A Mate's Bite Read online

Oh, hell this couldn’t be happening. She and Nate… Yeah, she was going to be sick. Her stomach lurched. Bile slapped the back of her throat, leaving behind its acidic taste. He’d been so busy helping out Caleb they hadn’t seen much of each other. A fact that tore at Karla’s insides daily. And made her wonder on an hourly basis if she’d been a one night stand. The idea started to cement itself in her brain. Maybe that’s all she’d been to Nate. A challenge until he’d gotten what he wanted. The one night stand idea grew deep roots in her mind.

  Whenever she thought of the scenting ceremony she wanted to cry. It had been such a great night. And then all hell broke loose. Her friends had been attacked repeatedly, and the possibility of spending any more time with Nate had been forgotten when he volunteered to help Caleb gather some men and start strategizing a way to get Caleb’s pack back. Everyone was involved in protecting Jordan from the bad guys. She’d been hurt pretty badly in multiple attempts on her life. It got to the point Aric had asked Karla, Emma, and Nicole to stay away for a few days in order to ensure their safety. Everyone was worried others close to Jordan would end up hurt. Pack politics kicked in, and Caleb needed Nate and Jake to help out. Things just took a turn into crazyland.

  “Please, Karla. Look, I’ll come over. We’ll do it together,” she offered.

  Wait, what? She gulped. “You need to pee on a stick too?”

  Jordan sighed. “I think so. Let’s not freak out until we know for sure. Pick me up a test too, and let’s wallow in whatever the results are together.” The roar of an engine sounded. “I’ll bring the wine and ginger ale. No matter what the result is, I think we’ll both need a glass from one or the other.”

  Yeah. Hell was breaking loose all over again. “Do any of the others know?”

  “Ellie probably, but she won’t say anything. I’ll meet you at your house.”

  “Okay.” She hung up and sat there. Frozen. How had her day gone from taking control to completely losing it? It couldn’t get more frightening than this. Not for her. Her mother had been a single mother. She’d chased after her father for years, hoping that he’d commit only to find that he was already committed to someone else. Karla couldn’t— wouldn’t put herself through that.

  She headed to the dreaded aisle containing the tests, stomach twisting and churning. Her gaze drifted to the box of condoms sitting next to them. Nice. Where the hell were they when she’d needed them?

  With ten different tests in her plastic carry bin, she ambled at a snail’s pace toward the register as if she were headed for the guillotine. She’d just gotten into her car when her cell phone rang again. Please, God, don’t let it be any more bad news. She couldn’t take it.

  “Hi Kel.” She tried to sound enthusiastic, putting a smile on her face because she knew he’d be able to tell if she was upset.

  “What’s wrong?”

  Dammit! That stupid extrasensory whatever the hell they shared had screwed her again. He’d known she was internally having multiple panic attacks.

  “Nothing’s wrong. I’m on my way home now. Just got some vitamins.” And other stuff she really didn’t want to discuss.

  “You sure? I could sense distress from you.” Her brother’s tone told her he didn’t believe her. Too bad. She wasn’t discussing the possibility of her being pregnant with him.

  “I’m sure. I’ll talk to you later. I’m starving and tired.”

  “Go home and rest. You’ve been looking sickly lately.”

  Fantastic. It was obvious she wasn’t doing well. Not exactly what she’d wanted to hear. “Yeah. I’ll call you later.”

  Her mind whirled over what she’d do if the result from the test ended up being positive. She and Nate were nowhere near what she’d call a relationship. And she wasn’t dragging him into one if she was. When she reached her house, Jordan’s energy-saver was parked outside.

  She hopped out of her car and met Jordan at the door. Jordan hugged her and inhaled. She looked into Karla’s eyes with a frown. “It’s stronger now.”

  Her heart froze. “Oh, God.”

  Jordan rushed forward to grab her by her arm. “Look, you know I’m new at this whole shifter thing. Let’s just take the tests and see what’s up, okay?”

  They entered her house in silence. She handed Jordan the shopping bag with the tests.

  “You do know there are only two of us taking these, right?” She smiled, dumping the packages on the dining room table.

  “Yeah, but I didn’t know which was the best. I figured I’d bring them all.” She dropped on a chair, covering her face with her hands. It had to be a false alarm.

