SKIN (Demon Chaser 4) (8 page)

****

Gaby heard the sound of keys in the lock
and the door closing. She looked down at her flannel pyjamas and had the
ridiculous urge to hole herself up in her room.

Phoenix walked in, the first few buttons
of his shirt were open with the sleeves rolled up and his jacket was slung over
his arm. He smiled as his eyes met hers. “Hey.” He walked over to her and
kissed the top of her head. “I’m so sorry we didn’t make dinner.”

He had called a few hours earlier to
cancel their dinner plans. “Don’t worry about it. I’m really tired so it worked
out in the end.”

His face turned concerned and he dropped
to his haunches. “You’re fine otherwise though?”

“Yeah, I’m great.” Physically, aside
from feeling really tired, she was doing fine for a heavily pregnant woman.
Emotionally was a whole other story. Over the last couple of days, Phoenix had
spent most of his time at the office. The little time spent together was
strained and formal. It seemed that outside of the bedroom, they had very
little to say to one another. Yeah sure, they tried to make small talk but that
was the problem, it felt forced. “I made pasta, there are some leftovers if
you’re hungry.”

“Thanks, Gaby, I already grabbed
something at the office.” The one side of his mouth quirked up and he stood in
one fluid motion.

“What are you working on?”

“It’s the Robinson trial, but I can’t
talk about any of the details.” Phoenix hung his jacket on a chair back.

“Robinson as in
the
Robinson
trial?”

“One and the same.”

It was a high profile case involving a
famous couple. The wife shot the husband dead claiming that she thought he was
an intruder, but there were questions raised as to the close proximity the
shooting took place making it questionable that she could have mistaken him for
someone else. It was also reported that she had possibly been beaten, as her
lip was split. The incident had happened on Halloween giving the whole thing a
sinister undertone.

“So you’re defending Christina Robinson.”

“Yes, I am.”

“Wow, no wonder the long hours.”

He raised his eyebrows but didn’t
elaborate on the case. “Can I get you something?” She watched his receding back
as he made for the kitchen.

“No thanks, I think I’m going to turn
in.”

He turned to face her. “Good night.
Sleep well.”

“Yeah, thanks.”

Gaby watched until he disappeared down
the hall. This wasn’t going to work. She’d have to tell him in the morning that
she was moving back into her own apartment. Phoenix was with her for the
children, he’d said as much. How long would they end up living like this if she
allowed it to continue? The way she saw it, they had two options. One, they made
a clean break, Phoenix would be a part of the children’s lives but they would
move on or they could really work at getting to know each other. The thought of
losing this man, of watching him take another mate, of having him be a part of
her life without being able to be with him felt like a poisoned dagger to her
hearts. There was also the very important fact of going into labor alone. The
risk to her children was too great. Okay, so she’d have to give the friendship
thing a try, hopefully it would lead somewhere. If that didn’t work, she’d make
a clean break. For all of their sakes.

Gaby followed the big wolf to the
kitchen. Phoenix had his head stuck in the refrigerator and emerged with a
bottle of water and a chocolate bar. “Are you sure I can’t get you anything,” he
asked still facing away from her.

“A bottle of water would be great.” She
wasn’t thirsty but needed a reason to for being there.

He grabbed the water, then turned and kicked
the door closed. Smooth, easy. Damn, he looked good in suit pants with his
shirt pulled tight over muscles most men could only dream about having. The man
in question handed her the water, which she was grateful for since her mouth
felt dry all of a sudden.

“Thanks.”

His dark eyes bore into her. “Sure.” His
masculine scent hit her full on as he lingered in her personal space for a few
beats before stepping back and leaning on the center island.

“I thought demon wolves ran in packs.
You do belong to a pack...”

His lips twitched. Probably could read
straight through her attempt at getting to know him better. At trying to take
this somewhere.

“I belong to the Wilderness pack and
spend as much time on the reserve as possible. This apartment is a necessity
due to high demands at work.”

That explained why the apartment didn’t
feel like a real home. “I see.”

