Page 23 of Alpha Wolf Bodyguard

“If our mate’s testimony is recorded, there’s no reason to kill him. It would only bring more attention to the case for Nate to be dead.” Garin had a point, one I hadn’t considered.

“Ash thinks it will also push him to make a plea deal. He’s currently looking at multiple life sentences and possibly death. A plea could make his future look a little more optimistic.” Nate took my hand. “It means we will be safer.”

“Safer, not safe.”

“I think closer to safe.” He pulled me onto his lap and held me close.

I was the alpha, the one who was supposed to be protecting him, giving him the sense of security he needed. But instead, he was doing that for me.

“The only problem is this will change the timeline a little. Ash said after it is done, we can hire more Alpha For Hire guys to keep guard for us and that they will pay. I think we should pay ourselves though, because the less we have to deal with the state, the better.”

Having a mate with money was going to take some getting used to. Even if I had thought of that on my own, I wouldn’t have had the money to make it happen.

“Are you saying you think we’ll be safe at home?” I loved the sound of that.

“Not yet, but soon.”

Three days later, we met back at the courthouse to officially record my testimony. Unlike last time, I was questioned by both lawyers. I had assumed there would be a fancy defense lawyer cross-examining me, but it was a public defender who really didn’t seem to be that into it. He didn’t ask me much more than what I’d been asked by Anders.

The only conclusion I could draw from that was they had planned to kill all the witnesses, and without them, there was no case, so why bother hiring someone? When human and shifter justice converged, it was never clear cut.

Saying goodbye to our motel was easy. It smelled bad, had uncomfortable furniture, and not once in our entire time there did they do more than let us exchange towels. But also, it held memories. Sure, many of those memories were tied up with fear and apprehension, but there were also great ones of playing beat the contestant on word games, figuring out the best way to make crappy pantry food into a meal worth eating, and all of the time we had fun enjoying each other’s bodies.

“I want to let my bear out before we go home. He’s antsy.” Nate pulled the door to our motel room closed for the last time.

“My wolf is too.” Unlike Nate, Garin’s beast had been out a few times, but only in the motel room, and that hardly counted.

“We can make a picnic of questionable sandwiches and call it a date.” I grabbed the key from Nate.

“We really should have a date date when this is over.” He reached up and cupped my cheek.

“I’d like that.” I turned my head, kissed the palm of his hand, and ran to drop off our key, ready to get back to some semblance of normal.

Chapter 20

Garin

We decided it was safer to stay at our place than Nate’s. There were too many rooms and too many points of entry there. We were safe, or at least much safer than before. The prosecutor was in talks about a plea deal, and that was an excellent sign.

As the weeks passed, it was easier to feel the bond between the three of us growing and strengthening. Our scents combined, and I could sense when either of my mates were nearby. I could also sense how they were feeling when there was something major going on with them. I never understood how deep the bond could be. It was everything.

There was definitely something going on with Nate. He hadn’t said as much, but all of the signs were there.

At first, he was just sleepier than usual, more likely to doze off during a TV show or any time we were in the car. In fact, he nodded off on the way home from the ice cream shop with his entire cone smooshed on his shirt. And bedtime? If he made it until seven pm, I was surprised. I wondered if I should be concerned or if it was still him coming off of the stress of the entire situation.

Recently it was different, though. About a week ago, I noticed a change in his scent. It was subtle at first but had been getting stronger with each day. A pungent mix of me and Trig blended together, and suddenly everything clicked. It was more than just the mating bond responsible. So much more.

Nate was pregnant with our child. Maybe pups. Maybe cubs. Maybe just a sweet human baby. Whatever he was carrying was a part of all of us, and it made my wolf preen with pride and excitement.

I waited for Nate to tell us himself, but he didn’t seem to realize what was happening with his body. The poor bear just hadn’t spent time with enough shifters to recognize the signs. Either that or he was planning a big reveal. That wasn’t his style, though, so probably not.

When Nate was in the shower, Trig pulled me over to where he was doing laundry and asked in a low whisper, “I’m worried about our mate. Do you think he needs to see a doctor?”

I nodded, and he folded and refolded the socks that were just out of the dryer, his hands not getting the messages his brain was trying to send.

“Yeah, I think so, but not urgently.”

He frowned and turned fully toward me. “Why not now? I think it’s safe enough. I heard him throw up this morning. I think there’s something really wrong with him, Gare.”

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