Chapter Nine

Valentine straightened, shock rolling through him upon hearing that news.

My mate has a kid? A daughter? How come he never said anything? Maybe he just needed more time before revealing something like that? Kids are a huge thing when it comes to new relationships.

Still, the distrust hurt.

Then Valentine took in Stone's expression—hurt mixed with resignation.

Oh, damn. He thinks I'm going to walk away because of this.

So not happening.

Clearing his throat, Valentine rested his forearms back on the table and took Stone's hand again. He felt the stiffness there and massaged his mate's palm lightly. Valentine forced a small smile as he waited for Stone to meet his gaze.

"So, a daughter," Valentine stated once Stone was looking him in the eye. "That's... unexpected. How old is she? What's her name?"

Stone blinked once before his brows furrowed. "I don't know."

Valentine scented Stone's honesty, and what he'd said earlier suddenly registered. "According to that paper," he whispered, repeating his mate's words. Staring intently at Stone, he asked, "You didn't know you have a daughter?"

Shaking his head while still sporting an expression that Valentine was coming to recognize as shell-shocked, Stone mumbled, "No woman has ever contacted me about knocking her up."

"Then how the hell can they claim she's yours?" Valentine wondered out loud.

Obviously not having an answer, Stone just shrugged.

"Then we need to find out," Valentine declared, realizing he needed help. "I'll get the check." He squeezed Stone's hand again. "We'll figure this out."

When Valentine went to draw away, Stone tightened his grip. "You're not dumping me?"

Valentine smiled warmly at his mate. "Oh, no, my mate. You're stuck with me." Then he rose and rounded to Stone's side of the booth. Ignoring those around him, Valentine bent and pecked a quick kiss to his human's lips. "Be right back."

As Valentine strode away from the table in search of their waiter, he could practically feel Stone's gaze on him. He quickly located someone to get their check and returned to the table. They boxed up the rest of their meals, paid for them, and headed outside.

"While we drive, I'm going to make a couple of calls," Valentine explained as he placed his helmet on his head. "I think I know someone who can help us." After a second of hesitation, Valentine amended, "Or, at least, has the connections to help us."

Stone nodded, his brows furrowing. "Uh, why are you taking responsibility for this?" Cocking his head, he pointed out, "This is my problem."

Valentine touched Stone's jaw, enjoying the feel of his mate's clean-shaven skin. "Because we're a couple," he declared, not caring that it had only been a few days. "And couples work through problems together." After a second of hesitation, Valentine asked, "Unless you already have a lawyer to look into shit like this?"

After opening his mouth, then closing it just as quickly, Stone shook his head. "No, I don't," he admitted, twisting his lips ruefully.

"Okay then." Valentine dipped his head and pecked a kiss to his cheek below the side of the helmet. "Then let me help with this, because I know I can."

Valentine watched Stone nod, and satisfaction filled him. His bear liked that his mate was accepting his assistance. Over the last few days, Valentine had done his best to curb his shifter nature to care for and provide for his mate, but he knew he wouldn't be able to in this instance. His need was pushing forward, fast and intense. Valentine needed to help Stone. Considering the way he was going to go about doing it, he knew it would be explanation time soon enough.

Guess it'll be good that we'll be at Alpha Declan's place. At least, I hope he'll be available.

With that thought in mind, Valentine used the Bluetooth in his helmet to call Congo. He explained the situation as he understood it, then asked his alpha's permission to contact Alpha Declan. While the wolf shifter didn't stand much on ceremony, he didn't just want to show up at his house without permission from either of them.

"I'll talk to Declan and smooth the way," Congo assured him. "Not that I think it'll take much convincing."

"Thank you, Congo." Valentine hung up and smiled at Stone as he switched channels on his radio so he could talk to his mate. "Follow me."

Stone nodded. While his expression appeared curious, he didn't ask.

Valentine led the way deeper into the mountains and along the winding roads. He didn't try to fill the silence as he had no idea what to say. Valentine couldn't imagine being in Stone's situation, finding out via the courts that he had a daughter he didn't know about.

I wonder what she's like. How old is she? How long has the mother been caring for her alone? Did she try to find Stone earlier? Or is she only after money? Will Stone want to try to be part of her life? Where are they located?

Those questions and a million more flashed through Valentine's brain. He couldn't wait to get the answers.

Whatever happens, Stone is going to learn that I'll be right by his side. He's my mate.

