Chasing A Runaway Mate

Chapter 8

Black

So far Dimitri had not said anything, but every time Black checked his phone Dimitri would raise an eyebrow. Black wanted to know what was going on back home. He was curious as to what his mother's reaction was to Kat's news. Mostly he was concerned about Rose. She was supposed to have checked in at the clinic after the talk with Alina, but so far Black had received no word.

Black loved his mate dearly, but right now she was testing his patience. He knew it was her way of dealing with him being away again. Rose was hanging in limbo, not dealing with her fears or concerns. She was terrified Black would not return from this fight and in her mind, everything that happened between Black's departure and return didn't matter. It was like the music they played while being placed on hold with a service provider. It was just something to fill the void.

Seeing the doctor was something too important and something which, preferably should be done with both parents present. Rose needed to brave this fear. Black needed to know that his mate and child were healthy.

"I swear, Black if you check your phone one more time, I'm going to throw it out the window." Dimitri's rough voice came from the front passenger seat of the car they were traveling in. Black's only answer was a scowl.

"Just call her. You can't go into battle with your head someplace else."

Black didn't want the occupants of the car to overhear his conversation, so he decided to send Rose a text message instead.

What did the doctor say?

Black's fraying nerves left no room for pleasantries. Hopefully Rose would answer soon and he could focus on the task ahead. Ten minutes went by and still no reply. By the time another ten minutes had passed Black's knee was jumping and he was ready to punch the next person in the face who so much as looked at him the wrong way. Dimitri shifted his weight, uncomfortable as he felt his Alpha's displeasure. The Beta pulled out his own phone. His fingers raced across the screen as he typed, but Black couldn't care less about who he might be talking to.

Two minutes later, Black's phone vibrated in his hand, signalling a new message.

I'm sorry, I left my phone in my office and we were downstairs busy with dinner. It was late when we left your mother's. I'll go by the clinic in the morning.

This did not sit well with Black. Not at all. Scrolling through his contacts, he located the number he needed. The call took a little longer to connect as it was connecting across international borders. When it finally connected, it only took three rings before it was answered.

"Alpha. Good evening." The doctor's voice was calm and even. It was the natural consequence of years of difficult conversations with family members and patients.

"Doc, I need you to go to the pack-house and see the Luna. She is expecting and must have a check-up."

"Of course. I'll go right away. I take it the Luna is not expecting me?" If the doctor thought it strange that his Alpha was ordering a check-up at this time of the night, he kept it to himself.

"No. Text me once you are done." Black ended the call without exchanging goodbyes. When he looked up, he saw Dimitri watching him.

"I take it that was your doing?" Black asked, referring to Rose answering his text. Dimitri shrugged.

"I figured she was probably just not near her phone. I texted Alex. He and Isabella were at the pack-house."

Black closed his eyes as he rested his head against the headrest. He needed to calm himself. Being on edge was just as bad as being distracted. Both got you killed in battle and Black had no intention of not returning to his family.

Family.

So far, Black had pushed aside the thought that he was plotting to fight against his family. He might have never set foot in the pack where his parents grew up, but it was still part of his heritage. His father and mother never spoke of their lives before they formed the Renegade Pack, and Black had no idea if he had any family left at the Cold Moon Pack.

Would he be able to live with the guilt if he learns after the fact that he, or his men, had killed a family member? It was a question he hoped he wouldn't need to answer.

*****

Cold. Cold and silence. That was what was waiting for the men as they exited the car. Being wolf-shifters, Black and his company had a much higher tolerance for the cold, but this was a cold they had never experienced before. The snow had hardened to a thick layer of ice and made it difficult to walk. The men slipped and slided until they reached the entrance to the large tent that had been set up in the middle of the rows and rows of smaller tents. Smoke plumes filled the air and groups of men stood around fires as they tried to keep warm.

Before Black entered the tent, his phone vibrated in his pocket and he stepped aside before retrieving it. When he looked at the screen, he saw Rose's name illuminated on it. This was going to be a challenging conversation.

"Rose," Black said as he answered the call.

"So it's come to this, has it?" Rose's voice shook as she tried to control her temper.

"I know you are angry with me, but you must try to calm down. If you shift-"

"I f*****g know, Black. Don't test me right now! How many times must I tell you that I'm not one of your lackeys, you cannot command me!" A growl threatened to escape from Rose and made her voice deeper. Black was bristling for a fight, but he was too afraid she would lose control and shift. He had to remind himself that she hadn't been a shifter for very long. It was easy to forget at times because she was so good at controlling her emotions.

"I'm sorry, my love. I know you are pissed at me right now, but please try to understand. I want to return to you and our child safely, and to do that I need to have my head in the game. I cannot afford to be distracted and worrying about you and our child's health is a pretty major distraction." Black walked a bit further away, trying to get more privacy.

Rose didn't answer right away and the silence seemed to stretch on and on.

"Well we are both fine. The doctor said the baby is growing nicely and gave me something to help with the nausea. He also said he would give all my vitamins to Pat. She would make sure I take them. He also made a standing weekly appointment and made sure I added his phone number to my contacts." Rose's voice lost some of its edge but Black could tell her anger had not dissipated completely.

"Thank you. I know this isn't easy. I wish this could all be different."

"I know. You'll be home soon and then things can go back to normal."

Black had no idea how soon he would be able to return but decided to keep that to himself. His mate had enough to stress about.

"I have to get back. We just arrived at the encampment."

"OK. When will you be heading out?" Rose asked.

"Not sure. That's what we need to discuss now."

"Then go so you can come home as quickly as possible."

"I love you, you know," Black's voice dropped as his emotion deepened it.

"I love you too."

With extreme effort, Black ended the call. He pulled up a photo he had taken of Rose while she was sleeping. It was taken just after they had found out she was pregnant. A pang of longing took root in his chest as he looked at it. Before he could completely lose himself in it, Black returned his phone to his pocket. He felt the edges of his face harden as Nikolai pushed against him. The wolf was eager to get this battle over with. With his face set in hard line, Black entered the command tent, ready to get things started.