  Jordan picked up two boxes and handed her one. “How about we start with the ones that say the words on the screen instead of us trying to make out results from lines and equations?”

  “Okay. That works.” She started to feel calmer with Jordan there. Besides, what were the chances she was pregnant? She was on birth control. Yeah. The more she thought about it, the more she realized it had to be plain old exhaustion.

  “We’ll bring both back here and check the results together, okay?”

  Karla nodded and went to pee in a cup. Thankfully, she kept disposable cups at home for parties and gatherings. Jordan went to the guest bathroom while Karla went to the one next to her bedroom. A few moments later, they met up at the kitchen with both tests in hand. They set them down on some paper towels and waited the dreaded two minutes.

  Unable to sit still, she opened the fridge and sighed at the cool that kissed her heated skin when she grabbed two water bottles. Instinct told her to look, but fear for what the results would be kept her from glancing at the tests.

  “So, don’t you want to have kids?” She finally asked Jordan.

  “Of course I do. I love kids or I wouldn’t be a teacher.” Jordan smiled from the kitchen table. “But Aric and I…we need some time to be together just us first. I mean, if the test is positive, then I’ll be happy, but I’d like to wait a little bit more before we go there.” She placed her elbow on the table, cupping her cheek with her hand. “What about you? How are things with Nate?”

  “He’s been with Caleb, so I haven’t seen much of him.” Or any of him. One night stand.

  “They have been strategizing,” Jordan said. “But I’m sure he’s dying to see you.”

  Right. If he wanted to see her, he’d show up. Or he’d call. He’d done neither, which told her he’d seen the scenting ceremony as more of a casual night than anything serious.

  “They really have been busy,” Jordan said as if reading her mind. “I hardly see Aric lately. Apparently Caleb’s uncle is hiring more rogues to watch his land, and that means things are harder for Caleb.”

  “Ready?” Karla glanced at the tests on the paper towels with trepidation.

  “We’ll do it together.” Jordan gripped her hand tight, and they stood to look at their results.

  “Oh, thank God!” Jordan sighed.

  “Oh…shit!” Karla inhaled sharply. It couldn’t be. Tension locked her muscles into place as the shock weaving its way through her body took over. Spots danced before her eyes. She was going to pass out. “Tell me that’s not saying what I think I’m reading.”

  “Um…I could tell you that, but then we’d both be lying to you.”

  She sank down on a chair again. “What am I going to do?”

  “Don’t panic.” Jordan squatted down in front of her, holding Karla’s hands between her own. “You’re going to be a great mom.”

  “This is crazy, Jordan.” Fear built at the speed of a derailed train. A child. She was going to be a mother, and Nate hadn’t even spoken to her in the longest. That wasn’t the way things were supposed to work. “I can’t even remember to take my vitamins. How can I be responsible for another human being?”

  “Look at me, honey,” Jordan ordered, pulling Karla out of the dark hole she was quickly crawling toward. “You’ll be fine. You’re a fantastic teacher. The kids love you, and I bet once Nate finds out, he’ll be ove
r the moon.”

  “I have no plants.” She swallowed hard. “They die on me. I forget to water them. I forget…”

  “Karla, stop. I know you’re scared, but you’ll do a great job. Trust your instincts. I hate to ask, but I think this is the biggest question: Do you want this child?”

  Did she? A new life she and Nate created? Without a doubt. But was she scared shitless? Abso-freaking-lutely.

  Karla nodded.

  “Okay then. You’re not alone. I’m here. We’re all here, and you won’t be doing it by yourself. Just remember that. Whenever you’re overwhelmed. You aren’t alone. You have us. You have me,” Jordan promised. “And I’m not going anywhere. None of us are.”

  It was all Spot’s fault!

  If he hadn’t been all seductive the night of the scenting ceremony, she wouldn’t have her own little furry Spot in the oven now. Her hand went to her abdomen, and she couldn’t help but smile. A tiny version of Nate had been one of her daydreams down the line. Like way, way down the line in about five years after she’d convinced him to marry her by tying him up to her bed until he agreed they belonged together. And of course, she’d get him to agree by giving him lots of sex. Maybe that was for her own benefit, but she was sure he’d enjoy it too.