Gaby tried hard to mask her emotions,
but must have failed dismally because he continued. “I will be taking you and
introducing you to the pack”—he paused—“to my family once the pups are born.
The Alpha is mated to a human. The union has been mostly accepted by the pack
so...” He left the sentence hanging, taking a big glug of his water.

A lump formed in her throat so she
opened the bottle and tried to drink it down. It didn’t work. “I’m a skin. Your
pack won’t accept me. I’m hoping they’ll at least accept your children.” She
put a hand to her stomach feeling the intense need to defend her babies against
harm. This included the sting of rejection. She knew firsthand how it could
scar a person right to the core. Gaby was fine with being alone, with not
having a family, but she wanted more for the little ones. Chances were good
that she and Phoenix would not end up together so they would already be a part
of a broken home. They didn’t need the rejection of their father’s pack to
complicate their lives even more.

“Your pack will accept them, won’t
they?” She felt a degree of desperation as she waited for his reply.

“Either they accept my pups or I will no
longer consider myself a part of the pack.” It was almost unheard of for a wolf
to become a loner.

“Surely you have parents, siblings?”

His demeanour softened. “Yeah, my
parents are at Wilderness, I have an older sister who mated with a wolf from a
neighboring
pack.” Phoenix looked her way, his eyes moving across her face before locking
with hers. “You are my family now. You and the babies. We’re either accepted as
a family unit or not at all.”

“We’re not mated.”

“You are the mother of my children. That
makes you my family. I don’t think that we should be having sex right now, but
I haven’t changed my mind about us.” He stepped forward taking her hand in his.
“Please try and see this my way. Let’s get to know each other. Let’s see where
this goes. Will you at least give us a chance?”

His words mirrored her thoughts, she
nodded. Phoenix grinned, it made him even sexier. Gaby couldn’t help but to smile
along with him. It was a big surprise when he leaned in and kissed her. A
quick, easy brush of the lips that took her breath away. This wasn’t sex, this
was a show of emotion.

“They’ll accept you Gaby because you’re
great, the nicest skin I ever met.” His smile had become tight and his whole
stature had tensed up.

“I would never expect you to turn your
back on your pack.”

He shrugged. “I know that. There’s
something I’ve been meaning to ask you.” He ran a hand through his hair. “I’ve
never heard of a skin being abandoned by their family. Skins may be a lot of
things but one thing’s for sure, they are loyal to their own. How is it that
you ended up in an orphanage?”

She felt her cheeks heat.

“Look, if I’ve over stepped the line
please tell me to go to hell. I just want to know what makes you tick, want to
know more about your life. Want to know more about who you are.”

She held up a hand. “It’s okay. I told
you I confronted my parents once I became a Demon Chaser. They told me that I
wasn’t normal, for a skin that is. Skin babies, up until a year of age, are
supposed to change characteristics of themselves.” He lifted his eyebrows so
she paused for a few seconds before continuing. “Yeah, I know, a little
strange. It happens regularly. Green eyes become brown. Hair will be long and
then short, even the sex of the child will change a few times.”

He choked out a laugh. “Sorry, it’s just
so...different which is normal for us demons. Carry on please.”

“The baby eventually settles on features
and what sex it wants to be. This normally happens at around one year. The
problem with me and my twin sister was that we never changed after we were
born. My parents kept us for a few days waiting for something to happen. We were
labelled as freaks and were left at the door of a local church.”

“They abandoned you just because you
were a little different?”

“Yup. The whereabouts of my twin sister is
unknown. I was the only baby found on the steps that day although my parents
swore that both of us were left there.”

“That’s terrible.”

“I still find myself looking for her.
Maybe one day.” She’d never given up searching and never would. Gaby knew that
she would recognize her sister regardless of the skin she was in. There had
always been something missing. The feeling had gradually decreased as she grew
older though.

“I’m sure you will find her.” Phoenix stepped
in and cupped her cheek. “There was...is nothing wrong with you. You know that
right?” He was looking at her with such intensity.

