Claiming Shayla (12 page)

Chapter Seven

A brooding werewolf. Now there’s an interesting sight
. Shay watched Rory’s reflection in the window.

“Shouldn’t we have called first and made an appointment?” she asked.

“No. Your cousin’s his mate. He’ll see you. Besides, I’d rather Kiesha not know we’re coming. She’s a bit…bloodthirsty,” he finished with a grimace.

“That’s what happens when you act without thinking, dumb-ass.”

“Evil bastard, asshole, and now dumb-ass. Any other names you’d like to call me,
mate
?” Rory asked in a silky, if menacing, tone of voice.

Shay pretended to think on the matter. “Hmm, that’s it for now. At least it is until the next stupid thing you do,” she finished.

“That’s it,” he muttered. “Tell me how you really feel about me.”

With a sigh, Shay scooted closer and laid her hand on his thigh. “Not you,” she admitted, “but your actions.” She rested her head on his shoulder.

He covered her hand with his own, and nothing more was said until they arrived. It was nice, Shay reflected. She’d heard of companionable silences, but this was the first one she and Rory had experienced. Only now that the clinic sat in front of them, he was tensing up. The shoulder she leaned on and the thigh her hand lay on felt like rocks. Deep inside where she was bonded to him, she could literally feel his aggression rising.

The small parking lot was rather full for a Friday afternoon, but somehow she didn’t believe that was Rory’s issue. Personally she hated waiting in doctor’s offices. They really should have called first and made an appointment, but it was too late to argue now. They’d driven almost an hour to get here, and he was determined that she see someone today. So it was sit here and wait or see his pack’s midwife.

Shay mentally debated the pros and cons of staying. Neither she nor Rory made a move to get out of the truck. She knew why she hesitated but had no clue what his problem was. Finally she asked, “What’s wrong?”

“He’s going to see you. Touch you,” he growled.

“Alex’s a doctor. That’s what they do, especially for this type of exam.” Shay didn’t particularly like the idea of Kiesha’s husband seeing her—the whole thing was creeping her out—but she couldn’t tell Rory that, not when she’d insisted Alex be the one to do the exam. Damn, now she was tense and the tiniest bit nauseated.

Rory snarled. Actually snarled.

Shay turned to look at him. Meeting his gaze, she realized Rory was no longer home behind those eyes. Rory’s wolf’s golden-eyed gaze stared back at her.
Lord, spare me from possessive werewolves
. “We can go home. I’m sure the baby’s fine,” she offered.

A growl rumbled from his chest. She could see the wolf’s possessiveness over his mate fighting with his concern for his cub. He couldn’t go inside with his wolf this close to the surface. He’d scare the staff, be kicked out, and then all hell would break loose. She needed to calm him somehow. Shay rose to her knees on the bench seat and rubbed her cheek alongside his, the way she’d seen wolves do, hoping to calm him.

It did and didn’t work.

Shay found herself plastered to Rory from chest to pelvis as he pulled her to him in an inescapable grip. Feeling his claws on her butt, she quickly shrieked, “Don’t rip my pants.”

The world tilted, and she found herself on the seat below him. As Rory attacked the button and zipper of her pants, Shay rose on her elbows, trying to see if there were any witnesses to what was surely about to take place. Having her body put on display once was enough, thank you very much. If the wrong person came along, they’d get arrested for indecent exposure. If that happened, Kee would tease her mercilessly, forever.

“Down.” One hand pressing firmly against her chest ensured she obeyed while his other stripped her pants and panties from her legs. At least he left her upper body clothed. Thank God for small favors.

A slash of his claws and his jeans fell open, revealing his already heavy and bobbing cock. Shay hoped he had another pair in the truck. Rory parted her thighs and then he was between them. “Mine,” he pronounced as he entered her with one determined thrust.

Good thing she stayed in a perpetual state of arousal with this man or she would never have been able to take him. If Rory’s wolf was running the show, all it was interested in was staking its claim. Come to think of it, that’s all the man was usually interested in as well. Then Shay lost the ability to reason.

