Page 56 of Fated to the Warrior Wolf

“If that’s settled, I’m going to take Brielle back to our room.”

“Wait,” Shay said, stepping forward. “Aunt Kari said I could be like a battery for Bri. I’ve been working on control, and I think I might be able to help, if you’re okay with me trying?”

“Of course, Shay. What do you need me to do?” Bri asked, sparing a soft smile for her bestie.

“Nothing. Just let me touch your hand.”

Kane was stiff, but stayed silent as Shay took Brielle’s hand between two of hers and closed her eyes. This time, there was no long-drawn-out wait. Brielle gasped, and her eyes began to glow with white light. Shay bowed her head, like she was pouring everything she had into the connection.

“That’s enough.” Bri gasped, grabbing Shay’s shoulder with her free hand. Shay let her go immediately, her own eyes glowing gold with her wolf when she opened them.

“It worked?” Shay asked excitedly.

“It worked. I feel… electric.” Bri looked at her hand as if she would see sparks dancing across her skin, though nothing was visible to the eye.

“Good,” Shay said, looking pleased with herself.

“We’ll have to postpone the tribunal prep until tomorrow.” Kane said. He scooped Brielle up off the floor like a rag doll, and she didn’t protest, despite her new power boost.

Reed shook his head. “We don’t need to delay. Dirge and I will handle everything with Lucien. You two take care of your mates. We’ve got this covered.”

“Thank you,” I said, finally breaking eye contact with Leigh to look up at my pack mates. “For everything.” Brielle wasslumped against Kane’s chest, exhaustion evident in every line of her body, but she was still smiling, content.

“You’re welcome. That’s what pack’s for, right?”

“Right,” I murmured, drawn back to Leigh like a mosquito to a bug zapper.

I didn’t ask, though I probably should have. I scooped her up off that yoga mat, holding her close to soothe my wolf. She didn’t say a word, just looped her arms around my neck and rested her head on my shoulder. And something about that acceptance, thattrustcut me off at the knees. I wasn’t at all sure that I’d earned it, but I was damn sure going to spend the rest of my life earning it.

She was mine, and I was hers, and I was never going to be the same again.

TWENTY-EIGHT

Leigh

Gael’s comforting warmth soothed something inside me I couldn’t name. Was it our mate bond, struggling into place? I didn’t know, but I knew that I wanted to be in his arms. I wanted to soak up his scent, his touch, his strength… I wantedhim. Like I wanted air.

But as we walked toward the atrium door, realization struck. “Wait! Everybody—for just a second, please.”

They all turned to look, and I cast a nervous glance at Gael. I should have probably run this past him first, but…

“We’re mates,” I blurted before I could chicken out. Shay gasped and grabbed Dirge’s hand. “We don’t have marks yet, but our scents have changed, and I wanted y’all to know.” I laughed, then, as the tears started to fall. It feltrealon a different level, telling our pack mates.

Gael squeezed me a little tighter as everyone congratulated us. Brielle whacked Kane on the arm to put her down so she could come hug me, and I squeezed her back so tightly, I was worried I’d crack one of her ribs. Shay and Oli also offered hugs, as the men offered Gael celebratory slaps on the back—he hadn’t put me down, so his hands weren’t free to shake—and then we dispersed, Gael following Oli down yet another hall I’d never been in.

“How big is this fucking castle?” I muttered as Olivia ducked into a side door, which opened onto a large, clean, and bright clinic. Windows overlooked a small creek, with trees casting shade in the morning sun.

“I don’t know. It’s bigger than anything I’ve ever seen,” Olivia said as she directed Gael into an exam room. The lights were dimmer there, with an ultrasound machine parked next to a medical exam table, and a large flat screen hanging on the wall. He set me down gingerly on the table.

“I’ve been keeping up my studies in here while the rest of you are working on pack business. I don’t have much to do for the pack at the moment, but they’ve got an excellent medical library I’ve been using. And Brielle has been spending an hour or two with me each day, so I’ve learned a ton already. Here’s a blanket.” Olivia handed me a soft blue, waffle-weave blanket. “I’m going to go wash up really quick, and I’ll be in to do your scan. If you can go ahead and roll down the waist of your pants and lift your shirt, I’ll be right back.” She smiled warmly before stepping out.

“She’s good people,” I said as I exposed my belly per her instructions. I wasn’t anxious about it, despite Gael’s hovering next to me at the exam table. He looked like he’d seen a ghost. “I’m okay, you know. Brielle took care of whatever that episode was.” I wanted to reassure him, but also, I’d expected that an omega pregnancy would be difficult. Bri’s mom had struggled, so this wasn’t an out-of-nowhere surprise.

I looked down at my palm, the glow soft but evident in the low lighting. I’d taken off the bandage for our exercise class. I hadn’t wanted anything to interrupt the flow, and the sticky bandage was distracting. Also, the glue was icky. I understood the need for discretion, though, so I’d put one back on before the next time I left my room.

“I know, but that was the worst five minutes of my life.” His voice was deep, earnest, as he clutched my hand like it was going to disappear on him as soon as I finished fixing my pants. “No more exercise. Or anything strenuous.”

I rolled my eyes. “Gael, I understand it was scary, and I’m not saying I’m going to push it, butnoexercise? It’s healthy during pregnancy. Not to mention, it’s my job. I’m a trainer. And this morning was a test, to see what kind of programming I could put together to have a class here so I can work. I don’t think our pack issues are going to be resolved overnight, and I have to have an income to save up for Petal, and make sure she has everything she needs.”

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