Chapter 36
Kayla
“So, how can you talk to Ransom through a pack link if you’re a rogue and don’t have a pack?” I ask him.
He’s quiet a long moment. “I claimed Ransom as pack when I was strong enough to do it. It was more for safety than for anything else. All we had was each other, and we needed to be able to communicate with each other mentally. But he’s the only one.”
“So, you were a pack of two?”
He nods. “Yeah. Even now, he’s the only one that I’ve claimed as pack.”
I want to ask more, but I don’t want to push him.
I sit back and enjoy the drive instead. It takes a while for us to make the drive back, but I enjoy it.
It’s so peaceful; I appreciate that Jackson doesn’t make it awkward.
We can sit in silence and enjoy it. Today, that feels like a gift.
With my mind being on overload like it is, it’s nice to not have to think.
Jackson glances over at me, eyebrows furrowed.
But when he doesn’t say anything, I go back to looking out the window.
It takes nearly an hour and a half to get back.
“I didn't realize we’d gone so far,” I tell him when we get close to the hotel.
“I don’t regret it, though,” I hurry to add.
“This has been so relaxing and enjoyable.” I turn to him and put a hand on his arm.
He frowns at me again. “Are you bleeding?”
My eyes widen. “What?”
“I just scent your blood. I thought I was mistaken before, but I don’t think I am.”
I quickly assess, and mortification sweeps through me followed swiftly by dread. “Oh no.” My voice is quiet. I’d been feeling cramps earlier but just dismissed it, but I can’t any longer. I close my eyes a moment, and I feel a hand on my knee.
“Kayla?”
I open my eyes and meet his gaze. “Well, I guess if we’re in a relationship, this is all part of it. The good, the bad, the embarrassing?”
He doesn’t bat an eye. “Yeah.” Understanding dawns on his face. “What do you need?”
I sigh and look out the window. “I’m scared to get out of the truck.
My period’s have gotten worse over the past year or so.
They come on really hard and fast. It’s okay if I’m prepared for it.
But if I’m not? Like today?” I let out a little chuckle.
“It’s several days early.” I eye the door.
“We have a key card to get in the side door, right?”
“Yeah. I’ll get you in. Do you need me to run to the store for you?”
I wave off his concern. “I’ve got some stuff in my purse. I’ll see what I’ve got and go from there, but I’ll probably have to go inside and change first.” I laugh and then groan. “I can’t believe I’m telling you all this.” I put my hand over my face, but he gently pulls it away.
“A little blood doesn’t scare me.”
I laugh again. “Not a little blood,” I mutter.
“Hey,” he waits until I face him. It takes me longer than I’d like to admit. ”I’ve got you. I want you, all of you. This is all part of it.” He takes my hand and squeezes. “Let’s get you inside.”
He climbs out of the car and comes around to my side.
I take a breath and open my door and slide out.
My stomach cramps, and I shake my head. I glance at the seat behind me, but thankfully, the seats are dark.
Then Jackson’s in front of me. Swallowing the last of my dignity, I look up at him. “Can you check my shorts?”
He starts to grin. “Are you asking me to check out your—”
I groan. “Forget it.”
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.
“Oh, Noah’s my little brother.”
Her face lights up. “How old is he?”
“Seven.”
“Aw, that’s so great. We’ll have to meet him.” She looks between Jackson and me. “Who’s watching him now?”
I don’t mind her bluntness; it’s kind of refreshing. “Ransom, Jackson’s friend, was watching him while we took a drive.” A cramp tightens my stomach, and I’m reminded that I really need to grab Ibuprofen.
“Aw, was it a date?” Talya asks, and I force myself to focus on the conversation.
“I guess. We drove out of town and just took in the scenery for a little bit. Well, of course, we stopped for coffee first.”
“Of course,” she says with a smile.
“Oh, and we stopped to feed pygmy goats.”
Her eyes light up again. “Really?”
I nod. “They were adorable! Do you have a picture?” I ask Jackson. Wordlessly, he pulls out his phone and opens up the photos before handing it to me. I smile when I see the picture of me sitting on the grass with the goats all over me. “See.” I show her the picture.
“Oh my goodness. Look how adorable they are! Liam, look.” She shows him the picture, and he actually smiles. “We need pygmy goats,” she tells him with a sigh.
He chuckles and pulls her closer. “I think we’ll have our hands full with two little boys, Baby.”
“You already have another boy?” I ask. Talya nods and hands me back the phone. “Aw, do you have any pictures?”
“Of course!” Before she can ask, Liam slides out his phone and pulls up a picture.
I gasp at the adorable little boy on the screen. “Oh my goodness. He looks just like his dad.”
“Oh, I know. Those genes are strong genes,” Talya says glancing at Liam. He just grins and presses a kiss to her temple.
“I feel like the male genes are always dominant,” Raechel says, joining our group. I startle, not having heard her approach. “How come that is? Women do all the hard work, and then the baby looks just like their father.”
“Like Talya said, strong genes,” Liam says with a smug smirk.
Talya eyes him. “You know the next one will look just like me.”
“Oh, I’m counting on it,” he says, pulling her close and kissing her cheek.
As nice as the conversation is, I am keenly aware of the need to get upstairs to a bathroom. I glance up at Jackson. “I’m going to head inside.”
His eyes meet mine for a moment. “Okay. I’ll see you up there in a few.”