Claiming Shayla

Chapter Thirteen

Back at the house, Shay played assistant while Rory changed out all the locks, top and bottom.

“These doors are all steel with reinforced frames,” he told her. “The windows are double paned and meet hurricane standards. Like I said, it won’t keep anyone determined to get inside out, but it will take time and a hell of a lot of effort.”

He glanced up at her. “The alpha’s house is always built capable of withstanding a siege because in times of crisis, the pack runs here. Our pantries are always stocked full of food, and there’s a locked storage room in the basement full of emergency supplies.”

Shay nodded her understanding and glanced around. “That’s why this house is so big?”

“In my grandfather’s day, when most of the additions to the original cabin were made, the alpha pair, beta pair, and the elders lived in this house. Even when I was a boy, the beta pair lived here until as healer, it was determined that Laurie Bell and her mate needed their own residence. The pack built them a house not too far from here.”

Shay’s gaze swung back to Rory in surprise. “Laurie Bell was married to your father’s beta? His second in command?”

“Yes, although my father wasn’t big on sharing his authority, he did have a second,” he confirmed.

There was something there, something on the edge of her mind, but Shay couldn’t bring it into focus. Something Rory had said… “Did your father choose his own beta?”

“No, his position was established by pack ranking, although they were good friends, having grown up together. Actually Quintin—that’s his name—and Laurie Bell were all around the same age as my father. At one time, I’m told, Da was expected to mate with Laurie Bell.”

Shock rocked Shay back on her heels. “Laurie Bell’s wolf is that strong?” she asked, remembering what he’d said about alphas and their mates.

Rory paused with the screwdriver in his hand. “I never really thought about it. Healers fall outside of the hierarchy, but her father was my grandfather’s beta and her mother, our healer, so yes, I guess she would be.”

“Didn’t you say your father’s beta was one of the men who’d challenged you for the position of alpha?”

A shadow crossed his face. “Yes.”

“And,” Shay searched the threads of her memory, trying to pull it all together, “that Ashley was the daughter of your father’s beta?”

“Yes.” He went back to his screwing, using a little more force than necessary.

“So that means Ashley is Laurie Bell’s daughter?”

“Uh-huh. What of it?” he asked absently, his focus once more on his task.

“I’m just wondering why she didn’t say anything or make an introduction.” Shay thought hard. Had she even seen Ashley at the howl? She had to have been there. Attendance was mandatory, but she’d met so many new faces. Shay honestly couldn’t remember if she’d seen her.

Rory paused in thought. “Laurie Bell doesn’t like to mention it, but she’s displeased with Ashley. She wants her daughter to follow in her footsteps, but Ashley doesn’t have the aptitude for healing like her mother and grandmother before her.”

“I guess that makes sense.” Shay knew all about disappointed mothers, with her mother constantly nagging her to marry and give her grandchildren. Another thought occurred. “What would have happened if Quintin hadn’t challenged you? Would he have remained your second?”

Rory shrugged. “It’s possible but highly doubtful. With the rise of a new alpha, everyone’s position within the hierarchy has to be reestablished. Quintin might have been able to hold on to it. More likely he would have lost his position and, by virtue of age and experience, become one of the pack elders.”

What would it do to a woman, Shay wondered, to expect to be alpha-fem and have her position taken by a lowly omega? Laurie Bell seemed to have adjusted well to her change in status. Of course, Shay supposed the position of healer was powerful in its own right.

Thinking about mothers and daughters and following in one’s footsteps, Shay asked, “Laurie Bell ever make any noises about you and Ashley?”

“Me and Ashley what?” Rory asked blankly.

Shay rolled her eyes. “You and Ashley mating?”

Stunned amazement and a hint of distaste came through their bond. “Shay, Ashley’s a child. I’ll never see her as anything but.”

Okay, that was certainly clear enough. Best leave that subject alone. Still trying to figure out all the intrapack dynamics, she asked instead, “If Laurie Bell and your father were supposed to mate, how’d he end up with your mother?”

