One week later …

They walked in silence, a group of six, all spread out. It was only he and Ash who walked side by side. They were on their way back to the village. They’d just shifted back into their human form. In a mile or two they’d be able to see the smoke. It was early yet, almost everyone would be sleeping.

“I can’t believe you left your new mate to come on security detail. You must be desperate to get back to Ana.” Ash glanced his way. “You’re lucky I’m on this assignment or I would’ve kept her warm for you.” He winked, making his meaning clear. Fucker!

“Don’t even go there,” Winston growled, even though the edges of his mouth were curled in a smile. He knew that his friend was messing with him. “We all have a role to play in keeping our village safe. I’m not going to shirk responsibility. Besides, we’d been holed up for a week. I left my female unconscious. I’m sure she’s slept for two days solid. She needed the break.”

Ash smirked. It made him look feral, something from a nightmare. “I’m sure I could’ve roused her.”

“Fuck you, dickhead,” Winston chuckled.

His friend did too. “So …” Ash turned serious. He lowered his voice since the other males were close. Not that anyone was particularly interested in what they were saying to one another. “Is it everything you thought it would be?”

“What, being mated?”

Ash nodded. “You look happy.” His face became pinched, his eyes dark. Winston was sure he saw longing there. Was it longing for his lost mate or longing for real companionship? Probably both.

“It’s everything and more,” Winston’s voice was thick with emotion as his mind moved to his female. He stopped walking. He could hear the footfalls of the others continuing ahead. The pine needles crunching beneath their feet.

“Yes,” his friend sighed. “It’s a gift and a curse.”

Ash turned. Winston touched his friend on the arm. “I wish you would consider …”

“Nah, fuck …” He ran a hand through his hair, which was already an unruly mess. “I had a mate and I lost her … lost so much …” He shook his head. “I have my son, my pack. I’m happy. Very fucking happy.”

“I hear you’ve been sniffing around the same female. Are you sure you—”

“The best fuck I ever had,” Ash interjected. He looked angry. “That’s all it is.”

Winston choked out a laugh. “Seriously? Here I was thinking that you might be ready to—”

“Don’t you dare say it.”

“You and Ana have so much in common. She knows what you are going through. That’s why you guys get along so well.”

“She’s easy on the eyes and knows how to cook a steak. What’s not to like?”

Winston couldn’t help the growl that escaped. “Stop with the bullshit comments. Ana has had a difficult time and yet she was able to move on. It doesn’t mean she forgot her mate or the child she lost—”

“Enough,” Ash snarled. “I will never take another mate. Never! I may have spent the last few Shifter Nights with the same female but it doesn’t mean a thing. In fact, I’m done with her.”

“Look, it’s your life.” Winston put up both hands. “You need to decide for—”

One of the males growled. Winston’s hackles went up.

“Look at this!” he yelled.

“What the fuck?” one of the others snarled.

He and Ash ran over to where the males were. They were looking at the ground.

“What the hell!” Winston mumbled. “What the fuck is that?” he added.

Ash leaned in close, he sniffed. “Nothing. I get nothing.” The male scouted the area. “Nobody move.” He scratched his head and sighed. “That’s it. One fucking print.”

“It’s huge.” Winston said. “What the hell made it?”

“Fucked if I know.” Ash shook his head.

“It’s like nothing I’ve ever seen before.” Kane cocked his head, still staring at the print. “Bigger than a bear’s but more like a … fuck … like a cat. Look at the claws and the pads of the paw. That’s feline for sure.”

“There’s only one,” Cody snarled, looking around them. “How is that possible?”

“We’re only two miles from our village,” Ash spoke low.

Winston shifted. It took him less than a second. Adrenaline coursed through him. His fur bristled.

“Try to stay calm.” Ash looked him in the eyes. “Whatever made this is long gone. You can see how the wind has blown the edge. A leaf is lying in the center. I’d say at least,” he pursed his lips in thought, “four, maybe five hours. I don’t scent blood or …” he let the sentence die when Winston growled. “Let’s head back. I need to speak with the alphas.”

Blinding fear iced his veins. So much so that he was struggling to concentrate on what Ash was saying.

“You can go back to your mate.” Thank fuck! Winston howled as his claws dug up the earth. He ran at a flat-out pace to the village, shifting as he made it to their front door.

Winston barged in, slammed the door behind him and dug himself under the covers, wrapping his arms around Ana.

His mate made a noise of contentment. “You’re freezing.” Her voice was laced with sleep.

“We might need to put our baby-making efforts on hold,” he blurted, adrenaline still coursing through him.

She turned to face him, a frown marred her beautiful face. “It might be too late for that.”

His heart beat faster. “Are you saying?” He frowned. “Are you …?”

“I’m not sure but my breasts feel a little tender and I was sick yesterday. I … maybe … Are you saying you don’t want to be a dad anymore?”

Winston felt his eyes prick. “I’d like nothing more. I’m worried though.” He told Ana what had happened.

“It could be anything. A bear?”

“It was one of them. It was one of the things that hurt Ward. The same fuckers that are scaring our game. It was right here … just outside our village.” He pulled Ana close. His chest rising and falling quickly. Adrenaline spiked once again.

“Breathe,” Ana kept her voice low. “In through your nose and out through your mouth. Slower … that’s it.”

Winston chuckled. “How the tables have turned.” He pulled back, kissing her softly. “Do you want to know? I’m bursting to find out.”

“Find out what?” She frowned, looking adorable.

“If you’re with child.”

Ana’s eyes widened. “Would you be able to tell? It’s too soon. I don’t think I’d be more than a couple of days ‒ a week at the most.”

“I might.” He smiled. “A week is a long time for a shifter baby.”

Ana nodded. “I would really like to know.”

Winston pulled the covers away exposing every inch of her beautiful body. He slowly moved down her until his nose was in line with her belly. It was flat and smooth. He buried his nose against her and sniffed, then he put his ear against her skin.

It was so soft he almost missed it. The tiniest pitter patter. He laughed. “You’re right, it’s too late.” Then he sobered up a whole hell of a lot. He gathered Ana into his arms. “I’m going to take good care of you. I won’t let you out of my sight.”

Ana was smiling. “I take it I’m …” She chewed on her lower lip. A tear rolled down her cheek. “I’m pregnant.”

“Yeah, sweetheart, you’re going to be a mom. A fucking amazing, beautiful … sexy mom.” He touched her belly. “I can’t wait until you swell with child. Until your breasts fill with milk.” He suckled on one.

She hugged him back.

“You have nothing to worry about.” He couldn’t keep the growl from his voice.

“Who said I was worried? I’m not. You will protect us. I feel completely safe with you, my love.”

Winston had to work on keeping his breathing even. To keep from panicking. There was something out there. If he was right, there was more than one. They were big and they posed a threat. He growled low in his throat.

“Stop that,” Ana giggled. “Your heart is just about beating out of your chest. I think,” she wrapped her legs around his waist, “that you should make love to me. Pregnant women are exceedingly horny.” She fisted his dick and, despite his raging fear, it hardened in her hand. “It’ll take your mind off of things.”

Winston nodded. “I can think of nothing better, mate … soon-to-be mother of my child.” He grinned.

“I love the sound of that, and I love you.” She sank onto him.

Winston kissed his female, trying hard to concentrate on bringing her pleasure instead of the terrible possibilities that ran through his mind. Each one worse than the last.

Ash’s story - Unbound - is out on pre-order