Shit,this was so bad.
Maxand Kai emerged from the woods. Both shirtless, in cut-off sweatpants, eyesyellow.
“It’snot your fault.” Kai put a hand on Max’s shoulder, but Max shrugged him off.
“Yesit is! If I had mated with her, I would have been in constant communication.She wouldn’t have been moping in the woods.”
Kaiput his hands out to stop Max. “No, it’s my fault. I told her not to go alone.She lied and said she would take someone with her. I should have assignedsomeone to go with her to make sure.”
Maxshook his head. “She’s smart and beautiful and she’s my mate. I should havetold her that. I should have married her! What the hell am I waiting for?”
“It’smy fault!” I shouted, shutting them both up. “Everything. Devon’s death. This.It’s all my fault. The vampires want me!” I stormed into the house and slammedthe door, scooping up Luna and lying with her in my bed. This was getting to betoo much. All of these people were getting hurt over me. The vampires wanted myblood. Maybe I should just do the spell with the witches and become infertile.Not tell Kai. But the moment I thought that, baby Avery popped into my mind. Iwanted that with Kai. I shouldn’t have to give up on the dream of being a mother.No! I stood. I just needed to find Layla and kill her once and for all, and Iwould start right now.
‘Callthe council. We need to have a meeting and come up with an idea to find Laylaand get Tara back NOW,’I told him.
Ifelt his feelings. Apprehension that doing so might cause me danger but alsothat it needed to be done.
‘Iagree,’was all he said.
Sulk
Aftera while of sulking, I put Luna down and went to Emma’s to take my shift helpingwith baby Avery.
WhenI got there, the lights were low in the living room. Avery was asleep in acradle and Diya was rocking her.
“Hi,”I whispered.
Diyagave me a look of concern. “Are you okay? I heard about the shooting … and Tara.”
Isighed and rolled my shoulders, remembering where the bullets had entered myback. Amazingly, I felt fine. “Yeah, I’m okay. Thanks. Kai is going to thecouncil to have a meeting and we’re going to find Layla and get Tara back,” Isaid with certainty.
Diyanodded and there was an awkward moment of silence. Then she gestured to Avery,smiling. “Isn’t she perfect?”
Inodded, watching the tiny infant sleep. Her bottom lip was puckered out and herbreathing was slow and steady. “She is.” She was also our pack’s first cub.Pride, adoration, love; those words didn’t even begin to express how we allfelt.
“Guesswhat? Trent and I are having a boy. We just found out today.” She smiled,patting her belly.
Wow,a boy. Seeing these happily mated couples I had brought together havingchildren made me feel complete, like I had a purpose, a good purpose.
Igave her a hug. “That’s awesome. Have you thought of a name?”
Shenodded. “Mason, after Trent’s father.”
Nowthat everyone was having babies, I was feeling my own biological clock ringing.Seeing Avery born had changed something within me. The loss of Tara, the RAIDOSshooting. I needed some good in my life. I had made a decision. I wanted ababy. Now. I was ready.
‘Kai?’
‘Yes,my love?’
I smiled. ‘Throw out the condoms.’
Excitementburst through the mate bond and I chuckled.
“So,what do I do?” I asked Diya nervously, gesturing to Avery. I had babysat a littlein college but not a newborn. She was so fragile and tiny.
Diyachuckled. “Keep her alive. That’s about it at this age. Diapers and wipes areover there. Wake Emma if she cries and starts rooting. That means she ishungry.”
Iswallowed nervously. “Rooting?”
