Page 38 of Fated Despite the Moon

"I'm sorry for freaking out." He sat silent for a moment listening to the sound of the baby’s heartbeat and letting the warmth of her fingers seep into his. "So, you and the baby are healthy?"

An expression crossed her face he hadn’t seen before. A secret smile with a glimmer in her eyes. "We're just fine."

"Did you find out if the baby is a boy or girl?"

Her cheeks flushed, a beautiful peachy shade. "I didn't want to without you."

He turned his hand over, and she placed her palm in his. Warmth spread up his arm and shot straight to his heart. They sat together in silence, both basking in the connection building between them.

"Are you hungry?" she finally asked. "I brought home some food from Gianna's restaurant."

"You went to Gia's? They have great food."

"That they do. And I met Gia and Paige."

"You've never met them before?"

She shook her head. "Colt never speaks about them, and Paige has never come to Los Angeles."

"Gia's a smart wolf, but protective and a tough nut to crack."

"I kind of got that."

Caleb stood and pulled her to her feet. Their bodies pressed close enough that the warmth of her skin tingled his. He stared down at her beautiful heart-shaped face. It'd changed in the past few weeks. The anger and haughtiness had given way to something softer, more genuine. She'd stopped wearing all the makeup, allowing her natural beauty to shine through. If Caleb had his way, she'd never put on the colorful gunk again.

He brushed her cheek and caught the uptick of her heartbeat. He bent close to her, taking in the scent of her hair. A flowery shampoo covered her natural scent but it still struck him in the gut and made his wolf pay attention. It'd been longer than he could imagine since he'd been with anyone. Living in a small town where everyone in it was a pack member, one-night stands and even casual relationships really weren't in the cards. He'd only ever been with one person. And that had been over five years prior.

He touched his lips to her forehead and brushed them against her skin. He’d been so terrified something bad had happened to her. It’d threatened to drive him mad. Just having her home and in his arms soothed him in a way he’d not thought possible. As if a piece of him had been missing but had finally made its way back to him.

Her hands made their way up his stomach to his chest, her touch burning him through his clothes. He wanted to kiss her so badly. He ran his fingers through the length of her hair allowing the silky golden strands to caress his skin. He pulled on her hair lightly so her face lifted toward his.

His heart stampeded as she splayed one hand on his chest and hooked the other around his neck and pulled him toward her. He breathed her in, his lips inches from hers. They stared at each other, and she licked her bottom lip. Gods above he wanted her.

He closed the distance between them, and just as their lips touched, tires rolled up the drive and a horn honked repeatedly. His head whipped up, and he spotted Griffin's truck speeding up the drive. His wolf grumbled in irritation. The truck slammed to a stop and Dakota jumped from the driver's side and ran toward the door, clutching her belly.

Chills raced over his skin. Something was wrong.

He rushed to the door. Dakota stopped, breathless at the bottom step, and the look on her face said it all.

"You really need a house phone," she panted.

"Let me get my coat."

She shook her head. "You won't need it."

Caleb looked back at the confused Makayla. "I have to go to Griff's."

She took a step out the door. "Is something wrong? Do you want me to come?"

"No. Stay here. I'll be back soon."

She took a step forward. "Caleb—"

"I'm sorry. I'll be back." He jumped the steps and put his hand on Dakota’s shoulder. "I'll drive."

Dakota nodded and waddled to the passenger side. As Caleb backed out of the drive the last thing he saw was Makayla standing in the front window, her face a mask of worry. The sight warmed him.

She cared for him.

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