Chapter 23

23

Tami

“ W hat do you mean I can’t go into Wintermoon with you for shopping?” I grumble, pacing the floor of our bedroom.

Kane’s acting weird. I’m in the biggest mood funk I’ve been in in a long time. What the hell is going on with me? I smooth my hand over my belly, wondering if it’s PMS. Kane just sits at the edge of the bed, watching me.

I don’t understand why he won’t let me go. He had no problem with the idea of leaving me in his village to chase after Julian several weeks ago.

Now, he just wants me to sit here and wait for him to come back. I don’t want to stay cooped up in this cabin. I’d like to get out, breathe some fresh air, and see the sunshine. I want to socialize and meet the other mates of Wintermoon.

“Just trust me on this, baby. You don’t need to be out walking around town right now,” he says, and I glare at him.

“You’re just ashamed to be seen in public with me!” I snap, pulling at my curls .

Kane’s eyes narrow, and he stands from the bed. He can probably smell my mood shift. I feel insecure, and I don’t want to talk about it.

“What are you talking about, baby?” he says. He starts to move my way, but I turn away from him and dart out of the room, heading downstairs.

He follows me, and in this one-bedroom cabin, there isn’t anywhere to hide from him.

I try to busy myself in the fridge, but it’s nearly empty. Barely any juice or milk. I close the fridge and go into the back room, where we keep most of our bulk pantry items and the deep freezer. It’s nearly empty too.

I open the deep freezer, scowling at the few packages of meat inside. I’m hungry, and my options are very limited! He has to go into town; I can’t stop him, or we’ll be left with his hunts as my food source. I rub my belly again, scratching my head. I’m so irritated right now, and my breasts are sore.

Kane must have squeezed them too hard during sex this morning. As soon as I step out of the back room, I yelp when Kane grips my waist, lifting me off the floor, and carries me back to the kitchen. He sets me down on the counter, caging me in with his hands on either side of me.

“Ashamed of you, Tami? Where did that come from?” I shrug at him.

Because I don’t know honestly. But it’s the only conclusion I can come up with. He doesn’t want me with him, and it’s bothering me.

I don’t answer him, shaking my head away when he tries to cup my face. A wave of emotions hits me, and tears well up in my eyes. Kane roughly cups my face, forcing me to meet his gaze.

“Dammit, Tami!” he growls, but I can’t stop. It hurts that he doesn’t want me with him. He sighs and presses his forehead to mine.

“It’s not that I don’t want you with me, baby. I do. I want you with me now more than anything. But it’s not safe for you to travel right now,” he tells me, then plants a gentle kiss on my forehead. I don’t understand why he keeps saying that.

Not safe? Did Julian find me and he’s trying to keep me safe? A shudder of fear ripples through me, and I shake nervously. He turns away from me and goes to the fridge, grabbing the last jar of milk.

“We’ve got some pancake mix and a pack of bacon. I’ll cook all of it, so you have something to munch on while I’m gone.” He pours me a glass and hands it to me. I take a sip, instantly tasting something sour, and spit it out in the sink.

Kane steps back, wondering what’s wrong, but he doesn’t say anything. I pull the cup to my nose and sniff. It doesn’t smell off. I try to take another sip, only to spit it out again.

“I can’t drink this! Water, shifters only drink water!” I blurt out, then pour the milk out and set the glass in the sink, wiping my mouth.

I pause, realizing what I just said. Why did I say that? I look up at Kane, who’s got the biggest smile on his face. I want to slap it off. I try to jump down from the counter, but he catches me, gripping my waist and placing me back on the counter.

“I’ll get you some water, baby,” he says, then grabs a clean glass and fills it with ice, then runs the tap water. The moment he hands it to me, I gulp it down as if I’m dying of thirst. He smiles and takes the glass, pouring me another.

I run a hand over my belly again, getting my thoughts together. That outburst, coupled with the sore breasts and mood swings, and Kane’s odd behavior… Then I think back to the last time I had a period.

“I’m pregnant,” I murmur. Kane sets the glass down and moves between my legs.

“Finally!” he says in an exasperated tone, then cups my face and pulls me into a tender kiss.

Oh my god, I’m pregnant. I don’t know why I’m so surprised. I’ve been with him constantly. He’s an addiction, that’s what he is to me. I can’t get enough of this man.

And his sweetness, the way he takes care of me. No one has ever… I start to sob, feeling an overwhelming wave of emotions. My hand goes to my belly, pressing my palm against it.

“You knew already?” I ask.

“I noticed a change in your scent this morning. When I rested my head on your belly, I heard the heartbeat. It’s faint because it’s early in the pregnancy, but it’s strong.” I place a hand on his cheek, feeling overwhelmed.

He notices and immediately scoops me into his arms and carries me to the sofa, sitting down with me in his lap. I wrap my arms around him, holding him close. I’m so happy I can’t find the words.

“This is why you don’t want me to come shopping with you? Because I’m pregnant?”

“Yes and no,” he answers. I pull back and look into his eyes.

“I need to take you back to the village so you can start getting to know the pack. But that means I have to share you. My cabin isn’t ready for you. I don’t want to lose the closeness we have right now. Can’t I just keep you to myself for a little longer?” I smile and let out a sigh of relief. Kane’s just being clingy. I don’t mind, but seclusion is no way to raise our baby .

“Promise me we’ll go to the village in another month or two? I don’t want to have this baby alone. And I need to see a doctor. Are there doctors for shifter parents?” He laughs and gently strokes my back.

“Yes, we have medical centers. You’ll be paired with a midwife. When we finally get to the village, the sister mates will stay close to you until you have the baby. Meanwhile, I’ll spend my time preparing our home. I’ll carve all the furniture and help you decorate.”

“This is happening so fast, but I want this. I really do. I’m happy, Kane,” I tell him. He smiles and pulls me into a loving kiss.

“I won’t be long. We need supplies badly. I was able to go over a month because I hunt for my food. But I can’t put this trip off any longer. I need to go, baby. And I want you to stay here and wait for me. You’re safe in Wintermoon. No one is stupid enough to try and take you from me,” he says, and I can see it in his eyes. He’ll kill anyone who tries. I smile and nod. He sighs, as if it’s painful for him to do this, but he lifts me off his lap, gently placing me on the sofa and stands.

“I’ll make the pancakes, then I’ll go. I’ll only be gone a few hours, and I want my woman and baby resting.” I put my feet up on the sofa and give him a mock salute. He laughs and heads into the kitchen. I place my hands over my belly, still coming to terms with the fact that I’m going to be a mom.