“Yeah, I know.” Yet, would he be
standing here right now if it hadn’t been for his unborn children? She hated
the insecurity.

“I mean it, I’m here for you whether you
want me or not. I’m here to stay.”

Gaby wished so hard that his being here
had to do with his feelings for her instead of his sense of duty.  Phoenix
wrapped his arms around her and pulled her against the hard wall of his chest.
She leaned against him, allowing herself to enjoy the sense of comfort. Maybe
it could work between them.

Armed with roast chicken sandwiches,
Gaby exited the elevator in Phoenix’s building. It was lunch time and she’d
decided to surprise him. She’d called ahead to discuss the arrangement with his
personal assistant to ensure that he didn’t order in or leave the building. So
far so good.

A well groomed mature lady sat behind an
ornate desk. Her face lit up as she spotted her. “Hi there. You must be Gaby.
Welcome.” She brushed a wayward strand of hair from her face. “I’m Jessie.” She
held out her hand and Gaby took it in a brief single shake.

“Good to meet you.”

“I’m afraid Phoenix is not in his office
but if you make your way down the hall just past the restrooms on your right,
he’s in the boardroom which is the very next door same side.”

“Thanks so much.”

Gaby made her way past fine art in the
reception area and onto the plush woollen carpeted hallway. The building was
exactly how she pictured it would be with no expense spared.  Even though she’d
gone to the bathroom before leaving home, she needed it again so she set the
food down on a table in the hall. One of the many joys of pregnancy. True as
nuts, barely a trickle of wee, she washed her hands and continued down the
hall. She could make out two voices, Phoenix and a woman. Gaby peeped around
the jam. The wolf had his back to the door and was sitting, a petite,
attractive woman stood to his side. She laughed at something he had just said
and squeezed him on the arm. Phoenix shifted in his chair looking a little
uncomfortable, he opened a file on the desk.

“Doctor Compex has stated that he will
testify that Christina’s wounds are consistent with having bashed her face into
the door while running to find her mobile phone and forensics neither supports
nor contests these findings.” His voice was tense.

The woman stepped in closer leaning in
over Phoenix and the file. As far as demons went, skins didn’t have the best
sense of smell and even less so now that she was pregnant, yet Gaby could scent
two things, firstly, the woman was a human and secondly, she was heavily
aroused. The scent that poured off her was so heavy that it seemed to mask Gaby’s
own scent from Phoenix.

“Good. We need a back up doctor just in
case,” she purred.

“Make no mistake, there will be a whole
queue of medical experts lined up to testify that the wounds were consistent
with an assault, but all we have to prove is reasonable doubt.”

Phoenix looked tense, she caught a mild
peppery tang coming off him which indicated that he was irritated. This woman
was in his personal space, she exuded sensuality. What she didn’t know was that
he’d be able to smell her intentions from a mile away. What surprised Gaby though
was his complete aversion to it, even to the point of irritation.

His head lifted in a sharp motion.
Busted.
He turned and looked straight at her.

“Sorry to interrupt,” her voice came out
sounding soft and timid. Flip, it wasn’t like her to feel so out of her depth. 

He smiled the moment he saw her before
standing and making his way to her. “This is a pleasant surprise.” Then he
kissed her, on the lips. His eyes shone. “Monica, I’d like to introduce you to
Gaby.”

Monica gave her the quick once over, her
eyes lingering on the swell of Gaby’s belly. They widened momentarily before
darting to her face. “So nice to meet you. Um, Phoenix I didn’t know you were
involved.” The eye contact didn’t last long because next her dark irises slid
to Gaby’s left hand.

Phoenix must have noticed because he put
his arm around Gaby’s shoulders. “As you know, I like to keep my private life
very separate from the office. Gaby is my fiancé, she isn’t wearing her ring
because of the slight water retention. Didn’t want to risk it.”

Monica’s eyes drifted back to her
stomach, they narrowed and her mouth tightened. “Of course. When is the baby
due?”

“Twins.”

The other woman’s jaw dropped.

