Alex tumbled once again as she was hurled on the mat by
Jake. It was early yet so the gym was free of the pups who usually loiter and
work out on the other side where all the weights equipment were located. Rance
and Andrew were standing at the sidelines. Andrew had a frown creasing his
brows, arms crossed over his big chest, as he watched Alex roll nimbly to her
feet.
He and his brothers had been on the estate for several
days now. The wolf shifters, as he had observed, were reservedly open and
friendly to them. Although he could sense they were also wary of their presence
in their midst—as they should be, since he and his brothers are humans. No
doubt, if they were not related to Alex, their knowledge of their existence
would have signed their death warrant. He would not delude himself that these
beings are as they seemed. They are half-beast, therefore they are also prone
to the instinct of their feral side. Any animal threatened in any way would
lash out, so would these seemingly normal beings if put to the test.
Watching Alex interacts with Rance and the inhabitants
of the estate almost eased his vigilance. But just one show of animosity
towards his sister, and all hell would break loose. She may think that she’s a
mighty alpha with all these mysterious powers, but to him, she’s still his
sister that needed his protection. Which brought him to his present concern at
the moment, “shouldn’t she be taking it easy?” He asked Rance quietly.
“What do you mean?” Rance asked abstractedly, keeping
his eyes on Alex on the mat as she attacked Jake with a series of punches and
kicks.
“Aren’t you concerned about the baby she’s carrying? I
don’t think this level of activity is good for her condition.” Andrew’s voice
was rife with disapproval at what he perceived as Rance’s lack of care for his
sister’s welfare.
The tone of Andrew’s voice pierced Rance’s absorption
in his observation of Alex. He didn’t like the way that Andrew was implying
neglect of his mate. Turning completely towards his mate’s brother, he settled
emerald eyes brimming with annoyance and a touch of anger.
“I care about Alex more than you could comprehend. One
way of showing my care is ensuring her ability to defend herself, if necessary.
We are a hardy bunch, there is no danger to her nor the baby in her womb. Our
females are not fragile or prone to miscarriage as humans are.”
“I still don’t think it wise to risk it. Even if she is
now a shifter with a hardy constitution, she was once human and therefore
should take more care than a normal female shifter in her condition.”
Rance looked thoughtfully at Andrew, gauging if he was
just trying to be aggravating or sincerely concerned of his sister’s welfare.
After some moment of quiet consideration, Rancee appreciated the wisdom of
Andrew’s words. Although it ill behooved him to accede to Alex’s brother, he abruptly
nodded and acknowledged the wisdom of his advice. Much as he was certain that
Alex was perfectly safe training and working out even carrying the Promised
One, he’d not risk his mate’s and pup’s health on it.
Turning once more towards the mat where Jake and Alex
were sparring, he sauntered casually towards the two.
“Alex, it’s time to take a break.” Rance called out
casually.
Alex glanced at Rance with a questioning look. Usually
Rance would work her out till she was ready to drop. Her sparring with Jake did
not even cause her to break into sweat yet.
“What’s up? We’re just getting warmed up.” She asked
Rance once he’d reached her. Jake looked with curiosity but not much interest.
“I just thought we should cut it short since your
parents are coming to visit for the day, remember?”
“Yeah, but that’s not until later this morning. If I
know Dad, he’d take his time driving down here.”
Andrew joined them, “I believe you should take it easy
considering your condition, don’t you think?”
“Huh-?” For a
moment Alex was at a loss to what he was talking about, until she realized that
he was hinting at her pregnancy. “Oh! But I doubt there’s any danger.”
“Are you completely sure?” Andrew persisted.
Looking up at her mate’s face, she tried to discern his
stand on the matter.
“I guess it won’t hurt to be cautious,” she finally
conceded albeit reluctantly.
Taking her hand, Rance steered her away from the mat.
“We’d better get Armand to look at you again.” He handed her a towel to wipe
off as Alex fell in step with him leaving her brothers as they get ready to
spar.
“I’ll see you guys later for breakfast!” She called out
over her shoulder to her brothers.
With an absentminded wave from Andrew and a grunt from
Jake, she hurried off with her mate.
“What’s going on?” She demanded, after they we’re out
of hearing from her siblings.
“Nothing,” Rance responded with a casual air.
Alex stopped abruptly and yanked at the hand Rance was
holding. Turning, Rance looked back at her. “What gives? Usually, you won’t get
satisfied until I’ve rolled more than a dozen times on those mats. And now,
I’ve barely broken a sweat. So --?”
Sighing, since he knew he Alex would persist until she
got her answer, he finally told her of his conversation with her brother.
“Andrew pointed out that since you were a newly turned
human we should take better care of you in your condition.”
“In my condition?!”
Alex shook her head in apparent show of frustration. “For your
information Mr. Big Bad Wolf, human women don’t just stop working out or
training the minute they found themselves pregnant. And what does my brother
know about pregnant women anyway? Unless a woman had health problems or have
trouble carrying to term they continue to do normal and regular things in their
life. Besides, I’m now a wolf shifter. Our constitution is way better than that
of a human.” She huffed.
“I know. But I thought we should go and visit Dr.
Armand to be truly certain. I’m not going to make you stop training. I just
want to have an expert’s opinion to put my mind at ease, not to mention your
sibling too.” Rance quietly replied.
