Melindas Wolves (3 page)

Melinda smiled at the grandmother who raised her and Miles in their mother’s absence. The calm on Mimi’s face spoke volumes. She was a seasoned medicine woman.

If anything was amiss, she would know it better than Melinda.

Rebecca exhaled long and slow, probably also reading Mimi’s expression. Another contraction rushed through her body, buckling her knees.

Griffen grabbed her hips from behind to steady her. “Don’t you think you should lie down?” he asked.

Rebecca shook her head, panting.

Griffen looked at Melinda.

“She’s fine. As long as she’s comfortable standing, let gravity do its job. Her water hasn’t broken yet.” Melinda would have scented that as soon as she entered the house.

A shuffle of movement behind Melinda made her turn to find the midwife, Sheila, scurrying into the room.

Sheila was a godsend. Nearly everyone in their tribe used her for births. Since she herself was a member of the tribe and the pack, she was a shifter and very knowledgeable about their unique species.

Giving birth to a shifter was no different than giving birth to a full human, but it was nice to have someone lupine present to assist, especially if most of the occupants of the house were shifters.

Rebecca was nervous, more nervous than the average woman giving birth. Melinda couldn’t blame her. She was human, and her mates were shifters. No amount of trying to convince her the baby would indeed come out in human form and be perfect would ease her nerves.

“Everybody who doesn’t want an eyeful, out,” Sheila commanded. She bustled around to Rebecca and calmly took her pulse. “How’re you doin’, sweetie?”

“Good. But I think it’s going to be fast.”

“Probably, depending on how you look at it. I heard you’ve been in labor all day.”

Rebecca winced. “Yeah. Sort of.”

“Let’s see how far along you are.” Sheila helped Rebecca onto the bed. Griffen and Miles hovered next to the bed, assisting.

Melinda stepped back to give them space. She glanced at her brother and smiled.

He’d turned completely to mush, his face white, obvious stress over his mate’s condition written all over him. And he kept chewing on his lower lip.

That baby would have him wrapped around her little hand in one second.

•●•

Keegan paced the giant living room, nursing a beer. He had hoped the alcohol would help him relax, but it was doing nothing to ease his nerves.

His mate was down the hall somewhere, inconveniently helping her friend give birth.

He didn’t blame her of course, but he wanted her in his arms, her undivided attention on him. Him and Trace.

Fate was indeed on their side when She arranged for Trace and Keegan to share a mate. For the first time in his life, he was certain She knew exactly what She was doing.

He sauntered to a window and stared out into the night. The sun had gone down, but he could see the landscape clearly if he wanted to. Instead, he was inside his head, picturing Melinda’s smile, the way her long hair bounced when she walked. Her small frame encased perfectly in that pale pink dress.

Trace set a hand on his shoulder. “This is rough.”

“Yes.”

“People are starting to leave.”

“I’m not going to be one of them.”

Trace chuckled. “Me neither. I hear ya.”

Keegan turned to face his longtime friend. “How’d we get so lucky?”

Trace shrugged. “No idea, but I’m not questioning it.”

“You’ll move in with me,” he stated, his mind running ahead.

Trace nodded. “Seems reasonable since you have your own house and live alone.

I’m sure not taking the two of you back to my condo where my brother sleeps in the other room.”

“Logan is going to love this.” Keegan smirked.

“Oh, I’m sure he’s already plotting with Zachary.”

Logan was Trace’s youngest brother and the only one still living at home.

Originally the condo had been purchased by the oldest brother, Griffen, who lived in it with Trace. When Griffen moved out, Zachary moved in with Trace. Now, with Trace leaving, Logan would probably have his bags packed before morning.

Trace cleared his throat. “Of course, we might need to consult with our mate. I’m not sure where she lives, but somewhere on the rez. She might be attached to her place.”

A shadow fell over them, and Keegan lifted his head to find Trace’s father, Adam, grinning at them. “I hear there’s another imminent mating.”

Trace shook his father’s hand. “Appears that way.”

“Carlie is saying goodbye to most of the guests. I guess you two will be sticking around.”

“Definitely.” Trace didn’t hesitate.