“And they’re due any day now. We’re
extremely excited about becoming parents.” Phoenix grabbed hold of Gaby’s hand
and squeezed. “Can we take a little break Monica? Give me”—he looked at his
watch—“ten, fifteen minutes tops.”

Gaby decided to try and be polite, even
though this woman had been drooling over Phoenix not five minutes ago. “You’re
welcome to join us if...”

Phoenix cut her off, “Ten minutes please,
Monica.”

The attorney inclined her head, Gaby
could make out a light sigh as she walked out of the room.

The big wolf closed the door. “I can’t
believe you came.”

“I thought we decided to get to know
each other, thought this would be a good way to start.”

He walked towards her, his dark eyes on
her.

She swallowed. “I brought some
sandwiches. They’re...”

His lips covered hers. Soft, pliant yet
demanding. One of his hands threaded into her hair while the other moved to the
small of her back. He pulled her against him and deepened the kiss. Gaby
whimpered and clutched at his biceps. She wasn’t a wilting flower and yet her
hands didn’t make it around the circumference of his upper arms. Not even
close. The scent of arousal was back and this time from her.

He broke the kiss. His nostrils flared.
“You smell good.”  

Damn those wolf senses. At least the
peppery scent was no longer coming off him. “Yeah well, I guess the smell of
aroused females is one you’re used to.”

He choked out a laugh. “I take it you’re
referring to Monica.”

She raised her eyebrows in reply.

“Hey, you know I’m not interested in...”

“I know. I’m just teasing you.”

“Anyway, she doesn’t smell like anything
I’m interested in...” He buried his head in her neck. “Mmmm, nothing like
cherries dipped in dark chocolate.”

His warm breath tickled, so she giggled.

Phoenix tensed, keeping his arms around
her, he pulled away so that he could look her in the eye. “I’ve been thinking.”
He hesitated seeming unsure which worried her because it was so out of
character. “Since tomorrow is Saturday, I was wondering if you wanted to go to
Wilderness. I’ve changed my mind, I want my pack to know you before the babies
come.” His eyes burned with excitement. “I know once they get to meet you,
they’ll accept you.”

She wanted his enthusiasm to be catching
but knew he would probably be disappointed by the outcome. Going to Wilderness
was something that had to happen sooner or later though so it may as well be
now. She nodded plastering a smile onto her face.

“I called Devlin and he’s given you the
all clear. We’ll take a chopper just in case.”

****

After Phoenix had seen Gaby to her car,
he pulled out his mobile and dialed Gray.

“Phoenix, it’s been a while.” It was
good to hear his best friend’s voice. Gray was the Alpha of the Wilderness
pack.

They got the pleasantries out the way.

“I’m coming through to Wilderness
tomorrow.”

“Good to hear it. It’s been far too
long. I was beginning to think it was something I said.”  Phoenix could hear
that his friend was smiling. Gray sighed. “I have to tell you man, Carol has
been asking after you. I think she might want to get back together. I could
organize some females from the Ridgestone pack if you would rather though.”

Phoenix smiled and rolled his eyes.
“What is this? Set Phoenix up day? You do realize that I’m more than capable of
finding my own mate?”

“Who said anything about a mate?”

“I wasn’t whelped yesterday, Gray.” He
ran a hand through his hair.

“Okay, okay. Carol is a really nice
female. Your mom asked me to...”

“My mom, seriously?” Phoenix suppressed
a smile. His mother worried about him constantly. She didn’t like him living in
the city alone.

“Look man, I gotta tell you. Having a
mate is the best thing that ever happened to me. Ash is everything…I don’t know
how I survived before she came along.”

Phoenix found himself smiling. Gaby had
become a big part of his life and in such a short time. It wasn’t just the
pups. It was her. “I have a female and will be bringing her tomorrow to meet
the pack.”

“You sly piece of shit. I didn’t know
you were seeing anyone. ” A growl. “What pack is she from? Do I need to start introductions?
I don’t want to step out of line when it comes to the Lores…”

“She’s not a demon wolf.”

