freeze.  I’m not exactly sure
what I’m witnessing here, but I think there might be something going on.
 
It’s then I realize, I didn’t even
catch the guy’s name - I mean, he worked the labs, and even made a house call
to give the news, and I’m being rude by not even asking the name.  Though
Riley’s just as reluctant to let me go, as I am of her, I tell her it’s just
for a moment.  

Gliding over to the front door, the vampire is almost down
the stairs, with a very quiet Savannah standing in the doorway.  
Irregardless
, I push forward and
introduce myself, apologizing for not having done so sooner.  I extend my
hand, and he graciously takes it,
“I’m
Frederick Noble, it was to nice to meet you, and your family.”
I can’t help but ask, because suddenly the idea just pops into my head,
“Would you be the one who’d handle all the
family’s lab work?”

He nods,
“Most
likely, I handle most of the area, and the next three counties surrounding
here.”  
He looks at me, and puts his hands behind his back,
“Are - are you planning on needing my
services for any other
labwork
soon?”

I can tell I’m blushing, and even in the dark, I’m sure
it’s noticeable thanks to the porch light behind me,
“Um I’m not sure, I don’t think so.  At least not yet.”  
I’m
fumbling, but luckily Savannah saves me, jumping into action.  She practically
bounces against me, and takes my arm in hers, hooking it, before turning to
look up at Frederick.  He’s at least a good couple of inches taller than
her, and though he tries not to stare back at her, she’s speaking directly to
him, so it’s
kinda
hard not to.  He strikes me
as the kind of guy who doesn’t want to appear rude.  

As her voice rolls up to him, I see his eyes glow slightly
in the moonlight.  I’m sure it’s a natural part of his ability to attract
his prey from ages old, but right now, I’m not sure why they seem to be
glowing, looking at Savannah . . . and then I figure it out.

Oh my God
.
 Her dad is going to flip.  It was hard enough for him to accept half
of a werewolf.  
The idea of a vampire son in law?
 Might as well hide the stakes, I’m pretty sure their Dad wouldn’t
hesitate.  But Savannah is still underage, and so even if she wanted to,
it’s not happening for at least three more months.  But I don’t think
Frederick wants to engage this topic, and even if there’s glimmer of it on his
end, he’s definitely holding back - I recognize the look.  Savannah
however, seems to be foaming at the mouth, and ready to run off with the guy
right now.  I better get her back inside, before they both end up in
trouble,
“Well Frederick, thanks for
coming by, and I’m sure we’ll be seeing you again at some point.”

“But Avery
- ,
”
Savannah chimes in, the slightest whine to the
tone, but neither I, nor Frederick pay attention to it, and when he turns, I
turn.  Pulling Savannah in with me.  The whole time, she’s looking
back, but it’s not till we reach the door, that I say anything to her, and in a
whisper, just in case anybody else might be listening in,
“Savannah, just give it till you’re eighteen.  Then we can go talk
to your Dad together, alright?”

She grips my arm tighter, probably certain that she had
been coy enough not to arouse suspicion.  But now, she doesn’t even look
back at me, probably a little shy at having been caught in the first place,
“Alright.”