Page 67 of The Wolf Slayer

“Niev?”

She had her back turned to him, fidgeting with napkins in her hands. He gently laid a hand on her shoulder.

“Did I upset you?”

She laughed that gorgeous laugh and turned around. “No, I just start tearing up for no reason all the time. I think it’s the hormones.”

He took a napkin out of her hands and wiped her tears. “Anything else? Have you been feeling sick?”

She shook her head. “No, nothing so far.”

“Tired?”

“Yes, but only because I couldn’t sleep last night. I was just tossing and turning, but I took a nap before Tristan came. That made me feel better.”

He wound his fingers through her hair, gently combing through it. “What was on your mind?”

She shrugged her shoulders and stepped closer to him, laying her head on his chest. “I couldn’t get comfortable, I missed you.” She must have seen the guilt in his eyes and quickly added, “No, don’t feel bad about it. I was just worried. I hoped nothing would happen to you again. I…” She paused as if she wasn’t sure what and if she should continue. “Well, I wanted to run out there and be with you, wanting to be there if anything happened. And at the same time, I couldn’t, because it’s not just me anymore.” She gently touched her stomach, her next words weighing heavy on her mind. “It’s so hard to get used to it.”

She was used to her independence. He hadn’t realized what the pregnancy meant to her. She wasn’t alone in her own body anymore and it was hard for her to accept that. How could he have been so blind? How could he have missed it? He continued to run his fingers through her hair, hoping it would calm her.

“I can’t imagine how much of an adjustment it is for you. I wish I could do more to help you, something other than just listening to you.”

“Blake…” But before she could say more her voice broke.

“We don’t have to talk now. Maybe later when we are alone? Maybe you would feel more comfortable?”

She nodded and took a step back. Her eyes were filled with guilt and was that fear he saw? Was she afraid of him? He wasn’t sure, but he would have to wait till after dinner to talk with her. She put on a smile and walked past him joining Lyliann, Darron, and Alizia in the living room.

They were sitting on the floor. Lyliann and Alizia were trying to play a memory game while Darron kept trying to steal the pictures. Niev grabbed Darron and sat him on her lap, explaining the game to him while joining the game and letting him choose the cards when it was her turn. Blake leaned against the wall and watched them. She looked happy and seemed to truly be enjoying herself.

“She’ll be a wonderful mother.”

Blake startled. The last person he expected to hear that from was Seth. He turned and saw his brother sitting at the table. Blake had been so focused on Niev that he hadn’t paid much attention to his surroundings.

“I don’t hate her, Blake.She’s perfect for you.”

“And your wolf dislikes that. He learned to trust me, but he doesn’t trust her. I understand. I’ve explained that to her.”

“None of us ever had a free will, but she had one. How long can she suppress it before she wants it back?”

“I’ll teach her.”

Seth flinched as if Blake had slapped him across the face. His words had been more spiteful than Blake had wanted them to be, so he softened his next words.

“Seth, we’re her family now. We’re all she has left. She won’t do anything to hurt us or the pack. I beg you to give her a chance.”

Seth didn’t react, so Blake turned his attention back to his beautiful mate. Darron had gotten bored with the game and had started to climb all over her. He was hanging off her shoulders as she was tickling him, making them both laugh. Darron turned his head and his face lit up even more when he saw his grandfather walk in. Niev set him on the floor, and he ran toward him. Niev’s and Blake’s eyes locked, the guilt and fear had disappeared and had been replaced by pure happiness.

A New Beginning

Blake’s father picked up his grandson, threw him into the air, and caught him again just a second later. “Shall the dinner begin?”

Blake walked over to Niev and sat down on a chair next to her. After everyone else had found a place to sit, his father stood up and smiled down at everyone.

“By now everyone has heard the good news, so I’ll keep this short.” He turned his attention to Niev, his eyes beaming with fatherly pride. “Niev, this morning you’ve chosen to be part of not just our family but our pack. We all feel honored by your choice, and we all want to welcome you and celebrate this joyous day. Now before I bore everyone with yet another long speech, let’s eat.”

Before anyone could touch their plates, however, Seth stood up. He took a deep breath and locked eyes with Niev.

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