A Mate's Bite(44)

“Not yet. But while Nate can give you a mate bite and that would normally push the shift. You're pregnant. You wouldn’t until after you give birth.” Barbara smiled and nodded at every bite she took of her sandwich and chips. Karla had never felt that encouraged to eat in her life.

“Mate bite?” That’s right. They’d both talked about wanting to be together. Her being his mate, but he hadn’t actually given her the bite. The one that claimed her as his before his people.

Barbara patted the hand she’d placed on the table. “Don’t worry, honey. He’ll do it. He’s probably waiting for the right time to get it done.”

Right. She focused on the almost empty plate of food. She’d now have the insecurity of wondering why he hadn’t.

"Karla, trust Nate.”

She glanced up. There was warmth and open concern in Barbara’s eyes. She didn’t say anything for fear of upsetting the other woman.

“I’m not telling you because he’s my son. I’m telling you because I know you’re still edgy where he is concerned. But I know your heart is telling you he loves you. And I know he has already voiced the words.”

She inhaled sharply. And finally told someone what she couldn’t hide. “I’m scared. Scared he’ll hurt me one day by leaving.”

“You know we’re not like that.”

“But what if he gets sick of me. Decides I’m not the woman for him.” She knew that wasn’t in the shifter way, but she was human. And she’d been raised around humans. Her brain and fears were from what she knew.

“Well, I can only tell you that you can trust him and yourself to turn your relationship into something long-lasting and wonderful. Or you can be afraid forever and never take any chances. Your call. But while you ponder that, consider the fact you may be missing out on the only man who truly loves you. Who wants to make you happy? Who will do anything for you without asking for anything but your happiness in return?”

Karla stared into Barbara’s familiar blue eyes and knew she had been on the right path with Nate. There were no guarantees in life. He’d shown her he cared. She needed to let it go and move on. Or she’d lose the only man she had ever loved.





Karla glanced at herself in the mirror. She’d cleaned up nice. After getting the surprise shower rearranged to Barbara’s house, things had calmed down. She was the bait to get Jordan to the Wolfe house without knowing what was going on. She’d asked Jordan to go shopping and then Ellie would ask them to come by and pick her up. It was a simple plan.

Her doorbell rang. She grinned with excitement. Her smile slowly slipped from her face. Swift frustration rose to the surface, inundating her veins. She didn’t want another argument with her sister.

“What do you want, Kass?”

Her sister pushed her way inside, pacing back and forth between her sofas. She bit her tongue to keep from cursing at Kass’s self-serving attitude.

“I came to apologize, Karli.”

This was one of those moments she wished for the whole shifter sense, so she could see if what her sister was saying was true. She opened her mouth to ask a question when her door rang again.

“Hey, mamacita.” Jordan patted Karla’s tummy. “Ready to go?”

“One sec.” She turned back to Kass, waiting for her sister to either elaborate or leave.

Jordan raised her brows. “You want me to wait out in the car?”

“No. Kass wanted to say something. Once she does we can go.” She crossed her arms over her purple dress and stared at her sister.

“I’m sorry Karli. I was insensitive and pushy when I asked you for money.” She dropped her head as if sad and mumbled. “I don’t want you to hate me. I care about you and want to try to make our sister relationship grow. You’re the only one I have. How about the three of us go somewhere and have lunch? Let bygones be bygones. I want to be closer to you, Karli.”

Karla started to feel bad when she heard the hitch in Kass’s voice. She truly sounded like she felt bad about the whole thing with Nate. Maybe they could start fresh. Create a new relationship. It would take time, but she could try for the sake of her children having more family in their lives.

“Wow. You are one serious liar, lady.” Jordan frowned, eyes glowing with anger. “Not only is none of what you said true, but I don’t scent any kind of concern, sadness, or regret from your part.” She moved in front of Karla, to shield her from Kass. “You hate her. You don’t have any good feelings toward your sister.”

“Kass?” Karla had trouble saying the single word. She’d never gotten along with her sister, but for Jordan to say Kass hated her came as a big shock.