“I honestly have no clue.” He stood, the last lock in place. He gave the door and lock a few tests with the key. “It’s near time for dinner. What do you have a taste for?”

Without hesitation, Shay stated, “Pizza with the works.”

“You want to order in or eat out?”

“Let’s go out. I’m not used to spending this much time inside of one place.” In truth she was beginning to go a bit stir-crazy. Rory made a nice distraction, but even he couldn’t keep the walls from closing in.

“I know a great pizza parlor. They serve New York-style authentic pizza pie. And after we eat, we can take in a few of the nearby attractions,” he offered with a smile.

“You’re on,” she told him. “Let me use the restroom and I’ll be ready to go.”

They ate really fantastic pizza, rode bumper cars—though Rory inserted himself between her and other drivers to keep her from getting hit too hard—and played in the arcade until closing.

On the ride home, Shay snuggled close to Rory’s side, listening to the romantic music playing low on the radio as the fresh air blew through the open windows. Even at this hour the traffic was stop-and-go. “You’re not a bad date.”

He chuckled. “Does that mean I get laid when we get home?”

“Hmm, possibly. Or I could do you now,” she said, laying a hand on the bulge in his pants.

He covered her hand with his. “As enticing as that sounds, I think I’ll wait until we’re home. That way I can take my time, and there’ll be no pesky distractions like honking horns or citations for indecent exposure.”

Shay laughingly agreed and moved her hand from his crotch to lie on his hard, muscular thigh. As they rode, they spoke of everything and nothing in general, and Shay felt like she was part of a normal, everyday couple. It was nice.

When they entered the house and Rory locked the door behind them, instead of heading upstairs as Shay expected, he diverted them to the living room and went and programmed the stereo. “Let’s dance,” he said, holding out a hand.

Shay moved into his arms, and they drifted around the room as one slow song after another played. It was the perfect ending to a perfect evening. Rory languidly stroked her spine as they danced. She wrapped her arms around his neck and tucked her face on his shoulder, sighing contentedly when he rested his cheek on her head.

This togetherness, this sense of oneness was what she’d always thought of when she used to try and imagine herself married. Sex was great, but a woman needed more than a man who could burn between the sheets. She needed a man who knew when and how to cherish her. And when, she thought, to drive her crazy to keep her from getting complacent.

For her, Rory was that man, even if he did have a habit of occasionally turning furry.

They drifted around the dimly lit room, and as the moon rode high in the sky, they made their way up the stairs. A trail of clothes marked their passing. When they reached the bed, they were skin to skin.

Their loving was long and languid. Rory surprised Shay by staying in his skin. Only the golden glow of his eyes revealed he was as affected as she. And when they found their release, it was he who called out her name. Afterward, he held her close to his heart, his arm draped possessively, protectively around her. Shay fell asleep, feeling safe, secure, and most of all, loved.

The next morning after breakfast and another cup of that disgusting tea, they rode into Fort Knox to hunt for SUVs. When Shay found a few she liked and Rory agreed with the price, he called in one of his men knowledgeable about vehicles to make sure the engines were sound and there were no major problems with the SUVs before finalizing the purchase.

Shay mentioned that her clothes were getting snug at the waist. That sparked a trip to the mall, where Rory loaded her down with enough items to last through two pregnancies. Glancing at some of the tentlike shirts, Shay sincerely hoped she wouldn’t get that big.

Over lunch at a local steakhouse, Rory said, “We need to go next weekend and pack up your condo and bring your things here. While we’re there, we can tell your parents about us.”

Part of the lemonade Shay was sipping went down the wrong pipe. Once she finished coughing, Shay pinned Rory with a glare. “There’s no need. My stuff is already in storage. Between setting up Kiesha’s stores, going to California for six weeks, and then the contract with you, I knew I’d be away for a long period of time. I made arrangements for a moving company to pack up all my things and store them, and hired a management company to sublet my condo. So there’s no rush to gather my belongings.” Or tell my parents about us.

