Abbey's Protectors [Beckett's Wolf Pack, Triad Mates 4] (Siren Publishing Menage & More) (42 page)

“Our son is doing much better,” Jace’s deep voice interrupted them. He waited until Abbey looked at him and smiled. “Thank you for your caring, Abbey. You’re a good part of our pack family.”

Abbey blushed under his gaze but was warmed by his words. She felt the push of pack love that he sent her and knew that she was never going to take that connection for granted.

“It seems we have a secret that Dean and Mitchell aren’t sharing,” Jackson spoke up, drawing everyone’s attention. “We have the proof of a claiming bite on Dean’s chest, but we don’t know who did the claiming. Dean isn’t talking. Neither is Mitchell. Do you happen to know anything about that, Mia?”

Mia looked at Suzie in a panic. She wasn’t about to betray her brother’s confidence. Only she and Suzie knew that Janey was Dean and Mitchell’s third.

“I don’t have any idea,” Mia offered softly.

Jace looked her over with a knowing eye. Mia remained firm and looked back at him without flinching. “You’re a good sister,” Jace told her, the power in his voice affecting all of them. “And you’re a good daughter.”

Mia smiled and relaxed within Abbey’s hold. She turned to Suzie, relieved that neither one of them would have to tell Dean and Mitchell’s secret.

Sudden growls filled the small room, making Abbey jump. She looked up and saw every man in the room looking at her and smiling. She faced Jace and saw the golden color of his eyes and was confused. Looking around, she saw the same phenomenon occurring in each of the men’s eyes. What in the heck had happened to make every man in the room suddenly have their wolf come forward?

“It seems we have another secret waiting to be told,” Jace said finally, smiling down at Abbey.

“What do you mean?” Abbey asked him, truly confused.

“They can scent your pregnancy, Abbey,” Suzie explained softly, leaning forward and kissing Abbey’s cheek lightly. “Congratulations.”

“What? You’re pregnant?” Mia asked, astounded. She turned to face the men, her eyes automatically searching out Lucian and Cole. When she saw the way they were looking directly at her, their eyes completely golden and their canines peeking out from between their lips, she gasped. Instead of focusing on them, she turned and looked back at Abbey. “Congratulations, Abbey.”

“Welcome to the world of pregnant women,” Laurie told her, laughing as she kissed her cheek lightly. “There are certainly a number of us in that condition right now.” She looked up at her mates and winked, happiness filling her at the sight of her men’s smiling faces. She secretly hoped that she would see that look on their faces for each of the pregnancies she hoped to have with them in the future.

We’ll be happy with every one of your pregnancies, darlin’,
Jackson’s voice filled her head as his gentle love for her washed over her.

Laurie looked at both men and nodded slightly.
Me, too,
she finally told them, blushing when their immediate grins appeared.

“I know, it’s weird that the men can scent your pregnancy,” Nikki offered, smiling at Abbey. “It’s a freaky wolf thing. Don’t let it embarrass you. Congratulations, Mommy.”

Abbey accepted their good wishes, unable to speak. Looking around the room she realized that she was surrounded by people who wished her well and were happy for her. She truly felt like she was part of an amazing family. The only sadness she held was because her best friends Synthia and Shelly weren’t here with her. She was determined to bring them to Beckett’s land. She knew they would find happiness here if they would just give it a chance.

“And so, the mighty have fallen,” Butler teased.

“What do you mean?” Abbey asked, her forehead furrowing in confusion.

“Hunter and Clay,” Butler told her, as if she should know.

“What about them?”

“None of us ever thought those two would ever settle down,” he told her, smiling.

Abbey pushed out of the women’s arms and stalked over to Butler, placing her hands on her hips and staring up at him with a murderous gleam in her eyes. “Are you maligning my mates?” she demanded. “Trust me. You don’t want to go there.”

“No,” Butler tried to placate her immediately, raising his hands in surrender as Abbey stood before him, her anger flashing hotly in her blue eyes. “I was just saying…it’s just that…none of us ever thought…Hunter and Clay dated a lot of women…oh, hell!”

