Chapter 36: Are you pregnant?
His arms tightened around her as the alarm went off in the morning. He wasn’t ready to let her go just yet and when it shut off he knew he had 15 more minutes before it would ring again. She shifted slightly in his arms, she had somehow managed to get herself turned on her side with her feet down by his hip. Her soft breathing told him she wasn’t quite awake yet, but the next alarm would have her up. Today would be a busy day, he had meetings for most of the morning and Alpha Thomas was coming to take a look at the warehouse in the afternoon. He kissed her head and held her until the alarm went off the second time. She stirred her body coming to life letting the last remainders of sleep slip away from her. She could feel his arms protectively around her and couldn’t help the smile that spread across her lips, as she snuggled in closer drawing his warmth to her.
“Good morning beautiful” he groggily croaked out.
“Morning” she whispered back, she didn’t want to break the calmness of the morning.
“Did you sleep well?” He asked, holding her closer to him.
“Much better! Did you?” Remembering how he slept last night in an upright position so she could sleep.
“My mate is home, in our bed with my arms around her. Of course I slept well.” Again he kissed her head, he ran his hands up her body, lingering on her bare thighs. She rolled onto her stomach, so his hands were resting on her bottom, he couldn’t help but give it a squeeze, causing her to release a squeak and look up at him.
The alarm went off a third time, telling them it was time to get a move on. She carefully stretched out against him and sat up to turn it off. She was moving better this morning, as long as she took it easy and didn’t overwork herself, she would be fine. He wasn’t ready for her to leave the bed just yet, he wrapped his arm around her waist and carefully pulled her back to his lap. His hands moved up and down her body, moving the unbuttoned portion of her shirt out of the way so they could graze the flesh of her stomach. His lips started moving down her neck, nipping at the skin till he landed on her mark. She gasped, pressing her back into him.
“Do we have time?” She asked, as he started unbuttoning the shirt to expose more of her.
“No, but I don’t care” he whispered into her ear as he started nipping his way to the tip. His hand slid between the valley of her breasts and she moaned when his thumb grazed one of her nipples. His other hand slid under the fabric of her panties, caressing her, priming her for him. She could feel him hard and ready beneath her. He slid her panties down, he wanted her now, this was want and greed, but he didn’t want to take her from behind. He liked watching her enjoy the act. Gently laying her on her back he pulled off his briefs and with his arm behind her around her shoulders he pushed into her. Moving slowly at first, building them both up before he settled into a faster rhythm that would end in a tidal wave of pleasure washing over them.
Breathing hard and wrapped in each other’s arms, Dax shivered as the last of her pleasure left her. His arms wrapped tighter around her, they really did have to get up, but neither made a move to leave the bed. At 7:15 his phone went off. He was supposed to meet Johnny in his office this morning to go over some of the details of the various meetings they were to be having, but plans had changed. They would have to discuss the details in the truck on the way to town.
“We better get out of this bed” he kissed her head,
“I was all for getting out earlier but someone had other ideas” she grumbled out, sitting up.
“I wasn’t ready for you to leave,” he replied unapologetically, getting up. “You didn’t seem to be that interested either” She smiled at him and wrapped the shirt around herself and slowly left the bed. When she got to the bathroom door she turned to face him dropping her hands to her sides, letting the shirt fall open
“Too bad we don’t have any more time, showering could have been fun as well” his eyes widened and a smile danced on his lips, his meeting and Johnny could wait, crossing the room to join her he shut the bathroom door behind him.
Making their way downstairs at quarter to eight, Johnny and Lacey were waiting for them at the bottom of the stairs.
“Bout time you two fucking showed up” Johnny was laughing, the look in his eye said he knew exactly what took them. “Kenneth is waiting for us outside, and seeing how you didn’t meet me in the office I grabbed all the files. We’ll have to discuss on the way to town” Johnny and Lacey moved towards the door and walked out. Kane smiled; he didn’t really care that he missed his meeting with Johnny, pulling Dax into his arms he thought his reason was very valid. He pressed his lips to hers and she moved with him.
“GET YOUR ASS IN THE TRUCK” Johnny yelled from outside. Johnny knows all too well what happens the first few weeks after a newly mated couple gets together. They can’t keep their hands off each other, give them five minutes alone and they’ll be at it again. They broke apart and just stared at the open front door.