“And your parents?” he questioned.

“I’ll tell them, eventually,” she muttered.

Rory’s narrow-eyed gaze had her hunching her shoulders again. “You do realize in another few months you’ll be delivering our babe.” He leaned forward, lowering his voice. “As it is, unless you’re planning on telling them the truth about shifters, they’re going to believe you’ve been pregnant for a lot longer than you have, and be upset that you hid it from them. And they’re going to wonder why. Then their focus is going to turn on me. They’ll wonder what’s wrong with me that you hid our relationship for so long. And do you know how that’s going to make me feel, Shay? Do you, Shay?”

She shook her head no.

“Like your dirty little secret,” he said angrily.

Shay shrank back into her seat and pushed her plate away. Seemed guilt played havoc with the appetite. “All right, all right. I’ll tell them. Jeez. But don’t blame me when you open the door and find my parents standing on the doorstep, suitcases in hand.”

Rory studied her face for a moment, then nodded. “Now that we have that settled, finish eating your food.”

She glanced at the half a steak and majority of the loaded baked potato on her plate. “I lost my appetite.”

“Fine. If you’re not hungry, drink your tea. We’ll get a to-go box for the food.” He motioned to the still-steaming cup.

Shay looked at the nasty concoction and frowned. “I don’t know why you brought that stuff with us today,” she complained.

“Laurie Bell said for you to drink it a couple of times a day.”

When she heaved a sigh and obediently picked up the cup, he motioned for the waitress, who came before Shay finished swallowing the first sip. “We need a to-go box and the check.”

“Yes, sir. Be back in a moment.”

While they waited, he asked, “You have any other stops you want to make while we’re in the city?”

“I want to find a local health food store.”

“There’s one close to the house—Laurie Bell’s.”

Shay scrunched her nose. “No offense, but this tea is nasty. I’d like to see if someone can recommend one that does the same thing but tastes better.”

He chuckled. “None taken. She’s always giving me brews to drink or pills to take for this or that. Mostly I chuck them.”

Outraged, she said, “But you’re making me drink it? This tastes like cow piss!”

He smirked. “And you’d be knowing this how?”

She snarled. “You know what I mean. I can’t believe you’re forcing me to drink this stuff.”

Rory pinned her with a look. “It’s helping you, isn’t it?”

Glumly Shay had to admit it was. She wasn’t feeling as tired and run-down as she had been. “Could be the prenatal vitamins kicking in,” she suggested.

“Maybe,” he agreed, but a small smile tilted the corners of his mouth.

The waitress returned to the table. As she boxed up Shay’s lunch, Rory dealt with the check.

Shay continued sipping and allowed her mind to wander. Is Rory my dirty little secret? Am I ashamed of him, ashamed of my unplanned pregnancy? No, of course not. I love him, which is amazing now that I think about it. And now that I’m over the worst of the shock, I’m actually happy about this little one. She placed a protective hand over her mildly rounded belly.

Was it wrong to want to keep what she’d found with him to herself, just a little while longer? To savor the feeling of being in love and loved? To take time to adjust to the wonder of her new circumstances before reality, in the form of her parents, intruded?

When the waitress returned with Rory’s card, Shay rose, food in hand, and they exited the restaurant. Rory held the passenger door of the truck open for her, hand on her elbow to give her a boost. She paused in the opening, turned instead to face him, and placed her palm on his cheek. “You’re not my ‘dirty little secret.’ If anything, you’re my secret treasure. Is it any wonder I want more time to savor our mating before bringing my family into it?”

His pupils flared, and stunned pleasure filled his gaze. He took her mouth in a devouring kiss. Shay leaned weakly against the seat, panting when it was over.

He rested his forehead on hers. “Are you sure that’s the only reason?”

