“Yes, while my little moppet looks just like her daddy.”
“Regan is definitely the spitting image of Tah,” Darby agreed.
“She is,” Abby agreed with a smile. “There’s nothing like it. Every moment of your pregnancy. Every ache. Every pain. It’s all worth it when you hold your baby in your arms.”
“Thanks, Abby.”
“You’re welcome. Now, let’s see if we can figure out how you’ll help Tah. What exactly did your dad tell you?”
“He told me to follow my instinct. That it’s always my best guide and to trust it.”
“Okay. So what does your instinct tell you?”
“That we’re all screwed if we’re counting on me,” Darby moaned.
Abby laughed. “We’ll figure it out. I’ve been telling Tah from the beginning that people will start showing up.”
“It’s part of the legend.”
They both said it in unison and grinned at each other. Darby felt as if she’d found a kindred spirit in Abby. She’d spent most of her life consumed with stories of shifters. Reading them, transcribing them, archiving them. It hadn’t exactly made her a popular kid in school. She’d spent a lot of her school years on the outside, doing exactly what she’d been trained to do. Watching. It was different here, with the pride. She was different. Still, she felt as if she belonged.
“Is there any part of the legend about how the first leader took in his spirit? How he called his people?” Abby asked.
“Not that I’ve ever seen,” Darby admitted. “I keep going through everything, over and over, and I just can’t come up with the magic answer.”
“Maybe, you’re over-thinking it,” Abby offered. “Why don’t you sit and read through the journals I laid out for you the other day, and I’ll see what magic I can discover on the web.” Abby flexed her fingers and wiggled them.
“Do you want me to access the database for you?”
“Not yet. You said you’ve gone over things again and again, and I’m guessing you mean those things.”
Darby nodded.
“Then let me see what I can find from my sources and those the professor has.”
“That sounds great. Thanks, Abby.”
“We’re in this together,” Abby stated. “Now, let’s figure out how to make my mate even more of an alpha.” She glanced toward the door and blinked. “Shit. Did I really say that?”
Darby giggled. “You did.”
“I better get to it before I change my mind then.” Abby turned and settled on a couch with a laptop then waved a hand toward the pile of journals sitting on an end table. “Pull up a seat and join me.”
Darby dropped into a chair and pulled the top journal into her lap. She and Abby worked in companionable silence for the rest of the afternoon. They were both absorbed when the door opened and Tah stood there, bare-chested with Regan cuddled against him. He didn’t say anything and, apparently, didn’t need to. Abby stood immediately, putting her computer aside and walking to her mate. Darby felt like a voyeur as he pulled her in, dipping his head to kiss her in a way that had Darby ready to fan herself. The whole time, he held Regan snuggled against his chest.
“Darby,” Tah acknowledged as soon as the kiss broke. “How are you feeling?”
“Good.” Her hand automatically flattened over her stomach.
“When do you see Diane again?” he asked.
“A few days,” Darby said, putting the journal she’d been reading on top of the pile and rising. “Is it dinnertime? I’m suddenly famished.”
Tah and Abby both dropped their glances to her stomach. Darby had a feeling she’d need to get used to that over the next few months. God! What a thought! Her entire pregnancy would last only as long as a human first trimester. In three short months, she’d be holding a baby in her arms. Maybe even two babies.
“Have you seen Calloway?” Darby asked.
“Reno talked him into going out to look at all our property while you and Abby were together. They should be back anytime. Why don’t I escort the two of you to the kitchen while we wait?” He turned toward the door and motioned for her and Abby to proceed him into the hallway. “You’re in luck. Logan’s making dinner tonight.”
“Oh, man,” Abby said with a moan. “He’s pure gold in the kitchen.”
Tah laughed. “My mate conned Logan into making most of the meals when she was pregnant with Regan.”
“I didn’t con,” Abby protested then grinned at Darby. “I just made a point of letting him know how amazing his food was and how it comforted me when I knew he was the one cooking.”
“Did he play chef for Diane, too?” Darby questioned.
“No, Zane is almost as good as Logan in the kitchen,” Abby answered. “He prepared most of the meals for her.”
