Page 14 of Embracing the Stalk

Both men gave me an identical nod, and I breathed out a sigh of relief.

“I’ll handle it from here,” Maximus rumbled. “You take care of Red.”

I wasn’t sure I’d resolved anything, but I’d confessed my fears, told them my mate and my pride needed to be safe. I had one final stop to make before I returned to Red, because I had already organized for the locksmith to go to Red’s home.

Back in the pride house, Leonidis, Drew, and Randy sat at the kitchen table, nursing large cups of coffee. As the three unmated members of the pride, I guessed they were spending more time together.

Randy waved at the coffee pot and I nodded. I was part of this pride too, and I wasn’t going to forget that.

“What are you doing here?” Leonidis asked once I had a cup and took a seat.

“I asked Drew to get something for me.”

“It’s in the yard by the back door,” Drew replied.

I grinned at him. “Thanks.”

“No problem. How’s Red doing?” Before I could even speak, he scowled at me. “I don’t want to know how you’redoingRed. I’ll leave that to Glass and Tim, whose sex singing gymnastics have reached an all-time high.”

“At least Ricky is more discreet,” Randy said, and we all mumbled our agreement.

I took a long swallow of coffee. I didn’t drink much coffee as everyone said I was hyper enough, but after pleasuring my mate, organizing locks and facing the sheriff, I needed the caffeine hit.

“The only thing weird about Ricky and Burke is the mini bull’s penchant for climbing, thanks to his unborn kidlets,” I said, idly wondering what Red would do when he was pregnant.

I’m not climbing anything,he insisted.I have a fear of heights.

That was a shame. I loved climbing anything and everything.

You’re a goat, I’m rhubarb. We stay closer to the ground.

My mate had a good point.

I felt a sudden wave of fear over our link.

Red? What’s wrong?I banged the cup down on the table, coffee slopping over the side.

Drew scowled at me. “Hey careful, that’s my favorite cup.”

I ignored him, focusing on my mate.

There’s someone at the door. I don’t know who it is. I don’t recognize the scent.

Where are Burke and Tim, aren’t they there with you?

They left just a few minutes ago.

Shit, I’m on my way. Don’t you open the door.Even as I said it, I sprang to my feet, and so did the other three men, looking at me with obvious concern.

“Is Red under attack?” Drew demanded, in a way that suggested he’d already picked up my fear.

“I don’t know,” I confessed, “but there’s a stranger at the door.”

“I’ll drive,” Leonidis said, grabbing the key fob from the hook as he headed towards the door, not waiting for me to answer.

“You don’t have to—”

Drew squeezed my shoulder. “We’re family and now, so is Red. We’re coming. Let’s make sure your mate is safe.”

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