Nick came into the bathroom and wrapped his arms around her from behind. He pressed his lips to her neck and then carefully nipped her skin. Normally such an affectionate act would have gotten him some serious bedroom action. But as of late, all Kara could think about was trying not to vomit. And she didn’t think Nick would find that terribly attractive.
“I’ve got a Sprite—the drink, not a supernatural creature. That would be weird—and crackers with your name on them.” Nick looked at her in the mirror, and even if she weren’t able to feel his concern through their bond, she could see it in his eyes.
She chuckled. “I think the supernatural kind of sprite would probably help more with the throwing up.”
His eyes softened. “Does it help at all when I try to take some of it from you?”
Nick had been using their bond to attempt to take on some of her nausea. He assumed he could do it the way a mate could help his bonded share, and therefore endure, severe pain. “Yes, it does. But some days are worse than others.” She could feel his frustration at being helpless and patted his arm. “I’ll be okay, Nick.”
He nodded, his chin resting on her shoulder. “I know you will. You’re a warrior. But I hate that you have to endure anything painful.”
Kara turned to face him and wrapped her arms around his neck. “The pain makes us appreciate the victory all the more.”
His face turned sulky. “Still don’t have to like it.”
Kara rose on her toes and pressed her lips to his. She loved kissing her mate. She loved knowing that she could, that she had the right to, anytime she wanted. Nick didn’t deepen the kiss. He didn’t even pull her tighter against him because he worried he’d make her stomach feel worse. Who knew her biker bad boy could be so considerate?
After getting the crackers and soda down, Kara changed out of her pajamas. She took her mate’s hand, and they marched to Drayden’s office.
The pair found the alpha staring out the window, his hands in his pockets and his shoulders tense. Nick cleared his throat, and Drayden turned to face them. He motioned toward the chairs in the middle of the room. “Have a seat.”
Nick pulled Kara gently down onto the love seat beside him. “Why do you sound like your favorite dog just died?”
Drayden sighed and ran a hand down his face. “If only it were something so simple.” He took the seat opposite them and leaned his elbows on his thighs, clasping his hands together. “Fane has requested our help. And he’s asked for you two specifically. I realize you’re dealing with the crap that happened with…” Kara could tell he was reluctant to say the elf king’s name.
She shook her head. “You don’t have to censor yourself, Alpha. I can handle hearing his name.”
He looked at her, and then his eyes shifted to Nick. “You’re not the one I’m worried about, Kara. You females have an amazing resilience to trauma. Your mates, however, sometimes don’t handle things so well.”
Kara glanced at Nick and saw that his jaw was clenched tightly, and his eyes glowed with his wolf. “Hey.” She bumped him with her shoulder. “It’s okay.”
Nick took a deep breath and let it out slowly, his eyes fading back to their human form. “No, it’s not. But… I am dealing.”
How had she missed that he was struggling with the whole Ludcarab thing? Had she been so focused on her own pregnancy issues that she’d really been that blind to Nick’s emotional state?
“Don’t.” He growled at her. “It’s not your job to coddle me, yeah?”
“No, not yeah. You don’t get to suffer in silence. That’s not how relationships work.”
Nick scraped his teeth over his bottom lip. “Can we talk about this later?” He turned his head and gave her a pointed look before focusing back on his alpha.
“Don’t think I’ll forget.”
“Wouldn’t dream of it, female.”
Drayden pinched the bridge of his nose. “I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again. You mated pairs are going to be the death of me.”
Nick snorted. “Don’t hate just because you’re jealous.”
The alpha shook his head and motioned between them. “I’m not jealous of that part.”
Kara changed the subject. “What does Fane want with us?”
Drayden blew out a deep breath. “Unfortunately, Cain has managed to acquire a gypsy healer.”
Kara’s eyes went wide. He might have given her a “hey, this might be a bit shocking, so prepare your pregnant self.” She shifted onto the edge of her seat. “Who is it? I’m going to cut him to pieces if he’s hurt one of my girls.” She felt Nick’s anger coming through the bond, joining with her own.
“No one we know. All of our healers are accounted for.”
