Branches of the Willow 3 Page 12

  “But you feel okay, right?” Concern quickly overshadowed his earlier disappointment.

  “Other than being tired, and a little nauseous once in a while, yeah.”

  “Then, why the worry?” Evan stopped dead in his tracks then. “You don’t think it’s not my brothers do you?”

  “What? No!” Why would you think that? I’ve never been with anyone else.”

  “I didn’t know if anything had happened while you were, you know…”

  “No. Nothing happened. It’s Mikael’s. I just worry that I will get his hopes up, get my hopes up, only to have it all pulled out from underneath us. I don’t have the best of luck with this happily ever after stuff everyone keeps going on about in the fairy tales.”

  “Jess, you’re time is now. You should tell him. He’s going to be angry if he finds out you’re keeping it from him.”

  “I know. Just, give me a little time to tell him, please?”

  “You got it, but seriously, the sooner the better. I’m not making up weird excuses about you swallowing a watermelon whole on a dare or anything in a few months.” He held his hands out in front of his stomach, miming how it would look to be pregnant.

  I rolled my eyes at Evan, and then found myself standing in front of my parents’ house. “Seriously, Jess, the rest of us can handle things around here while you get some more rest, and catch Mikael up on what he needs to know.”

  “These girls can’t wait. None of you seemed to understand why they were too afraid to go take a damn shower. I’m not saying I have all the answers, just that, maybe because of what I’ve been through I can see things from their perspective a little better.” I sighed, as I climbed the porch steps.

  “Don’t downplay your strengths, Jess. You’re right. Hell, my family held those girls, and you, captive. I never knew they had it in them to do those things. Every time I go in there, I see some of them cringe, and I used to think it was because they were just shell shocked, but when you started talking about Stockholm Syndrome earlier, it clicked. A few of those girls tried sucking up to me when we brought them back with us, rather than being afraid. Malachai looks a lot like me. Do you think they all thought I was there, and taking them for the same reasons my father and brother had? To do what Antoine and Malachai had done to them?” Evan was lost in thought for a moment before he spoke again. “What about Natalia? Do you think she feels that way?”

  I smiled then. “No, I think Natalia is a different story completely. Don’t give up on that one. I saw the way you both looked at one another. There’s something there.”

  “She was the newest.” Evan mentioned as we made our way into the house.

  “What do you mean?”

  “I’m not sure where my father found her, but she was the newest one to join his little prison camp. I never asked her directly, but the other women say she was lucky, in that she was untouched, because they found her somewhere in the Czech Republic right before my father came here. He had his men take her to the cells while my family continued on with their travels to come meet you.”

  “That’s a good thing, Evan. At least you won’t have those thoughts tainting anything in the future.”

  “What’s my brother mucking up now, that his future will be tainted?” Mikael had finally caught up to us, and leaned down to nip at my neck as we found our seats around my mom’s kitchen table.

  “The pretty blond girl with the big blue eyes.” I smiled over at Mikael.

  “Ah, you noticed them ogling each other too, huh?” I laughed as Evan huffed in indignation.

  “I would have to be blind to have missed it.” I mentioned. Evan rolled his eyes, but couldn’t hide his smile. “What does everyone want to drink?” I stood up from my chair, yawning, prepared to get everyone started on their meal.

  “Sit.” Evan ordered. “I’ll take care of the drinks. You’re…” he hesitated just long enough for Mikael to take notice, but then he recovered, “tired.”

  Mikael tugged on the hem of my shirt to get me to follow his brother’s instructions. Evan knew his way around the kitchen well enough, so I sat and avoided Mikael until he reached over and took my chin in his hand to pull my face around so we were eye to eye. “What was that about?” He asked softly. It wasn’t accusatory, just a question laced with concern.

  “Nothing. I’m just tired, and I haven’t been taking breaks to eat enough.” His eyes probed me, ever watchful, waiting for me to elaborate, but I didn’t.

  “We’ll talk later. Let’s get you fed, and then we’ll get you home.”

