Page 20 of Riding with the Shifter

I press a shaking hand to my stomach, trying to imagine a life growing inside me. A tiny, perfect blend of me and Ryder, of human and wolf. Will it be a shifter like its father? Will it have his strength, his speed, his primal power? Or will it be human like me, fragile and vulnerable in the supernatural world?

The thought sends a spike of fear through me, cold and sharp. I don’t know anything about shifter pregnancies, about the risks and complications. What if something goes wrong? What if my human body can’t handle the strain of carrying a werewolf baby?

Tears prick my eyes, hot and stinging. I’m terrified, overwhelmed, my mind spinning with a thousand questions and fears. But under the fear, under the uncertainty… there’s something else. A flicker of warmth, of wonder, of fierce, protective love.

This is our baby. Mine and Ryder’s. A piece of us, of our love, come to life. And no matter how scared I am, no matter how unprepared… I know I want it. I want this child, this family, with every beat of my heart.

I just hope Ryder feels the same way.

Taking a deep, shuddering breath, I stand up and square my shoulders. There’s only one way to find out.

I find Ryder in the garage, tinkering with his bike. He looks up as I enter, his blue eyes warm then instantly flashing with hunger.

He wipes his hands with a rag and comes to wrap his big hands around my waist, pulling me in for a deep, wet, long kiss.

“Hey, baby.”

I swallow hard, my head fuzzy from the kiss, but I forge through it. “There’s something I need to tell you.”

He frowns. “What’s wrong? I can smell your anxiety,” he adds, the elegant wings of his nostrils flaring.

I take a step closer, twisting my hands together. “I’m not… I’m not sure how to say this, so I’m just going to say it. Ryder, I’m… I’m pregnant,” I blurt out.

For a moment, he just stares at me, his face blank with shock. Then, slowly, a grin starts to spread across his handsome face, wide and bright, full of joy. “You’re… you’re pregnant? With our pup?”

I nod, biting my lip. “Yes. I know we didn’t plan this, and I know it’s sudden, but—”

He cuts me off with a whoop of laughter, scooping me up in his arms. He spins me around, peppering my face with kisses as he laughs. “A pup! We’re having a fucking pup! This is the best fucking news ever!”

Relief crashes through me, so strong it makes my knees weak. “You’re… you’re happy? You’re not mad or scared…?”

He sets me down, cupping my face in his big, calloused hands. “Mad? Scared? Zara, I’m fucking stoked! Over the moon! I’ve wanted a family with you, since the moment I realized you were my mate.”

Tears spill down my cheeks, love, joy and gratitude welling up in my chest. “Oh, Ryder. I want this too, so much. I’m just… I’m scared. I don’t know what to expect, with a shifter pregnancy. What if something goes wrong? What if I can’t…?”

He pulls me into his arms, cradling me against his chest, tucking my head under his chin. “Shh, baby. It’s going to be okay. I won’t let anything happen to you or our pup. We’ll talk to the pack doctor, get you the best care possible. And I’ll be with you every step of the way.”

I laugh shakily, sniffling against his shirt. “You promise? Even if I want pickles and ice cream at 3 AM?”

He chuckles, kissing the top of my head. “Even then. I’ll raid every grocery store in town if that’s what my baby mama wants.”

I lean back, smiling up at him through my tears. “I love you, Ryder Beckett. I love you so damn much.”

He grins, that slow, wolfish grin that never fails to melt my insides. “I love you too, Zara Sinclair. You and our little one.”

Then, he kisses me again. This time, soft, sweet, and full of promises. And as I melt into my mate, my fears and doubts fading away in the face of his love and strength…

“I need you… now,” Ryder growls.

“I need you… now,” Ryder growls.

He picks me up and in one swift move, sits me on the hood of his car, spreading my legs, making my short summer dress ride up my thighs. His gaze is hungry and possessive. I know exactly what he needs.

I look into his eyes, biting my lip in anticipation as he unbuttons his jeans.

“Fuck me,” I breathe. “Right here.”

His thick, long cock is already rock-hard and ready for me. Ryder positions the swollen head against my wet opening and slowly, torturously enters me. I gasp as he fills me. He holds himself still inside me, his arms flexed around my waist. He looks at me as though he wants to consume me.

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