Claiming Shayla (2 page)

* * * *

Urrpp. Urrpp
. Shayla hung on to the sides of the toilet as the contents of her stomach forcibly ejected themselves.
Urrpp. Urrpp.

“God, please let this be the flu. Bird flu, swine flu, any kind of flu, as long as it’s the flu.”

It had to be the flu. She’d picked up a bug somewhere, and it was just now making itself known. A bit of medicine, a lot of rest, and she’d be fine.

You’re never sick.

Okay, so normally she was disgustingly healthy, but there was a first time for everything.

You don’t have any flu symptoms.

Fatigue, nausea, and vomiting—they’re all flu symptoms, and these she had in abundance.

Where’s the cough, body aches, and fever?

So it was just a mild case of the flu. That meant she’d get over it that much sooner.

You’ve been throwing up for a week. Your breasts are tender, and you missed your period.

That didn’t mean anything. Lack of sleep combined with the stress she’d been under the last few weeks would be enough to make anyone miss a cycle or two. Besides, she’d never been regular.

Her conscience was quiet.

Shayla squirmed. Even she didn’t believe the lie. She’d always been as regular as clockwork, no matter what was going on in her life.
Shit! Shit! Shit! I’m pregnant
. If she could have, Shayla would have slammed her head on the porcelain rim of the toilet until she knocked herself unconscious. Unfortunately doing so wouldn’t change a thing.

She was so stupid. Damn her curiosity. People always warned her that one day it would get her in trouble. What the hell was she to do now? This was not supposed to happen. All she’d wanted to do was scratch an itch, satisfy her curiosity, and move on. Instead what she’d done was make a life-altering decision.

Abortion was
not
an option.

Shayla laid a hand over her stomach, fingers spread wide in an unconsciously protective gesture. Poor kid! What kind of life would it have with
her
for a mother? She was enough of a freak without throwing the kid’s father into the mix. A genius and a werewolf. God help it. The poor thing wouldn’t stand a chance.

Shayla flushed the toilet and pushed wearily to her feet, this afternoon’s bout of sickness over. Everyone was right. She
was
weird. She couldn’t even have morning sickness like a normal woman. Who ever heard of “morning sickness” that struck in the afternoon?

I need time to think, time to plan.

But time was something she didn’t have. She was due back in Refuge tomorrow. She’d hurt Kiesha enough by delaying her arrival until the day before the wedding. If she’d told her about the situation with Rory, Kiesha might have understood, but then she’d be furious.

Now she had a wedding and a very determined, very possessive werewolf awaiting her arrival. She shuddered, and her stomach heaved again just thinking of Rory’s reaction when he learned of his impending fatherhood. She’d never get away from him now.

This was one time she’d better have her shit together and know what she was doing.

* * * *

The next day Shayla stopped the rental in front of Kiesha’s house, nervous for the first time in remembrance about seeing her family. Inside were her parents, Kiesha and her fiancé, Alex Wolfe, and who knew whom else. She wiped sweaty palms on her pants as she gazed at the closed front door.

In no rush to see them, she flipped down the visor and took in her appearance. Her thick, silky black hair had grown like weeds, and instead of its usual short, spiked style, she wore it pulled back into a ratty ponytail. Today’s hair gel color was hot pink to go with her black and pink fatigues and hot pink T-shirt. Her complexion was a bit more yellow than normal, and there were dark, raccoonlike circles under her rounded, brown eyes. Usually she wore her African Asian heritage well, garnering a lot of second looks and even a few modeling offers. Today was not one of those days.

Shayla flipped the visor back into position and sighed. She would feel a lot better about facing everyone if she’d been able to devise a plan of action. The best she’d been able to come up with was to get through the weekend without anyone discovering her pregnancy. Oh, and to avoid Rory at all costs.

While she realized she needed to tell him about the baby they’d created, she couldn’t do it right now. She was too raw and still uncertain how she felt about the situation. It wasn’t like she’d planned on being a mother—
ever
. This was a major blip in her life-map configuration. So ’scuze her if she simply wasn’t ready to factor his feelings into the equation. When she’d had time to adjust and was more in control of herself, well,
then
they could discuss it.

As she procrastinated, trying to work up the courage to exit the car, the front door opened and Kiesha stepped out. No more lingering. If she stayed in the car any longer, Kee would get suspicious. Planting a smile on her face, Shayla grabbed her overnight bag, laptop case, and purse and opened the car door.

It’s showtime!

“Shayla Nei Morgan! It’s about time you showed up.” Kiesha’s hands were planted on her hips, making her pregnant belly protrude more.

Shayla winced inwardly at the sound of her full name. “Sorry, Kee. The project took longer than I thought or I would have been here sooner. You got everything done? Was Mary Elizabeth able to help you?” While awaiting her answer, she reached into the backseat of the vehicle and pulled out her suitcase, dropping it on the ground and extending the handle so she could roll it to the door.

“Yeah, she was a big help, but it wasn’t the same. She’s my best friend, but you’re family. We’ve been planning this day since we were kids.”

