Mating Brand Read online

  “Yeah. The bastard is dead. I killed him myself.”

  “Good.”

  He studied her. “You okay?”

  She nodded. “I’m just so happy that you’re alive and home.” Her gaze flicked to the wound on his face. “Are you hurt anywhere else?”

  “Just some bruises and a few claw marks. He wasn’t a good fighter. I’m almost depressed over how easy that son of a bitch was to kill. I kept in skin so they’ll think a human killed him when they find his body.”

  “What about scent?” She didn’t want to offend him. She thought he smelled wonderful, but even her half-shifter side could detect he was a werewolf. A full-blooded one had better sense of smell.

  “He’s taking a bath in the river near where the pride lands end. They won’t pick up anything off him by the time he’s found.”

  “Are your cousins okay?”

  “They didn’t have to fight at all. They just watched my back when I took on Garrett. You’ll never have to worry about him coming after you.”

  “I told you he wouldn’t bother.”

  “I don’t believe that for a second. The guy had an ego, and there’s a good chance he’d have heard about where you ended up one day. Shifters tend to talk about a wolf and she-cat mating. His pals would have teased him until he wanted payback. I just made damn sure he’s never a threat.”

  She couldn’t deny that Garrett might have wanted revenge if he discovered that she’d left him for someone else. The fact that Brand was a werewolf would have really set off his temper. “I can’t believe he was alone when you found him.”

  He cleared his throat and glanced away.

  “What?”

  He met her suspicious stare. “Um, I might have had a little help with that.”

  “I don’t understand.”

  “I called your sister Meg and talked to her mate. He wasn’t a fan of Garrett’s. I like Cole. He’s a pretty cool guy for being a pussy.”

  “You involved them?” That surprised her.

  “I told Cole what Garrett had done to you and how I wanted to make sure you were safe. I needed to get your ex alone without his entourage.”

  “What did Cole do?”

  He hesitated.

  “What did he do, Brand? Did he put himself and Meg in danger?”

  “No. He just kind of implied that Bree had come back and she was hiding out by the river. He mentioned that she didn’t feel safe coming home, after finding out Percy had told Randy he could have her after her coming-out party.”

  Her eyes widened. “Why would Garrett want to see Bree? I keep telling you, he had to have felt relieved when I ran away. He sure as hell wouldn’t want me to return to the pride by trying to learn from her where I’d gone.”

  Anger deepened Brand’s voice. “He wanted you because of your looks and because you could breed him litters. Meg was taken—and you have to admit that Bree looks a hell of a lot like you. He’s suddenly single. Think about it.”

  She did, and it turned her stomach. “Bree never would have agreed to mating him. Never. He had to know that.”

  “You didn’t agree either but he forced the matter.” He moved them to the bed and shifted her a little so he could sit.

  She straddled his lap. “I’m glad he’s dead.”

  “Me too.”

  “Did you tell him we mated?”

  Brand grinned. “Your scent was all over me. I didn’t have to. He was shocked at first when he ran into a werewolf in his territory, but then he inhaled. It was priceless, seeing his expression right before I decked him. I made sure he knew why he was going to die.”

  “I really don’t want to hear the details.”

  He nodded. “It was faster than I’d planned but I was pissed. He started telling me how I’d regret mating you, and why.”

  She could imagine, remembering what he’d said about her to the enforcers that day in his father’s office. “You’re sure you’re not hurt?” She sniffed and picked up slight traces of blood but none of it was fresh. His clothes were new, since she didn’t pick up Garrett’s scent or that of the laundry detergent they used. They had that right-out-of-the-store smell.

  “I’m great, hon. It’s over. They’ll find him floating in the river. We covered our tracks. A jerk like him had to have made a shitload of enemies so it will be a long list of suspects. Shifter law is on our side anyway. He was a danger to my mate.”

  She still fretted, not wanting to bring another war to their pack.

  He seemed to read her mind. “We handled them the first time around and I doubt they’ll want to come back. Just a few of them survived, and it was only because we allowed it in order to send a message to your council.”

  “Percy is pretty vindictive, especially when it comes to his oldest son.”

  “He sent most of his toughest enforcers here to fight. They died. He can’t be that stupid.”

  She wasn’t convinced Percy could be sensible when he was angry, but she kept silent.

  “We’ll deal with whatever happens.”

  “I just hope this doesn’t blow back on Cole or Meg.”

  “We thought of that. All Cole has to do is play dumb by claiming that’s the information he had. It’s not as if Bree is ever going back there, now that she’s become part of our pack. Cole also seemed pretty certain that Percy wouldn’t dare attack his pride.”

  “Darbin would kill him. I think I told you that’s Cole’s dad.”

  “I met him. He’s cool.”

  “You met Darbin? Why?”

  Brand hesitated. “Your parents and brother moved into his pride with Meg, after they realized you weren’t coming back. I assumed you’d like to have access to them when you miss your family.”

  “Yes.”

  “We talked and decided we’d meet up halfway, in neutral territory. We’ll send a few pack to protect you and Bree, he’ll send a few pride to protect your family, and we’ve worked out a treaty between our people. We’re no longer enemies with Darbin’s pride.”

  Charma felt a little overwhelmed by her mate’s thoughtfulness. “Thank you.”

  “I don’t want you to have to give up the rest of your family to be with me.” He hesitated. “You’re going to really want them around in the coming months.”

  She frowned. “What does that mean?”

  His hands cupped her hips and he leaned back a little, glancing at her stomach. “Your scent has changed.”

  She blinked a few times, trying to make sense of what he was saying.

  “You’re pregnant, hon.”

  She gaped at him, stunned.

  “You are.” He grinned. “We’re going to have a baby.”

  “But…”

  “I’m sure. I had my cousins take a whiff of you a few days ago when we were at the alpha house. It’s not just wishful thinking on my part. You went into heat, I was already in heat, and jackpot.” He chuckled. “We’re expanding our family.”

  Her heart pounded with excitement. Tears filled her eyes but she blinked them back. She reached down and touched her stomach in wonder. She’d always dreamed about children with Brand.

  He covered her hand with his. She looked up into his eyes.

  “You are,” he repeated. “We’re going to be parents. We just need to get our doctor to schedule you an ultrasound soon to find out if we have enough bedrooms or if I have to build an addition on the house before they’re born. We’ll want all of them sleeping on the same floor as we are.” He winked. “You might be carrying more than one.”

  “You think so?” She’d always known it was a real possibility to get pregnant with a small litter.

  “I hope so, but I’m going to worry until you give birth.” His grin faded. “That’s why I took care of Garrett today. No way in hell was he going to get a chance to harm you again.”

  A new thought struck. She bit her lip, pondering if she should say anything.

  “What is it?” He arched an eyebrow. “I know you too well. What’s on your mind?”