“Good save,” Alexander muttered, shaking his head at his triad partner’s rambling. “Abbey, don’t listen to him. Hunter and Clay have been searching for you for a very long time. We’re all very thankful that they found you. You’re exactly the right person to complete their triad, and we’re all very happy that you’re going to be parents. It’s something all of us desire—and Hunter and Clay are no exception.” He looked at Butler and gave him a warning look. “Right, Butler?”

“Absolutely,” Butler answered without hesitation. “Please don’t be upset by my foolish teasing. Both Hunter and Clay are great guys, and we all know that they’ve wanted to find their third and start a family for a long time. Congratulations.”

Abbey searched her feelings to see if she felt anything negative from Butler and was relieved to only feel his honesty and happiness. “Okay, buddy, I’ll cut you a break this time. But I won’t be so forgiving if you disrespect my mates again.”

“I’m with you, Abbey,” Nikki spoke up, looking at Butler and narrowing her eyes in warning.

Butler hesitated then opened his arms and was relieved when Nikki came to him and cuddled against his chest. He growled softly as she turned toward him and bit down lightly on his pectoral muscle.

I’m going to have to teach you not to tease pregnant women,
she whispered in his mind.

Sweetness, you can teach me anything you want as long as we do it naked.

Alexander’s snort of laughter made them both smile. Butler turned to look at his triad partner and winked.

You’re with me on that, aren’t you, Alex?

Oh, yeah. Let’s go do some learning right now.

Nikki laughed against Butler’s chest, reaching out her left hand and taking the hand that Alex offered her, squeezing it lightly.
Sounds like a good idea to me,
she whispered in their minds.

“How are you adjusting to living here, Abbey?” Jace’s voice grabbed everyone’s attention. “Are you glad to be here?”

“I am,” Abbey admitted. “I love it here. And I love being mated to Hunter and Clay.”

“What’s wrong?” Jace prompted, his connection to her as her alpha allowing him to feel the sadness that was creeping from her.

“I would like to have my two best friends come to live here,” Abbey told him finally. “They’re really good people and I know they would find happiness here. Maybe they’ll even find their mates.”

“It’s always difficult to bring outsiders into the pack, Abbey,” Jace told her carefully. “We have to make sure that no one compromises the safety of our family if others know of our secret.”

“The beautiful lady told me I could trust them with the secret of your shifter world, Jace,” she told him honestly. “They know about Hunter and Clay and our mating. They would never betray your secrets.”

Jace was quiet for a moment as he looked over the small group within Drew’s outer office. They were but a small percentage of the many he was honor bound to protect.

“Mother Fate told you they could be trusted?” he asked softly.

Abbey nodded. “She did.”

“Well, then,” Jace said finally. “I can’t deny Her guidance. You may ask your friends to join us, and we’ll see if they want to be part of our pack family. Who knows? They may find their fated mates here, and that would be a very good thing.”

“Thank you, Jace,” Abbey whispered, happiness filling her at the thought that she might be able to have it all. Friends, family, mates, a baby, and a place where all of them were safe.

* * * *

Mia walked away from Drew, Suzie, and Carter’s home. Her emotions were in a jumble. Being so afraid for her brother had made her weak from lack of sleep and worry. Happiness for Abbey and her coming baby made her confused by the fact that she suddenly wished she could accept that type of life. Thinking about Lucian and Cole made her want things she knew she couldn’t cave in and surrender to. She had seen too much in her life to give up on her dream of becoming a nurse. She was going to go to college and achieve that dream. No one was going to stop her.

“Mia,” Lucian’s deep voice called to her.

Mia stopped and turned to face the two men who confused the hell out of her. “What?” she asked, suddenly very tired.

“Are you all right, darlin’?” Lucian asked her, running his large fingers through his blond hair as he looked down at her worriedly.

“I’m okay. Just tired.”

