Mandy's Story (11 page)

She walked inside, but he stayed on the
porch until she told him dinner was ready. The potato soup was
wonderful. He usually ate with his parents twice a week, and used
the small diner near the nightclub in Denver the rest of the
time.

“
You’re a good cook,” he
said after his second helping.

“
Once you have food in the
cupboards, I’ll do better.” She hesitated a moment. “I can’t stay
locked up in this cabin or even around here after you return to
work. I know having a cub will make a difference and I might change
my mind, but don’t leave me, Honey,” she pleaded in a soft
voice.

Where all her feisty talk and behavior
had little impact, her quiet request did. He looked away then
settled his gaze back on her. “We won’t be leaving here for a month
or until you’re pregnant. Can we just enjoy this time and get to
know each other better?”

Her smile built slowly, causing him to
feel relieved and hesitant to broach the next subject. “We need to
discuss Tyboll.”

Her smile disappeared. “I don’t like
him,” she said with vehemence.

“
He’s dangerous. It’s
important you don’t interfere with Patreous.”

Mandy’s entire body tensed. “Why? So
Tyboll the Terrible can keep beating him?”

“
He wouldn’t seriously
harm his son. And if for some reason he did, The Kodiak would step
in. It’s not your place or mine.” The words came out softly, but
they were an order nonetheless.

She sighed. “I don’t understand your
clan.”

Now that he knew her better, he guessed
her sigh wasn’t in defeat. “Tyboll has problems. His son, more than
anyone else, helps him keep a hold of his sanity. He loves the
child.”

“
Does he have a
mate?”

“
No, and chances are good
he never will. He stays away from everyone. Patreous runs fairly
wild, but we all watch out for him.”

“
But I’m not allowed
around him?” The resentment was back in her voice.

“
Give it a few days and
we’ll see. Tyboll might change his mind and you could help by
staying away from the boy during that time.”

Honey watched her contemplate his words
for several minutes before she nodded. He helped her clean the
kitchen and then they went to bed. More than an hour later they
actually fell asleep.

Chapter Nineteen

Feathery hair tickling her stomach
along with the distinct sound of sniffing woke Mandy the following
morning. She couldn’t help her giggle. When she could speak, her
voice was low and throaty from sleep. “What are you doing, you
crazy bear?”

He glanced up and smiled. “Hmm, you
smell delicious, more so than usual. I think you’re
ovulating.”

“
Really?” Her sleep
dissipated fast.

He kissed her belly and traveled
upward, giving a long wet lick to each nipple before nibbling at
her neck. He ran his nose slowly along the sensitive skin beneath
her jaw.

A groan escaped Mandy’s lips. “You need
to hurry.” His teeth scraped her sensitized flesh. “Ahh… we… we
must take advantage of this for as long as possible.”

His husky laugh blew across her ear. “I
seem to remember a certain stubborn she-wolf who took her time when
her mate needed things to progress a little faster.”

“
That was playing. This is
serious business.” She arched her back and pressed herself closer
to his incredibly warm body.

“
When I have you beneath
me it’s always serious business.” He continued to
nuzzle.

“
I would offer to be on
top, but I read on the internet that there’s more success if the
sperm stays in my vagina longer.”

The nuzzling stopped and his black eyes
snapped to hers in disbelief. “You looked this up on the
internet?”

“
Of course, silly. We need
to make a baby, so I wanted to know our best chance and how we can
help it along. Why did you stop?”

He blinked once and then smiled. “I
have no idea. I’ll just get back to work.” He continued his slow
and sweet methodical torture and drove her nuts until they both lay
replete.

“
Can you push the pillow
down to my hips?” There was excitement in her voice.

“
Pardon?” He opened one
eye.

“
I need to prop my hips up
and tilt my pelvis back. That’s what one of the articles
said.”

With a loud sigh he helped her arrange
the pillow so her bottom lifted slightly and then he rolled from
the bed. “I’m taking a shower and then I need to make a few
calls.”

“
If this doesn’t work, we
should try again in an hour.”

The look he gave made butterflies dance
in her stomach, but then he shook his head. “I have work to do, so
it may be slightly longer.”

She gave him her best sad pout and
received another sigh.

“
I promise to make up for
it.” He leaned over and touched his lips to hers in a quick
kiss.

“
You better.” Mandy
watched him walk into the bathroom and then listened to the shower
turn on.

She lay in bed thinking about
everything she’d read on the subject of getting pregnant, and
decided if she stood on her head with her back against the
headboard and wall, there might be a better chance of success. She
managed to get slightly comfortable and then closed her eyes and
meditated about her eggs accepting sperm. A few minutes later, she
felt a slight dip in the bed beside her. Turning slightly, she
looked into the eyes of her mate, who was now in the same position
as she was.

“
I didn’t want to
interrupt, so I thought I would join you. I’m not going to ask what
you’re doing now. I think I’m beginning to figure out how your
wacky brain works.” His slightly damp and naked body tipped closer
to hers.

“
Thank you. It’s nice to
have wacky company. I’m hoping we won’t need to do this very
often.”

“
And what exactly are you
doing?” a voice thundered through the room.

Startled, Mandy’s head turned and saw
The Kodiak standing in the doorway of their bedroom. She couldn’t
help her proud smile. “Well, sir, we’re making your grandchild.”
She heard her mate’s loud groan, but couldn’t quite make out the
grumbled words from the alpha as he backed from their
bedroom.

Honey’s naked body slid to the bed and
then his feet landed on the floor. “I need to speak with my father
and then get that damn door fixed,” he groused.

“
I’ll just stay like this
a little longer.”

