Page 10 of Stalk of the Town

He sniffed and stomped over to Tim on the couch, where he sat holding the crown of babies, Ricky sat beside him holding what I could sense was a lion cub.

“I’m sorry I wasn’t here.” He was genuinely upset, and I struggled to rein in my own emotions because he wasn’t really cross with me, but more with himself. I came up behind him and laid a hand on his shoulder, managing one rub before Drew threw me a look that suggested I’d lose a leaf or two if I didn’t stop.

I’m too upset right now. I need a minute.

I choked back a moan of distress, doing my best to keep it together.

The dark-haired lion I’d followed from town marched into the room and stopped to stare at me and Drew. “Whatsup? I can feel your anger, and so will the babies.”

Drew’s eyes glistened with tears, and I had to restrain myself from punching the alpha for upsetting my mate further. “I missed the birth. I missed seeing the babies being born.”

“I’m sorry,” I mumbled once more, choking back the urge to cry. “If I could make time go back, I would for you.”

I know.Even as he said it, he moved away from me and crouched down in front of Tim, snuffling. “Can I hold the babies?”

Chapter Ten

Drew

“Here, my arms are aching after holding this big bruiser,” Ricky said, standing, and I took the seat eagerly.

An armful of sleepy lion cub landed in my hands, and I looked at the gorgeous baby and sniffled, resisting burying my nose into the baby’s sweet, scented neck. I flicked a glance at Goliath from under my eyelashes when Tartie grabbed a seat and placed it next to the arm of the couch. My mate looked uncertain, and I refrained from sighing at how I’d caused him to feel so bad with my drama llama act.It’s alright, I’ve cooled off now. I can get a little overdramatic. I maybe should have pointed that out before.

I don’t mind as long as I have you.

The sweet words melted my heart.You have me, warts and all.

You don’t have warts,he said in all seriousness.You’re mine, and that’s all that counts.

“We’re tired, we’re off to bed,” Randy said, pulling me from my conversation. I listened to my pride ragging on each other, but I’d caught the agreement from Goliath at Red and Gordon’s sentiment about leaving the house to avoid babies crying.

The conflict for me was real. I’d never been accepted before the pride, and I wanted to repay that by always being there for them when they needed me. Blocking the pride to keep them from having to endure all the sexy antics—and, if I was honest, I didn’t want to share just how freaky I was in the bedroom—made me feel selfish.

You have never been selfish.Maximus looked at Goliath, having caught the last of my thought.You have a mate to consider now. It’s not wrong to want something that’s purely yours. I’m sure if Goliath had known this was important to you, he’d have made sure you got here.

He would. There wasn’t a hurtful bone in his body or stalk. I held back a sigh, hating that my angry outburst had gotten aimed at the wrong person. I glanced down at the tiny cub.I know. It’s just this is so monumental for our pride. I wanted to share the experience.

I missed the birth of the parcel,Maximus said sheepishly.

My head fired up to look at Maximus, eyes wide.You did? How?

I was down at the sheriff's office.

You were?

And Leonidis missed it too.

Feeling decidedly better at not being the only one, I grinned at the room before eyeing Burke.If you get any twinges, you make sure to call me… on my cell phone, so I don’t miss out.

Burke rubbed his big belly.Let’s just hope I’m on the ground when it happens.

Spread over Goliath’s wide chest, enjoying the hand stroking up and down my back as the sunlight peeked through the open curtains, I opened myself to my pride. When I’d left the night before with the bags I’d packed full of things I’d deemed necessary, I’d told Maximus, Burke and Ricky that I would reach out periodically.

I had also left my cell phone on the nightstand because I knew babies came when they wanted to, and I’d blocked the pride because I wanted to give Goliath a proper apology.

You did.

The cock that never seemed to be fully soft, ever, twitched against my thigh. I lifted my head, grinning at the sexy stalk. “Maybe I need to just make sure that you really understand how sorry I am.”

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