“Get that out of my face!” I yelled, smacking away the fake spider as everyone in the area laughed, Griff clutching his stomach.

“B-but y-your-r face!” He gasped. “Priceless.”

I let my features mould into one of pain as I grasped my protruding stomach; six months now. I grunted in pain and bent over, watching as he noticed and slowly stopped laughing. “What’s wrong?”

I sucked in a breath and whimpered. “I-I think I just went into l-labour!” His eyes widened in panic as he and a few others rushed towards me. Just as Griff got close enough my fist rammed his cheek and he fell backwards as I stood. “Do it again and I’ll break your body.” I said in an overly cheery tone. Gosh, pregnancy really had made me psychotic... well more than usual.

“You should have been an actor Eve; that was pretty convincing, I was scared myself.” Pierre said, walking up to me. I smiled and turned my head to the door where the hulking figure of my mate stood. Three months and we still hadn’t gotten far; he didn’t like to talk and I wasn’t the most open person, but I was working on it.

He was still very protective but he realised that I didn’t like Griff in that way and kind of got over it. I think most of the time he tries to ignore the fact that I’m pregnant and that doesn’t help but sometimes when I’m sick or hungry he looks after me… or tries to. I think he’s suffered a lot of trauma and that’s probably why he was so closed off and cold; I didn’t blame him, I was like that too.

I pushed past Pierre and walked over to him. He looked down as I tilted my head up to meet his gaze. “Do you want to watch a movie with me?”

It was the first thing that came to mind but I wanted to spend time with him. I thought he’d just walk away but he nodded and allowed me to drag him to the theatre. There was already a movie in the projector; a romantic comedy, so I left it and sat down next to Kade.

The lights were off and the movie began. To be honest it was less of a comedy and way more romance. Half way through I began to get sleepy and my head hit his shoulder. For a few seconds he made no move until I felt his arm wrap around my shoulders. A small smile spread across my face as I breathed in his scent and moved closer to his warmth.

Things would be ok.

-

“What’s going on?” I asked, my voice sounding like I’d shoved a toad down my throat. I coughed and looked around; Kade was carrying me upstairs and the pack was rushing about frantically. “What’s going on?” I asked again as we descended the steps.

His eyes met mine briefly before he looked away, choosing to watch his step instead. “There’s another pack here.”

“Which pack?” I questioned, trying to sit up. He grunted as he held me tighter and shook his head. “I can walk up the stairs you know; I’m not an invalid.” He grunted again but gentle set me back down on my feet. With his hand on the small of my back he guided me up the stairs to my room.

When we got to my room he locked the door behind him and sat down in one of my chairs as I lay on the bed on my back, rubbing my belly. I felt a kick and a light giggle escaped my lips. A large hand covered mine and I looked up to see Kade staring at my stomach in confusion. I took his hand and gently ran it over where my baby moved.

It kicked again and for a moment I saw his tough exterior fall away to be replaced by a vulnerable human being; it was gone in a second though as he backed away and dropped back into the chair.

I sighed and closed my eyes, dozing off before there was a knock on the door. Kade opened it to reveal a flustered Pierre and Gunner. Their eyes widened at the sight of me and rushed forward.

“The alpha’s daughter found her mate-,”

“And she won’t leave Griffin alone and-,”

I stood and held up my hands. “What are you guys talk about; one at a time?”

They both exchanged a look before grabbing my arms and pulling me down stairs. Kade growled and they let go but I kept following them to the ground floor. There was at least forty new wolves loitering around and a crowd had formed. I elbowed my way to the front and my eyes widened when I saw a tall redhead trying to cling to Griff who was looking pretty uncomfortable.

“But you’re my mate.” She whined as Griff pushed her back again. He spotted me and his eyes literally screamed for help; this time I actually stepped in though.

“Hey girly, tone it down will you?” I told her as Griff gripped my shoulder. “Forcing yourself on him won’t make the situation any better.”

She growled at me and cocked her hip, looking me up and down snootily. “And who are you fatty?”

“Hey! She’s pregnant, not fat!” Griffin said defending me, knowing that I hated being called fat; it was too close to home. Truth was I really didn’t care though; this bitch didn’t know me and it just made her look worse.

She flicked her hair and rolled her eyes. “Whatever, same thing.” She pointed to me with one fake nail and flicked her finger. “Now get out of my way whore.” When I didn’t move she screeched and tried to shove me out of the way but I didn’t move. “Move you slut!”

My eyes narrowed as I stared at her. “Call me that one more time I will break your bitchy little face.” I hissed, cracking my knuckles. She seemed surprised for a moment before she resumed glaring.

“Please, I could beat you into next week; you’re a wimpy weak little human.” I growled but before I could take a swing at her, Griff had scooped me up and hauled me out of there.

“You need to calm down; it’s not good for the baby and neither is fighting.” He scolded me as he handed me over to Kade.