“I think he’s serious” she whispered,
“He’ll get over it” He brushed his lips across hers, but before he could kiss her again.
“KANE, DON’T MAKE ME DRAG YOUR ASS OUT HERE” Johnny interrupted him. Kane heaved a sigh
“I’m going to fucking kill him” taking her hand they walked out the door.
They separated into two vehicles, Carter, Lacey and Dax in one with Carter driving, Kane, Johnny, Kenneth in the other with Marco driving. They were to meet at Glenda’s Diner for breakfast. Johnny made Kane and Dax separate, he needed Kane’s full attention and knew that if they were together he wouldn’t get it, he would be too focused on her.
“Focus big guy!’ Johnny said,
“I am focused. I am focused on all the ways I am going to rip you to pieces” Kane said. Kenneth laughed from the front seat.
“Focus on these files and you can play 1000 ways to die later” Johnny said, giving him a file.
“What is this?” He said looking at it.
“One of the new properties you acquired from Alpha Peter, did you even look at them?” Johnny asked,
“No, I just grabbed the stack that had the warehouse in it. The one he said was his biggest money maker. Why?” Kane asked, looking over the file.
“Look who the renter is?” Johnny smiled at him, when Kane’s eyes wandered over the properties renter.
“Kent Morganson!”
“Seems he has not quite signed the store over to his son. Did a little digging, it seems Donny is not his biological son, he’s hers from a previous marriage. Though the file is sealed and without a miracle it will stay that way.” Johnny continued,
“First time I met Mrs. Morganson, she said her husband was having difficulties retiring because of the direction her son wanted to take the store. I wonder if he would be interested in selling it instead.” She tried to take what’s ours, now let’s take what’s hers! Ky liked where this was going.
“He also sits on the town council, and is looking to give up his seat. Alpha Thomas sounded interested. The more of us on the human council, might be for the best.” Johnny said,
“His seat would go to his son, but it would need to be seconded by someone in order for it to be given to him, unless someone else was nominated.” Kane rubbed his jaw, no wonder Johnny wanted to talk to him.
“What happens if someone is nominated?” Kenneth asked, these small town politics were intriguing.
“Well in the event that someone else gets nominated for a seat and it is not seconded, they have to compose a reason why the seat should be given to them, and then it is sent to the town founder.” Johnny smiled at him.
“Ok, who’s the town founder?” Kenneth looked in the rear view mirror, to see azure blue eyes staring back at him.
“Why, that would be me!” A wicked grin spread across Kane’s face. Before he could say anything Johnny responded.
“You have a meeting set up with Kent, after the town council meeting” Johnny laughed.
“I think you like crushing people as much as I do brother” Kane said to Johnny.
“Tu pulmentum, cum unus ex nobis, te agam cum ceteris” Mrs. Morganson did mess with his Luna, and now he wanted her to pay.
Kane thought about that for a while, before he handed the file back to Johnny.
“This is your deal, you take the lead. Besides, Ky is content cutting out the woman’s tongue and maybe smashing Donny’s head in the process” Kane said.
“I don’t want to be the Lieutenant of the Hillcrest Pack, let’s get that clear right now” Johnny looked him in the eye.
“I never said you did” a bit shocked by his friend’s random outburst. Kane looked at him, Kenneth watched the two men in the back seat, though Alpha and Beta they acted more like siblings, each had the other’s back. Kenneth looked over at Marco, he was probably the closest connection he had to family in New York, even over his own sister. If he was being truthful with himself he was done with New York, it held no appeal for him anymore, he liked this small town.
“Who would you get to lead it then?” Kenneth asked, Kane had thought about it, and truthfully only one person came to his mind.
“I was thinking Charles” Kane replied,
“Charles! Do you really hate him that much? You know he hates the woods right?” Johnny looked at Kane. “Hillcrest is surrounded by woods on three sides.”
“I don’t hate Charles per say, a strong dislike for him would be more accurate, I find him infuriating most of the time. But he is good at what he does, maybe he would be better in more of a leadership role….away from me.” Kane gritted out. Johnny snorted, Kane just glared at him.
“Don’t glare at me, you and I both know if it wasn’t for him being born the old Gamma’s son you never would have chosen him as your third in command. You would have picked Damon.” Johnny said.
