He brought his hand down to her belly. Though she was covered by a thick wool coat, he still placed it over her abdomen and felt his animal bond with the cub in his mate.
He glanced out the large window by Gerri’s fireplace. He needed to take Cassie with him. This climate was too harsh for her. Where he lived, it was warm and would feel comfortable for her. It would be easier to deal with while expecting a cub.
He glanced at her face and watched as her eyes fluttered open.
“Talen?”
He nodded. “How do you feel?”
“I’m pregnant,” she sputtered, shock clear in her voice.
“I know.”
“Did everyone know before me?” She frowned and tried to sit up. He offered her his hand and helped her.
“We’re shifters. We can scent changes. How do you feel?” he asked again.
“Fine.” She glanced around and tugged off her scarf. “Where’s Gerri?”
He noticed she ignored meeting his gaze and he wondered why. “She went down with your friend.”
She nodded. “Massimo. What are you doing here?”
There was a bite to her tone. Like his being there bothered her.
“I came for you.”
She raised her brows and gasped. “Excuse me?”
He finally got her to look at him, though it wasn’t the kind of look he expected from his mate. “You’re mine, Cassie. I’m here to take you back to Aurora with me.”
She rolled her eyes and snorted. “You’re kidding, right? Mr. one-night stand wants me long term now that he knows I’m pregnant? I don’t think so. You can take your furry ass right back to your planet, Talen. I don’t need you.”
“You do need me,” he stated. “I don’t understand why you are fighting this. I can tell you want me still.”
“Fuck you,” she spat and stood and prayed she didn’t throw up all over the place. “Everything isn’t about sex. I have a child to think about now. I’m not just going to roll over and go anywhere with you. I have a life here.” She started pacing in front of the window where snow fell in thick sheets. She stopped and glared at him. “You have some nerve. Coming over here now and acting like you give a shit.”
He stood, hoping to talk some sense into her. The front door opened and Gerri walked in. “Well, it looks like you two are going to be staying in Tally’s old apartment tonight.”
“What?” Cassie glanced at Gerri with wide eyes.
“That blizzard is pretty bad. I’m not letting you go anywhere with the weather like it is.” Gerri glanced from Cassie to Talen. “The place has two bedrooms so no need to share each other’s personal space.”
“Good.” Cassie took the keys Gerri offered and headed for the door. “Thank you for letting us use that place tonight, Gerri. I’m going to lie down.”
“Tally left some old clothes in there in case you are interested. They’re all clean. I don’t normally use the place unless I need to. Feel free to use anything there to make yourself comfortable.”
She nodded and walked out of the room.
Gerri turned to face Talen. Her eyes were bright with her wolf. “What did you do to her?”
“Nothing. She seems to think I took too long to come after her.”
“No,” Gerri replied with an empathic shake of her head. “There’s something else there. She’s been angry with you since we left Aurora.”
He thought back. “I left her to find my brother. That probably did not go well with her.”
Gerri pursed her lips. “I don’t know…”
“I’ll talk to her.”
“You didn’t do a very good job of convincing her to go with you.”
“I know.” He just got there. He needed to spend time with her and he was sure he’d get her to come back with him. She belonged with him.
“I’m going to offer some advice and if you’re smart, you’re going to follow it.” She walked with him out of her apartment and down the hall. “Don’t tell her she has to come with you or that she belongs with you. That’s never going to go over well with an independent woman.”
“She does belong with me. She’s my mate.”
“Are you hard of hearing? I just said you can’t be telling her that. You need to spend time with her. Get her to trust you.” Gerri sighed. “No offense but you did something to not make a good impression on the first meeting and that will make things harder now.”
“She’s having my baby!” He didn’t plan on going back home without her. And he sure as hell wasn’t leaving her behind.