Trayis (VLG Series Book 11) Read online

  Stellia drew her attention by allowing her claws to slide out. “Do you trust me?”

  Shay nodded. “Sure. What do you want to do?”

  Stellia used the tip of one claw to make a shallow scratch on Shay’s arm. She flinched at the sting of pain but it was over fast. It surprised her when the woman brought her claw to her mouth and licked at the minute bit of blood there.

  A grin split Stellia’s face almost instantly.

  Then she surprised Shay again by leaning forward, licking the scratch.

  Shay was both confused and a bit alarmed. “Um…”

  Stellia winked. “Clan healer. Sorry about bleeding you, but I healed it with my saliva.”

  Shay glanced down at her arm to find it had indeed healed, as if her friend hadn’t scratched her at all. “Why’d you do that? What did you find?”

  “My taste buds have become an instant pregnancy test after all the years of taking care of the clan, if my nose can’t pick up the scent yet. Congratulations!”

  Shay gaped at her. “I’m pregnant? You’re sure?”

  Stellia nodded as she rose to her feet. “You’re going to have a baby! I’ll let you be the one to tell your mate. Trayis is going to be so thrilled!”

  Shay watched as the woman moved fast toward the back of the house. “Where are you going?”

  “Out the back door to avoid your mate. This is your news to share privately,” Stellia called out, before fleeing from sight completely.

  The front door was yanked open a few seconds later, and Shay twisted on the couch.

  Trayis rushed in, out of breath. “Are you okay?” He slammed the door and jumped over the couch, bumped into the coffee table, and shoved it aside to kneel before her. He took book of her hands gently in his. “Are you shifting? I’ll talk you through it, doll. Just don’t panic. I’m right here with you. It’ll be fine.”

  “I’m not shifting. At least, not yet. I just had a dizzy spell, so Stellia thought I might be.”

  A flash of disappointment creased his handsome face but it was gone as soon as it appeared. “Oh. I’m sorry. I know you want to really bad. It might take months though, if at all.”

  She squeezed his hands and smiled. Tears filled her eyes. “I love you.”

  “I love you, too.” He glanced around. “Where’s Stellia?”

  “She rushed out the back door to avoid you.”

  He chuckled, holding her gaze. “I’m not mad that she was wrong. I was just worried you’d have your first shift when I wasn’t here, and I wanted to be. Every important moment is ours to share.”

  “This is an important moment.” She blinked back more tears.

  He leaned in closer. “What’s wrong?”

  “Everything’s right.” She grinned. “At least, I hope so. Did you know that your healer can perform a pregnancy test with nothing more than her tongue and a bit of blood?”

  Trayis blinked once. Twice. Then it seemed to sink in. His eyes widened and he glanced at her stomach, before peering deeply into her eyes.

  “Hey, I warned you that I couldn’t control my ovaries. Say something.”

  Tears filled his eyes this time. “I’m going to be a father?”

  “Yes.”

  He suddenly pulled her off the couch, gently, sitting on the floor with Shay on his lap as he held her tight. “I fucking love you.” He kissed the top of her head. “We’re having a baby!” He chuckled. “It’s going to be the cutest kid.”

  She curled into his chest. “It will be. Especially if we have a boy who looks like you.”

  “Or a girl who’s a tiny version of you.” He held her tighter. “We need to remodel the room next to ours. Have a crib made. Buy baby clothes. Toys.” He continued to list what they’d need.

  Shay laughed and lifted her head, reaching up to put her hand over his mouth. He stopped talking as she grinned at him. “We’ve got some time, and we aren’t even sure what sex our baby will be yet.” She lowered her hand.

  “I’m just so excited.”

  “Me too.”

  He leaned in and softly brushed his lips against hers and then pulled back. “We’ll plan for both regardless. I see lots of little ones in our future, anyway.”

  There was a fast knock, and then the front door opened. Wen peeked his head in. Then someone shoved him from behind, making him stumble into the living room. The door opened wider and Tymber stepped inside. They both stared at them on the floor in front of the couch.

  “She’s not shifting,” Trayis announced. He looked at Shay. “They were in the office when Gerri rushed in. I just beat them here.”

  “Our leader can move when he’s motivated. He left us behind, eating his dust.” Wen shot a dirty look at Tymber. “This one tripped me a few times.”

  Tymber snorted. “You tripped me, too.” He brushed at his clothes. “And I’d be more worried about your mate. You at least could have grabbed Gerri and carried her here with those damn long legs of yours. She’s going to be pissed at you. Humans get tired faster, and she’s had to run there and back. Because your dumb ass left her behind. I would’ve scooped her up myself, but that wouldn’t have been appropriate.”

  “Shit!” Wen glanced at the open door. “My mate’s gonna kick my ass…and I’m going to have to let her.”

  Trayis sighed loudly. “See what I mean, doll? They are like overgrown teenagers. I’m reminding myself right now that dealing with them has been good practice for becoming a parent.” He kissed her cheek. “Say congrats, you two. Shay and I are having a baby. She’s pregnant!”

  Both of them stilled before wide grins spread across their faces.

  Gerri came running inside then, bending forward to grab her legs, panting hard. “Did I miss it? Did Shay shift?” Her head lifted and her gaze locked on Shay and Trayis. “No? Oh.” She panted some more. “Well, next time…” She gave Shay an encouraging. “It will happen. I have faith.”

  Wen dropped to his knees and gently rubbed her back. “I’m sorry, baby. I should have tossed you over my shoulder.”

  Gerri kept panting. “Shoulda. Coulda. Didn’t. It’s fine.” She straightened, staring at her mate. “I’ll remember that, though. Not only that you took off without me, but you would have carried me like laundry if you hadn’t.”

  Wen groaned. “Shit.”

  Trayis’s body shook as he laughed. “These are the future role models to our children. I don’t know if I should apologize or not.”

  Shay tried to hide her laughter but failed. “I think they’re great.” She turned in his lap, wrapped her arms around his neck, and kissed him.

  Trayis deepened the kiss. He could make her forget about anything. His hands roamed her body, making her moan against his tongue. He broke the kiss and glanced away.

  Her gaze followed. Their three visitors were gone, the front door firmly closed.

  “And that’s how we get rid of them. Good to know. That’s the fastest I’ve ever gotten them to leave.” He adjusted her in his arms and stood, carrying her toward the stairs.

  “What about work? You said it would be a busy day. You’ve had a lot to catch up on after spending so much time with me.”

  “That’s why I have two head enforcers. They can handle whatever needs seen to. I get to handle you.”

  Shay cuddled against his chest. “You’re going to spoil me.”

  “Every day, Shay. Every damn day. I’m so lucky to have found you.”

  “I’m the lucky one, Trayis.”

  He gently deposited her on the bed and crouched in front of her. “Let’s agree that we’re both blessed.”

  “Okay.”

  He lowered his hands, gently cupping her stomach and waist. “You’re making all my dreams come true, Shay.”

  “You do the same for me.”

  Their gazes locked. Shay remembered she needed to call Marcia to let her know—but that would come later. After she made love to her mate. She leaned forward and kissed him. Trayis had become her entire world…and soon, they’d ha