Silence. “You always said you wanted a
human. If there’s one wolf that understands it’s me. A human mate…”

“My female is a demon skin.” As hard as
he tried, he couldn’t help the low rumble of warning that followed.

Gray snarled and Phoenix pulled the
phone away for a few beats while the Alpha got himself together.

“Do you know what you’re doing Phoenix?
Fuck! A skin?” Another growl. “A fucking skin.”

Phoenix growled. “It would be best if
you remembered that Gaby is my female. She is carrying my pups.”

“You got a skin pregnant? What the fuck
were you thinking?”

This time Phoenix all out snarled. If
he’d been wearing his wolf skin, his coat would be bristling. “Gaby is my
future mate and the mother of my pups. It would be best for our friendship if
you remembered that.”

Phoenix could hear Gray breathing on the
other end. “I’m sorry.” A long pause. “It was a bit of a…surprise. If she is
your female then she will be welcome.”

Phoenix’s shoulders slumped and the
tension drained from his body. He took a deep breath. “Thank-you.”

“I’m not sure how the others will take
it. Some of the older wolves have only just started to accept my union with a
human. A skin…”

“Gaby, her name is Gaby.”

“Gaby…Are you sure you know what you’re
doing?”

“Yeah and with every passing day I grow surer.
Gaby is the one that is worried about our future. I don’t want you or my folks doing
anything to add to her anxiety. You are the Alpha and the pack must respect
your decision to accept my mate otherwise…”

“Don’t tell me how to keep my pack in
line.”

Phoenix was skirting a thin line. Gray
was a natural Alpha. His instincts wouldn’t allow another wolf to dominate in
any way. “I know I can rely on you Gray. Please, will you address the pack today?
It would be better if they were prepared and had time to digest the news. When
we arrive tomorrow, I would like Gaby introduced to the pack as my future mate.
I will call my parents.”

“No problem…I’ll make it happen.”

Phoenix sighed. Some of the anxiety left
him. “Thank you my friend.”

He ended the call and dialed home.

****

It felt like her stomach was filled with
acid wing-tipped butterflies. Giant pissed ones.

Phoenix reached up, took a hold of her
waist and in one easy move, lifted her from the chopper. He circled his arm
around her as they strode away.

She wasn’t ready for this. Might never
be ready.

A petite blonde stepped forward. “So
you’re the skin.”

Phoenix growled.

A well built mean looking male with
close cropped hair strode up to them. “Be careful who you growl at.”

“I’m Gaby.” She put out her hand and the
female took it.

“Ashlyn, Gray’s mate. I thought you were
a Chaser yet I’ve never seen you before.”  They let go.

Gaby felt her lips pull into a smile.
“I’m part of the first team.” A small group of elite Chasers handpicked for
special cases.

Ash lifted her eyebrows. “Wow, I’m
impressed.”

Pride surged. “Thank you.”

“So you’re a badass skin. Deadly I’m
sure.”

It was meant as a compliment but a low
rumble resonated from Phoenix who didn’t see it that way. Gray growled back.

“Stop that.” Gaby put a hand on Phoenix’s
chest. “I thought Gray was your best friend, yet you guys haven’t said two
words to each other.”

“I like this female.” The little blonde
tilted her chin and hooked her thumbs into her jeans pockets.

Gray inclined his head briefly at Gaby. “You
are welcome at Wilderness.”

She felt the tension ease out of
Phoenix. To think he had been ready to take on his best friend for her. Gaby
stepped in a little closer to him enjoying the warmth of his body.

“The pack is mostly…okay with this.
There might be one or two…”

Phoenix’s jaw tensed. “I won’t accept
any aggression directed towards my female...”

Gray snarled, “I will keep the pack in line,
you concentrate on keeping your female happy.”

“Ooooh, I like it when you go all Alpha
on me.” Ashlyn waggled her eyebrows. She moved backwards until her rump
connected with Gray’s front.

His eyes softened as he looked down at
her upturned face. He made a deep rumbling noise that Gaby had come to
recognise as arousal.