“Well, whatever Logan is putting together smells incredible,” Darby said as they rounded the corner. She was just lifting her hand to make sure she wasn’t drooling when the front door opened and Calloway walked through. Their gazes met and clung, and he walked away from Reno while the man was still speaking, heading straight toward her.
“Okay?” he asked, running his hand down her side and curling it around her waist.
She nodded. “You?”
“I missed you,” he murmured, cuddling her close. She watched as his head dipped, felt the slide of his lips against hers and melted against him. By the time they came up for air, the others had moved on. She heard their chatter from the kitchen.
“I think dinner is almost ready,” Darby told him.
“Hungry?”
“Starved,” she admitted.
“You need to make sure you eat more,” he admonished. “This pregnancy will take a lot from you.”
“So why don’t you take me in and feed me then take me back to our cabin and take care of my other needs,” she urged.
Calloway growled, burying his head in her neck and licking over her skin.
“Oh, God,” she moaned. “Maybe, we can just get something to take with us. You could feed me while you take care of my other needs.”
He chuckled then nipped her shoulder. “Let’s join the others and get you fed.”
“Only as long as you plan to fuck me later.”
His gaze smoldered when he pulled back to glance down at her. “I think I can manage that.”
She was hyperaware of him as they sat with the others, eating and bantering. Calloway stayed right at her side, casually touching her as they ate. He was polite but kept his attention on her, and by the time her stomach was full, her thighs were damp with the need he had flooding through her. God knew, she was probably broadcasting how badly she wanted her mate by the scent of her lust, but damned if she cared.
In her opinion, it took way too long for them to head outside. She glanced around for the ATV, but Calloway just caught her hand in his and started walking.
“Please, tell me we’re not walking all the way to cabin?”
He chuckled. “I left it parked in front of the med center.” He pulled her around to face him, one palm cupping the bottom swell of her ass and nudging her closer to his pulsing erection. “Should I find a quiet place and see if I can take the edge off?”
She caught her breath, biting her bottom lip. She glanced around, searching for some place that would offer them enough privacy.
His chuckles turned into guffaws of laughter as he pulled her behind him toward the center. “I was teasing. Once I get my hands on you, it will be morning before I’m done.”
“Walk faster,” she ordered.
She had his shirt halfway off by the time they arrived at their cabin, her fingers teasing his abs, chest and shoulders. They made it just inside the doorway when she went to her knees and he kicked the door shut. She had his jeans open and jerked to his knees before his shirt cleared his head. His thick length was in her hands then caressing her lips. She licked and kissed while her fingers worked slowly up and down.
“Darby,” he moaned, his fingers burying in her locks and holding on while she suckled. Just when she’d found her rhythm, he tugged her off, pulling her to her feet. He jerked his pants up then scooped her into his arms once more, this time carrying her to the bedroom.
He set her on her feet then slowed things down, taking his time removing her clothes, his fingers gently caressing her body. His lips trailed over every inch of newly exposed skin, his tongue flicking out to taste her. She was on fire by the time her bra landed on the floor and he sucked one aching nipple into his mouth. She arched into him, gripping his head and holding him against her.
He tumbled her back onto the bed, coming down over her and planting open-mouthed kisses along her stomach as he worked his way lower. She moaned as he nuzzled her damp folds, his tongue slipping between them to lash at her swollen clit. His lips tunneled in next, wrapping around the bud and sucking gently on it. Her hands clenched in the comforter, anchoring herself as he made her fly again and again.
She was still catching her breath when he slid back up her body, now as naked as she was. He cupped her buttocks, lifting her into him as he thrust deep.
“Darby,” he groaned, pleasure ripe in his voice as he urged her to look at him. “I love you.”
She gasped. Though she knew he loved her, had already said the words to him, this was the first time he’d voiced them aloud to her.
“I love you,” she whispered.
No more words were spoken. None were needed. They held each other as they climbed each new pinnacle of rapture, going higher and higher until it broke over them, sending endless waves of pleasure through them. It stole her breath and left her gasping on the other side, lightheaded and tingly.
She groaned as he disengaged from her body then moaned as he rolled to her side, bringing her with him so she lay tucked into him, her head on his chest.
“Was I too rough?” Calloway asked, his hand falling to her stomach and rubbing. “I wasn’t, was I? I should have been gentler.”