She stopped before Kiesha, dropped her belongings, and gave her cousin a big hug. “Yeah, but when we were kids, we never imagined the groom would be a werewolf,” Shayla said drily.

“True.” Kiesha laughed. “And the wedding was supposed to be a double.”

“Me? Married?” Shayla gave a shudder that was only partially fake, unable to imagine it.

“That’s what I said, and you see what happened to me. Just wait. Your day’s coming.”

At one time she would have agreed. That was before discovering how difficult it was to find a man completely accepting of her, weirdness and all. Letting Kiesha’s statement go without comment, she picked up her things and allowed her cousin to drag her into the house.

The house was amazingly silent considering all the people that were supposed to be here. “Where’s Mom and Dad?”

“Uncle Frank got delayed. Some hush-hush project he’s working on and couldn’t leave. They won’t make it in until tomorrow afternoon, just in time for the wedding.”

Good
. Not that she didn’t want to see her parents, but the less people she had to pretend for the better, especially when these were the people who knew her best. “Okay, that’s the ’rents accounted for. Where’s Alex and everyone else?”

“Alex is in the kitchen—”

“Of course,” she interrupted. “Where else would he be?” Kiesha hated cooking. Fortunately for her, Alex loved to cook. It worked well for them. “So I take it the prerehearsal brunch has been changed to something else? What’s our itinerary now?”

“We’re meeting at the church this evening to do a quick run-through, then coming back here for dinner.”

“And my dress?”

“Already in your room, hanging in the closet.” Kiesha laid a hand on Shay’s arm. “You’re sure you want to stay here? Since Shannon moved in with Nikolai, the house is empty.”

Puzzled, Shay asked, “Aren’t Alex’s parents coming for the wedding?”

Kiesha snapped her finger. “That’s right. I forgot, but I’m sure they wouldn’t mind putting you up. You could stay in the basement. Lord knows, with all the stuff Shannon added, it’s like a mini-apartment down there.”

“
No!
I mean, that’s okay. I’d rather be here with you.” Shay scrambled to catch the bags that slipped from her lax fingers before her cousin noticed her knee-jerk reaction at the mention of the basement where she and Rory had—

She immediately shut down the rest of that thought.

Having already taken steps to lead her to the first-floor guest room where she’d be staying, Kiesha stopped, turned back, and looked at her strangely. “Shay, are you all right?”

“I’m fine. Why do you ask?”

“
Why do I ask
?” Kiesha looked behind Shayla, then all around her. Turning her piercing, brown-eyed gaze back to Shay and pinning her with a look, she asked, “All right, you imposter. Where’s my cousin and what have you done with her?”

Shayla giggled nervously and fidgeted under the intense scrutiny. “Kee, I’m fine. Really. Just tired. Remember I flew across the country after working around the clock trying to finish in order to make it here in time. A good night’s sleep and I’ll be back to my usual self.” The lie Shay had told Kiesha about why she’d not been able to come early to help with the wedding preparations as planned had turned into a self-fulfilling prophecy. Due to the severe morning sickness she’d been experiencing, she’d gotten seriously behind on her project.

Kiesha leaned in until she was only inches away, causing Shay to draw back and hug her laptop case to her chest. “That explains the dark circles under your eyes. What about the yellow tinge to your skin?”

“Hellooo, I’m half-Japanese. Remember?” She shook her head and went to walk around Kiesha, mentally willing her to let it go.

“Shay…” Kiesha growled as she stepped into her pathway, hands on her hips.

Shayla sighed heavily. Of course Kee wouldn’t. “I picked up some kind of virus while away. I’m over the worst of it, but my stomach’s still a bit unsettled.” She wanted to whoop for joy as the lie rolled off her tongue. Though unplanned, it was perfect. It would explain any sickness she experienced this weekend that couldn’t be hidden.

Kiesha’s eyes narrowed. Whether in concern or because she suspected the falsehood, Shayla couldn’t tell. Just when she was ready to push past her cousin and continue toward the bedroom, Kiesha spoke. “As long as you’re feeling better now.”

“Much. Now let’s go so I can put this stuff down and see my outfit. It had better be as nice as you described. You know how I feel about wearing dresses. Wedding or not, if it’s hellish, I’ll show up in my fatigues. I’m sure I have some that will fit your color scheme.”

“It’s gorgeous, and quit whining,” Kiesha commanded as they entered the room. “The guys won’t be able to keep their eyes off you.”

“As long as it’s only their eyes. They touch without permission and somebody’s going to draw back a nub,” Shay warned, eyes narrowed.

Kiesha rolled her eyes. “I’ll be sure to warn the pack. Although…that no-touching rule is going to make dancing difficult.”

If Rory’s there, dancing with other males won’t be an option
. “I’ll give it careful consideration,” Shayla lied.

She set her bags on the bed while Kiesha went to the closet and opened it. The dress she removed was a dream. Halter-topped with a plunging back, it was a deep, ruby-red satin that shimmered and flowed in Kiesha’s hand. “
Kiesha
.”