  “Okay, but I want to stop by and talk to the women in the meeting hall once more before we go for the night. I have a couple questions that really can’t wait.”

  “Jess, if you’re tired, we can just go home and you can come back in the morning.” Mikael was serious, and his voice had taken on a stern edge. Evan stopped a few feet away with glasses in hand, not wanting to interfere.

  “I’ll be fine. I promise. I just need to get this over with tonight, so that maybe tomorrow morning we can get straight to the business of making travel plans for everyone.”

  “Wait!” Evan placed the glasses on the table. “Travel plans for who? All of them? What are you thinking, Jess?”

  “Not all. That’s why I want to talk to them first, and give them the option to go or stay.” Evan visibly relaxed, his shoulders sinking lower as the tension released from his stance.

  “Oh, okay.”

  “Fine, but if you start looking off, at all, I’m going to toss your ass over my shoulder and carry you home whether you like it or not.” I smiled at Mikael then. It was rare that he put his foot down with me, and he was sexy as hell the times he did. “What? Why are you smirking at me? I’ll do it!” He stood so fast his chair pitched back behind him, smacking down on the floor with a thud, and before I could say a word, I was being thrown up and over his shoulder. Laughter bubbled up out of my mouth, as I reached down and smacked his ass hard. Then, the movement got to me, and more than laughter threatened to bubble up. It took every ounce of will power I had not to vomit right there. Evan could see my face turn green from where he was standing, and he jumped in to save the day.

  “I’m pretty sure that’s Jameson coming now. You know how cranky he gets about Jess, man, you might want to stop manhandling his daughter in his kitchen.” I could have kissed Evan in that moment. He was so nonchalant about it, like nothing was really up besides getting reamed by a mate’s father.

  Mikael put me back down, but he notice the unsettled look on my face when he did. “Shit, did I hurt you?”

  I shook my head no, but kept my mouth closed, as I was still trying to keep the bile from rising any further in my throat. To my surprise, Evan hadn’t been lying about hearing my father coming. My mom and dad both walked in, effectively distracting Mikael from me long enough to get myself back under control. I mouthed a quick, “thank you,” to Evan. He simply nodded, and then everything went back to normal as we all gathered around to eat.

  After we ate, Mikael and Evan walked with me, back over to see the women who had been captives of their father. It was odd to have Evan and Mikael in close proximity without barbs being thrown at one another, and fights starting over who was going to date me today. On the other hand, I liked the new dynamic. Evan was starting to slide right into the brotherly role that was lacking in my life since Jack’s death.

  I spent a couple hours getting to know most of the women in the meeting area a little better, and getting a feel for where the packs they would probably do well in. After I spent the time talking to them individually, with Mikael as my translator for those who didn’t speak English well, I figured it was time to get the show on the road. “Okay, ladies, I’m here to offer you your freedom. Your choices are as follows: you can get on a plain and go back to the life you knew before you were taken prisoner; ask to be placed in a pack, here, in the United States; or you can make your home right here in the St. Marks Pack.” I looked around, taking in the reactions as Mi
kael translated for me, so that they all understood the choice they were being offered. “You don’t have to decide right now. I will be back in the morning, and if you have made a decision, you can let me know then.”

  I noticed that Natalia had a slightly panicked look on her face, and she was gazing back and forth between me and Evan. “We don’t have to go?” She asked in disbelief.

  “No, you don’t have to go. We will work on finding you a permanent place here, if you choose to stay.” Again, Mikael translated both Natalia’s question and my answer for the others.

  “I wish to stay.” Natalia’s eyes were only for Evan now, and he didn’t bother hiding the smile on his face as she spoke.

  “Okay, then we’ll get you taken care of first thing in the morning.” I turned to Mikael then. “I’m ready to go home now, please.” I felt like the last of my energy went rushing out of my body as a wave of dizziness came over me. Mikael reached out, seeing that I was unsteady on my feet, and swept me up into his arms.

  “I’m taking you home, you’re going to get some rest, and then we’re going to talk about what you’re doing to yourself.”

