Chapter 22

22

Kane

Six Weeks Later

W atching Tami sleep is the highlight of my mornings. The way her chest rises and falls, the way her body sinks into the mattress—she’s truly comfortable with me right now. She’s content.

I need to gather a list of supplies. We've been shacked up in this cabin for over a month, both of us lost in this perfect moment between us. I'm pushing it, trying to stretch our supplies as much as possible, but it’s time to stock up again.

Now, I’m faced with the decision to take Tami to my village. I’m not looking forward to it. I keep thinking about how she’ll be away from me all day, spending time with the mated sisters, while I work on my carpentry projects.

Tami moans and shifts on the bed, turning her back towards me. She’s a wild sleeper and tends to mumble in her sleep. I don’t mind it. I’ll take Tami however she comes. She’s my mate, my forever.

I’ll never complain about something so trivial when I’ve spent a thousand years alone. I roll onto my back, deep in thought. It’s difficult being just inches away from her for too long.

Even when I considered taking Tami to my village while I hunted Julian, my intention was never for her to stay there. I planned to bring her back to this cabin.

Yet, I don’t consider this cabin home. These feelings about Tami confuse me. I don’t want to share her, yet I don’t want to keep her isolated. Tami deserves to meet other supernaturals in Wintermoon.

I let out a frustrated sigh, knowing what I must do, yet my thoughts are pulling me in different directions. Suddenly, I wrinkle my nose at the shift in Tami’s scent. It’s gone from sweet country apples to something woody and musky.

I don’t like it. My hand reaches out to grab her, almost rough, when I detect someone else’s scent on her. But I pull back and try to calm myself. The last thing I want is to hurt her. I need to think rationally. No one has been near her in a month. It’s only been me. So, either there’s been a change in my scent, or she’s pregnant.

My eyes widen at the theory.

Tami is pregnant. My woman is going to give me a pup.

My wolf howls inside me, overjoyed by this news, and my entire body stiffens. I need to confirm this. I know how it works. There will be a change in her scent, she’ll taste different, and I’ll start to hear our pup’s heartbeat. I need to lick her right now.

Tami rolls onto her back, cute little snores and huffs escaping her lips. The change in her scent just happened. It’s going to take time for her body to recognize the pregnancy, and she’ll start to experience changes.

I remember the days when my pack was full of life. As a young pup, I watched my father coach newly mated males on pregnancy and how important it was not to tell our women before they figured it out themselves.

It was agonizing for newly mated men to hold back. Now, here I am, in the same position. I’m desperate to tell her. I want to shift into my wolf and howl at the moon, thanking Fate for this gift. It's all I ever wanted.

A wave of emotions hits me, and I start to sob, tears welling in my eyes. Finally, I have my mate, and now, a pup. I know I should let her sleep, but I need her.

I slowly climb on top of Tami, careful not to put my weight on her. She’s in a deep sleep, her breathing slow and even. I take in her scent, a mix of musk and wood. I inhale deeply and smile, loving the scent of our baby.

I lean down and plant a gentle kiss on her cheek. She moans and tries to turn to her side but is blocked by my arm. She rolls back with a sigh, giving up.

I lean into her, sniffing her scent, finally catching a whiff of the country apple fragrance I’ve imprinted to remember forever. She turns her head to the side, revealing her claim mark.

Moving my head down her body, I continue taking in her scent until I’m positioned between her legs. I gently lift her legs and spread them wide, then pull up her nightdress, exposing her pink silk panties.

The musky scent is potent, mixed with her own scent. She is very much pregnant. Curling my fingers around the fabric, I slide her panties aside, revealing her glistening sex.

The smell brings my arousal to life. I’m aching to be inside her, but a taste will be more than enough. I also need to get our baby’s room ready and make our home comfortable for Tami. She’ll need a place to start nesting.

I swipe my tongue gently against her folds, and her body reacts immediately. She moans and gently bucks her hips towards me, craving more.

“Kane,” she moans, and the sound of my name only turns me on more.

Her hands search for me until they reach the back of my head, pushing me into her. I brush my tongue up and down her folds, swirling it around her clit before dragging my tongue down and thrusting it inside her.

Tami’s legs start to kick, her body trying to push away, but I grip her thighs and pull her back, pushing my tongue as far as it will go. She screams and sits up, her eyes snapping open as she watches me lick her, pushing her to orgasm. Her legs start to shake, and she gives in to the pleasure.

Her orgasm slams into her, and she jerks, trying to pull away, her toes curling as she climaxes. I keep going, thrusting my tongue in and out of her, swirling around the walls of her sex, taking the cream she produces. I can taste the change in her flavor, the mix of country apples and woody essence. I moan and push my face into her again.

“Kane!” Tami shouts, her body going limp on the bed.

I pout and pull away reluctantly. I'd stay between her legs all day, but I know that’s not possible.

I need to get supplies for her. Stretching what we have isn't an option, especially now that she’s pregnant. Should I stop being selfish and just take her with me? That would mean introducing her to my pack.

I can’t keep her stuck here in the cabin. She’ll need the company of her sister mates and medical care. Every pregnant mate must attend monthly prenatal care at the Wintermoon hospital, a facility created by Kade and Leah, along with my brothers who were architects for most of Wintermoon’s development.

Kissing her thighs, I look up to see her smiling, staring up at the ceiling.

“Is it always going to be like this?” she breathes out, not looking at me. “I’ll never want to leave if it is.” I release her leg and place my head on her abdomen. As long as I'm close enough this early in the pregnancy, I’ll hear our baby’s heartbeat. Tami moans and runs her fingers through my hair as I listen.

“What are you doing?” she asks, laughing softly. I don’t answer her. I drown out all the sounds around us, focusing on the one sound I’m looking for.

The soft, rapid thud of our baby’s heartbeat swooshes in my ears. It’s the most beautiful sound I’ve ever heard. I close my eyes and let out a relieved sigh, so happy to have this moment. It’s such a strong heartbeat. Our pup is strong.

“Oh my god, Kane!” Tami shouts when she feels my hand slide between her legs. She is in for a long morning of orgasms.