Lately Alex had exhibited short temperedness. She gets
frustrated fast and her temper flares hot. Although they are short lived, it
was becoming a concern for him. Maybe it had something to do with her rioting
hormones and pregnancy, maybe not. Seeing the pack doctor would be a good time
to also find out about it.
“Well, okay. As long as we’re clear that I’m not going
to stop altogether until my belly gets too big for me to do so.”
“Agreed.”
Rance put his arms around Alex waist and started
walking again towards their suite. They met several pups on the way to the
basement and their greetings of good morning echoed in the hallway. Alex and
Rance responded and nodded their heads in acknowledgement but did not stop to
chat with them. Once they reached the landing at the top of the stairs, Rance
turned to Alex.
“We might as well stop over and see this mysterious
girl Malik found since we’re going to the clinic. She’s been up and awake for
several days now but refused to talk to anyone. Maybe you could coax her to
talk to you.”
“She’s the one they found in the woods, right?” Alex
asked.
Rance nodded briefly, “yes. She’s been battered badly.
I still need to know her connection with the rogues. And believe me, there is
one. She smelled distinctly of them when she was first brought in. But she
refused to say anything. Not even her name. I can understand that she had been
traumatized, but we can’t help her if she would not tell us anything.”
“I can try.” Alex felt bad for the girl. She’d heard of
the extensive abuse the girl had suffered physically. Although the physical wounds
would eventually heal and fade away, the mental and emotional wounds would take
longer to heal and probably scar deeply than the physical one.
“I also need to go find out how the interrogation is
going with the captured rogues.”
“I think you should take my brothers to observe and
maybe help too.” She suggested.
Rance stopped in his tracks and looked at Alex with
skepticism, “I don’t think that would assist us in any way. We’ve been at it
for a couple of days now and still they refused to give up even the identity of
their leader. If your brothers get involved, the rogues would only clam up
more.”
“Why?” She asked with arms akimbo. “They are highly
trained professionals. I’m sure they could give you a hand. Sometimes a new
pair of ears and eyes gives new perspective to some given problem.” Alex
trained narrowed eyes at Rance. “And I’m dead certain they could be trusted, if
that’s what concerns you.”
Rance face was carved in granite. No glimmer of emotion
showed in his face or eyes. If she was not intimately connected to him, she
would have been deceived into thinking that nothing was bothering him. As it
was, even tempered slightly, their connection seethed with his repressed aversion
in getting her brothers involved in shifter business.
With a sigh, Alex wrapped her arms around his waist.
“They are my brothers, Rance. They are not just any random humans. Besides
their leave is almost up,” peering up at him, she looked pleadingly. “I trust
them…I’d willingly put my life in their hands. I think it’s about time to hand
them a measure of trust, don’t you think? You’ve seen how my brothers are very
protective of me. Once they learned that those rogues pose a danger to me and
mine, there would be no stopping them. So why not make let them help?”
She nuzzled his chest, “your invitation to observe would
serve a long way in assuring them of your trust. Please, for me?” Alex asked.
Rance hugged her to him, “I hope you’re right.” With a
resigned sigh, he let his arms fall away. “What the hell,” he grumbled, “I’ll
let Damian know we’re all coming then. Well, go ahead and take a shower. I’ll
be up after I informed -,” he paused as Alex frowned disapprovingly at him.
“After I NICELY asked your brothers for help,” Rance amended.
Alex beamed up at her towering mate. “I know I’m right.
You’ll see.”
Turning, Rance retraced his steps to the basement gym.
All the while muttering to himself, “pussy whipped…never thought to see the
day….”
Laughing behind him, Alex yelled, “I heard that!”
Watching his impressive form disappear as he rounded a
corner, she finally turned and entered their suite. She’d go ahead and take a
shower and get ready for the day. She can’t wait to go downstairs and eat
breakfast, her rumbling stomach demands nourishment. Patting her belly, she
smiled and thought of the baby growing inside her. Hey squirt, the way you make me want to eat constantly would have upset
me if I got huge as a house. Good thing shifter metabolism burns a lot of
calorie and I can eat and eat and not get fatter.
******
“What was that all about?” Jake asked as he circled
Andrew.
“Huh? About what?” Andrew replied.
“Stop being deliberately obtuse, I don’t buy it.” Jake
jabbed Drew on the stomach. Andrew blocked and delivered a roundhouse kick
which connected with a dull thud on Jake’s side.
“Ooomph!” Jake staggered
but immediately regained his balance and faced off with the grinning Andrew.
“There’s nothing to tell.”
Shaking his head, Jake advanced on Andrew and delivered
a combination punches and kicks.
“Yeah, right. As if I’d believe that. I may not be
gifted with your INCREDIBLE perception, even a blind person can sense something
going on.” Jake’s voice dripped of sarcasm.
Andrew just shook his head. Even if he wants to, it’s
not his secret to share. Alex would have that privilege. He smirked at his
older brother, “and here I thought you are one jar head who’s oblivious to
subtle signals. I remember your former girlfriend complaining that you’re hopelessly
clueless all the time, unless it has anything to do with sex.”
****Sorry for the wait, but I promise to have this one posted this month. Hope you enjoyed the teaser...let me knw what you think.
BD