She rolled her eyes. “Rory, you’ve met my mother. What do you think her reaction is going to be when she finds out I’m pregnant and living with my baby’s father? Do you really think she’s going to be like, ‘Oh, Shay, that’s wonderful. Let me know when the baby’s born so we can come visit’?” she asked. “Hell no! She’s going to catch the first flight here, and we might, might get rid of her by time the kid’s five. That’s after she puts both of us through the Inquisition.”

He winced and drew back a bit. She could see by his expression he was remembering her mother’s behavior at Kiesha’s wedding.

“Now you begin to see. You think she was bad with Kee? Wait until it’s our turn. Do you know how long she’s been nagging me to tie the knot and give her grandkids?”

He placed his hand over her mouth. “All right. You’ve made your point. I’ll leave it to your discretion when to break the news to your folks.”

Rory gripped her by the hips, lifted her into the truck, then gently closed the door. Shay set her food on the seat between them while he came around and got in. Seconds later they were exiting the parking lot.

“Where are we headed?”

“Back to the mall. There’s a health food place inside,” he told her.

“Our midwife gave me this tea to drink to help with my pregnancy, but the stuff tastes awful. It’s helping, so I don’t want to hurt her feelings by trashing it, but is there anything you can recommend that actually tastes good, or if not good, at least not so bitter?” Shay asked the helpful store attendant while Rory roamed the aisles.

“Did you want a tea?” he asked.

“Not necessarily. If you have something in pill form, that would be great,” Shay told him. Pills had to be better than tea. She could knock it back with her prenatals, and best part, no nasty taste.

“Do you happen to know what’s in the brew she gave you?” he asked as he led the way to a section of shelves labeled Pregnancy.

“No, but we have some with us if that would help,” she said and called to Rory. “Give the man the tea. He wants to see what’s in it.”

Rory pulled a sealed baggie out of his pocket.

The attendant said, “I don’t need all of it. A portion will do.”

“No, please, keep it,” Shay said quickly. “I’d rather have the capsules. Just tell me what and how much to take.”

He took the bag from Rory, went behind the counter, and much to Shay’s displeasure, took about half the potion and transferred it to a container before sealing the baggie and returning it to Rory. Then he motioned for Shay to follow and went and pulled a few bottles off the shelf.

Rory’s eyebrows rose. “Shay, that’s a lot of pills. Are you sure you wouldn’t rather drink the tea?”

The store attendant paused and gave her a questioning look, waiting for her response.

“Pills are more convenient. If it gets to be too much, then I’ll switch to the tea again.”

The store attendant nodded, then told her the purpose for each herb and how many to take before pointing to a few more bottles. “These you’ll want to begin taking when you’re in your last few weeks. They’ll help ease the delivery.”

“Ease as in less painful?” she asked.

“Yes,” he answered.

Shay committed the bottles to memory. Anything that would help her through the labor process was on her must-have list.

Taking the herbs to the register, the attendant pulled out a pad and wrote down the name of each and the prescribed dosage he’d give her, then made a copy of what he’d written. He handed Shay the extra. “I’m an herbalist. I’ll analyze the brew she gave you and make sure I didn’t miss anything. We like to work with medical professionals, whenever possible, and it’s so rare to find one into natural remedies. If you won’t mind giving me your name and number…?”

Shay gave him her name, e-mail addy, and cell phone number, and Rory rattled off the number to the house. They paid for their purchases, and Shay thanked the attendant profusely, holding the bag to her chest like it was precious.

As they left the mall, Rory teased, “They had some interesting items in there. There’s something called ‘horny goat weed.’ It’s supposed to increase the male sex drive.”

Shay narrowed her eyes at him. “You’re already a horny werewolf. The last thing you need is help in the keeping-it-up department. I wonder if they have something to keep it down?” she mused.

“We’ll never know,” he said, sounding smug, before he laughed.

Sunday morning Shay awakened to a feeling of vicious nausea she hadn’t experienced since her first morning in Rory’s home. Lying absolutely still, she breathed softly through her nostrils, praying for it to pass.

Between one breath and the next, Rory woke beside her. “What’s wrong?”

“Queasy,” she muttered in a low voice.

