Ivory Snow

The group decided to remain in the rogue encampment for a few days, while a few members went into the nearby markets for supplies. Adam graciously supplied a good portion of their coins to help buy what was needed to feed everyone. That one act made Ivory love him even more. It also impressed Richard.

The week after they arrived, camp was packed up faster than Ivory thought possible.

During their walk into camp on the first day, they had decided to keep Ivory’s identity a secret from those they were traveling with. The more people who knew raised the risk of discovery.

So, Ivory continued to travel with her hood up.

With so many people traveling, and so many things, it took them two weeks to even get close to the Duke’s city. Each night, Dean pulled the maps out that he had packed, the same ones the brothers had been studying the last few weeks. The males discussed their options, then sent sentries out to see which was safer. As soon as one was chosen, they moved the whole camp there.

That night, the brothers and Ivory sat around a campfire, resting their tired feet. Ivory sat in front of Adam, leaning against him, munching on the last of the bread. Her stomach was not handling all the walking very well. She had only been able to keep small amounts of food down at a time.

Richard walked over and joined them, sitting down on one side of Ivory. Gabe was in his usual spot on her right.

Richard looked at Ivory with the bread, sniffed the air, and smirked.

“I wish you had said something, I would have had you riding in one of the wagons. I know you’d fight me on it, but surely your mate would have rather you rode than walked.”

“What are you talking about? I held up just as fine as everyone else.” Ivory huffed.

Richard laughed and looked at Adam. “How far along is she?”

Adam looked at him curiously. “What are you talking about? If you mean her mood, I’d say she’s irritated enough to throw a rock at you soon.”

Richard laughed hard for a good two minutes before straightening back up. He looked around at all the confused faces and shook his head.

“Did nobody teach any of you anything about scents and such when you shifted?”

“I shifted a few days after our father died. The local Baron was trying to take our lands and turn us into slaves. I had nobody I trusted to guide me. I learned on my own. And I did my best with my brothers. When Snow shifted, she was just as alone as we were.”

Richard smirked. “I guess the heating scent took you all by surprise then, huh?”

Ivory blushed and pulled her coat up to cover the bottom half of her face. The older brothers laughed and started telling Richard stories.

Even Adam was blushing before they finished.

“You figured out how to communicate without fully shifting?” Richard asked them.

They both nodded. He studied them again, in complete awe.

“How long ago was that?”

Adam shrugged. “Nearly two months ago now, I guess. Why?”

“Alright pups. Take one good long sniff towards Snow.” He and his wolves had taken on her nickname, both in an effort to keep her secret and because they liked it.

Adam leaned down and sniffed her, the others leaned in her direction. Even Gabe leaned down to sniff. She frowned at him, and he smiled with a shrug.

It was worth a shot.

“She mostly smells the same to me, but there is a hint of something else. I figured it was from so many people around.” Adam explained. The others nodded, having thought the same.

“That is true, yes. When traveling in groups our scents do mix a little. But this scent is specific. Each female carrying a pup lets off this scent.”

Adam opened his mouth to say something, then closed it again.

His mate was pregnant with his pup.

Ivory was just as astounded. The brothers across the fire cheered and high fived, calling each other uncle.

Adam slid his hand to her belly. “You have my pup in there, love.” He whispered in her ear.

“Are… are you sure?” She asked Richard nervously.

Richard smiled and patted her head. “Yes, sweet pup. Your mother carried bread around when she was pregnant with you as well. Even with your brother.” Richard’s smile was sad. “The nausea will pass. You’ve probably been extra tired lately. Maybe a little moodier, too.”

Brian laughed. “Who can tell with her grump for a mate right next to her?”

“At least I’m not always taking the lazy way out of things.”

“Hey!” Brian held a hand over his heart, acting as though he had been wounded. “I take offense to that. I’m not lazy. I’m well rested.”

“And my books are well-done.” Dean snarked.

Brian turned to him. “That was one time, brother. One time. I didn’t mean to fall asleep with the book so close to the fire.”

“You’ve lived with this for three years?” Richard leaned down to ask Snow.