* * * *

Hours later Shay entered the house, still in a state of shock.

A whistling Rory closed the door behind her. “Guess I’d better get started on the nursery. With the way time’s flying, our cub will be here before we know it. I was thinking of opening the wall between our room and the one on the right. I can close off the hallway door and leave the only access through our bedroom. Just for the first year or so; then we’ll move him across the hall. I think two’s a good age, or sooner if you get pregnant again. I think we should have more than one cub, don’t you?”

He didn’t stick around for an answer. Instead he wandered up the staircase muttering about safety gates and baby proofing.

Shay drifted into the living room and sat staring out the picture window. She didn’t see the vibrant greens and browns of the surrounding hills and forest. All she could hear was Carol’s voice saying,
“Well, you’re definitely pregnant.”

Shay couldn’t believe she’d forgotten Alex and Kiesha were gone on their honeymoon. Since they’d driven all that way, she’d agreed to let Carol, a nurse practitioner and certified nurse midwife, do the honors.

Thinking she was pregnant and having it confirmed were two different things. Nothing like hearing a heartbeat to drive home the fact that she was really going to be a mother. She didn’t even have nine months to get used to the idea. According to Carol, her pregnancy was progressing more like a shifter than human.

Normal gestation for a human female was forty weeks. For shifter females it was more like thirty. That meant in four to five months, she’d be delivering. Figured she couldn’t even do pregnancy like a normal human. But then, when had the word
normal
ever applied to her?

Her body jostled as the weight of Rory lowering to the seat beside her dented the cushions. “Somehow I’m sensing you’re not sharing my excitement.”

Shayla shrugged. “It just hit me. I mean, I knew I was pregnant. All the signs were there, but…
I’m pregnant!
This is really happening. What do I know about being a mother?”

Rory put his arm around her and tugged her to him. “I’m sure you’ll do fine. Every first-time parent feels that way. You think I’m not nervous about being a father?”

“Please.” She rolled her eyes. “If there’s any part of this equation I’m not worried about, it’s you. Shannon said you practically raised her. Our kid will be lucky to have you as a father. I’m the one most likely to make it need therapy.”

He tucked his face against her nape and squeezed her so hard the breath left her body in a rush. “Can’t breathe,” she gasped.

Immediately his hold loosened. After a while he raised shining eyes and said in a hoarse voice, “Thank you. You don’t know how much that means to me.”

“It’s the truth,” she stated, waving aside his gratitude.

He shook his head but didn’t argue. They sat in yet another companionable silence, each busy with their own thoughts. Rory broke it when he said, “I might have some experience with little girls, but I know nothing about raising boys. Being one doesn’t count.”

“Good thing it’s a girl.”

“Highly improbable. Shifters aren’t known for their female offspring. Most likely it’s a boy.”

“That’s what you say. Excuse me if I choose to believe Conor instead,” she told him.

He turned her face so that he could look her in the eyes. “
Conor
said we’re having a daughter?”

“Actually he said daughters, which I assume meant plural, not possessive, but I’m not sure if he means now or accumulatively speaking,” Shay said with a shrug.

“He’s a seer,” Rory murmured, speaking to himself. Then his gaze sharpened. “Did he say anything else?”

“You must fight to hold on to what is yours. Treachery surrounds you. Only by uniting together will you be victorious. Show no mercy. Your daughters’ safety depends on the decisions you make now.”
Conor’s words flowed through her mind.

She debated. Alphas were protective of their packs. Kee and Conor had both taught her pack meant family, and as their leader, Rory was like their kingly father.
But I’m Rory’s mate and as such, his first priority. If not me, then definitely our child
. But still, she didn’t really know Rory. Yes they had amazing sex and yes she was pregnant with his baby, but…

“Shay…” His tone said he was willing to push until she told him the whole.

Shay weighed her response. Conor
had
said she and Rory needed to work together. Then she remembered how easily he’d dismissed her concerns about Ashley, and it tilted the scales against Rory. “Nothing you need to be concerned about,” she finally muttered.