“You need food,” he stated decisively and rose from the bed.

Shay flattened her hands on the mattress out on either side of her body, trying to stabilize herself. Even that small bit of jostling had her swallowing hard, the steady stream of saliva filling her mouth adding to her misery instead of lessening it. “No food,” she ground out. Just the thought of it had the acid rising to the back of her throat.

“Tea, then,” Rory said, stopping to look at her. “I don’t like your pallor.”

“Tea,” Shay agreed, knowing she needed something. “And not that mess Laurie Bell gave you. Bring me black tea sweetened with lots of honey, and dry toast or saltine crackers.”

Rory brushed her hair out of her face. “Your forehead’s clammy. I’m calling the midwife.”

“No,” Shay bit out. “It’s just morning sickness. Give me what I asked for. I’ll drink the tea and eat the bread and lay here until my stomach settles.”

He frowned. “Fine, but if your remedy doesn’t work, I’m calling her.”

“It will,” she assured him. When he left, Shay closed her eyes. She hated morning sickness almost as much as she hated throwing up. It was always a battle to see which was better, the constant queasiness or upchucking the contents of her stomach. If she could make herself throw up, she knew she’d feel better in minutes, but who wanted to go through the trauma?

Shay lay still and concentrated on her shallow breathing. She’d yet to take the first birthing class, but she already had the labor breathing nailed.

Rory returned in minutes with the requested items. Gritting her teeth, Shay shoved into a seated position and then froze as her stomach rolled in protest.

“Shay, you’re totally white. I’m calling Laurie Bell.”

She shook her head violently, eyes closed as she fought to control her stomach. “I’ll be fine.” She held out a hand.

“Tea or toast?”

“Toast,” she whispered.

He placed a paper towel in her hand. Shay squinted at it to make sure it was dry before bringing the bread to her mouth and nibbling on it. She’d eaten her way through half the slice before holding out her free hand for the tea. Once she had it in hand, she alternated sipping the contents with chewing toast. Already she was feeling better.

Rory watched her like a hawk, his body braced for action.

As her stomach settled, the bites and sips became larger. The warmth of the liquid spread through her. She finished the toast and drained the cup with a relieved sigh. Shay balled up the paper and handed her trash and the cup to Rory.

“Feel better?” he asked, his concern evident in his furrowed brow.

“Yes.” She snuggled down under the covers and closed her eyes.

“Well enough to ride with me to pick up your SUV? Riley texted and said the red Tahoe was best. It needs new tires and a tune-up, but otherwise is in excellent condition. It also had the best price and a bit of warranty left.”

At that moment Shay couldn’t care less about the details. She wasn’t up to another two-hour ride, another hour of price haggling, and waiting while Rory had the car serviced before heading home. She had no doubts he’d handle everything today. That was his nature.

She opened one eye and met his gaze. “Can you take someone else with you to drive mine here? I do feel better, but I’m not up for another long ride. I’d rather stay home and chill.”

He sat on the bed beside her and took her hand. “I can wait until you feel like riding with me. I’d rather not leave you home alone, knowing you don’t feel well.”

Shay opened the other eye and squeezed his hand. “My stomach is fine. A short nap and I’ll be good as new. Go, don’t wait. You return to work tomorrow,” she reminded him. “I’m sure you’ll have to work overtime to catch up since you’ve been out. That means it will be next weekend at the earliest before we can go get it.”

“You won’t be without transportation, Shay, if that’s your concern.”

She shook her head. “I know you’ll leave me the truck. But the dealer will only hold the SUV for three days. You get it today, and we’ll be done with the whole purchasing process.”

He sighed. “Can I call someone to sit with you? If not one of the pack, then Shannon?”

Now she smiled. “No, I’m okay. I’ll bother Kian if I feel the need for company.”

Both his eyebrows shot up. “If you’ve got the ability to tease, then you’re obviously feeling much better than you look.”

Actually she’d been serious, but if it made him happier to think she was joking, who was she to disillusion him?