  There was no doubt her infatuation with him was a tad out of control.

  “Well, you’re off the hook.” She smiled at Jordan.

  “You know,” Jordan pouted, “I feel kinda sad that it was negative now.”

  Laughter bubbled up Karla’s throat. “We’re never happy are we?”

  NATE WOLFE SAT in his truck, staring at his cell phone. He’d tried to think of ways to apologize to Karla for not seeing her just yet. Tried and failed. He could never come up with the right words. He knew she wasn’t the type of person to be played with, but with the crazy schedule he kept lately, it was hard to get the time in to see her in person. Most nights, he parked his truck outside her house and sat there, wishing he was inside with her.

  A knock sounded on his window. He already knew who it was. He motioned for Kelvin to get in the truck.

  “What’s up?”

  “You know, if I didn’t know better, I’d swear you’re stalking my sister.” Kelvin laughed.

  Once he’d bitten Karla and marked her, he’d spoken to her brother and explained the situation. Ever since then, Karla’s brother showed up nightly to sit in his truck. Sometimes they’d talk. Other times they sat there, watching Karla’s house for a few minutes before they both left.

  “How are you?” Nate scrubbed a hand over his face. He needed a shower and a bed. He’d spent most of the day deep in the forest, hunting down some of the rogues Caleb’s uncle had hired.

  “I’m okay.” He motioned toward Karla’s house with his head. “It’s her I’m worried about.”

  Nate frowned. “What’s wrong?”

  He’d asked Ellie and Jordan to watch her for him. The farther he went into Caleb’s land, the harder it was for him to get back at a decent time to see her. Usually, it was late, and she’d be asleep. Instead, he sat outside and comforted his animal with the knowledge she was near.

  His wolf missed her. He missed her. Her smile and sparkling eyes. Messing with her and riling her up. Her scent and the feel of her body under him. Fuck it. He missed his mate. And though he hadn’t yet claimed her, he’d marked her. She was his. All that stood between them was a bite and it would seal the deal. But he wouldn’t rush her into that. They had time.

  “She sounded strange on the phone today,” Kel said.

  Nate didn’t like the sound of that. “I’ll ask Ellie what’s going on.”

  Kelvin nodded.

  Though they’d been friendly for years, it was Nate and Karla’s new relationship which spurred him to become closer to her brother.

  “See you tomorrow?”

  Kelvin grinned. “Same time.”

  Nate waved him goodbye. Then he started the truck and went home. Frustration turned his muscles to stone. He’d been avoiding Karla. Not on purpose. Well, not really. He’d been unsure how to approach her about their future mating. While it was clear they were connected physically and mentally, it was her emotional distance that bothered him. He didn’t know how to reach her. A soft growl worked up his throat. He wanted to tell her to trust him. To open up and tell him whatever was bothering her, but she’d probably just stare at him with her beautiful but skeptic eyes and clam up.

  HE FOUND ELLIE sitting in the darkened living room, waiting. Since Jordan and Aric mated, they lived in Jordan’s house together. His sister, Ellie, was the reason he’d been able to meet Karla. She was Karla’s friend since college and recently joined his mother in the matchmaking ranks. Ellie cared for his friend Caleb, who was currently fighting for the rights to his own pack. Ellie’s concern for Caleb meant she waited up until Nate or Jake came home to reassure her he was fine.

  “How’d things go?” She eyed Nate’s torn shirt with concern. The wounds from their fight tonight had already healed, but his clothes were still bloody.

  His clothes were another reason he hadn’t visited Karla when he’d been injured. The last thing he wanted was to worry her.

  “We went closer into Caleb’s uncle Rocco’s side tonight. But there are many caves and places to ambush. It was like taking a step forward but ten steps back. Things look pretty bad. He’s gotten a lot more rogues to work his security than we expected.”

  Ellie bit her lip. Her concerned expression pushed him to sit next to her and hug her to his side. He hated that his sister suffered because Caleb wasn’t around. But with Caleb trying to gain the rights to his pack back, he needed to focus on his land and the enemy. Caleb’s uncle Rocco was bent on destroying the pack.

