Page 44 of Taste of Danger

“I miss her blue hair.” Arion sat down next to her and ran his fingers through the long tresses.

So did Jax. He’d enjoyed seeing the purple hair, but he wanted her unicorn-blue back. That was the Elvine he’d argued with, adored, and, if he were honest with himself, had fallen in love with.

“How long until she wakes up?” Arion curled up next to her, resting his head on her shoulder. “I don’t like seeing her like this.”

Neither did Jax. She might’ve looked like she was just sleeping, but knowing the truth, it made her appear as if she were slumbering in eternal rest.

Shit. Jax looked away, his stomach twisted. Why had he thought that? How fucked up was his mind that he even let that slip through?

Getting undressed, he climbed in on the opposite side of Arion, holding Elvine close while running his fingers through Arion’s hair.

All they could do was wait for her to wake up.

And then break the news to her that she was pregnant and might lose the baby.

Chapter Thirteen

Arion glanced out of the bedroom window just as the sun set and heard vehicles approaching. Parking in the driveway was a large and shiny pickup truck, a Jeep, and, lastly, two motorcycles.

Jax joined him at the window, his back pressed into Arion’s. “No fucking way.”

“Do you know them?” Arion watched a burly guy get out of the pickup then man-hug Kalen.

“Most of my life.” Jax kissed him on the cheek. “Meet the Everharts, pumpkin. They’re bear shifters. It seems my dad called in backup.”

“Because of me.” Arion watched the guy get out of the Jeep and give Damon and Jaytee a quick hug before the two on the motorcycles joined in the happy reunion.

“Because of family, babe. I guess my dad got tired of all the bullshit and wanted reinforcements. Those men down there are the best backup you could ask for.”

Jax sounded as if he really wanted to join them. The front yard cleared out, and then Arion heard the ruckus inside the house. “You should go say hi.”

His mate frowned. “I’m not going anywhere until Elvine wakes up, hon. As good as it is to know they’re here, my mates come first.” He cupped Arion’s cheek. “Talk to me, pumpkin. Why do you seem so out of sorts? Is it Elvine?”

“I just don’t feel like I belong,” he admitted. “Elvine was already here when we met. She’s established, and so are your friends downstairs. I’m a newcomer who wasn’t welcomed when I first got here.”

“And my dad, as well as everyone else, made it clear you’re a part of the family. I’ve made it clear, Arion,” Jax replied. “But I get it. I honestly do.” He ran his warm hand over Arion’s back, helping to calm his nerves. “The last guy to join always feels like an outsider. But that still makes you a part of the family, babe. Quinton and his sons are going to accept you just as easily as they’ll accept the other mates as their extended family.”

“Did Elvine feel like an outsider?” Arion really wanted her to wake up. While Jax made him feel protected, Elvine made him feel wanted. Not that Jax didn’t. He went out of his way to let Arion know he mattered. But it just felt different with Elvine. Maybe because she was a female and had a softer touch.

“Elvine?” Jax snorted. “Have you met our mate? I told you I caught her snooping in our living room window, but she ended up reading me the riot act. Then she stormed in the house and scared my dad. He threw a cast iron frying pan at her, and she ended up adoring him. Then she pretty much renamed all of us.”

Arion grinned. “Mr. Nippy Nose.” Holy shit! He just now got it. “Jax Frost.”

His mate snarled. “Don’t start with the jokes, sweetheart.”

Hiding his grin, he asked, “Mr. Scratchy Crotch?”

Jax chuckled. “When she was peeking in the window, she saw Damon scratching his crotch.”

“Eww, gross. I know she calls your dad Papa Frost, but what does she call your other brother? The other twin.”

“Beefy tattooed giant.” Jax grinned. “Jaytee told me she hung off his arm when he met her. She was trying to drag him away from Raidh.”

Arion could honestly see her doing that.

“I thought his long beard was full of crumbs from snacking on small people.”

They snapped their heads around at the sound of Elvine’s voice. She was sitting up in bed, staring at them. “Why do you feel like you don’t belong, honey bunny?”

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