Melinda’s Wolves(5)

She pursed her lips for a moment and then spoke again. “I’m not sure how I feel about that.”

“Why?” Keegan asked. “We aren’t with another woman now. We’re with you.”

She scrunched up her nose. It was so damn cute. “Yeah, but this is like fated. It seems odd to choose to share ordinarily. And it’s kind of unnerving to know you two have…” She waved a hand in front of her between them.

Trace tried not to laugh. She was serious. This wasn’t funny to her. “Baby, our past is just that, in the past. We can’t change it. Yes, we have shared women. We can’t deny it. And we won’t keep anything from you. But none of them were you.” He stepped closer. “None of them made me feel half of what I’m experiencing right now.”

Keegan grabbed for her hand again and snatched it from under her chest. “Sweetheart, we would no sooner be comparing our past experiences with what we’ll have with you than you would compare us with the other men you’ve been with. Surely you can sense that?”

She blinked. In fact, Trace thought she swallowed also. It didn’t seem she quite agreed. Something was off, but he couldn’t put his finger on it. Finally, she yanked her hand from Keegan’s grip and nodded. “Of course.” She turned her gaze toward the house and then gasped. “Shit. I have to get back.”

At that moment Trace watched his mother lean over the balcony and yell. “Melinda, honey, I’m so sorry. We need you.”

What the hell? Why on earth would his mother of all people call his mate away from him?

Melinda started jogging toward the house.

“Hon?” Keegan asked.

“The baby,” she said over her shoulder.

Trace slapped his forehead. Right. Of course. Rebecca was about to have a baby. In fact, she looked like she was going to pop any second when he’d glanced her way in the kitchen. He hadn’t given it much thought since his mind was consumed with meeting Melinda. But he knew she was due any time.

The question was, how had Melinda known to run for the house before Trace’s mother even called for her? Was she psychic? He needed to understand her abilities better. How powerful was this mate of his?

•●•

Melinda raced into the house where her mother grabbed her hand and tugged her down the hall to the master bedroom.

Rebecca was leaning over the bed panting, her enormous belly hanging in front of her. Griffen and Miles flanked her sides, rubbing her back and smoothing their free hands up and down her arms.

Griffen’s mom, Carlie Masters, scurried around on the other side of the bed, covering the mattress with a plastic sheet to protect it and then soft blankets.

“Melinda…” Rebecca reached out a hand, angling it around Miles to reach for Melinda.

“Did anyone call the midwife?” Melinda asked as she pushed her brother out of the way and leaned in close to Rebecca. The two of them had gotten very close over the last year. Melinda could safely say Rebecca was her best friend.

“She’s on her way,” Carlie said.

Melinda turned her attention to Rebecca. “How far apart are they?”

Griffen answered for her. “Three minutes. I timed the last few.”

Melinda smiled. “Stubborn woman.”

Rebecca winced as another contraction washed through her.

“I knew she was in labor,” Miles said. “But she wouldn’t listen to me.”

“It’s okay. Doesn’t change anything. We’re moving now, and Sheila’s on her way. No harm.” Melinda looked into her friend’s eyes. “You okay?”

Rebecca nodded, not releasing the grimace on her face. Finally, the contraction passed. “Your mates…” she whispered.

“Yeah. Crazy night, huh?”

“You should be with them.”

“I don’t think they’re going anywhere,” Melinda teased.

“I feel bad hoarding you.”

Melinda shrugged. “Stop worrying about me. Let’s get this sweet baby out.”

Truthfully, Melinda was glad for the distraction. Her entire body had been pulsing with need surrounded by Keegan and Trace. Now that she was inside the house and focused on Rebecca instead, she could gather her brain cells back and take a moment to breathe.

The house was filled with people. No matter how many of them were in attendance, they couldn’t block the scent of her mates, but at least they masked it enough to let her focus on the baby and her friend.

As long as they stayed in another part of the house…

The loud noisy party had shifted to a lower decibel since everyone had scrambled to accommodate Rebecca.

“Is she okay?” Rebecca mumbled.

Melinda knew she meant the baby. She leaned in closer, hugged Rebecca tight, and set her lips on her ear. “She’s fine.” Miles and Griffen had chosen to think of the baby as a boy—wishfully. Rebecca’s intuition had always screamed girl. And Melinda was inclined to agree.