“Let me call Riley and see if he’s free. If not, I’ll give Caleb a call.” He rose from the bed and left the room.

Shay eased out of bed and went to use the restroom. Catching a glimpse of herself in the mirror, she could better understand Rory’s concern. She did look pale, and her eyes appeared sick. She washed her face and brushed her teeth, deciding there was no sense combing her matted hair when she was climbing right back into bed for it to flatten.

Rory returned to the bedroom as she was exiting the bathroom. “One of my crew is riding with me. I told Caleb to keep his phone handy. I’ll program his number into your cell phone. You call him if you run into any trouble, and he’ll come running.” He gave her a look that enforced his command.

“Okay.” Though Shay doubted she’d run into any problems.

Appearing relieved that she wasn’t going to give him any argument, he went into the bathroom to shower. Twenty minutes later he was gone.

Shay dozed while Rory dressed, but the minute the door closed behind him, she was wide-awake. In the strange manner of pregnant women, she’d gone from wanting to barf at the mere thought of food to feeling like she’d die of hunger if she didn’t get something inside her in the next instant.

Pausing only long enough to slip on a pair of shorts and an oversize T-shirt, Shay trotted down the stairs to the kitchen. A jumbo glass of orange juice, a banana, a muffin, and a container of yogurt later, she was still hungry.

She glanced down at her belly in disgust. “You’re not even here yet, and already you’re as demanding as your father.”

Sighing in resignation, she pulled out a flat of eggs, a pack of sausage, and a bag of cheese in preparation for making an omelet. Shay could tell which one of them this little one took after.

She started the entire container of meat cooking and, as an afterthought, grabbed the bacon as well. If she was going to pig out, might as well do a thorough job of it. After turning the oven on to four hundred degrees, Shay lined a cookie sheet with wax paper and almost an entire pack of bacon strips—the thick, meaty kind. What else would a shifter buy?

As the aroma of cooking pork rose in the air, Shay eyed the basement door. In the short time she’d been here, she’d gotten used to sharing meals with another. She gave the mountain of food she prepared another glance, then looked back at the door. Inviting Kian to share a meal would be the nice, friendly, family thing to do, wouldn’t it? It wouldn’t constitute bothering him, would it?

Certain Rory would agree and approve, Shay had the door open and was walking down the stairs before her conscience could kick in and talk her out of it.

“Kian,” she called as she cracked the second door open. “It’s me, Shay—Rory’s mate? I’ve come to invite you to breakfast. Thought maybe we could get to know each other since, you know, we live in the same house and all.” She nudged the opening wider and peeped around the wood.

“I know already we have one thing in common. We both dislike the pack. I know I shouldn’t say this, but having met them, I don’t blame you for not wanting anything to do with them. That’s the reason I had Rory put a stop to them walking into this house anytime they got good and ready. From now on the doors are locked and they have to call first before coming over. I even had him change the locks.” Shay paused. She couldn’t hear any sound of movement. If Kian was there, he wasn’t interested in making nice.

“Anyway,” she said, her spirit drooping, “Rory left for Fort Knox this morning to go pick up a vehicle for me. I realized, after I started, I cooked way too much food for one person and thought I’d see if you wanted to join me. If not, I understand.” She waited another moment for Kian to show himself, then, shoulders slumped, turned and went back up the stairs.

The sausage was ready to be flipped. After doing so, she got busy cracking eggs. Since Kian wouldn’t be joining her, Shay cracked three eggs into a medium-sized bowl and tossed the shells into the trash. The timer on the oven went off. She checked the bacon to see how it was progressing, and set the timer for another three minutes. It was slightly golden, but Shay liked her bacon crispy. By then the sausage patties were ready to come out of the pan. She scooped them up and onto a paper-towel-lined plate. Running out of countertop space, Shay grabbed the eggs and turned to place them in the fridge and almost dropped the container.

Kian sat, not three feet away, quiet as midnight, watching her with those eerie blue eyes.