“I don’t believe you.”

She arched one brow. “Sounds like a personal problem to me.”

Rory glared at her, his face slowly building to a fine red color. Shay met his stare calmly. She’d tell him when she was good and ready, and not a minute before.

He took a deep breath. “Shay, mates don’t withhold information from each other.”

“Really? It’s my understanding that mates take each other’s concerns seriously.” She shrugged. “Guess we were both wrong.” Shay rose and looked down at him. “Since it looks like I’m staying, I’m going to go unpack…in
our
room.”

He grabbed her hand as she walked past, pulling her to a halt. “I don’t know what the problem is, but I promise, one day you’ll trust me.”

Shay tugged until he released her. “Maybe. But will you trust me in return?” At the moment she didn’t think so. Their staring contested lasted a long while. Finally Shay turned away and walked off with her head held high.

Despite Conor’s warning, she had a brain. She was more than capable of handling things herself. It wasn’t in her nature to ask for help. She’d figure out who the threat was and bring Rory in only when absolutely necessary.

WHAT THE HELL’S her problem?

Rory watched his mate stalk away from him, bemused at how such a tender moment between the two of them could have turned into such a disaster.
Pregnancy hormones must be kicking in. Let it go.

A minute later he charged up the stairs.

When he topped the rise, he found Shay contemplating one of the extra bedrooms. “If you prefer that room, I’ll be happy to move all our things in there. Might be a little cramped…”

She flicked an annoyed look over her shoulder. “I’m checking out the storage. I doubt you have enough space in your room for both of our clothing.”

“Our room,” he emphasized, making sure Shay was clear on that point. “And think again. I prepared.” He turned the knob and pushed opened the bedroom door with his hip.

“All the furniture is new. The dresser and nightstand on the right side of the bed are yours. I also cleared out half the closet. If you need more space, let me know and I’ll move more of my stuff to another room.”

As she shoved past him into the room, Rory took in the antique-looking cherry wood set he’d purchased. It had a low-profile, king-size sleigh bed, eight-drawer dresser, and five-drawer chest, which should be more than enough for them, but if not, there was still the empty two-drawer cedar chest designed for comforters. Being a shifter, with his naturally high body temperature, he never used heavy covers.

He noted Shay preparing to lift her suitcase onto the bed and gently nudged her out of the way. “I’ll get this and the other one. I don’t want you straining yourself.”

She snorted but stepped out of the way.

As Shay unpacked, Rory tried to define what he was feeling. It was like all the random dots that made up his life were finally connected into one big, glorious picture. His mate was here, in their room, taking her first major step to settle in to their life together.

“We need to call the pack together to celebrate our mating and the coming of our young,” he said as he sat on the bed near where she worked.

Shay looked up from the contents of her suitcase, a frown on her face. “Will they?”

Confused, he asked, “Will they what?”

“Celebrate. The few members I’ve met so far didn’t seem all that joyous.”

He scowled, feeling his ire rise at MacDougal and even Caleb’s reaction to his desirable mate. “I’ll deal with Mac later on the proper respect due an alpha pair.”

Her hair fell forward when she bent over the luggage, and she shoved it back with a muttered curse before lifting a stack of folded cotton shirts and carrying them to the dresser. “And will Ashley be sitting in on this lecture?”

Baffled, he reminded Shay, “Ashley’s a child.”

Shay snorted. “That’s what you say.”

“Shay, Ashley’s getting close to the age where she’s old enough to be mated. She wants strong pups and a mate strong enough to protect her. It’s a survival instinct. I’m the most powerful wolf in the pack. It’s natural that she would make a play for me. All females do. Eventually she’ll realize I’m not interested and move on to someone who is.”

Shay’s eyes narrowed. “While your little glimpse into the animal kingdom was fascinating, I don’t like her. I don’t trust her, and I always trust my instincts.” She punctuated her words by slamming the drawer shut.