“I think you’re more than tired, baby,” Cole whispered as he closed the distance between them and gathered her into his arms. “It’s okay, Mia. You can let go.”

Mia thought for a moment to protest. She was strong. She didn’t need these men to tell her to let go. But the words died on her lips as Lucian stepped up behind her and wrapped his arms around her, leaning down and nuzzling into the back of her neck and kissing it softly.

She couldn’t hold it together anymore. She felt her body beginning to tremble and was grateful for the strong arms that surrounded her. The warmth of their bodies soothed her and relaxed the nerves that had been stretched tight with worry since her brother had been attacked. She leaned against Cole’s chest and gave in to her need to be comforted by these two men.

Hell! Who am I trying to kid? Lucian and Cole aren’t just any two men—they’re my men.

Although she couldn’t allow them to know it yet, she was completely and irrevocably committed to them. She knew she would never be happy without them. It scared her, it angered her, but it comforted her. She wanted to belong to a loving triad. She wanted to be able to give in and allow her mates to help her. She didn’t want to be the strong one all the time.

“Don’t think you’ve won,” she mumbled against Cole’s chest. “I’m not caving.”

“You keep telling yourself that, baby,” Cole told her softly. “You aren’t fooling us one bit.”

“You arrogant idiot!” Mia muttered, trying to push from their arms.

“Be quiet, brat,” Lucian warned her with nothing but affection in his voice. “Just let us hold you.”

Mia struggled only briefly before settling tiredly between them and accepting their soft kisses against her face and neck.

“Mia, when we scented Abbey’s pregnancy, the first thing we thought about was how wonderful you’re going to smell when you’re pregnant with our children,” Cole told her, kissing her forehead lightly.

“Don’t plan on that, Cole,” Mia warned him. “I’m not mating with anyone, and I’m not having any children either.”

“See, honey, that’s where you’re wrong,” Lucian told her gently. “You’re our triad third. No amount of grumbling is going to change that.”

“We’re going to be good for you, baby,” Cole added. “You don’t have to worry. We’re not going to try and change you. We like you just the way you are. We’ll support your wish to go to college because we know that’s what’s meant for you. You’re going to be a wonderful nurse, and we couldn’t be prouder of you.”

“When you finish college, we’ll be here for you,” Lucian continued. “We’ll take care of you just as we know you’ll take care of us.” He breathed into the crook of her neck and licked at her skin, loving the taste of her. “We’re going to love you and make love to you. And we’re going to have children with you.”

“I already told you…” Mia began tiredly.

“We know, baby,” Cole whispered. “You don’t want mates and you don’t want children.” He kissed the top of her head gently. “Maybe by the time you finish school and come back home you’ll have changed your mind.”

“Please just think about it, Mia,” Lucian asked her gently. “We promise to love and cherish you. And we’ll always be there for you and our cubs.”

Mia closed her eyes and tried to turn off the feelings they were making her feel. It was too dangerous for her to entertain any thoughts of mating with them. She had to stay alone, work for her degree, and become a nurse. She didn’t have time for a relationship with them or any other men. She certainly couldn’t entertain the thoughts of having the children that they wanted to have with her. She was about to tell them so when they tightened their hold on her and snuggled against her, breathing in her scent as she breathed in theirs. It was so not fair.

Their size comforted her rather than frightened her. How could she possibly not give in when they smelled so good? She loved their warmth. She loved their humor. She loved the way they cared for her so naturally. In fact, if she were to be honest with herself—she was definitely starting to love them.

Damn it all to hell!

“Abbey, that’s wonderful,” Synthia gushed, reaching out to touch the monitor. “I wish I could hug you right now! I’m so happy for you.”

“You’re going to be a great mother,” Shelly added, her blue eyes filling with tears of happiness for her friend.

“I hope so,” Abbey chuckled, covering her flat stomach with her right hand as she sat in the study of her new home. “I know Hunter and Clay are going to be amazing fathers. I’ve had visions of them playing with our son and daughter.”