A Mate's Bite(11)

Ellie bit her lip. Her concerned expression pushed him to sit next to her and hug her to his side. He hated that his sister suffered because Caleb wasn’t around. But with Caleb trying to gain the rights to his pack back, he needed to focus on his land and the enemy. Caleb’s uncle Rocco was bent on destroying the pack.

“We’ll help him as much as possible, little pup.”

She met his gaze with her watery one. “You need to talk to Karla.”

“I will. Things have just been crazy—”

“No. You need to talk to her.” She pushed back to give him a serious look. “This is important.”

“I’ve been trying to run a business and help Caleb hunt,” he said in a rush. He knew Ellie wasn’t trying to sound demanding, but when she put it that way, it sounded like he’d been deliberately ignoring Karla.

“I know that. But Thirsty Wolfe will survive a few days without you, and so will Caleb.”

He swallowed down the fear trying to make its presence known. “What’s wrong?”

“She needs you. And I understand you are helping Caleb get his pack back, but she’s priority to you. You know that.”

Shit. Something was definitely wrong. “I’ll go see her tomorrow.”

“No. You are going to take a shower and go tonight. Caleb’s not expecting you tomorrow.”

He glanced at her with surprise. “He’s not?”

She crossed her arms over her chest. “Nope. I asked Jake to let him know you’d be out. Mate business.”

“Anything else you want to tell me?” Heck, maybe she’d give him a hint on what it was he needed to talk to Karla about.

“You’ll know when you get to her.” She stood to go to her room, but stopped and glanced at him over her shoulder. “Whatever you do, wait until she tells you.”

Great. Now his sister was talking cryptic. Knots formed in his stomach. There had to be a big problem at hand for her to order him to Karla. Sweat gathered on his palms. He had to move. Fear pushed the wolf inside. His animal ordered him to his mate.





After a quick shower and change, Nate found himself in front of Karla’s darkened house. Ellie had lent him her spare key. She had all her friend’s spare keys. Apparently, they trusted her to keep them safe. Though Emma was the OCD one in the group, Ellie had amazing memory for a shifter, so the keys stayed with his sister.

He opened the door. The wood pushed back without a sound. At the entrance, he was hit by the automatic air freshener. The smell of lavender was now stuck to his nose. He had to talk to her about the scent stuff. Though the lavender was light, it still smelled powerful to his sensitive nose. With quiet steps, he strolled to her bedroom and stopped at the open door. God, he’d missed her.

Moonlight filtered through her shades, casting a delicate light over her sleeping form. She was on her side, hugging a pillow to her chest. Her pajama shorts displayed her sexy legs. He quietly sat on the bed next to her. There were dark lines under her eyes. She was tired. That was probably his fault. Guilt pierced his chest and tore wounds into his heart. He shouldn’t have neglected her. He lifted a hand to brush hair away from her face. The touch disturbed her. She instantly released the pillow and moved to lie on her back.

And her new scent hit him.

He jumped to his feet and took three steps back. He could smell the change in her while she slept. His wolf wanted to howl and mate with her now. Right now. She was…she was having his baby. She continued to sleep as he took his clothes off. Excitement—no, happiness rushed through him with the force of a freight train. A big stupid grin split his lips. He was going to be a father. He felt as if he’d been running through the woods. Concern, joy, and nerves bounced around his insides. He wanted to be close to her—to feel her warmth surrounding him as he drove deep into her moist sex.

Now he understood Ellie’s words not to say anything until she did. He’d wait. But he couldn’t stand there and not hold her now that he was so close. Now that he knew she carried his offspring. He’d known she was his the first time he’d seen her. Ellie’s freshman year in college. She and Jordan had brought home three new friends. The moment his eyes met Karla’s, he knew there would be no other female for him. But Karla was somewhat on the shy side. He’d kept things lighthearted whenever he was around her.

When he’d kissed her the night of Ellie’s masquerade party, he’d known she wanted him just as badly. That had been seven years ago. Not that he was counting or anything. But it was a night he’d never forget. The kiss had been unlike any other he’d ever experienced. He was a shifter. He believed in attraction at first sight, but not normally love. Yet, that night he’d swore love had bloomed at the touch of their lips. When she’d lifted a hand to caress his cheek, a zap of electricity had traveled between them. And when he’d held her close, her scent had brought the wolf to the surface. He wanted. Oh yeah, he wanted Karla. Only Karla. She was his one. There’d be no others for Nate.