Chapter 10 Teaser

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.”

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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