Hell, Valentine knew that his entire sleuth would be behind Stone. Probably the wolf pack, too. While Valentine didn't think Congo had confirmed with Alpha Declan about staying in the area after Kontra had moved on, he knew the offer had been made. The sleuth intended to take him up on it.

Well, most of us.

Valentine would miss Shannon, but the bear's place was with his mate, Evan. At that time, the blossoming warlock needed guidance and instruction, and that could only come from Draven and Tim. When Kontra and his gang left in the next few weeks, Shannon and Evan would be with them.

Valentine turned his motorcycle into Declan's driveway, appreciating the paved lane. He'd overheard tales of when it had been a badly potholed gravel track. They'd cleaned it up since then.

Parking in front of a large, detached garage, Valentine shut off his engine. He swung off, pleased to see Stone doing the same without hesitation. Valentine hung his helmet on one handlebar before crossing to his mate and resting a hand on his lower back.

Stone arched a brow, but Valentine just smiled as he urged him toward the front door.

"Where are we?" Stone asked softly, looking up at the gorgeous lodge. The place had been expanded over the years, and the stone fa?ade went halfway up the walls of the first floor. The rest was beautiful wooden beams with metal accents. "A lawyer's place?"

Valentine could imagine why Stone would guess that. The place screamed money. Of course, when you lived several centuries, accumulating wealth was easy enough if you had any business sense, which many people in the wolf pack did.

"No, this is the home of Alpha Declan McIntire," Valentine explained to his mate, deciding it was time to lay it all out on the line. "You know him as the area's head park ranger." They'd reached the top of the steps, and Valentine urged Stone to pause and turn to face him. He could see the door opening out of the corner of his eye as he held his mate's gaze and explained, "I know Declan as the leader of the wolf shifter pack that controls the territory in and around Stone Ridge."

Stone blinked once before narrowing his eyes and tipping his head just a little. "I'm sorry. Did you just say... wolf shifter pack?" He looked at him askance. "What the hell is that?"

"It's just how it sounds," Declan cut in, stepping out of the house. He held out his hand. "I'm Declan McIntire, alpha of the Stone Ridge wolf pack."

For an instant, Stone hesitated, and Valentine would bet that only good manners caused him to reach out and accept the wolf shifter's hand.

"Uh, nice to meet you," Stone responded, still obviously wary. He glanced between them as he lowered his hand back to his side. "What the hell is going on?"

"Come in," Declan beckoned, crooking his fingers. "We'll explain everything."

Valentine returned his hand to Stone's back and guided him inside. While he could feel the tension in his mate's back, his human went. His shoulders were rigid, and he peered around furtively, as if his military training was kicking in and he was searching for exits.

Wishing to soothe Stone, Valentine slid his hand up and down his spine. "I know this is going to sound fantastic and crazy, but I swear it's all true."

"Ah, that dreaded phrase," a dry voice sounded from near the hallway. A lean, tawny-haired man leaned against the wall with his arms crossed over his chest and a smirk curving his lips. His hazel eyes twinkled with mischief. "Explaining shifters and other paranormals to humans always sounds ridiculous." He straightened from the wall. "I've been right where you are, Stone," he claimed. "I'm Jared or Prier. I answer to both." He waved his hand dismissively. "Anyway, I have some information on that Melissa Smithson yahoo who's suing you."

Well, at least that was some good news.

Then Jared waggled his brows before winking at Stone. "Welcome to the rabbit hole, Alice."

Rolling his eyes, Declan muttered under his breath, "May the gods give me strength." Then he frowned at Jared and stated, "Please tell me Kajika will be here soon to keep you and yer mouth in line."

"Eh, in maybe an hour or so," Jared replied glibly. "Until then, I get to tell Stone all about the fantastic perks of being mated to a shifter." His expression turned lascivious as he continued, "And let me tell you, the sexual gratification is beyond belief."

Declan groaned.

Stone gaped at Jared for a few seconds before turning to look at those around him. "What the hell, Val?"

Valentine urged Stone into the study Declan and Jared had been leading them to. "Take a seat, handsome," he urged, moving toward a loveseat. "This is going to take a little time to explain."

To Valentine's relief, Stone sat, even if he did remain perched on the edge of the cushion. Settling next to his mate, he wrapped his arms around him. A moment later, Declan's mate, Lark, joined them, and the explanations began.