Page 41 of Rescued by the Alpha

Nic tapped Elam’s swollen navel with one finger and winked at him. “I’m only telling the truth.

Want you all the time. But you have to know that you’re more to me than a hot lay.” At the arch of Elam’s eyebrows, he wondered if maybe he should’ve worded his remark differently. “You know what I mean by that, right?”

Elam gazed at him with a fondness that sometimes made Nic blush. Thankfully, it was dark enough in the room he doubted Elam could tell.

“I know what you mean, Nic. Oh, before I forget, I came up with another girl’s name last night. I passed out before I could tell you.”

Nic had lost track of all the names—male and female—Elam had decided on before he would change his mind again. As far as Nic was concerned, if Elam was the one who had to go through childbirth, then he won the right to name their baby. And anyway, Nic had loved all his choices so far.

“Okay then. What’s this one?”

“Sophie.” Elam grinned. “Do you like it?”

Nic kissed Elam’s baby bump again then slid his way back up the bed to face Elam. “I love it.

Whatever makes you happy.”

A crease formed between Elam’s eyebrows. “But it has to make you happy too.”

He still doesn’t get it. “It does. I promise.”

Their lips met and Nic’s arousal grew as he pulled Elam close, running his hands down Elam’s back to his ass then up again. Soon, making love facing each other wouldn’t be possible. Just have bemore creative. Right as Nic thrust his hardened cock against Elam’s hip, a loud pounding on the front door jerked him out of the moment, killing his boner. Elam tensed in his arms, his eyes going wide.

They never had visitors, other than one time when they’d had Alex and the kids over for dinner. But that had been planned.

“Stay here.”

Elam only nodded in response. He’d undoubtedly been able to tell by Nic’s tone that he wouldn’t entertain any arguments about it. Nic leapt out of bed, grabbing a pair of sweatpants and yanking a shirt over his head as he trotted to the door. Once he reached it, another round of banging sounded, and he flattened himself against it, sniffing at the small, almost imperceptible hole he’d drilled into the wood so he could scent unexpected visitors.

Shifter.

The aroma was somewhat familiar, but clearly not someone who’d made much of an impression since he couldn’t bring to mind who they were.

But there’s only one.

Nic’s muscles went rigid as he prepared himself to attack if necessary. His jaw dropped when

he swung the door wide, and while he didn’t relax his stance entirely, she didn’t appear as if she was ready to spring.

“Dara? What the hell are you doing here?” His words ended on a snarl. He’d hear what she had to say for her sorry ass then decide if he’d let her in. Let her around my pregnant mate.

She pressed her lips together, holding her hands up palms out as she did. “I know. You probably want to tear me to pieces for what I did. I get it. But I came to warn you about your brother.”

He narrowed his eyes, leaning in a tad, sniffing. Fear. Worry. Guilt. But no aggression. “I’ll let you in once you display your submission to me.”

The omega female dropped to her knees and bowed her head. “Forgive me, Alpha Petrov. I committed a terrible offense against the Wolf Creek Pack and have come here to offer my help in the hopes that my actions may be taken into account, so I won’t be judged too harshly.”

He crossed his arms, considering. The council had made it clear at the initial meeting regarding his brother and Elam’s pregnancy, that should she ever set foot in their territory again, she would be tried for her crimes. Their jurisdiction didn’t extend outside the pack unless they decided to bring in the higher authority of the Alliance, but the council hadn’t deemed it necessary at the time. It appeared that by showing up at his door, Dara hoped to ensure she was never tried at all.

“I accept your submission. Enter.”

She inhaled deeply then rose to her feet before crossing the threshold. She lifted her head then gasped. “Is that him?”

Nic whirled around to see Elam standing in the doorway of their bedroom. Dammit. Nic rushed to him, blocking his body with his own and grabbing him by his upper arms. He pushed him back into the bedroom, the hair at the back of his neck standing, his body on alert to any danger from behind.

He called over his shoulder, “On your knees again!” He glanced to see if she’d obeyed before returning his attention to his mate. “I told you to stay in here!”

Elam scowled at him. “I wasn’t going to wait to find out whether you were in trouble or not.”