She shook her head. “You were perfect. Give me a little longer, and I’ll try to persuade you to go again.” She nuzzled into him and smiled as a purr rumbled up from his chest.
“We’ll see about that,” he crooned and moved his hand to stroke up and down her hip.
“What did you and Reno do today?” she asked around a yawn.
“He showed me around the property, discussed me helping to monitor security on the ranch and in town as needed. With the sheriff gone, they try to send someone in every day to keep an eye out for any strangers who might appear.”
He seemed okay with that idea, judging by the tone of his voice. She curled up, closing her eyes as he talked about Reno and Riverton and how Reno had suggested Calloway might prefer to work with Vic since he was more familiar with her than anyone else. One minute, she was thinking of asking him a question, the next she was dreaming of diapers and baby powder and her mate’s gorgeous, golden eyes.
Chapter Fifteen
“Are you sure?” Darby asked.
Gideon nodded. “It’s definitely twins. Congratulations.”
“As I said before, we’ll want to monitor you closely for the next three months. I’m not sure if shifter pregnancies with multiples have the same issues as human ones or not. Do you?” Diane glanced at all of them.
Calloway tensed beside Darby. She knew he was already worried about her, and nothing she said would make him stop. Until she delivered and she and the babies were healthy, his fears wouldn’t ease. She doubted he’d ever stop worrying about her or their children though.
“I haven’t read anything about pregnancies,” she said. “The watchers never went into detail about those. There were just brief statements saying a child had been born to a particular shifter.” Or saying a child and mate had been lost, but she wasn’t sharing that with Calloway in the room. Besides, the pride had successfully seen two pregnancies from start to finish, so Darby felt as if the odds were in her favor.
“There can be complications,” Gideon admitted. “I won’t lie about that. However, I think as long as we keep a close eye on you and the babies, we’ll be able to stay on top of everything. We’ll want you in here twice a week to start with, Darby. I’m afraid it will be daily as the pregnancy progresses.”
“She’ll be here,” Calloway confirmed. She wondered if he realized his hand trembled where it rested against her back.
“And everything will be fine,” she said. “I’m young and healthy. I have the advantage of having all of you, who will be watching me like hawks. Plus, I’ll voice any concern I have immediately.”
Diane nodded. “We have rooms downstairs. We suggest the two of you move in there once you get closer to delivery.”
“Perfect,” Darby agreed, clapping her hands. “Sounds like we have a plan. I’ve never been much of an athlete, so I’m not sure if I should say ‘Go, team’ or slap everyone on the ass.”
Gideon laughed. Calloway growled, his hand dipping to cup one of her buttocks and give it a squeeze.
“So eat healthy, don’t overdo it, get plenty of sleep, and take the prenatal vitamins though you’re not sure if they’ll really help during a shifter pregnancy.” Darby rattled off the list of information Diane had given her.
“They won’t hurt,” Diane told her.
“Just one more thing then,” Darby said, bracing herself for Calloway’s reaction. “Sex.”
“It’s too soon to tell if you’re having boys or girls,” Diane said. “Most likely we’ll be able to tell around the six or seven week mark.”
“Oh,” Darby gushed. “That’s exciting, but what I meant was Calloway and I continuing to have sex during the pregnancy.”
Gideon flushed, turning his head but not quick enough to hide his grin. Diane smiled, her gaze softening. Calloway growled again. This time, his whole chest seemed to expand with the sound.
“Darby,” he warned.
“I just want confirmation that it won’t hurt the babies if we continue having sex, because I have a feeling my mate will decide otherwise.”
“You can have sex right up to delivery as long as there’s no discomfort,” Diane assured them both. “Sex actually works really well to keep your mate relaxed, Calloway. Feel free to speak with either my mate or Tah if you have any questions you’re not comfortable asking me. You might have to get a bit creative with positions as her belly grows, especially with two fetuses developing—”
“Uh, that’s enough. Thanks,” Calloway growled, and Darby tried to bite off her laughter. He was going to kill her for bringing this up in front of Diane and Gideon, but she’d already foreseen him trying to tell her they needed to take it easy or stop all together. That wasn’t happening. She needed him too much.