“Are you telling me Damon wouldn’t have been a better choice?” Kane countered.
“Hell no, Damon would have been a great choice, the three of us could have destroyed all of the eastern states, during your dark period and still been home every Sunday for family dinner” Johnny shot back.
“Then why are you defending Charles? You disapprove of him as much as I do” Kane asked.
“Forget it, never mind. Drive faster Marco!” Johnny grumbled into the back seat. This was not like his friend to act like this, Johnny was usually happy, hell, he was always happy irritatingly so.
“Are you and Lacey fighting again?” Kane asked. If Johnny was in a foul mood this was usually the reason behind it.
“What? No! She would have to talk to me to fight with me. She kicked me out of the fucking bed, I’ve been sleeping on the couch the last few nights.” Kane bit his lip trying to stifle his laughter.
“Don’t you fucking laugh at me” Johnny snapped.
“I’m sorry brother” Kane said, holding back his grin
“When did this start?” Kane asked.
“A couple days ago, she just got moody, real fucking moody. She called me an asshole for no fucking reason. I walked in the room and you’re an asshole came out of her mouth” Johnny continued to grumble.
“You didn’t say that to her did you?” Kenneth asked, trying to hide his own smile.
“Fuck no! I’m homicidal not suicidal” Johnny shook his head,
“What did you do to her?” Kane asked. Johnny adored Lacey, but Lacey could be a bit self involved, the last time they fought Johnny accidentally let that slip out, she ignored him for a week, but even then she never kicked him out of the bed. She doesn’t handle being alone well.
“Nothing that I can think of, it was after Dax….and she went shopping, she was upset….” Johnny was explaining.
“Stop right there, I don’t need to know about your sex life with my sister” Kane cut him off.
“What? No, you idiot that’s when it started” Johnny defended himself.
“Forse è incinta?” They all looked at Marco,
“Maybe she’s pregnant” It was Kenneth that translated what he said.
“What?” Johnny’s eyes went wide.
“Io e il mio compagno eravamo nella nostra cucina. Un minuto a ridere, quello dopo….threw a….a….a….padella alla mia testa. Metto un bicchiere sul bancone. She….incinta….Luca, Marco explained.
“She threw a frying pan at him, after he put a glass on the counter” Kenneth said, trying not to laugh. He remembered the phone call he got from Marco the day he found out. He was quite excited and didn’t care that he almost got hit with a frying pan, he was going to be a dad.
The ride to Glenda’s was quiet, usually Lacey was chatting away about something, but she just sat in the back seat with Dax and stared out the window.
“What’s wrong Lacey?” Dax asked,
“Nothing” Lacey answered, releasing her eighth sigh since they left the pack house. Carter fought not to roll his eyes in the front seat, he was all for throwing Lacey out of the fucking SUV and fought with himself not to. His Alpha wasn’t there, and his duty was to protect Luna against all threats, that included the one in the backseat with her.
“Bullshit, nothing is always something, so spill it. Are you and Johnny fighting? Do I have to punch him in the throat again?” This caused a bit of a laugh.
“No, maybe. I don’t know, I feel off” she said, looking at her. Her friend looked tired, like hadn’t been sleeping.
“When was the last time you had a good night’s sleep?” Dax asked, growing concerned.
“A few days ago, before I kicked Johnny out of the bed” Lacey could feel her eyes welling up with tears. Carter had to hide his disgust, his Luna was kind hearted and Lacey was going to take advantage of it. She could make herself cry on demand and did so quite frequently to garner attention from others. If he didn’t fear the wrath of his Alpha he would have pulled over and thrown her out. He would have to figure out a way to keep Lacey away from his Luna, that wouldn’t end in him getting his neck snapped. How was he supposed to protect her if he was dead?
“You kicked him out?” Dax was shocked “Now I’m really gonna punch him in the throat, what did he do?”
“Nothing, that’s the thing, he did nothing and I kicked him out of the bed. I have been feeling off for the last week or so” tears rolled down her cheeks and she wiped them away. Dax wrapped her arms around Lacey pulling her closer to her and rubbed her back. That’s what Kane did to make her feel better all the time. She kissed the top of Lacey’s head and held her close. Carter watched the two women in the back seat, he was in awe of his Luna, she truly was something special. He had a feeling if that was anybody she would have done the same thing for them.
