9. Beatriz

NINE

On Monday, Beatriz had a full, enjoyable day taking care of the rowdy triplets. They were a challenge, but it was the challenge that kept the day flowing. It also was a prudent distraction for Beatriz, whose mind still swirled with thoughts of Mike, the handsome and powerful shifter who had given her a night of pleasure she would never forget.

It wasn't worth all that tumultuous thought. At least, that was what Beatriz told herself. She was thankful when Karla walked through the door, and Matthew, Michael, and Madison all made a beeline to their mother. She held her arms open wide with a beaming smile despite the long look of exhaustion plaguing her pretty face.

"My loves!" she called out.

They attached themselves to her, all three of them begging to be held. Beatriz came from the playroom, smiling. She watched all of the love that poured from the children like a waterfall. It was beautiful. She stood there, watching Karla struggle to take off her shoes while chatting with her children. Beatriz was happy but also deeply envious.

A family to come home to was all Beatriz had ever wanted.

"Goodness me, you are all too energetic for me," Karla remarked. "Did you feed them sugar all day?"

"Of course," Beatriz joked, leaning up against the threshold between the kitchen and the foyer. "I made sure to time it for your arrival too."

Karla let out a smooth laugh, which was then abruptly severed. Karla set her keys on the small side table where her purse usually sat but was noticeably missing.

"Dang, I think I left my bag at Ellie's."

The children paid no mind to her concern. Michael grabbed her by the hand and led her into the playroom while Madison and Matthew fought for her attention as well.

Beatriz followed as Karla expressed her annoyance.

"I must have left it there when I popped in at Indulge." She let out a heaving sigh. "Do you mind staying a little longer while I head back to pick it up? I've got some papers in it that I need."

Beatriz regarded Karla with a broad grin. She had sunk deeper into the couch while the kids presented her with both wolf and dinosaur toys that she had surely seen before. It was sweet how much they loved and missed their mother. It was also sweet how much attention she gave them despite a long and arduous day of already giving so much of herself.

Karla met Beatriz's smile and flashed her own.

"You are reading my mind, aren't you?" she said, flipping a brontosaurus between her palms.

Beatriz laughed.

"Look at them. They are so happy you're home. Let me get the bag for you. It's not far."

Gratitude washed through Karla's eyes. It really was the least she could do as a woman helping another woman. They needed each other.

"Would you really? That would be wonderful."

Beatriz gave her a friendly nod, then walked over to the kids. She gave them each a kiss on the head, which they were oblivious to in their mother's presence.

"Of course, Karla. It's not like you're asking me to go to the moon. They miss their mom. I won't be two shakes of a lamb's tail."

Karla beamed. Beatriz felt a glow inside.

"Thank you," she said, her tired eyes warm with appreciation.

Karla gathered her things and headed out to Indulge, the wine and tapas bar that was set to open anytime. When Beatriz walked in, she couldn't help the memory of her first encounter with the one and only Mike Lewis. The memory cascaded through her body like scalding hot water.

The place was pretty much finished with renovations and felt a bit eerie looking so empty. Soft piano music played as she immediately spotted Karla's bag tucked under the bar.

"Hey, Beatriz."

Ellie came out of the back room with Wallis trailing behind her. Her full bulging belly was as round and firm as a basketball, protruding in front of her but not hindering her gait whatsoever. Her stride was confident and lively as she gave Beatriz a hug.

"God, you are ready to go, aren't you?" Beatriz said as she rubbed Ellie's shoulders.

"Oh, I really am," Ellie replied, rubbing her belly like a genie's lamp. "This little one is going to come out doing backflips, I swear."

Beatriz sat at the bar while Ellie curled around it, eyeing the various sparkling selections of vintage and modern liquor bottles. Her eyes were nearly identical to that of her mother"s, as were her fair skin, rosy cheeks, and nearly platinum blonde hair. She had an air of authority about her that Beatriz liked, yet she wasn't intimidating in the slightest.

"So I heard about you and Mike," Ellie said, raising a frisky eyebrow. "Mom said he was late for a meeting with Dad because he was at your cabin."

Her expression was playful, but Beatriz still felt the hot rush of heat prickling her cheeks and neck. She tried to turn away, concealing her bashfulness, when Ellie leaned over the bar.

"Don't be embarrassed. I get it. Mike has some good moves. You must have really enjoyed yourself," Ellie said with a wink.

Jealousy pummeled through Beatriz like a punching bag, her wolf emerging to protect what she desperately wanted to be hers.

Ellie must have noticed. She held her hands in the air and reassured Beatriz of the innocence of the interaction.

"No, no, I meant I know his moves from combat training. He tried me in combat. That"s all I meant."

Beatriz softened, her envy vanishing into thin air. The two women locked eyes and then burst into hysterics. It was a lovely feeling.

"Oh, lord, the look on your face!" Ellie sobbed through tears. "That could have really turned out bad."

Beatriz bent over the stool, holding her stomach as the laughter bubbled up. Ellie was doing the same but then suddenly stopped, her face contorted with a grimace.

Beatriz leapt to her feet and hurried around the bar as Ellie groaned. She placed a hand on her back and began to rub her in soft circles.

"Are you all right? Come on, let's sit you down."

She led Ellie, who was still somewhat hunched over and wincing, to one of the black booths next to what would be a stage for acoustic performers. Wallis must have spotted them because she rushed out from the back, her face stricken with worry.

"You okay, Ellie?" she asked.

Ellie nodded as Beatriz helped her sit, the pained countenance slowly fading.

"It's just a cramp. I'm okay."

Wallis sighed and shook her head vehemently.

"It's no wonder. You are so close to your damn due date, and you won't just sit down."

Beatriz sat next to Ellie, who was starting to look defeated. She ran her fingers through her hair as she spoke soothingly.

"What more needs to be done here? It looks like you're ready to open."

Ellie shot a look at Wallis, who spoke for her boss.

"It is ready to open. We just need to set a date."

Ellie grunted, sending a rumble through the floor. She shifted in the booth, then let the truth finally free. She kept her head hung low, shame penetrating every word.

"I know I act like I have everything under control, but really, I don't," she said, looking down at her belly. "I can't wait for this little guy to be born, but I really don't know what the hell I'm doing … Plus, this place …"

When she trailed off, Beatriz jumped in while Wallis sat down next to them.

"Ellie, you are going to be an incredible mom! Also, you know that you have some of the best people around you to help. Your damn family, for one, then there's Jordan and Wallis!"

Wallis nodded in agreement, placing her hand on Ellie's back, too.

"And you can always ask me. The only reason I haven't offered is because I figured you already have so much help. I will be there, though, at the drop of a hat."

Ellie's eyes glassed over. The blues were deep and cobalt.

"I appreciate that, I really do. I think I miss Emma. She used to run things like Dad, and though it was annoying, it always calmed me."

"Maybe you and Caleb can take a trip out of town to visit," Wallis said, tilting her head. "She's got a bun in the oven too. It's good to share your concerns with someone who gets it, ya know?"

Ellie was calming down. Beatriz hated to see someone so confident feeling so low. Pregnancy didn"t seem to be a difficult experience for her, but she realized then that a lot of it was Ellie pushing through without stopping … out of fear.

"No one has everything figured out, Ellie," Beatriz said. "We all like to think we do. But you have so many people around you who are going to make sure everything is okay. Trust them, trust us."

Ellie began to smile. Wallis stood, clearly excited, clapping her hands together.

"So let's flip that sign over then. And then we can go from there."

The women agreed, ready to take on the responsibilities together as one. That was what a pack did best.