She watched his eyes travel the length
of her upside-down body while shaking his head. He pulled on pants
and then left the room without another word. She stayed in place
for fifteen additional minutes before taking a shower. When she
walked out of the bedroom, Honey’s mother sat at the table with a
cup of coffee.

“
I thought since you are
my son’s mate, we should get to know each other. I made coffee, if
you would like some.”

“
Yes, thank you. I need to
drink it now before I’m pregnant. It’s bad for babies, you
know.”

“
So standing on your head
didn’t work?” Sonora said with a playful smile.

“
It was worth a try, but
no it didn’t. Did your mate tell you?” Mandy poured a cup of
coffee, added sugar, and then sat down.

“
The Kodiak is seldom at a
loss for words, but you’ve quite thrown him for a loop. I think
you’ve had that effect on my son, too.”

“
I’m sorry. I know you’re
a bear, but those two just seem so serious all the time. Terrible
is the same way, too. Are they all like that?”

“
So you’ve met Tyboll?”
Sonora asked, ignoring Mandy’s question.

“
I wasn’t impressed. That
man needs someone to take him by the ear and teach him manners
along with fathering techniques.”

Sonora choked on her coffee. When she
was able to take in air without coughing, she looked at Mandy with
a twinkle in her eyes. “Yes, you could be right. Did you meet
Patreous?”

“
He’s wonderful, but
Tyboll has forbidden him from being around me.”

The smile left Sonora’s face. “You
think Patreous is wonderful?”

Mandy gave her a quizzical look. “And
you don’t?”

“
Hmm, he’s mean spirited
like his father and a daily pain in our ass.”

“
I don’t think he’s mean
spirited at all. He just needs someone to spend time with him and
give him attention. We had a glorious race. His bear is still
gangly, but he’ll beat me in another year or two.”

Now Sonora looked stunned. “You didn’t
let him win?”

Mandy shook her head. “Why would I do
that? He’ll never learn or try to run faster.”

“
Oh, dear.”

“
Terrible should be
horsewhipped for punishing Patreous for losing.”

Sonora gave Mandy a sad smile. “You’re
probably right.”

“
I know I’m right. Honey
told me she-bears don’t fight, but seriously, you let the men beat
you at games and such?” Just the thought was repellant to Mandy.
She didn’t want to upset Honey’s mother, but she couldn’t hold in
her feelings. “Why do you put up with this stuff?”

“
Our men like control.
They like to fight and they never lose unless it’s against each
other. When that happens, everyone backs off because you do not
want to be around an angry bear.”

“
Honey can have all the
control he wants, but there’s no way I’ll let him win at something
if I can beat him. If… he gives me attitude, he will be an even
unhappier bear.”

Sonora’s smile grew until she began
laughing. “I think you are exactly what my son needs. The only
person to ever best him is his father. One day that won’t be the
case and Honey will be The Kodiak.”

A look of horror settled on Mandy’s
face. “Honey would never kill his father.”

It took a moment, but finally Sonora
spoke. “I’d forgotten that wolf challenges for alpha are to the
death. Quite barbaric, my dear. Bears are different. Though it’s
tough when an alpha’s defeated, they often survive the battle.
Bears don’t procreate easily and it’s important we don’t lose them
to bear power plays.”

It was impossible for Mandy to keep
quiet on the subject of clan politics. “Bears might be different,
but your kind is barbaric in how they treat women and children. I’m
planning to work alongside Honey and be a part of his life, not sit
in the background and wait for him to return home.”

Sonora looked stunned. “You would work
at the club?”

“
Of course. I love people.
I’m more than capable of keeping customers in line, and I love to
dance. I’ll make a better partner to Honey if I’m part of his
life.” Mandy gave Sonora a determined look.

A twinkle entered the older woman’s
eyes. “If you go to the club, especially to dance, I know a few
she-bears who would love to be there. Please keep me
informed.”

Mandy felt red creeping into her cheeks
over her next question. “I’ve… umm… ordered a package for Honey and
I need it picked up from the post office. It’s a gift and a secret.
Is there anyway someone could give me a ride to town to get
it?”

Sonora didn’t acknowledge Mandy’s
uncomfortable behavior. “I’d be glad to take you if Honey
won’t.”

“
I don’t want him to know
he’s getting a surprise.”

“
Then we’ll tell him I’m
showing you around. When do you want to leave?”

“
An hour would be perfect.
I’m hoping Honey returns soon so we can work on making a
baby.”

Sonora laughed on her way to the sink
to rinse out her mug. “I’m glad you’re here, Mandy. We’ve been
stuck in our ways for a long time and it’ll be nice to have a
breath of fresh air. I’ll pick you up in an hour.”

Chapter Twenty

Honey didn’t return before Sonora
picked her up, which put angst in each step Mandy took as she got
ready. The man needed to communicate. He seemed to be two different
people… sometimes fun and carefree, but most often serious and all
he-bear. She preferred the carefree Honey more and knew she’d need
to work on him so he-bear didn’t make regular
appearances.

The trip into town was uneventful. They
took The Kodiak’s large truck and had a man at the hardware store
load a new front door for the cabin. Mandy picked up her package,
but blushed slightly when Sonora asked about it. “It’s a surprise
for Honey and I’ll let him tell you if he wants.” Mandy knew this
was one surprise Honey wouldn’t be sharing.

“
Don’t spoil him too much
or he’ll go soft,” Sonora teased.

“
I’d like to make
something special for dinner, too, if you don’t mind stopping at
the grocery store.”

Sonora nodded with a smile and muttered
under her breath, “Soft it is.”

They arrived home two hours later.
Honey stood in the doorway and didn’t look happy.

“
Oh dear, you did leave
him a note, didn’t you?” Sonora looked at her less-than-cordial son
as she spoke to Mandy before they got out of the truck.