Page 23 of Fated to the Wolf Prince

Gael’s voice was every bit as frantic when he spoke. “Alpha! It’s Gracelyn. We need you.”

SIXTEEN

Kane

“Coming.”

I mentally cursed the interruption, apologizing to Brielle with my eyes, but her worried frown told me that she wasn’t angry, and it proved once again that she was the perfect mate for me, despite my initial reservations. The Goddess had blessed me with a caring mate, one who wouldn’t rant and rave that our alone time might be interrupted by the needs of a pack.

“I’m coming with you,” she said as she gestured for me to pull her up from the bed. I clasped her hand between both of mine, but didn’t pull yet.

“How do you feel? Any pain?”

She frowned again, and I smoothed my fingertips over the cute little line between her eyebrows she got when she concentrated.

“No, actually. I feel… really good. But I want to check on Gracelyn. She had a lot of swelling, and I recommended an herb, but Gael wouldn’t sound like that for simple swelling. If something else has happened…”

I pulled her from the bed, happy to keep her by my side, where I could protect her.

“Let’s go find out.”

In minutes,we were standing at the front steps up to Gracelyn and Adam’s cabin, the sturdy logs some of the first we’d cut here after the main lodge was finished. The whole pack pitched in, as was our way. It was fine workmanship, but we weren’t here to admire it.

Adam stood with his shoulders slumped, leaning against the front door, one hand resting on it, pleading with his heavily pregnant mate through the door. “Please, my love. Please. Let me in, and take some rest. The stress isn’t good for you, or the little one.”

His voice was that of a broken man, and I could feel his desperation through the pack bond. I sent a rush of soothing energy through it as we climbed the steps, and I dropped a hand on his shoulder.

“What’s the problem, Adam? What’s happened?”

“Alpha, she found out that the ODL is here, and flew off the handle. She’s angry I didn’t tell her, and I deserve that.” He hung his head, and I squeezed his shoulder. “But I didn’t want to stress her. She’s had such a hard time, I wanted her to have as much peace as she could. But she got angry, and kicked me out. She’s trying to hide it, but I think the stress has sent her into early labor. I’m getting glimpses of pain through our bond, when she stops concentrating on blocking me. Goddess, it’s not supposed to be like this. I’m scared, Kane. What if I lose them both?”

His voice cracked, and my heart lurched at the pain I could feel radiating from him through the pack bond, and the naked fear in his voice. It was a very real possibility that the delivery could go badly, but I couldn’t dwell on that. As Alpha, I had to be the rock he leaned on.

“Excuse me,” Brielle interrupted, elbowing past us without hesitation. “Gracelyn. It’s Brielle. Remember me from earlier?”

There was a muffled snuffling sound from inside, and then Gracelyn’s soft voice on the other side of the door. “Yes, I remember.”

“Great. I have some ginger and red raspberry leaf tea right here for you in my bag. Could I come in, please? I think you might need the healer.”

“Just you.” There was a deep groan from the other side that rocked me back on my heels, but Brielle didn’t blink. “Nobody else is allowed in.Nobody.”

“That’s fine. We don’t need these guys taking up all the space, anyway. I could check on you, if you’re okay with that.”

“Yes.” The door lock clicked open, and Brielle leveled a stern look at me and Adam, who stood like he was about to shoulder that door open like a linebacker.

“You two are going to stay right here and respect her wishes. Are we clear?” She may have been a psi—or an omega—but in that moment, she was all alpha female, and she was glorious—protective authority practically rolling off her.

“Yes, mate. Go to her. If you need us, call.” I gripped Adam’s shoulder tighter as Brielle slipped through the door, turning sideways and shutting and locking it immediately, not even letting us have a glimpse inside.

How could I ever have thought her too weak to be mine? Brielle was fiercely protective, and I loved her even more for it.

SEVENTEEN

Brielle

“How are you doing, Gracelyn? Can you tell me what’s going on?” I tried to keep my voice low and soothing, because from the looks of things, Gracelyn had been struggling for a while. The small front room of the cabin was a wreck, with just about everything out of place.

Not like a temper tantrum, but more like she kept knocking into things while she paced, which she was still doing, completely ignoring me as she grabbed at her heavily pregnant belly.

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