She giggled. “There was never a dull moment. Or a quiet one.”

Richard laughed with her.

“Oh yeah, should we tell the story of you and Agatha?” Charles threw in.

“Don’t you dare!” She pointed at him.

“Oh, yes, please do tell.” Richard rubbed his hands greedily. “Who’s Agatha? A neighbor?”

“Nope, a cow. Our little Princess insisted we teach her how to milk a cow. And she didn’t want just any cow, she wanted the most temperamental one we had.”

“You know, what?” Brian raised one finger up, as though he had just gotten an amazing epiphany. “Now that I think about it. I think Snow has a thing for grumpy, irritable, creatures.”

“On that note, I’m taking my pregnant mate to bed. She needs to rest before we go into the city tomorrow. Say goodnight, pups.”

Adam stood up and then pulled her up as well. Richard watched with a smile as each of the six younger brothers came and kissed her on the cheek, and even rubbed her belly. The youngest gave her the biggest hug and then watched the two leave the fire mournfully.

Brian took his hand and led him to sit next to him. “Don’t worry, you’re still her favorite brother. We all accepted that long ago.”

“You all really care for her, don’t you?” Richard asked.

“She’s our sister.” Eric shrugged.

“I’m glad you found her. Not just because you saved her. But because you have loved her. I couldn’t of asked for more.”

Adam led Ivory quietly to a tent they had set up for them. It wasn’t much, just a large blanket laid over a branch, with a blanket on the ground.

“Tomorrow, we are going to make sure you stay in the city. I will not have you sleeping on the ground every night.”

Ivory laid on the makeshift pillow of clothes and looked at her mate. “I have been sleeping just fine on the ground. Knowing and not knowing does not change what I am capable of.”

Adam laid down next to her on his side, looking down on his beautiful mate. Not for the first time, he wondered how he had gotten lucky enough for fate to make her his.

“No, it doesn’t but it does change what happens from here. We both lost loved ones to birthing challenges. Gabe was born two months early, my mother died not long after. Your brother was full term and still did not survive. I will not lose you too. Nor will I lose our pup.” Adam laid his hand protectively on her belly.

Ivory laid her hand on top of his. “Are you happy about this? I know we talked a little before, but we hadn’t decided anything.”

Adam kissed her softly. “How could I not be happy that my mate is carrying my pup? A being that we created out of our love. He, or she, will be perfect because they are part of you. What about you, my love? Are you happy?”

Ivory thought carefully about her answer before replying. “I am, but I’m worried too. We are headed into a war zone. I wanted to fight right alongside you, protecting our family together. Now, there is not one male in our group that will let me fight. If you have any say, I will be locked in the tallest room of the tallest tower.”

Adam chuckled. “That’s not a bad idea, love.”

Ivory poked him in the stomach.

Adam kissed her and gently started removing her clothes.

Is it safe? She asked him.

Yes, even my wolf promises to behave.

Well, that’s just the saddest thing I’ve ever heard.

Adam had to pull away from her lips until he could stop laughing.

The next morning, they all gathered around the fire pit. Brian handed a bowl of oatmeal to Snow. She took one look at it and grimaced.

That was not going to work at all.

Brian laughed and took the bowl back. He pulled his other hand from around his back.

It was a plate with some eggs and a small piece of bread,

“Where did you get this?” She asked as she greedily took it from him.

“I found some females and asked what pregnant females should eat for breakfast. They asked a few questions. I told them what I knew, and they gave me this. They did say if you need anything else, then to let them know. I told them you were the one wearing a hood. They didn’t think it was weird at all.” He shrugged.

Ivory gave him a one-armed hug, holding the food in her other hand.

“Thank you, Brian.”

He acted like it was no big deal, but his thoughtfulness had touched her heart. She even started tearing up.

Adam walked over and scowled at his brother. “What did you do to make her cry?”

Brian raised his hands in innocence and stepped back. “No idea. I just gave her food, I swear.”

