Page 5 of An Uncertain Claim

“I’m not sure of the details. Someone took her from the house and dragged her into the woods. We chased them down, but not before he hurt her.” The last words were followed by a hostile growl.

“Someone broke into your home?” Brooks asked incredulously. I understood his shock. I had a sophisticated security system in my house, but when it was just me, I rarely engaged it. In most packs, the Alpha’s home had an open-door policy for the most part. Besides that, no one had ever been suicidal enough to put themselves in the crosshairs of my anger.

The reminder that Peyton had disobeyed me and left herself vulnerable didn’t help the rioting emotions inside me. She’d put herself, and our child, in harm’s way. I knew it hadn’t been intentional, but it had still been careless, and that made me the angriest. If Peyton and I decided to break the bond, the pain wouldn’t be as great since we hadn’t moved past the first stage of mating, though it would still be uncomfortable. But I felt like there might be more to it than that. The thought of anything happening to her made my chest hurt and had my feral instincts rising.

It frustrated me because I didn’t have much experience with emotional shit and, honestly, I didn’t do complicated.

Well, I never had before.What could be more complicated than an uncertain mate and a baby?

Chapter Four

Nathan

Ifrowned and ran a hand through my hair as I moved around the bullshit in my mind to focus on the tangible problems, like the situation right in front of me. “I don’t know if there are any internal injuries, and she’s—”

Brooks had bent over Peyton to inspect her face, but his head suddenly whipped in my direction. “She’s pregnant?” His eyes asked the question he didn’t want to voice for fear of crossing a line with his Alpha.

“Yes.” I could see the suspicion in his eyes, and I knew he’d caught my scent on her. I noticed it last night. The baby’s scent had finally grown stronger to the point where Peyton’s no longer shielded paternity. “And yes. It’s mine. But I’m not ready to share it with the pack yet.”

He nodded and went back to examining Peyton. “Understood. I would highly recommend we do an ultrasound to make sure the baby is unharmed.” Cautiously, he unwrapped the bandage and turned her head so he could see both sides of her jaw. “Nice job on the alignment, Nate. It hasn’t healed enough that I’ll have to re-break the bones, I just have to reset the broken sections.”

Taking a deep breath, I nodded and stomped down the desire to throw Brooks through a wall because he intended to cause my mate pain. “You need me to hold her?” I gritted out through clenched teeth.

“Probably best to do it in case she wakes up during the process.” He stood and moved to give me room.

Tenderly, I scooped Peyton into my arms and took her spot, reclining so she lay on top of me and I could secure her head to my chest. I wrapped my legs around hers in a vice-like grip, then banded an arm across her chest to keep her limbs locked and held her forehead in a firm grip while being careful not to hurt her.

Asher probed at my mind, but just as Brooks bent over Peyton, her eyelids fluttered and she whimpered.Fuck. I told Asher he’d have to wait.

Unsurprisingly, Peyton immediately began to struggle and when she tried to cry out, a gurgled scream ripped from her throat, sending a slice of pain through my heart. “Shhhhh, baby. Relax. I’ve got you. You’re safe,” I murmured as I rubbed my bearded chin over the top of her head. My words soothed her a little, but she still tried to escape my hold. “Peyton,” I said, a little firmer this time and releasing Alpha vibes. “Baby, you have to be still. Let the doctor take care of your jaw.” I curled forward so I could stare down at her face.

She finally stilled and her eyes flew up to mine. They were a little wild and glassy from the pain, but glint of defiance almost made me smile. Even now, amid her agony and confusion, she bucked at my authority. It was hot as fuck when she did that and added to the fact that she had her ass snuggled over my groin, as she lay on top of me, I couldn’t stop my cock from stirring. Truthfully though, Peyton stirred up my craving for her even when I didn’t know she was on my mind. And this dance we’d been doing had begun to wear on my patience.

My wolf felt the tendrils of Peyton’s pain curling through our mind, but he didn’t quite understand that having Peyton on top of us didn’t mean we could ignore it and fuck her. His desire enhanced my own and I had to order him to back off and shake my head for a moment. I latched onto the traces of her emotions to hold my lust at bay.

Peyton had obviously noticed though and her eyes narrowed in warning, even as they sparked with passion. Our need for each other had been strengthening ever since I’d discovered that she hadn’t rejected my mark and the ribbons of attraction that surrounded us at inopportune times—such as while the doctor reset her broken jaw—came from taking that step into the mating process. Even if she didn’t want to admit it. I was grateful for it at that moment though because it gave Peyton something to focus on besides her pain.

“Peyton, I’m Dr. Hollister,” Brooks introduced himself, drawing her attention, which made my wolf grumble. “I need you to remain still while I reset the bones, okay?” Aware that any response would cause her pain, he didn’t wait for one before getting to work.

Peyton’s eyes drifted up to mine again and she locked our gazes as if she were drawing strength from me. Pride filled me as she remained frozen in place while the doctor worked, even though I could see the pain swimming in the moisture filling her emerald pools.

“You did perfectly, Peyton,” Brooks finally said as he wrapped a bandage around her face to keep her jaw set while she healed. “You should be able to talk again in a few hours, but you’ll be sore, and I suggest you limit it. You’ll be completely healed by tomorrow morning though. But if there’s a problem—like residual pain or clicking—give me a call.”

“Thanks, Brooks,” I murmured as I released my hold on Peyton. Satisfaction filtered through me when she didn’t make a move to get away, instead relaxing and resting against me.

He nodded and packed his bag. After he finished, he drilled me with a firm stare. “I know you want to keep this quiet for now, but I’m not an OB-GYN, Nate. I’m going to send Myka over to do the ultrasound.”

“As soon as possible,” I agreed. He would receive no argument from me. However, I did feel like complete shit for not thinking about finding Peyton a doctor before now. To be fair, I’d never had a pregnant mate, but I’d delivered babies in rebel camps and other random circumstances. The last one had been over two hundred years ago, but still, I felt like an idiot.

Brooks withdrew his phone from his pocket as he walked toward the kitchen to make the call.

Peyton’s muscles tensed and she glanced up at me, her eyes flashing with gold and emerald as they searched my face with worry.

“Just a precaution, baby,” I assured her. “I’m sure our pup is fine, but you need a doctor anyway.”

She nodded, but her expression remained distressed and afraid while one of her hands fiddled with the ring on her thumb.

“Hmmm.” I observed her thoughtfully. “I like this new, quiet Peyton.”

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