“Seems it’s true, then,” Adam stated.

“What’s that?” Keegan asked.

“This entire generation of Masters must be fated to mate in ménages. I wonder what else Fate has planned?” He pursed his lips, but he didn’t have any more answers than anyone else.

“It’s not like we’re short on females,” Trace said.

Keegan chuckled. It was a mystery. “Genetics?”

They all laughed at that. And then Adam said, “Interesting genes we Masters have.” He patted both their shoulders. “I met your mate, briefly. She’s a sweet woman.

I’m very happy for the both of you. Carlie is too. Bring her over for dinner when things calm down.” He winked.

Things
. He was referring to the mating frenzy. How long would it take for
things
to calm down? Keegan needed to call his own parents. His mother would be pissed if she heard about his mating through Carlie.

 •●• 

Wayne Lassiter picked up the phone on the first ring. “What?” he barked. It was late on a Saturday night. He didn’t like to be disturbed in his home. And he cringed every time he saw this particular number on his caller ID.

“We have a problem, sir.”

Wayne glanced at his wife, who smiled over her glass of Chardonnay. She sat in a leather armchair in the corner of his study, her gorgeous long legs crossed at the ankles, holding the novel she was reading.

It was their usual evening ritual. Because she hated how many hours he worked, they’d come to an agreement years ago that she could occupy herself in his study late at night while he dealt with emails. Deep down, it annoyed the fuck out of Wayne, but it kept his trophy wife happy, so he’d consented to the arrangement.

He wasn’t in love with her. He didn’t think he’d
ever
been in love with her, or anyone for that matter, but she didn’t know that, and her presence in his life was good for his image. So, he’d kept up the pretense now for eight long years, tolerating her, fucking her, indulging her.

He should be pleased. As far as wives went—from what he heard his friends bitching about—she was low maintenance. She kept her mouth shut when he needed her to, always appeared well groomed—both at home and in pubic—and rarely gave him any lip.

Her brow furrowed as he stood and held up a finger, stepping out of the room for privacy. As the door snicked shut behind him, he spoke again. “What is it?”

“I looked into that guy you mentioned. You were right.”

“Fuck.”

“What do you want me to do, sir?”

“Nothing. I’ll handle it.” He ended the call without another word and turned back to his study.

Penelope looked up with a soft smile as he returned. She twirled a lock of hair around one finger, swinging her crossed leg and sipping her wine. “Everything okay, sweetheart?”

Wayne cringed at the endearment as he nodded.
Not even close
. He took several long strides to reach his desk. “I have to go out for a while.”

His wife pouted. “Now? It’s so late.”

Wayne didn’t comment. He grabbed his wallet and keys from the corner of the desk and headed out of the room without a word. First he needed to visit the safe in his bedroom.

Worrying about his wife’s chagrin was not on his radar.

The sound of a baby’s first cry is one of the best sounds in the world. Instead of the stress everyone in the vicinity feels every other time the baby cries for the next several years, the parents and doctors all smile, their shoulders sagging with relief.

As Rebecca held her daughter, the precious bundle wailing at the top of her lungs, her arms and legs flailing about, both her fathers leaned over to kiss the baby’s red, scrunched face.

Melinda grinned hugely from the end of the bed.

“McKenna,” Rebecca declared.

“That’s beautiful.” Miles kissed his mate on her forehead.

“Perfect.” Griffen cupped his mate’s cheek and kissed her lips. “She’s gorgeous.

Like her mommy.”

Melinda had tears of happiness in her eyes as she slipped from the room. The second she shut the door and leaned against the wall in the hallway, she entered another world.

She’d managed to ignore the pull toward her mates for the last several hours. But it was time to face them, and her future.

She knew they were both still in the house. She’d nearly willed them not to leave, though she doubted it was necessary. If they felt half the magnetic pull she felt, they wouldn’t be able to leave her behind.

She glanced at her watch. Mimi had said the baby would come “tomorrow,” and in true Mimi form, it was just after midnight.

Melinda shoved off the wall and padded down the hallway. She had no idea where her shoes had gone. Hopefully someone grabbed them from the yard earlier.

