Page 86 of Healer’s Betrayal

He laughs, and I think my heart stutters. “You don’t ever have to ask,” he says, grinning dangerously. I shake my head and turn around quickly. When I turn back around, he’s unbuttoning his flannel.

“It’s bad, isn’t it?”

“Here.” He hands me his flannel.

“Are you sure?” I ask. “I don’t want to get blood on it.”

“There’s this cool invention called a washing machine,” he starts, and I snatch the shirt from his hand.

“I’m just going to tie it around my waist.” I make quick work of it. “Okay. Is that good?”

His eyes run the length of me and heat. “Yeah.” His voice is low, and I turn around. “Let’s get inside.” I walk to the front of the truck and stop on the sidewalk suddenly and turn back to him.

“What is it?” he asks, all business now.

“The Northwoods Pack is all over there.”

I watch in fascination as he sniffs the air and nods. “Okay.” He moves forward, like he’s planning to keep moving. I start untying his shirt. “What are you doing?”

“Giving you back your shirt.”

“Why?” he asks in confusion.

I look up at him. “I’m not going to make you walk in there without your shirt on. I know you don’t want them to see your alpha marks. And that tank you’re wearing doesn’t hide them at all.” I make myself not focus on all the muscles he’s currently showcasing.

“Baby, you’re wearing my shirt. I don’t care about my marks; I care about you. Let's get you inside.”

I swallow hard. “Are you sure?”

“Positive.”

I nod. “All right. Let’s do this. Can’t say I didn’t warn you.” I start walking and then turn back suddenly. He grasps my arms to keep from running into me. “If any woman looks at you and starts getting ideas because you look like this,” I wave my hand up and down his torso. I wish I could say I was teasing, but I’m absolutely not.

He leans forward still grasping my arms. “What women?” he asks, and I shake my head. “I’m not being coy,” he says, seriously. “I don’t notice other females; I only notice my female.”

His possessive words do something to my insides. I think the appropriate word is melt, but I force myself to focus. “Okay.” I turn around and start forward, but this time, Jackson takes my hand in his. I glance up at him and take in the serious set of his face. He must feel my gaze because he gives my hand a gentle squeeze. It doesn’t take long for the Northwoods Pack to notice us. Garrett turns our way first, and I do not miss the way his eyes settle on Jackson. Jackson doesn’t slow his stride, and I don’t either. But when the other guys turn, I start to slow. Max stands next to Garrett with his arms crossed. I take in both of their body positions and get the feeling that this isn’t casual, like they were waiting for us. Paul stands only a few feet from them. Even he looks serious, and I get a bad feeling. But then I take in the new guy. There’s a guy I don’t recognize standing with them. He’s tall and blond and good-looking, and I have no idea who he is. But his eyes track us, or I guess Jackson. Jackson stops just a few feet in front of them.

“Is there a problem?” Jackson’s voice is calm, much calmer than I feel right now. The only indication that I get that he’s feeling anything at all is that his muscles are coiled tight. I’m not even sure how I know that; I just do. When his voice sounds in my head, I nearly jump a foot off the ground. I’m not sure what’s going down here, but if things turn, I need you to get to safety. Go to the other side of the building and get up to Ransom; he’ll keep you safe. I feel something hard in my hand and look down to see the key card. I take it and slip it in the pocket of my shorts.

Before anybody can say anything, the automatic sliding doors open, and the females of the pack walk out. I take in Emma, Raechel, and Sage; but there’s another person I don’t recognize. She has long, blond hair and is beautiful and sporting a pretty good baby bump. “...big as a barn,” the blond is saying. “People keep asking if I’m having twins. No, I’m not having twins! I’m just fat and—” her words cut off suddenly.

The four of them look at the guys and then at us. “Why is everybody so tense?” Raechel asks, walking over to stand next to Max. I don’t miss that he puts her almost behind him. The other guys do the same. Well, all of them except the blond. She walks towards me, making the tall guy behind her move quickly to get to her side.

“Talya, Baby,” he says in a low voice.

“Hi,” she says, stopping right in front of us. “I’m Talya; you must be Kayla.” She thrusts her hand out, and I put my own out.

“I am. Nice to meet you.” I drop my eyes and take in her belly and smile. “Congratulations. When are you due?”

“In about ten weeks.” She rubs her belly, and I don’t miss how the guy behind her drops a hand to her waist. “Oh, and this overprotective guy is Liam, my mate.”

I look up at him hesitantly, but he actually gives me a warm smile, surprising me. “Hi, Kayla, nice to meet you.”

I manage a smile. “Nice to meet you too.” I am keenly aware that Jackson is standing as close to me as possible. “Uh, and this is Jackson.” I glance up at him, but his eyes are fixed on Liam. I shrug. “I’m the polite one in this relationship,” I say, elbowing him. I grunt because his stomach is so hard.

“Why don’t you go check on Noah?” he suggests in a low tone.

“Who’s Noah?” Talya asks.