  “Okay.” It was all I could muster the energy for at the moment, and then I put my head on his shoulder, and closed my eyes.

  “Is Jess okay?” Ashley’s voice pulled me back from the void I was about to slip into. It was then that I realized Ash had been there, amongst the girls, trying to help out, and I hadn’t even noticed. I hadn’t even said hello to her. I was a horrible friend. I deserved a horrible friend award.

  “Hey, Ashley. I’m fine, just tired.”

  Ashley snickered. “Maybe I should swoon on my feet, and feign being tired so my man will sweep me off my feet and carry me in his arms to our bed.” I’m not sure why Ashley picked right up with teasing, if I was her I would be yelling at me for being so out of it.

  Asi huffed good naturedly. “All you have to do is ask, my love, and your wish is my command.” He reached down and swept my best friend up in his arms, with her laughing the whole way. It was so good to see them happy together. Thankfully, I figured Asi was the reason that my best friend hadn’t noticed, or at least hadn’t mentioned, my neglect.

  Mikael didn’t give me time to watch them be silly though. He turned to walk toward the Jeep that was parked just on the other side of the building. “I’m going to get Jess home. Ashley, can you pick her up tomorrow? I have to get back to the dog rescue for a few hours. I’m training a new manager for the facility before we officially start taking in dogs.”

  “Sure thing, Mikey.”

  “Don’t call me that.” He said, cocking his brow up.

  “Someone’s gwumpy today!” She teased in a baby voice. I laughed, and Mikael pretended he was going to drop me until he heard me squeak, and then he pulled me closer to him and walked us to the Jeep.

  “Make sure you’re actually getting some sleep, Jess! You look like shit!”

  “Thanks, Ash!” I yelled back to her as Mikael sat me down in the passenger seat of the Jeep and started buckling me in. When he had me secured, and was moving to get back out the door, he stopped with his lips hovering just above mine. Then, he leaned in just a fraction of an inch so our lips brushed, but just barely. It was the barest of touches, but my body was scorched where he touched, and just as quickly he was gone, and the cool night air was taking all that heat with it.

  “Let’s get you home.”

  SURPRISE

  “You’ve been through a lot, Jess. You need more rest.”

  “I appreciate you being over protective of me, Mikael, but I know my own limits.”

  “Do you? I had to catch you earlier, because your body was giving out. That happened in front of seventeen women who are enigmas to us. We don’t know what any of their intentions are.”

  “Well, I can guess what Natalia’s are…” I offered flippantly with a big grin. “She’s all about that brother of yours.”

  “Nice try.” Mikael slouched down, and then bent at the waist as he began taking his boots off his feet.

  “What?” I asked innocently as I continued to strip out of my clothes.

  “Changing the subject the way you did. We’re not done talking about this, Jess. I love you. I love that you think you can handle balancing the whole world on your shoulders, but even the strongest person needs rest sometimes.”

  “You’re right. I’m sorry.” I tossed my pants across the room, and they landed in the laundry basket that sat on top of an old chair over there. Then I stood in just my t-shirt and panties, ready to head to the bathroom and grab a shower, when the nausea hit full force. “Oh God!” I swore before I started running for the bathroom.

  “Jess? Are you…” I was puking before he could get out the rest of his sentence. “okay?” Mikael came in the bathroom behind me, and pulled my hair up, holding it out of the way while I continued to empty out the contents of my stomach. “Seriously, enough is enough. Are you ready to tell me what’s going on?”

  I heaved once more, into the toilet, before answering. “I’m a little busy...” I managed to get out before round two was upon me. Then I was busy again. Mikael managed to get a hold of one of my hair ties, and pulled my hair back with that so he could leave me long enough to get a wash cloth, wet in cool water, and ring it out. He brought it back and placed it at the nape of my neck which immediately made me feel a little better. I stopped tossing my cookies long enough to look up at him.

  Concern, anger, and frustration all took up residence in the look he was giving me. So, I decided to just come right out with my little secret. “Surprise!” I mock-shouted it with my hands in the air, fingers splayed apart in a little spirit wave.

