Chapter twelve

Zander

Martin flops into his seat beside the fire, letting out a long and tired groan. Frustration radiates off of him in waves and I wince with sympathy.

"Still nothing?"

"Not a damn thing! You'd think after tracking this fucking case for a month and a half we would have caught some sort of break by now but whoever is in charge of these abductions is slippery as fuck!"

I run my hand over my round stomach, listening to Martin rant. This isn't the first time I've heard this rant, far from it really. Martin and Cooper have taken the lead on this case, wanting to give Jeff and Ronny some time to get used to having their families on the road. Which is really sweet, but also, I think it's time the entire group helped with this case before these two self-destruct and kill each other.

When we first got to the coast, I had high hopes for Martin and Cooper putting their differences aside and truly working together for this case. And at first, that's exactly what they did. But as the weeks went by with no results, the bickering and the pissing contests started happening.

When will they realize they're simply on different sides of the same coin?

"Have you thought of taking a week off and coming back to the case with clear heads?"

Martin stares at me for a long moment. "And if the trail runs cold? What then?"

The little one inside me jumps, bumping against my hand and a soft smile plays at my lips despite the conversation we're having. "Isn't it already cold? In a way, at least? You're coming up short and chasing this case by the tail. You're like a dog who's sure this time you'll catch it," I say with a snort.

"First of all, rude," Carlos says, sitting beside me. He looks at my stomach with giant puppy eyes and I nod, giving him permission to touch. "Second, I think Zander might be right. We're chasing our tails here. They somehow have one up on us. It might be best to lay low for a little bit. Give them the sense we're no longer chasing them and wait for them to strike again."

"That's one more innocent person being taken," Martin says in frustration.

Carlos' hand connects with my belly and the baby kicks him. I swear, these two are already thick as thieves and they haven't even officially met yet.

"The people being taken aren't being hurt," I say hopelessly. I'm not trying to play devil's advocate in the slightest but I also can't sit back and watch these two work themselves into the ground if I can help it. "Give it one week of rest and then we'll all jump into the case with both feet."

Martin crosses his arms over his chest. "Looks like I'm outvoted anyway," he says with a heavy sigh. "I realize I'm not the brains of this operation but something about this one feels urgent. I feel like this is where we're supposed to be."

Cooper comes over to join us by the fire, looking just as exhausted as Martin. "If I have to hear you say that phrase one more time," he says tiredly.

"What?" Martin asks, his brows drawn low. "It's the truth. You're obviously the brain."

"You're super smart," Cooper says and I can tell this isn't the first time he's said this. I can't stop myself from smirking. "Just because you're also built like a brick wall doesn't mean you're stupid. You've gotta stop thinking like that."

"Whatever," Martin grits out through clenched teeth. "These guys want us to take a week off. It feels wrong."

I look over at Cooper, watching conflicted emotions flash behind his glasses. "I get what you meant before. This one feels different," he says, touching the center of his chest.

My eyes meet Carlos' and we share a look. There's something going on here, something that their instincts are clearly reaching for. Will they allow themselves to follow those instincts or will they try to push them away? Being hunters, maybe they won't be like most humans, maybe they'll know to channel those feelings and let them lead them.

"One week," Martin finally says, the fight going out of him. "One week. And I refuse to do it completely unplugged. I want Ronny monitoring things and informing us if anything changes. But otherwise, we won't be jumping from bar to bar and chasing every tiny lead we get. One week and then we all jump in. Deal?"

"What's the deal?" We look up, finding Axel and Jeff standing there. "I'm just kidding. I heard the whole conversation." Jeff points at his ear and smiles. "One of the perks of being a vampire."

"Is Lily sleeping?"

Axel holds up a baby monitor and nods. "She was really fighting it today, but I finally talked her into napping."

"What I'm hearing is that you guys don't even need me anymore," Jeff says with a giant pout that turns into a grunt when Axel elbows him in the stomach. "I'm kidding. But seriously, I think taking a little break would do you both some good. We'll hit the ground running next week."

I'm sure the conversation is over but Jeff is clearing his throat. "And I just want to add that I'm sorry."

"What?"

Jeff rubs the back of his neck. "Ever since I was turned, I worry I'm not here for you all the way you need. And before you argue, don't. I know I've been taking a backseat lately, trying to find my legs. I've got Axel and Lily now but that doesn't stop me from also being your leader. I want the best for you all and the best for this team. I want to keep this world in order because now I have a daughter growing up in it. That gives me extra motivation. So from now on, I'll be a bit more hands on and if I need to step back because of family time, I'll communicate that better. Okay?"

There's nothing to really fight about so everyone here nods and gives noises of agreement. With that, Jeff nods his head and sits down.

"Also, I ordered pizza. A local place said they would deliver here at the campgrounds and I figured we could all use a treat." Beside me, Carlos' stomach growls.

Eventually, JJ and Ronny get back from their walk. JJ runs over to me, carrying a handful of random flowers they've collected while out on their walk. My heart warms as my son tells me all about the animals they saw and the things they've collected.

My eyes jump up to Ronny's, finding his dark eyes already on me. He's so soft with us, making sure we're cared for and loved. Loved. He loves us.

I love him.

I've known for awhile but with everything changing so fast, I was afraid to admit it out loud. Ronny is human after all. Shifters fall for their true mates supernaturally fast. Almost instantly. But humans prefer more of a slow burn as far as I know and I was scared of frightening him away with yet another shifter thing.

But in this moment, with his soft eyes on me, I know without a doubt that Ronny loves me. And I love him. There's no more reason to hold myself back.

So I don't.

Leaning over, I give Ronny a soft, lingering kiss. When I pull back, there's a little smile playing at his lips, his scent lemony and bright. I finally admit to myself that I want Ronny to be my mate in every sense of the word. I want him to leave a bite in my skin that declares me as his. I want to be claimed just as much as I wish to claim him.

I look over at Jeff and Axel. "Would you mind if JJ stays over with you guys tonight?"

Axel looks at me, his brows rising in surprise when he sees the look I'm giving him. "Absolutely. I'm sure he'll love helping me with Lily."

"I get to sleep over with Lily?"

"You do," I tell him with a wide smile. "Does that sound like fun?"

"Yes! I love Lily. And I love my baby sister," JJ says, leaning down to kiss my stomach.

"We don't know if they're your brother or sister yet, JJ."

JJ's brows wrinkle. "I know, Papa. Trust me. My sister is in there."

Ronny reaches over, ruffling JJ's hair. "I trust you, buddy."

"You should be more like Ronny, Papa," JJ murmurs under his breath, making us all chuckle. My chest is so full and so warm. Is this what having a litter is actually supposed to feel like? I almost feel bad for John and his following because they'll never experience anything like this. But then again, that's their choice I suppose.

"Do you have plans for tonight?" Ronny asks, leaning over to whisper in my ear. A shiver goes through me at the feel of his hot breath.

"I do. Is that okay?"

He nods, giving me a smile. "Of course, baby. I trust you."

That warmth in my chest is back full force, whispering that my decision is a good one. Ronny is my true mate, but more than that, he's proven himself to be a good match for me. Lady Fate might have brought me to him but he put the work in and brought my walls crumbling down. She pushed me in the right direction but Ronny was waiting there with open arms for me.

I sit back in my chair, snuggling my child against my chest, listening as everyone talks about going to the beach tomorrow. It'll be a fun filled day but tonight, I have plans to finally make Ronny mine.