“I know, right? Didn’t I tell you not to worry? All the dresses are styled the same and made with the same material, but in different colors. Mary Elizabeth’s is emerald, and Shannon’s is midnight blue. My dress is gold.”

Shayla fingered the fabric. “They’re going to be so beautiful in the candlelight.”

“That’s what I thought. I had everyone’s shoes dyed to match. The heels are high but thick, so you won’t have any problems walking in them.”

“I’m wearing my boots, remember? You promised.”

“Yeah, but I really didn’t think you’d go through with it!” Kiesha exclaimed.

Shayla held out her hand. “Hi, I’m Shayla Morgan. Have we met?”

Kiesha slapped her hand down and rolled her eyes. “Okay, so I should have known better.” She sighed and tucked a loose curl behind her ear. “At least the dresses are long and loose enough that the boots won’t show.”

Releasing the gown so that Kiesha could put it away, Shayla said, “I’d better go speak to Alex before he thinks I’m still mad at him.” A month ago Alex had tried to set her up with some of his shifter buddies on the sly. Kiesha had caught on to what he was doing and rushed Shayla out of the house before they arrived.

As they left the room, Shayla thought about it. It was Alex’s fault she was in her current predicament. If Alex hadn’t called for some of the alpha males of his pack to come over, they wouldn’t have chased her and Shannon. Rory wouldn’t have fought for her, and she might not have stopped disliking Rory long enough to realize she was attracted to him and act on it. Yeah, blaming Alex was sounding better and better.

“I wouldn’t blame you if you were.”

Shayla stumbled before righting herself. Was Kiesha reading her mind?

“What Alex did was just wrong. I told him he’d better not pull another stunt like that this time or there’d be hell to pay,” Kiesha continued sternly, not noticing her sudden lack of coordination.

“He does something stupid like that again and next time I won’t be so forgiving.” The point was moot now, but Kiesha didn’t know that.

“Hey, I learned my lesson,” Alex told Shayla as she entered the kitchen. “Let’s leave the FBI out of this.”

When she’d first met Alex, Shayla had threatened to hack into the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s system and add him to their most wanted list if he ever did anything to hurt her cousin. It was a valid threat, one she was more than capable of accomplishing. “Lucky for you I’ve decided to forgive and forget. Besides, if anyone is pissed, it should be Shannon.”

“For the last time, I didn’t know she was coming with you. I thought she would stay home under lock and key like any other sane, unmated she-wolf would when there was a blue moon and she was in heat.”

“Hey! Don’t drag me into this,” Shannon told Alex.

Shayla jerked awkwardly in Shannon’s direction. “Shannon! I didn’t know you were here.” She reached out and punched her cousin in the arm. “Kiesha, why didn’t you tell me Shannon was here?” Damn, Shannon was Rory’s baby sister, and the two were extremely close.

Does she know about Rory and me?
Taking a deep breath, Shay counseled herself not to panic, knowing shifters could smell fear.

As she and Kiesha approached the center island where Alex was cooking, the phone rang. “I’ll get it in there. The darn thing’s been ringing off the hook all day.” Kiesha disappeared into the office.

“How have you been, Shay?” Alex looked up from the pot he was stirring as she sat down.

Shayla could feel Shannon’s gaze on her, and it made her twitchy. “Good.” She forced herself to take a seat at the island and casually lean an elbow on the countertop.

Does she know?
She tried to view Shannon’s expression out of the corner of her eye.

“Hmm, you look rough. Have you been getting enough sleep?”

The question snapped her attention back to Alex. Damn, she’d forgotten he was a doctor. She was very careful with her answer. “I picked up one of those stomach bugs while I was gone, and my stomach’s still a little sensitive but other than that, I’m fine. Just extremely tired. I worked crazy hours trying to finish on time.”

Alex’s eyes crinkled in concern. “Are you sure you’re over it? The last thing Kiesha needs is to be sick, especially while she’s pregnant.” He placed the lid on the pot, leaned closer to her, and took a deep breath.

“Kiesha’s safe. If I were contagious, I would have stayed away,” Shayla assured him. “What? Why are you looking at me like that?”

Alex studied her like she was a puzzle he couldn’t quite figure out. “There’s something different about your scent. I can’t put my finger on it.”

“It’s my lotion. I’m using a new brand.” From what she’d been told, Shayla had concluded that the mating mark must leave behind some type of scent identifier that other shape-shifters recognized. To be safe, she’d hunted until she found a brand of perfumed lotion that didn’t make her gag and slathered it on.

“No, that’s not it. There’s something else. Shannon?”

As Shannon approached from her seat at the breakfast nook near the window, Shayla conquered the urge to slide out of the chair and move away.
Breathe. Don’t do anything to make them suspicious.

Shannon walked right up behind Shayla and pressed her nose against the skin of her neck, right below the unlotioned hairline. Shayla froze. It felt like even her heart stopped beating.