“Why do you even care, it’s not like it’s yours.” I heard her voice behind us and I smirked.

“Actually it is; she’s my best friend and she’s carrying my baby so back off.” He said in a hard tone as Kade carried me off. I heard her loud growls and crashes that sounded like she was trashing the house.

I tapped Kade’s shoulder when we near the front door and he looked down at me. “Do you want to go to the lake?” It was nearing winter but it was still a beautiful sight. He shrugged as I climbed down and headed to my room. “I’ll be ready in ten.”

-

We walked in the few kilometres to the lake in silence; I guess we were both just enjoying nature and the beautiful day. We walked pretty close to each other and each time our hands bumped, I secretly hoped he would actually take and hold my hand; he never did.

I felt his hand bump against mine for what felt like the fifth hundredth time so with an exasperated sigh I grasped his large, calloused hand in mine. I felt his gaze on me as I stared ahead and when I looked up, there was a slight smile on his face.

I stared at him for a few seconds before I smiled back and shyly looked away. He was so handsome it actually took my breath away and made my heart flutter; I felt like a shy teenager again.

We reached the lake and I sat down on one of the banks, slipped off my shoes and dipped my toes in the frigid water. It was a shock at first but as I got used to the freezing temperature, I lay back and stared up at the sky. I felt Kade lay down beside me silently.

“How old are you?” I honestly didn’t expect an answer but I asked anyway.

“I don’t know.” I frowned and turned my head to look at him.

“What do you mean ‘you don’t know’?”

He shrugged but in my mind another piece of the puzzle that was Kade appeared; he didn’t remember, the hunters had obviously had him for a while, he was almost mute, cold, intimidating and broken… so very broken. It was no surprise he had no idea how to interact with me or others; the only emotions h showed was anger and possessiveness. What did they do to him?

I sat up awkwardly, my stomach getting in the way and before he knew what was happening, I laid a soft kiss on his cheek. “I don’t care what’s happened to you, I’m just glad you’re here.” I admitted quickly before I resumed my position staring up at the sky. And I was, I was glad that even though he didn’t talk much, he’d still stuck with me; I was pregnant with someone else’s child but he wasn’t holding it against me and even though he was cold, I still felt like he cared. “Thank you.”

I felt him grasp my hand and give it a gentle squeeze as we fell back into a comfortable silence.

We sat like that for hours until the sun began descending over the horizon. “We should head back.” I said softly, standing and brushing myself off. He made no move and there was no sign that he’d heard me; I knew he had though. “Good night.” I turned to make my way back to the pack house happier than I had been in a while.

-

I woke up in the middle of the night, as per usual, with the strongest craving for pickles. I felt like if I didn’t get them I would die.

I pushed my covers off and headed for my door. I was wearing a camisole and boxers but I knew that no one would be around at this time of night so there was really no chance of anyone seeing me. I held my hand against the wall as I slowly descended the stairs. I hated going down them because I couldn’t see my feet, but there was no other way; I was careful though, I made sure to cling to the wall and take measured steps until I reached the final landing.

It was the longest and steepest and I went to take the first step until I felt someone grab me and force me up against the wall. I stared at the angry face of the very female from this morning; the bitch who claimed to be Griffin’s mate… his unwelcome, bitchy mate.

I glared at her and she glared back. Raising my hand I pried her grip off my arm and pushed her away. “Did you not get the message this morning? Leave me alone.”

She growled and glared at me. “Listen here you little skank; Griffin is mine and no pregnant slut is going to get in my way. You have two options; you leave or I kill you and that little bastard in your womb.” She hissed.

I sneered at her and shook my head. “I was here long before you; Griffin is my family and I won’t let you bully me; fuck off. How does it feel to know that I’m having his first child? How does it feel to know that he loves me more than he ever would you?” I hissed. I was a mean thing to say and definitely not the smartest thing to say to an angry werewolf, but I was pretty mad myself and I’d always had a temper. She threatened both me and my child; that I wouldn’t let stand.

She hissed and if looked could kill I would have been six feet under. “You’ll be sorry for that.”

I rolled my eyes and jerked my arm away from her. I said nothing, holding back every nasty word I wanted to say to her, every punch I wanted to throw; I physically bit my tongue to stop myself from lashing out at her. I took another step down the stairs, turning away from her and in that moment I knew what a huge mistake I’d made.

I felt her hand connect with my shoulder and the front of my body jerked forward. My ankle rolled and time seemed to slow down as my body fell forward, crashing into the stairs. My scream was cut short as my head hit the edge of the stairs hard and I saw stars. I couldn’t stop myself and as I tumbled down the long staircase, I felt something in my back snap and intense pain radiated from my entire body.

I screamed again as I felt liquid trickle from between my legs; I couldn’t move though. Pain so much pain. My vision became foggy as I stared up the stairs to where the wolf had disappeared. Then it all became black.