A Mate's Bite

18

“What do I do?”

“Give her time. But be there for her. Words,” she shrugged, “they’re easy to say. Actions speak louder, son. Your mate needs proof that you’re not going anywhere. Treat her like what she is, your equal. Involve her in what you do to the point she knows she’s an important part of your life. That she’s not a bother.”

“I’m trying, but with more rogues showing up in Caleb’s land I want to help rid of them. I don’t want her or our children in danger.”

“I know. Follow your instinct when it comes to your mate, Nate. She wants you to want to be with her without her asking. That means you must spend time with her. Or that wall she’s erected? It’ll only keep growing.”

He thought about her words and resolved to make changes in order for Karla to see his conviction for their relationship. Things weren’t going to be easy, but as long as he could find a way to help her embrace their future as a family he’d take that as a start. Her skepticism was deep rooted. It clearly meant she held on to her past experiences as a shield to stop herself from letting him into her heart. He needed to know where it stemmed from in order to help her see his commitment.

Karla woke up to the smell of food again. Nate had stayed the night, and she hadn’t even noticed. She groaned and turned away from the sunlight.

“Rise and shine.” He chuckled. “Come on, baby. You can’t still be tired.”

“You’re an evil, evil man. Why must you sound so chipper this early in the morning?” She groaned.

“I have food.” He rubbed his beard growth over her cheek.

A smile split her lips. She liked that he was attentive. “You might live to see another day then.” She flipped on her back and pushed the hair away from her face. Sure enough, he’d brought a tray with orange juice and toasted English muffins. Her favorite. He even brought her favorite orange jam. And she was out which meant he had to have bought a jar.

“Did you go out to buy jam?”

“I couldn’t leave you alone. I sent one of the enforcers to pick some up for you. He dropped it off earlier.”

She blinked, holding the juice mid-way to her mouth. “You had someone buy me jam and bring it over?”

He nodded, face clear of any smile to indicate he hadn’t joked. “Yeah.”

“But they have important things to do! They don’t need to be running errands.”

The bright light of his wolf glowed in his eyes. “You’re important to me. That’s enough.”

She gulped and sat up. “I think I’m being spoiled.”

He sat on the bed across from her and leaned in, shocking her with a gentle kiss. “I’m certainly going to try.”

It was times like that she fought the idea her mother had tried to instill in her about men lying about sticking around. Karla hadn’t placed any demands on Nate. Not even about their child. Yet there he was, willingly doing things to make her comfortable. That had to count for something.

“I need to talk to you about something.” His lips had flattened into a thin line, and his brow arched down into a deep V. Holy s**t. Something was definitely wrong.

She gripped her sheet, not wanting to display her shaking hands. “Okay…”

He passed her a glass of juice and met her gaze. “You’re pregnant.”

Um. Okay. She laughed. Anxiety laced his words. She laughed again, harder. She’d been worrying for this? All the knots of fear that formed in her stomach disappeared suddenly. “I’m sorry. I think I knew that already. I thought we established I’m carrying baby Spot.”

His brows rose. “Baby Spot?”

“I don’t know if it’s a boy or a girl and Jordan claimed baby Furball for her future children.” She shrugged, uncurling her hands from the fabric and letting out a breath. “Besides, I like calling you Spot.”

“Baby, you can call me whatever makes you happy.”

She liked him being accommodating. Next she’d ask him to strip and see if that got her anywhere. Talk about feeling frisky. The day’s old beard and messy hair looked fantastic on him. Like he was ready to roll back into bed with her. Those piercing eyes held her entranced.

“But about baby Spot...”

Right. The baby. Damn she’d gone off and started visualizing running her nails down Nate’s body. Those abs and curling her hand around his long, hard c**k. “Yeah?”

He grinned. s**t. He probably smelled how turned on she was getting. But he looked good. And she really wanted to lick her way up and down his body until she’d tasted every inch of him. He shifted, and her gaze dropped to his arms. Strong arms. Arms that had held her legs tight in his hold while he licked her p***y. Oh no. Her mind had lost all train of thought. Now all she could think of was him. Between her legs. Bringing her back to bliss.

She took a swallow of her juice and continued to daydream.

“I think you should know it’s probably multiples.”

Yes, she’d love multiple orgasms. Wait. They’d been talking about baby Spot. Oh. Oh s**t! Those words shocked her brain into full function. She almost choked on her juice.

He handed her a napkin to cough into. “Are you okay?”

“You couldn’t say that once I’d swallowed the juice?”

“Sorry. But yeah, multiples.”

“How do you know? I haven’t even been to a doctor yet.”

“Mom. She called me a noob and said she can tell.”

She laughed through her coughs imagining Barbara calling him the common gamer term. She didn’t even want to know how Barbara knew that word.

“And she’s sure?” Like an alpha female of her caliber would make that kind of information up. Karla knew she was probably right. She was one part of multiples herself, so why not.

“Yeah.” He caressed her cheek softly. With a gentleness she couldn’t help but lean into. “You’re okay with this?”

He was worried about her. The thought spread warmth through her heart. Only Kel had ever worried about her. She put the cup on the tray on her night table and smiled at him. There was the glow again. The animal inside him just below the surface. She loved it.

“Yes. I can handle it.” And she would. The prospect of having his baby went from scary to exciting. She couldn’t wait to meet the miniature versions of the two of them.

“We, babe. You’re not in this alone.”