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NATALIE
Chase looks drawn as we arrive home.
He’s been working himself to the bone trying to get the new headquarters ready. On top of that, he’s spending a lot of time with Blake and Cooper, learning wolf shifter history as he delves into what Blake has managed to unearth so far about the Walker family tree and the lost King.
“Let’s get an early night, you look like you could do with some sleep.” Reaching over, I pull his hand into my lap and give it a squeeze. “You’re working too hard.” I’m worried about him. This is a lot, on top of readjusting to civilian life. Anyone would be having problems accepting so much change.
“I think that’s my line. I’m the one who’s supposed to convince my pregnant mate to take it easy, not the other way around.”
Laughing as we pull into the driveway, I give him my best pleading eyes. “Will you come and keep me company? I sleep better with you beside me. So does the baby.”
Chase puts the car in park and chuckles, turning toward me with a tired look on his face. “Pulling out the big guns, eh? I must really look like shit.”
Pressing a kiss to my lips and humming as I make it a little longer and deeper than he intended, he growls. “You really are determined to make me take you to bed.”
Nodding enthusiastically, I bite my lip, watching rapt as his eyes shift colour, then darken with lust as he shoves over the door and marches around to my side. He’s showing more and more signs of his animal lately, which is probably sapping his energy, too. His body’s getting ready for his first shift.
To avoid Chase obsessing, I haven’t told him the extent of the tiny changes I see within him. I’m just enjoying watching him learn and settle into my family and community.
“God damn it,” he curses, resting his arm across the top of the open door and dropping his head down in resignation. “I forgot. We have company.”
Taking his outstretched hand, I step from the vehicle and inhale. Leah’s scent drifts by on the breeze and Chase grimaces. “She’s going to kill me.”
I watch him curiously, as he ushers me toward the house with a hand resting gently on my lower back. As we walk up the steps, she pops up from the porch swing, folder in hand, eyes wide as she looks from Chase to me and back again.
“Sorry, I must, eh, have the wrong day. Chase wanted me to go through some boring Walker family history stuff with him but I thought you were working today and then coming to ours for dinner later. I’ll leave you in peace.” She hits Chase a thump in the arm. “I’ll call you later to rearrange.”
What? “Don’t be silly, Leah. You’re always welcome. And I was supposed to be working, but I took the night off!” I hold up my hand, flashing the gorgeous diamond engagement ring proudly at my future sister-in-law, Chase’s pride and excitement through the bond making me even more emotional. He’s thrilled that I didn’t dismiss it as a pointless human costume, and it means a lot to me that we’ll be connected together in both traditions.
“Oh, my goodness! Congratulations! Yes, another sister!” Leah pulls me roughly into a warm embrace, and Chase grins, stroking my back as my eyes sparkle with tears.
I only have brothers. The rightness of having my family and my future family melding together settles over me. When we break apart, Chase immediately pulls me to his side and presses a kiss to my lips. He hasn’t stopped touching me since he found out about the baby. It’s like he thinks we’re a dream that’s going to vanish if he lets go even for a second.
Leah stares awkwardly at the ground and coughs when the kiss starts to heat up. “Okaaay, then. I’m going to leave you two to celebrate.” With a pointed glare at Chase, she adds, “A text next time, Chase, yeah?”
“What was that about?” I ask, purring happily as Leah disappears down the road and Chase pulls me inside. He looks chastened, as he drags a hand down his jaw and twists his mouth into a grimace.
“She may have been here to help me set up my proposal. And I may have forgotten to tell her I’d already done it.” Chase eases in close and wraps his arms around my waist, kissing the frown line between my brows when I shake my head at him. “But in my defence, you were distracting me with all your talk of going to bed.”
“Don’t blame me!” I exclaim, laughing as he sweeps me up and marches toward the bedroom. He sets me down gently instead of his usual across the room toss, taking extra care with me today, and I smile softly at him. Chase will be a great dad.
“Okay, not your fault, you’re a good girl,” he mutters as he drags me down the bed by my ankles. Edging my shirt up to expose some of my stomach, he growls, before kissing a delicate path along the waistband of my jeans. “It’s the baby's fault then. Bad baby.”
Rolling my eyes, I giggle as he tugs my pants down along with my trousers and shows me exactly what a good girl I am.
CHAPTER 50
CHASE
“We already had a party.”
Zoe rolls her eyes as I glare at her, and I extend my hand to greet Blake on the front steps of their impressive home. She gives Natalie a hug and a kiss, squealing with giddiness when she sees the tiny bump Natalie is now sporting.
“That was for your mating. And it was ages ago. Mum and Dad are far more interested in weddings and babies.” Zoe smiles as I pull her into a hug, and steps back to allow Natalie to step into the bright, modern hallway.
“Nice place you have here.” I’m all too aware that this is not Natalie’s first visit to the Steel pack headquarters. If it weren’t for the baby growing in her belly and the ring on her finger, it might bother me being here. But when Max appears, with his own bite mark on his neck, it’s clear everyone has moved on.
“I hear your new office is turning into quite a fortress. And that you have some new employees. Should be interesting.” Interesting is an understatement. Blake’s expression is neutral but I hear the amusement in his voice. He warned me against working with family, but also conceded that bears were probably the best men for the job.
