TABITHA POV I bite my last nail and sigh as I look down at my stomach. I know I heard a flutter yesterday, but I haven't heard it again, which isn't a good sign. Miscarriages aren't common for shifters, but they do happen, especially if they have been going through large amounts of stress. My timer goes off, and my hand shoots out to grab the test lying on the counter. When my eyes see the positive symbol in the little screen, happiness followed by sadness explodes my heart to smithereens. The positive means I still have an HCG level, but the silence coming from my stomach tells me that the level won't be rising, and soon...soon, they will flow from my body altogether. Silent tears flood my face as my legs give out, and I crumble to the tile floor. I slap my hand over my mouth to muffle my sobs.It's almost pointless to try to stay quiet. Stanley is bound to wake up any minute. But I have no idea how I am going to tell him, and I don't want to wake him up early. He has been
MIKE POV "Alright, Stan said she is good with meeting all of us. Just remember she isn't accustomed to pack life. Maybe half of us should sit down. This many shifters is intimidating," Dan says as he moves Angelica to his hip. Benji and Boyd chuckle a bit while I smirk. "Yeah, because three guys holding babies looks really intimidating," Lewis says as he looks down at Andrew. Sam and Mariah laugh as Dan looks around the room in confusion for a second. The confusion doesn't last long, though, and he chuckles as he looks at his daughter."I guess we don't look all that threatening," Dan says just as the doorknob turns, and the three of them walk in. Nerves bubble in my stomach as Carmen takes off her coat and follows behind Tabitha, looking scared and small. "Everyone, this is Carmen. Carmen, starting from the left, is Mike, whom you already met, Finley, Boyd, Lewis with baby Andrew, Mariah, Benji with baby Trevor, Samantha, and my brother Daniel with his daughter Angelica
TABITHA POV "So how are you liking it," I ask Carmen as I sip my coffee. She finishes making a cute mushy face at Trevor and looks at me. "I love it. Babies are the best people to surround yourself with," Carmen replies and I get that familiar twang about her words. I nod and take another sip of my coffee. Decaf doesn't do much for my day, but I like and need the taste. "That's good. Are you still doing good with the fact we are all shifters," I ask cautiously and Carmen smiles? Trevor tries to regain her attention by pulling her hair and she puts him on her hip. "Honestly I was worried when I accepted the job, but after being here for a week I can say you all are the best people I have ever been around. I don't even think about the fact you can shift into animals anymore. You are all supportive and loving...it's refreshing," Carmen says and I notice the fullness in her cheeks. She looks much healthy and her eyes don't hold as much fear as they did when we first met
Rage has turned the blood in my veins into lava. My skin is hot and the fire in my chest is blazing. How dare she run from me. How dare she go against my orders. I told her to remain in the house until I returned. Her needs were taken care of. There was absolutely no reason for her to leave our home. I slam my fist into her dresser and the wood crumbles. She thinks I hit her before? I was controlling my strength with every strike. The stupid human has no idea what kind of damage I could really do to her. Every strike was controlled and for a purpose, but she never understood. I was trying to make her better. I was trying to turn her into a mate I actually deserve. "Nick, her scent is long gone. She must have taken off right after you left," my brother says as he comes strolling into the room I shared with my mate. I march across the rubble-covered floor and grab his throat. "This room is private. Don't ever step foot in it again," I growl, and he whimpers like the weak
CARMEN POV His eyes are so gentle. They don't make me scared, but I feel exposed when they are on me. Like Mike can see everything that I am trying to hide. Every scar or nervous tick is exposed to his searching gaze. I find myself wondering what is going through his mind as he looks at me. Is he disgusted like Nick was? Does he pity me? I'm not interesting. I'm not beautiful. It must be pity. "I think it's her naptime," I whisper and Mike chuckles as he spots the droopy-eyed little girl sitting in the corner with toys in her lap. "I think you're right. I will carry her. I haven't held her in a while...That probably sounds weird to you since I'm not her Dad, but there's a reason...I promise. In a small pack like ours, we like to keep the scents of the pups mixed with ours. It helps if the pup is ever lost or in danger...most predators know the scent of adult shifters. They fear us," Mike explains as he stands and I nod while pushing my lips together. His discomfort is
STANLEY POV I watch Tabitha closely as Sam and Mariah soothe her with gentle words. I know we are all shaken by what we just saw, but my mate seems to be taken it the worst."Any idea who this Nick guy is," Dan whispers and I shake my head without altering my gaze.Stress is beginning to creep its way through my body and depressing thoughts are filling my head. Shameful thoughts...I was already keeping an eye on the grieving Alpha and his pack, now we have to worry about an abusive ex. Our pack has had so much to deal with...should we be adding more? Mariah and Tabitha are both pregnant. Adding Carmen into our home has brought yet another danger. "We all need to talk," I mumble lowly before meeting my brother's eyes. He nods and I jerk my head toward the door. The rest of the guys follow and I lead them to the barn. My stomach twists into one big knot as I walk, but my wolf ignores it. We have to think like a mate now. We have to think like a father. I swing the barn door ope
MIKE POV The adrenaline from my fight with Stan hasn't left my system yet, but I can't stay away from her. She might wake up while I am calming down and I don't want that. I want to be there with her. She deserves my presence and attention while she goes through this. "Mike," Boyd says as he sees me heading for the guest wing and I growl. I know he wants me to calm down some more before I go see her, but I don't care. I have to prove that I am someone she can rely on. "Mike," Boyd snaps again as he grabs my forearm. He turns me around and my anger fully returns. Anything preventing me from checking on her deserves to be removed. I try to punch him, but he catches my hand. I glare at him as he stares me down without a hint of fear. "If you go in there right now she is going to be terrified. You look angry. You are covered in blood and half-naked. Wake the fuck up. If you care about this girl then you will calm down and get cleaned up before you go check on her," Boyd
CARMEN POV My heart and mind are torn. I have this big rugged cowboy sitting next to me saying he will protect me and my heart wants to fall for him. But my head is more cautious than my heart. My head remembers the pain and fear I have lived through with Nick."Yes, really. I...Carmen, I had a mate. She didn't want me. Her and her sister wanted males with Alpha bloodlines. I am not an Alpha. I will never lead a pack, nor do I want to. What I do want...I want to always protect you. I want to see you smile and giggle. I would love to win your heart, but I know that might not happen. I am okay with that. I have chosen you and wolves mate for life. Even if you don't want me I will always be the shadow following and protecting you," Mike declares, and my eyes widen to an almost painful level. "Why," I whisper, and he smiles. He slowly reaches across the blanket and gently takes my hand. So gently that no warning bells go off. Fear doesn't slide down my spine...In fact, the opposite