When she rounded the corner and stepped into the great room, she stopped and soaked in the view. Keegan and Trace turned from the front window to face her. Their expressions were serious.

It didn’t escape her notice that they were enormous presences in any room, both of them pushing six feet while she barely reached five feet on a good day.

Keegan spoke first. “I hear crying.”

“Yep. It’s a girl. They named her McKenna.”

“Ten fingers? Ten toes?” Trace asked.

Melinda nodded.

“You must be exhausted.” Trace made the first move to step in her direction.

She shrugged. “I didn’t do any of the work.” She glanced down at her dress. It wasn’t even wrinkled. “My job was to hold Rebecca’s hand and provide moral support.

I’m pretty sure Miles and Griffen paced a hole in the new carpet, though.”

Trace laughed. “Imagine that. My brother. A father.”

Keegan reached for her hand. “How did you know the baby was coming? You started running even before Carlie called for you outside.”

Melinda lifted her face to meet his gaze. She glanced back and forth between Trace and Keegan. “I’m intuitive.” She shrugged, not wanting to have this conversation right then.

“Griffen told us you have a gift.” Keegan squeezed her hand. “I’m looking forward to learning more about it.”

“You will. Trust me.” Melinda glanced around. They were the only three left in the great room. It was spotless. Her mother and Trace’s mother must have spent the entire time cleaning up from the party while bonding. Already there was no evidence anyone had been there. All grandparents had made their way toward the baby as soon as the wailing began.

“Is there anything else you need to do, hon?” Keegan asked.

Melinda blew out a breath and shook her head. The tight ball in her stomach gripped tighter as she watched the concern on his face. They’d just met. For their species, it was a done deal, but it still unnerved her.

Even though both men treated her with such consideration, she was scared out of her mind.

“Are you okay with going back to my house?” Keegan continued. If she wasn’t mistaken, he held his breath after he spoke.

Melinda was a ball of nerves. On the one hand, of course she was going with them.

She was going anywhere they wanted to take her for as long as they wanted to stay there.

On the other hand, she’d never been more stressed in her life. Most importantly, she had a secret to divulge that was going to make both men’s eyes widen with disbelief.

She wasn’t looking forward to it, but there was no way to avoid it either. One way or another, she had to tell them.

She nodded.

Trace reached her first and took her hand gently. He gave a light tug and lured her toward the front door. “Keegan has his own house just south of Cambridge. I live in town in a condo with my brother Zach. Doubtful we’ll go back there anytime soon.”

“I should go by my place and get some things. But that would be kind of a long drive in the wrong direction…” She thought about this for a second and realized there was no way she could sit in a trapped car with these two men that long. It would kill all three of them.

“Whatever you need, we’ll get it tomorrow, or run out to a store.” Trace squeezed her hand tighter and pulled her closer.

“Okay.” She nodded. “Did anyone grab my shoes?” She glanced around.

“Right here.” Keegan held them up with one hand. “Do you have a purse somewhere?”

She pointed to the table by the front door. Keegan spun around, grabbed it, and opened the door. “Let’s go.”

“I’ll follow you,” Melinda said.

Trace halted her with a quick tug on her hand. “Mmm. I hate that idea. Let’s leave your car here and come back for it tomorrow.”

She took a deep breath, a mistake on her part if she wanted to hold her ground, because every inhale filled her with more and more of these two men. She shuffled from one foot to the other. She really needed the time to think and regroup. This was serious.

A huge step. Bigger than either man knew.

Trace cupped her face and tipped her head back. “Come with us in my truck, baby.

Please.”

She nodded, even though half of her screamed it was a mistake to get into a small enclosed space with these two.

Keegan opened the passenger door of Trace’s black Ford Ranger, and before she had a chance to think, he grabbed her waist and lifted her into the cab. “Scoot over, hon.”

She wiggled herself into the center as Keegan climbed in beside her.

Two seconds later, Trace climbed into the driver’s side.

She stopped breathing when they both shut their doors. The pheromones filling the cab were beyond powerful. Her dress was no longer covering her butt, and she lifted slightly to attempt to pull the skirt down as far as possible.