A thought popped into her head out of nowhere. She sat Lacey up and looked at her.
“Are you….pregnant?” She asked,
“What? Nooo-oh my Goddess!” Lacey’s hands flew to her stomach.
“You’re always hungry, like even after you eat you’re hungry again,” Dax said.
“Oh my Goddess!” Lacey exclaimed again, still holding her stomach.
“Carter we have to go to a pharmacy” Dax said,
“Alpha Kane said straight to the diner” Carter argued,
“Please Carter, this is important to a pharmacy, and step on it” Dax countered. He caught her eyes in the mirror and nodded his head.
“Oh Goddess please” was all Lacey could say, Dax pulled her back into her arms and held her tight, she didn’t say anything mostly because she didn’t know what to say, but Kane never says anything, he just lets her get it out. She could feel Lacey’s tears and she held her tighter.
They made it to the pharmacy and Carter was about to get out, when Dax told him to stay with Lacey. He hesitated, torn between what his Alpha told him to do and what his Luna was telling him to do. Not going in with her was defying an order from his Alpha, but going in with her was defying his Luna. She sensed his hesitation, and she hated putting him in that position.
“Compromise, go check it out and then come back. I don’t need you standing there while I buy those kinds of tests.” She said, buying them was going to cause enough of a ruckus in the town as is. He seemed ok with that, it was listening to both of them. He ran into the pharmacy and gave it the once over and came right back out, though he did not get back in the vehicle, he waited by the driver’s door just in case.
She walked in and went straight to the planned family section, she read the back of two different boxes before she decided to grab two of one and three of the other and head to the counter. She could feel eyes on her, as she stood in line waiting to pay. She put her purchase on the counter and waited for the girl at the cash register to ring them up. She held her head high, while she felt eyes on her. Don’t flinch, don’t flinch, don’t flinch! These people need to mind their own fucking business! If what Glenda says is true, then my business is their business! People suck! Yup!
“Congratulations!” The cashier said with a smile,
“Yup!” She wasn’t even going to argue that these were for a friend, she wouldn’t believe her anyway. She figured by the end of the day the rumour would be around the town that she was pregnant, and she would have to deal with that later. She did buy one for herself, she didn’t think she was but she wanted to make sure. Walking back out to the SUV they headed to the diner. She gave Lacey the four tests, and she hid one in her bag when no one was looking.
Even with their side trip they still beat the boys to the diner, Lacey and Dax ran inside and straight to the bathroom after a quick hi to Glenda and Murray. Dax stood in front of the sinks while she waited for Lacey to pee on the four sticks.
“Oh Goddess!” Was all Lacey said,
“Are you excited?” Dax asked,
“If I am pregnant I will scream, I will be so excited. I want kids, so many kids. Johnny is an only child and he hates it, that’s why he treats Kane more like a brother, then his Alpha.” Lacey came out of the stall after a bit.
“Ok I think I peed on them all” she placed them on the counter and washed her hands. “Do you want kids?” She added after she dried her hands on a paper towel. Lacey knew Kane wanted kids, but after a quick glance at Dax when she wasn’t looking and judging by the size of the little imp, she wasn’t sure she would be able to carry a wolf pup to term. Her brother will never get the family he wants with her as his mate. Too bad the idiot went ahead and marked her anyway, if he rejected her now, he’ll kill her….might not be a bad thing, put her out of my misery. Put her out of everyone’s misery! A small wicked smile spread across her lips before it vanished. That would solve her problems.
“Oh um….I don’t….I don’t know. Kane says he wants a big family. I’m….” Dax trailed off there and looked away from Lacey. She missed the look of irritation that crossed Lacey’s face at her inability to answer that question.
“How long are we supposed to wait?” Lacey asked, turning towards the mirror.
“Three minutes,” Dax said, looking at the back of the box.
“Ugh!” Lacey started pacing in the bathroom.
The bell above the door rang, and the boys walked in, Glenda smiled brightly at them.
“They’re in there and he’s been guarding the door ever since” she motioned to Carter who was standing in front of the woman’s bathroom.
“The boy takes his job seriously” Kane chuckled “Free to sit anywhere?”
