Page 41 of An Uncertain Claim

The fire in his eyes nearly convinced me to say fuck it—literally. But the bonded comment jerked me out of my lust-filled haze. That was something only true mates did. I wasn’t ready to go that far yet. But I could try to be open to the idea of being mated.

“Ifwe mate,” I clarified. My panther had started to come around to the idea of the pack if it meant being mated to Nathan. I wasn’t as convinced, though I was more open to it than before, but she’d been unhappy with my ambiguous answer, and she huffed and retreated in my mind to pout.

Nathan was silent and he watched me carefully as he worked out whatever it was that he was contemplating. I tried to read his emotions the way he read mine, but I wasn’t as good at it yet. Besides, Nathan had mastered veiling his thoughts and emotions. The pack members couldn’t see into Nathan’s mind as he could theirs. But there was still a link, and just as he’d learned to tune them out, he’d also learned to guard his emotions.

I’d noticed that he did it instinctively. Except with me. He’d told me before that he didn’t mind that I had access to his mind, but I suddenly realized that every time I’d glimpsed what was in his head, he’d been allowing it. I wasn’t sure what to make of that. Especially since he was obviously shielding himself from me now.

He was quiet for so long, I started to feel awkward, but then he cupped my hips and gave them a gentle squeeze. “If?” I waited for him to bring up the way I’d backed off from fully bonded to a simple mating.

When he didn’t, I swallowed hard and put on my big-girl panties to admit I might have been wrong. If I was his…well, I didn’t know what the fuck I would do. But for now, it wouldn’t hurt anything to be open enough to admit that the possibility of being Nathan’s mate existed. “If.” I nodded. “I’m not convinced we’re true mates, but you made your point. There is something more between us than lust and our baby.”

“Thank you for being open-minded,” he replied softly before covering my mouth with his own. The kiss was slow and languid, almost sweet, and I melted into him. When he ended it, his molten silver eyes surveyed my features and he smirked. Then he bent his knees and scooped up my legs, putting them around his waist before lifting me off the counter. He winked as he stepped into the shower. “I’m glad you’re seeing things my way, but I think maybe I should keep reminding you. Just so my point stays sharp.”

* * *

“It’s about time you brought this sweet girl home to us!” Nathan’s mother, Beth, said as she lightly smacked his biceps. Then she turned and began fawning all over me, asking about how I was recovering and about the doctor appointments, all the while guiding me into their spacious home. It reminded me of Nathan’s, with the rustic feel, but it wasn’t an actual log cabin like his. “Are you hungry?”

I started to decline her offer, not wanting to put her out, but Nathan answered first.

“She should eat.”

I tossed him a glare over my shoulder, and he stared back at me, daring me to disagree. Except I was kind of hungry and feeling lethargic from depleting my energy earlier. The baby and I both needed food, so I let it go and turned back to Beth with a smile. “I could use a little something and a glass of water, if you wouldn’t mind.” My stomach growled, betraying me.

Beth rolled her eyes and patted my cheek. “Stop worrying about being a bother. You need more than a little snack, Peyton.” Her intuition was always accurate, and it was a little freaky sometimes.

We entered the kitchen, and she made a beeline for the refrigerator. Nathan walked up behind me and curled his arms around me. My panther brushed her fur under my skin, loving the way we were snuggled up in his embrace. “I need to talk to my dad, so I’ll be in the den. You okay here by yourself?”

I twisted my head sideways and tipped it back so I could see his face. “Nate, is there any scenario you could come up with where my answer to that question would be no right now?”

One corner of Nathan’s sexy mouth lifted, and he murmured, “We both have our habits, baby. My instincts are always to protect, especially when it comes to my mate and my cub.”

He had me there. I had no room to judge, and he knew it. A smirk formed on his lips before he cupped the back of my neck, drawing my head back even farther before sealing his mouth over mine. The kiss was deep and passion-filled, almost making me forget that we weren’t alone. Otherwise, I would’ve climbed him like a tree.

I was a puddle of hormones when he nibbled my lips one last time before pulling his head back. He stood still and I knew he was waiting to make sure I could stand on my own. His smugness filtered into my mind, and I rolled my eyes. “The increased mating desire mixed with my pregnancy hormones is going to be a bitch to deal with,” I mumbled.

Nathan chuckled and kissed my forehead before releasing me. “Happy to help you out with that anytime, baby,” he teased softly. Then he winked and did an about-face, walking across the open-concept living room to a set of double doors that I assumed led to the den. He greeted his dad as he disappeared inside. His dad grunted something and, if I hadn’t picked up the hum of the television and assumed he was watching a game, I would have known when he suddenly shouted about bad calls and idiot announcers.

Chuckling, I glanced at Beth and found her grinning back at me as she put together a plate with a steak, broccoli, and a baked potato. My mouth watered and my stomach rumbled, making her laugh. “Sit,” she said, nodding toward the kitchen table, and I did as she suggested. I took a seat that faced her and watched as she puttered around.

“Can I help?” I asked, uncomfortable just sitting there while she made me a meal.

“No, no,” she replied with a wave of her hand. “I don’t often have the chance to mother anyone these days. I enjoy it.” Her mouth was spread in a beaming smile when she glanced at me as she put the plate in the microwave. “I can’t wait to have a grandbaby to spoil.”

“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you before,” I apologized, feeling guilty for withholding the baby’s paternity from her for so long. In my defense though, I hadn’t told anyone because I didn’t want to face a bunch of questions that I didn’t know how to answer. Now that Beth knew I was carrying her son’s child, I doubted I’d be able to avoid them any longer and, honestly, she had the right to know.

But instead of interrogating me, she filled a tall glass with ice water and brought it to the table, setting it in front of me. The microwave beeped and she retrieved the food and silverware, placing them before me as well. Then she sat in the chair across from me and put her elbow on the table, resting her chin in her hand. “It’s only going to get worse, you know,” she said out of nowhere, her blue eyes dancing with amusement.

I’d just popped a piece of steak in my mouth, and I paused chewing to stare at her in confusion. “Pardon?”

“The mating desire. I doubt you two will keep your hands off each other for very long. Michael and I fucked like rabbits until we’d completed the stages.”

I choked on the food in my mouth, and she immediately came over, pulled out my chair, and urged me to lean forward. Then she firmly patted my back as I coughed and tried to catch my breath. After a few minutes, I stopped hacking and she handed me the water, which I gulped until the glass was empty. “Are you all right?” she asked, her eyes filled with concern.

I nodded and coughed one more time. “I just…um, wasn’t expecting that.”

Beth cocked her head to the side and watched me curiously. “I haven’t met many shifters who are awkward with the subject of sex. I’m sorry if I made you uncomfortable.”

With a laugh, I shook my head and waved off her concern. “I’m not. I just…wasn’t expecting it. When we’ve spent time together, I’ve rarely even heard you swear, and it was just a little shocking to hear you talk about fucking.”

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