Rory glanced at the furniture and then back at his mate, not liking the way the heavy mirror was angled, especially after the way Shay’s wolf had banged into it earlier. He went to make sure it was still secure. He didn’t want it to come crashing down, but he wasn’t so distracted that he couldn’t feel the jump in his mate’s emotions through their bond.

He thought about their earlier discussion along with her recent comments, and it clicked. Turning to lean his body against the wall next to the mirror, he watched his mate closely. “I can include her in the talk, but she’s not the real problem. Is she, Shay?”

“You think?”

Hmm, snarky answer. Even without the mate bond he’d know she was irritated. What concerned him was the underlying hurt he sensed that agitated both wolf and man. Asking outright what the issue was wouldn’t help. She’d only clam up like she had about Conor. He thought for a moment…

“Talking to the females might not be a bad idea. You’re not only my mate but their alpha-fem. It would be a good time for you to lay out your expectations.”

“Yeah, like it doesn’t matter how many times you’ve fucked him in the past, the alpha’s mated now so keep your grubby paws off,” she muttered en route to the bed to gather more items.

He smiled. “I can’t believe you’re jealous of Ashley.”

She stopped to glare at him. “I’ll admit I didn’t like the way she rubbed all over you like a bitch in heat—”

“I told you it meant nothing. It’s something shifter females do.”

“But according to Shannon, you’ve fucked your way through half the pack.”

His smile died. “I never touched Ashley.” Is that what she thought, that he messed with children? The girl was barely out of school.

“I never said you did, but it’s obvious she wants her turn with the pack’s stud.” Her expression turned to one of disgust. “Of course, that’s what happens when you mate with dogs. Always have to watch for leftover shit.”

For the first time Rory considered things from Shay’s viewpoint. He’d gone ballistic, and all his men had done was look at Shay. How would he feel if they’d rubbed their aroused bodies against her as Ashley had done to him? “I’m a bloody fool.”

“Nice of you to finally notice.”

He caught her around the waist and tugged her against his body, wrapping his arms around her hips to hold her close. “I’m sorry.”

“For what?” Suspicion was evident on her face and the way she held her body so stiff.

“For blowing off your concerns about Ashley. If one of my men dared to touch you the way she did me, I wouldn’t have been able to control myself.”

Shay shoved away from him, and he released his hold. She paced a bit before turning to confront him. “Don’t get it twisted. I’m not jealous of your perky little Skipper doll.”

Rory clamped his mouth shut.

“What you do with your harem is your business…”

This time he snorted. Yeah, like he believed that. His little she-demon would castrate him if his cock so much as stood at attention for another woman.

“…but I will not tolerate being disrespected, especially in my own home, in front of my face, and definitely not by that little twit!”

“You’re right.”

“Does she have any idea what I could do to her? I can screw up her credit so bad she’ll be an old lady before she untangled it all. I can have every law enforcement agency in this country and Europe looking for her, and she wouldn’t even know why. I can erase her Social Security number out of the system or report her as dead. Let her fix that!”

“No, you’re not jealous at all,” he murmured, withholding a smile. Damn, his mate was vicious. His perfect match in every way.

Finally she stopped ranting and hung her head. “Okay, I’ll cop to a streak of possessiveness, but not jealousy. I refuse to be jealous of that woman.”

Rory slouched and hooked his thumbs in the belt loops of his jeans. “And the difference between the two would be…?”

Shay raised her head and met his inquisitive gaze with a direct stare. “Jealousy is the result of one’s insecurity. My being jealous would mean I see Ashley as a worthy rival and feared her ability to steal you from me.”

He straightened and crossed over to stand in front of his mate. “Then I must be the most insecure man on the planet. The thought of someone desiring you, touching you”—he gripped both cheeks—“or smelling your luscious scent”—he leaned in close and inhaled—“drives me absolutely crazy.”

Then he kissed her because the thought of anyone else having Shay was intolerable.

“You’re not insecure,” she told him when he allowed her to breathe. “You’re a werewolf. Possessiveness is coded in your DNA.”