“Booths in the back corner are open, you all seem to fancy being able to see the whole diner” she looked at him and the gleam in her eyes danced. Before Kane could question what she meant by that screaming could be heard from the bathroom. Carter didn’t know whether to break the door down or continue to stand there. His Luna was in there and Lacey was screaming like an idiot.
“Stand down Carter, I think this is good news” Kane ordered through the mind link.
Carter looked at him and moved away from the door. Johnny was on his feet waiting for the bathroom door to be open. When it did he was right there.
“Yes?” He asked as soon as he saw Lacey,
“Yes” she nodded her head with a big smile on her face, tears streaming down her cheeks, he was in the bathroom hugging and kissing her before Dax could even get out.
“No, no, no, stop, wait, I want out of the bathroom first” Dax all but ran out of the bathroom.
“Good news, I take it!” Kane asked when he walked over to her.
“She’ll have to go to a doctor, but I think four tests cement it” Dax was happy for Lacey and Johnny. She slid into the booth and Kane sat beside her. A million thoughts running through her mind, it didn’t even register that Kane slid his hand onto her thigh until he squeezed it.
“Don’t get lost up there” he tucked a few stray strands behind her ear and kissed her forehead. Johnny and Lacey came out of the bathroom, her eyes were puffy and her cheeks were splotchy but she was smiling and Johnny stood by her protectively. There was laughter and cheers and several congratulations. Glenda took their orders and filled their coffee cups, she even stayed and conversed for a bit. As they were leaving several other patrons stood and congratulated Johnny and Lacey on the way out. Dax looked around the diner and realized a lot of them she had seen on the pack house grounds at one time or another.
“Don’t be shocked, little mouse, many of the occupants of this town are from one pack or another, mostly ours. You have probably walked by many werewolves and didn’t even realize it, aside from our height we blend rather well” they paid for breakfast and said goodbye to Glenda.
Stepping outside they could hear Johnny telling Lacey to take it easy, leave the heavy lifting to Carter, and that they would see the pack doctor later when she got back.
“He will be insufferable today. I would leave him with you, but I fear Lacey will kill him before the day is done” Kane whispered in her ear. “But it does leave you short handed, take Marco to help for the day and we will figure something out for tomorrow” he added,
“We’ll be fin-“ she started,
“Lacey is pregnant and your back is injured, that just leaves Carter, take Marco.” He cut her off, and put more force into his voice telling her this was not a negotiation. She just nodded her head and pressed her lips together, feeling like she just got scolded for doing something wrong.
“Come on Dax, we have a baby shopping trip to plan” Lacey happily called to her climbing in the SUV. She went to turn and walk away, when Kane pulled her into his arms.
“Just breathe baby” he whispered in her ear, she took a deep shaky breath and then another “It will happen, if it happens. Call it selfish if you want to, but I am in no rush to share you right now” she nodded her head and six of her thoughts vanished. She was worried that with Lacey being pregnant, he would want children soon, and she’s just not ready.
“Focus on one thought” she nodded again, she would focus on happiness, Lacey was excited and she was happy for her. She looked up at him and he smiled.
“Feel better?” She smiled back at him, she liked this mate bond thing, she never had to figure out how to put into words what she was feeling.
“Good, now have a good day….and behave yourself” she scowled at him, making him laugh. “Last time I left you for the day, you punched someone in the throat” the scowl slipped off her face and a guilty look replaced it.
“Oh that! Well last time I left you alone you threatened to cut someone’s tongue out, so maybe you need to behave yourself as well” she kissed him and walked off laughing leaving him standing there with his mouth open. She got you there! Ky laughed. Yes she did! Kane shook his head.
****
He watched from the town square as his angel and the whore ran into the diner. This town had nothing better to do than gossip about his angel. The rumours were flying about his angel this morning and he prayed they weren’t true. His angel was buying tests. Tests that would say she was with child. He would not love her any less if she carried another man’s child. He would not love the child any less either. That child may be half of someone else, they were still half of her as well. He loved his angel and he would love her child like they were his own. The next child she carries will be his though. He continued to watch from his spot and when he saw the commotion in the diner and his angel run out of the bathroom and the laughing one run in, he knew instantly the rumours were wrong. She was not carrying the tall one’s child, she was just helping the whore. A wave of relief flooded through him at this news. The smile that played on his lips, will remain there for the rest of the day. Nothing will wipe it off. When she does bear a child it will be theirs.