Arden’s Mate(33)

He made good time in his wolf form, and once he arrived at Kane’s he shifted and let himself in the house. Bengie didn’t even look up from his video game as he said, “Hi, Arden. They’re in the bedroom. Faith said I had to call Dr. Jerome and then stay away. I think Faith’s in labor. She’s been yelling and cursing Kane.”

Arden ran to Kane and Faith’s bedroom and opened the door. Faith walked back and forth across the room, clutching her stomach. She turned to him. “It’s about time you got here. You’re like a couple of hours late. I was supposed to go into labor while you were talking to me.”

Arden looked at Kane to see if he knew what Faith was talking about. “She’s getting worse. She now spends half her days in visions, seeing possible futures.”

Faith groaned and buckled at the knees. “Say what you came to say, Arden.” When he hesitated, she yelled, “Say it.”

Glancing at Kane, he nodded, then returned his gaze to his sister-in-law. “Faith, you can’t punish Remy like this. She supported you when you left Kane. I think it’s unfair you didn’t give her a choice like you were given. I knew the consequences when I bit her. Remy is your best friend, and she misses you like crazy. You have to let go of your anger at not seeing everything. You can’t save everyone.”

“Arggghhh. Yes, I can at least try and save my loved ones. I love Remy, but she abandoned us. My best friend abandoned me.”

Oh. It all made sense. “She didn’t abandon you. She didn’t even abandon me. We are her family. She needed space. She needed to know there was always an exit, but she wouldn’t have used it if we’d offered her one. You’ve known Remy for most of your life, is she ever the type of person to do something if she’s forced into it?”

Faith gasped and panted as she shook her head. “No, that’s why she isn’t a fan of Kane. She thinks he took away my options. She thinks he took away my exits. Oh my God, I’m the worst friend in the world. Get her here. I want my best friend here now.”

Without saying anything else, Arden turned and jogged out of the room and through the house, opening the front door and shutting it behind him. He changed into a wolf and sped home.

When he got to his house he went to the bedroom to find Remy still asleep. Sitting on the edge of the bed, he stroked her cheek. “Pixie. Pixie, wake up.”

“Mmm, I don’t wanna.”

“Faith needs you.”

Remy sat straight up and pushed him aside and jumped out of the bed. She grabbed clothes she’d chucked on the floor and dressed. “Come on, let’s go. Stop standing around.”

She got her car keys and didn’t even wait for him as she left the house. Arden grinned and followed her. He changed to a wolf and sprinted back to Kane and Faith’s house. In his wolf form he was quick and could take shortcuts a car couldn’t. Arden arrived just before Remy pulled up and parked.

“How on earth did you beat me? So unfair.” Remy opened the front door, not bothering to knock.

Bengie still sat on the sofa playing video games, but this time he turned with a huge smile on his face. “Remy, you’re here. I wanted to see you, but Faith said I need to give you some space. Have you had enough space?” Bengie stopped his game and came to Remy, pulling her to him for a big hug.

Arden couldn’t help the growl, and he felt his fur rise. Not wanting to hurt the kid, he changed back to human.

“Yeah, Bengie, I’ve had my space. I missed you.” Remy kissed Bengie’s cheek, and even though Arden knew he was a kid, he and his wolf went nuts. He stalked the embracing couple and threw Bengie away. “What the hell, Arden?” Remy whacked him in the chest. You’re an—” Her words cut off as a bloodcurdling scream surrounded them.

Remy’s eyes widened, and she pushed at him and ran to Faith’s room. He followed close behind. The door was ajar, and Faith was now lying on the bed. Remy was by her side, holding her hand and giving encouragement.

Dr. Jerome was at the end of the bed, looking between… Oh God. Arden turned away as he saw something that would give him nightmares for the rest of his life—a baby being born into the world.

Arden leaned against the wall. It was safe there. No wonder Remy didn’t want to have children. What he’d just seen looked worse than torture. He would ask his mother if there was anything Remy could take to keep from getting pregnant since they weren’t sure if her pill would work. What felt like hours later, but was only a good ten minutes or so, he heard the loud cries of a baby.

Counting slowly to a hundred, he turned and carefully peeked. This time he didn’t see anything he didn’t want to. Easing into the room, he walked over to Remy and wrapped his arms around her as she stared down at a bundle in Faith’s arms.