Ivory wiped her eyes and sniffed. “It’s fine. He basically hunted down a bunch of females for help and brought me something besides oatmeal. I don’t know why I’m crying.”

Adam rubbed her lower back gently. “You’ve been doing that a lot lately. At first I thought you were just tired, I guess we know better now. Come on, let’s sit down. Thank you, Brian.”

Brian nodded, still a bit wary and confused.

Ivory ate and listened as the males discussed strategy, who would go and who would stay.

All the brothers wanted to go, obviously.

Richard didn’t want to take the pups. He said it would be too dangerous.

“They would help us blend in better though.” Ivory cut in, knowing Gabe would not do well if he were left with a bunch of strangers. “We go in as a family, selling our things. We don’t actually have to sell anything, just look like it. With the pups along, we won’t look suspicious. No offense, Richard. But my males know what to expect in a market better than you or I do.”

Her males beamed proudly at her statement.

“Richard also knows more about security and protection. So, you would do well to listen to him on that front.” She lightly scolded, taking them back down a notch.

Adam coughed, trying to cover up his laugh. She was going to make such a great mother to their pup.

After more discussion, they decided to mix it up. All the brothers would be going and half of Richard’s wolves. The other half would remain to help protect the rogues that had come with them.

The ones leaving grabbed a wagon and filled it with a few empty barrels and some blankets. Adam tried to convince Ivory that she should ride instead of walk. She told him if he didn’t back off she wasn’t going to be riding anything for a long time. The soldiers standing nearby chuckled. The brothers covered their ears.

Ivory was beat by the time they got to the hidden gate, but she kept her mouth shut. She didn’t want Adam saying I told you so.

Adam walked up to the gate, hoping someone was standing nearby at all times. It was much later in the day than they had come before.

He rapped on the door, following the same pattern that the Innkeeper, Sawyer, had used. They waited for an uncomfortable amount of time before the door cracked open.

“Who are you and what do you want?”

That was not the welcome he was expecting. “Tell Jack that Adam is back, and he has the precious cargo. Hurry, please.”

The door closed again. Adam looked around, his eyes settled on Ivory.

“Is that what happened last time?”

Adam shook his head and pulled her into his arms. He needed to feel her, have her close. “No, but they also knew the Innkeeper. They don’t know me and need to be careful. I can appreciate that. Come, sit down and rest. Please?”

Ivory relented and let him lift her onto the back of the wagon. He looked at her there and shivered.

“What?” She asked softly.

“Just reliving a bad memory.” She kept staring at him until he elaborated. “The last time I lifted you onto the back of a wagon, you were unconscious and bleeding. The vision of you that way now, just…”

He shook the dreadful thoughts from his head and stood in front of her, holding her to him.

Eventually the door opened again. They all turned to face it and waited. A dark form stepped out, with his arms wide.

“Adam! I can’t tell you how relieved I am to see you. The Innkeeper sent word that your farm had been burned down. Somehow he knew you would make your way here.” He looked around at everyone, stopping on the two figures with hooded cloaks.

Ivory had insisted Richard wear one too.

“Thank you for coming, Jack. I’ll introduce you to everyone and explain everything, but first, we need to get to safety. And... you should probably invite your father.”

Jack looked at Ivory. “Does this concern your precious cargo.”

“Yes, and now it’s cargo has doubled. Please.”

Jack nodded and sighed. “Follow me then. We will leave your things at the same livery as before.”

The small(ish) group followed Jack through the tunnel. Ivory held on tight to Adam, fear for what they were about to do left her feeling slightly panicky.

Ivory watched her cousin walk ahead of them. He had grown so much since she last saw him.

Then again, hadn’t they all? She was mated and had a pup on the way. Oh, and there was the fact that he thought she was dead. Couldn’t forget that small tidbit.

Adam split from their group for a moment, putting the wagon in the stables for the Inn.

Ivory waited in an alley with Jack and the others.

She could feel Jack’s eyes on her trying to see through her hood. She kept far enough away that not even her face and eyes could be seen. Ivory breathed freely again when Adam came back. She lifted her hand, and he took it without hesitation.