  “Surprise?” He questioned, and then reached over me to flush the rest of the vomit down the toilet. I cringed a little. I was definitely off my game, if I ever had any to begin with.

  “Surprise, your spawn is making me sicker than hell.”

  “My what?” Confusion ruled his features. “My spawn? What the hell are you talking about, Jess?” That’s the moment when it hit him. I saw the flicker of recognition. I watched the dawning take place. His features went from confusion, to close observation, and as if he were afraid I was playing a trick on him, he quickly retracted the smile that started to spring forth on his handsome, stubbly face.

  “Are you saying what I think you’re saying?” He questioned as he helped me up off the floor. I managed to shuffle myself to the sink and rinse my mouth out before I bothered to answer him.

  “I’m pregnant.” I finally said, and then I turned to face him.

  “How?” His eyes trailed from my face down my body to land on my perfectly flat, okay, somewhat sunk-in stomach.

  “Well, we had sex. We had a lot of sex.” I laughed half-heartedly as he managed an Ashley-level eye roll.

  “I know how it happens.” I giggled at the thought that I had just said basically the same thing to Evan just hours ago. “I meant, you know, how did it happen since I wasn’t with you during your heat cycle?”

  “Well, there’s this funny thing that happens with the white wolves…”

  “Son of a bitch. Of course, nothing’s normal with you.”

  “Okay, that’s slightly insulting.” I pulled the wash cloth back off my neck and tossed it on the counter before walking out of the bathroom.

  “Jess, you know that’s not how I meant it.” Mikael was trailing after me, but I didn’t care. I was exhausted, and now, despite just puking my guts up, I was hungry again. Being pregnant was apparently going to suck. I flopped my ass down on the bed, and tucked the covers in around myself.

  “Please, talk to me.” Mikael pleaded in that sexy, gravelly voice of his that I loved so much. How was I supposed to resist that?

  “If a white wolf doesn’t successfully get with child after her first heat, she can continue to go into heat again and again until a pregnancy occurs. Serena assured me that it’s only the first pregnancy that it happens with. Something about it being nature�
�s way to ensure that the white wolf line is continued somehow.”

  “So, when?” Mikael cut himself off. I could see his mind working as he figured out the same thing I did. “Oh my God, our little in-house honeymoon we took?”

  I nodded in agreement.

  “Well, damn.” Another thought occurred to him them. I saw when realization hit. “How long have you known?” He stood beside the bed, looking down at me. “You said Serena told you it happens, so you already talked to her about it.”

  “Yes. I wasn’t ready to tell you yet.”

  “Well, who else did you decide to tell before you finally got around to me? Your mom? Ashley?”

  “No. The only other person who knows is your brother.”

  The growl that erupted from Mikael then was deafening. “My brother?” His question was shouted at me and reverberated off the walls. “Why the hell would you tell my brother before me, Jess?”

  “I didn’t.” I was pouting again, and really, if I hadn’t already cocooned myself in the blankets, I would have been looking for something to throw at Mikael’s big head.

  “You just said…”

  I cut him off. “I just said he knew, not that I told him. He asked me about it today.”

  “What do you mean he asked you? Why would he do something like that?”

  “He told me I looked like I was glowing, and that you were a lucky bastard.” I huffed. “You’re really the unlucky bastard who’s sleeping on the couch tonight though.”

  “Oh, I don’t think so!”

  “Yes, you are!” I was completely serious, and I was angry at him.

  “No!” He stalked back around the bed, and got in his side, under the covers, as if to prove a point, so I got up, out from the wonderfully comfortable cocoon I had created, and stood there facing him for just a minute.

  “You’re a big fat jerk. I was in there puking my guts out, tell you I’m pregnant, and the only thing you do manage to do is yell at me about everything. Oh, and you insinuated I’m some sort of freak too. Thanks for all the support, asshole.” I snatched my pillow, and stalked off to the bedroom door, but Mikael was there before I could even put my hand on the handle.