  “We’ll help him as much as possible, little pup.”

  She met his gaze with her watery one. “You need to talk to Karla.”

  “I will. Things have just been crazy—”

  “No. You need to talk to her.” She pushed back to give him a serious look. “This is important.”

  “I’ve been trying to run a business and help Caleb hunt,” he said in a rush. He knew Ellie wasn’t trying to sound demanding, but when she put it that way, it sounded like he’d been deliberately ignoring Karla.

  “I know that. But Thirsty Wolfe will survive a few days without you, and so will Caleb.”

  He swallowed down the fear trying to make its presence known. “What’s wrong?”

  “She needs you. And I understand you are helping Caleb get his pack back, but she’s priority to you. You know that.”

  Shit. Something was definitely wrong. “I’ll go see her tomorrow.”

  “No. You are going to take a shower and go tonight. Caleb’s not expecting you tomorrow.”

  He glanced at her with surprise. “He’s not?”

  She crossed her arms over her chest. “Nope. I asked Jake to let him know you’d be out. Mate business.”

  “Anything else you want to tell me?” Heck, maybe she’d give him a hint on what it was he needed to talk to Karla about.

  “You’ll know when you get to her.” She stood to go to her room, but stopped and glanced at him over her shoulder. “Whatever you do, wait until she tells you.”

  Great. Now his sister was talking cryptic. Knots formed in his stomach. There had to be a big problem at hand for her to order him to Karla. Sweat gathered on his palms. He had to move. Fear pushed the wolf inside. His animal ordered him to his mate.

  AFTER A QUICK shower and change, Nate found himself in front of Karla’s darkened house. Ellie had lent him her spare key. She had all her friend’s spare keys. Apparently, they trusted her to keep them safe. Though Emma was the OCD one in the group, Ellie had amazing memory for a shifter, so the keys stayed with his sister.

  He opened the door. The wood pushed back without a sound. At the entrance, he was hit by the automatic air freshener. The smell of lavender was now stuck to his nose. He had to talk to her about the scent stuff. Though the lavender wa
s light, it still smelled powerful to his sensitive nose. With quiet steps, he strolled to her bedroom and stopped at the open door. God, he’d missed her.

  Moonlight filtered through her shades, casting a delicate light over her sleeping form. She was on her side, hugging a pillow to her chest. Her pajama shorts displayed her sexy legs. He quietly sat on the bed next to her. There were dark lines under her eyes. She was tired. That was probably his fault. Guilt pierced his chest and tore wounds into his heart. He shouldn’t have neglected her. He lifted a hand to brush hair away from her face. The touch disturbed her. She instantly released the pillow and moved to lie on her back.

  And her new scent hit him.

  He jumped to his feet and took three steps back. He could smell the change in her while she slept. His wolf wanted to howl and mate with her now. Right now. She was…she was having his baby. She continued to sleep as he took his clothes off. Excitement—no, happiness rushed through him with the force of a freight train. A big stupid grin split his lips. He was going to be a father. He felt as if he’d been running through the woods. Concern, joy, and nerves bounced around his insides. He wanted to be close to her—to feel her warmth surrounding him as he drove deep into her moist sex.

  Now he understood Ellie’s words not to say anything until she did. He’d wait. But he couldn’t stand there and not hold her now that he was so close. Now that he knew she carried his offspring. He’d known she was his the first time he’d seen her. Ellie’s freshman year in college. She and Jordan had brought home three new friends. The moment his eyes met Karla’s, he knew there would be no other female for him. But Karla was somewhat on the shy side. He’d kept things lighthearted whenever he was around her.

  When he’d kissed her the night of Ellie’s masquerade party, he’d known she wanted him just as badly. That had been seven years ago. Not that he was counting or anything. But it was a night he’d never forget. The kiss had been unlike any other he’d ever experienced. He was a shifter. He believed in attraction at first sight, but not normally love. Yet, that night he’d swore love had bloomed at the touch of their lips. When she’d lifted a hand to caress his cheek, a zap of electricity had traveled between them. And when he’d held her close, her scent had brought the wolf to the surface. He wanted. Oh yeah, he wanted Karla. Only Karla. She was his one. There’d be no others for Nate.