Gray Back Alpha Bear(9)

Creed snorted. If Kong spent one whole day with the Gray Backs, he’d know that was bullshit.

“No, it’s true. I know it can’t be easy, but you haven’t put a single bear down yet. You’ve been patient and kept your crew together when they should’ve never worked. And you’ve done that for years. That’s not just a strong bear who can do that, Creed. That’s a strong man. Don’t tell me you’d be shite at fatherhood. You’ve gathered the misfits and given them a home. Your kid would be lucky to call you dad.” Kong snatched the shot from in front of Creed and tossed it back. With a hiss for the burn, he turned to Creed once again. “You know what your woman is doing right now? She’s growing a child. Your child, and it’s fuckin’ hard work, and it’s emotional, and she’s struggling and sick feeling. You’re stuck on you being scared to be a parent, but guess what? This is terrifying for her. That baby in her stomach? He or she is moving around, keeping its momma up at nights, pressing against her bladder, her ribs, the nerves in her back. That baby has a heartbeat. Bum-bum, bum-bum. Like yours. That baby has your blood running through its veins—the blood of a good alpha. That kid’s fuckin’ lucky to have you. Now get your head out of your ass and go take care of your woman, or she’ll leave you, and you won’t have the chance to know your kid. And then your life, and all you do, would mean nothing.” Kong stood and tossed a wad of cash onto the counter. “Oh, and Creed? Congratulations to you and your crew. Because like it or not, that kid—your kid—is a little Gray Back.” Kong dipped his head once and strode for a set of pool tables in the back where his crew of Lowlanders were playing eight ball.

“Fuck,” Creed said on a breath.

Kong was right.





Chapter Four




It was late as balls, but this couldn’t wait. Creed paced in front of Matt and Willa’s dark trailer. Gia’s smell lingered around here most, and he’d bet his work boots she was sleeping in their tiny second bedroom on a lumpy futon.

He’d had to wait to sober up to drive the two hours back to the trailer park from Saratoga, and now it was just a few hours until he had to be at work on the landing.

He couldn’t sleep tonight if he didn’t apologize for being an insensitive prick, though. Gia would probably never forgive his reaction but damn it all, he had to try.

He knocked softly on the side entrance door. Matt would hear it. Willa, too, with her new enhanced shifter hearing.

A minute later, Willa was at the door, bright red hair ruffled, sleepy eyes narrowed to slits, and an angry grimace twisting her lips. “No.”

She moved to shut the door, but Creed jammed his foot in front of it. “I have to see her. I messed up.”

“There’s the understatement of the century.”

“Willa, I have to talk to her. Don’t make me lay down an order.”

Willa threw open the door and gestured grandly. “Come on in then, alpha. And good luck waking Gia up. She’s a monster in the mornings. And that’s just what I learned from slumber parties growing up. Pregnant lady Gia will probably eat you alive and pick her teeth with your bones.” She patted his shoulder and muttered, “Good luck,” then sauntered off in her tiny tank top and pair of pink polka-dotted panties, no pajama pants.

Creed scrubbed his hands over his face and let off a little growl. Today had sucked.

But when he opened the door to Gia’s room and saw her sleeping soundly on the futon, all tucked up in a pile of mismatched comforters, he felt even worse. Kong had said pregnancy was uncomfortable, and Creed was about to wake her up just to satisfy his own guilt. Dick move.

He kicked out of his dusty work boots and slid in under the blankets behind her. She let off a sexy, sleepy moan and snuggled back against his chest. Yep, there it was—hello, boner.

Gritting his teeth, he eased his knees up until he was curled around her warm body, and carefully, he palmed her tight belly. He couldn’t feel the baby move. Hell, maybe it was too early in the process. He didn’t know anything about baby-growing. But when he closed his eyes, he could hear Gia’s slow, steady heartbeat, and then a faster, smaller one. Bum-bum, bum-bum, just like Kong had said.

Creed sighed and rubbed the swell of her stomach gently. There was no doubt in his mind he would suck at this, but that little heartbeat had sealed his fate. This child was his. Not just biologically, but his to protect.

As long as there was breath in his body, Creed was going to make sure his little make-shift family was taken care of.

****

Gia arched her back and stretched. Her hips were sore from the futon, but it was surprisingly warm in Willa’s trailer. When she lifted the covers to get out of bed, she saw the giant hand on her stomach and shrieked.