Page 45 of Wrong Number, Right Lion

I took the hint, shifted back, threw my clothes on, and pulled out our sandwiches.

My mate, visibly calmer than he’d been in days, sighed contentedly. “I needed that. Thanks.” He reached up and brushed his hand against my cheek.

“Anytime, my love,” I murmured. “Anytime.”

23

ARLO

We were three weeks away from my due date.

I was on paternity leave and spent most of each day on the sofa watching soap operas or snoring, sometimes both at the same time, though Kalen said I couldn’t be asleep and watch TV.

I disagreed.

“Tonight’s a full moon.”

The full moon was significant to all shifters, I’d learned, and when possible, he preferred going to a vantage point and having the moonlight bathe his body.

“I’d love to go to my friend’s mountain where we had our first date.”

I snorted because he’d be going alone. I’d huffed and puffed more than the wolf in the children’s story, and now I was eight and half months’ pregnant. Even sitting in the car for long periods was uncomfortable.

“You should go.” I’d be on the couch or in bed waiting for him.

“But I’d like you with me, and the baby.”

Was he seriously suggesting I climb that steep slope? There had to be a miscommunication.

“Babe, I can’t. Waddling to the bathroom and back is all I can manage.”

He slapped a hand on his chest and laughed. “Love, did you think I was going to carry you? No, there’s a road so we can drive up.”

“What?” We could have driven on our first date, and I wouldn’t have been sweaty and freaked at the dark and unable to see an inch in front of my face?

“Oops. Sorry, but that first night I wanted you to experience the mountain with me. Remember the fireflies? And I said something good was coming.”

I was still peeved he hadn’t given me the option to walk or drive, but I had to admit, if we had driven, I couldn’t have appreciated the sights, the sounds, and scents as I sort of did when we hiked up.

“I don’t fancy sitting on the ground, though.”

Kalen took me in his arms. “I’ll take folding chairs and cushions, and we won’t stay long.” He stood behind me and massaged my shoulders.

My mate made hot chocolate and grabbed some snacks, and we left. I was ready to do something different other than staying on the couch. Today I’d been bored and had heaved my belly to one side and the other, not being able to get comfortable. And with little space left in my tummy, the baby was lodged under my ribs.Maybe getting fresh air and looking at the moon, plus drinking yummy chocolate, would help me sleep better tonight.

Kalen drove up the winding road which was on the opposite side of the mountain to the hiking trail. Maybe it was more of a hill ‘cause it didn’t take long to reach the top.

“This hill is an imposter, pretending to be a mountain.”

“Shh.” Kalen put a finger to his lips. “It might get annoyed with us and send a swarm of mosquitoes to nibble our flesh.”

Yuck! I hated mosquitoes almost as much as things that hid in the dark.

At the top, my mate set up the chairs and a table and covered my legs with a blanket. Now when the breeze rustled the trees, I thought of Princess and how she’d grow in the coming years and her late mom. A scurrying through the bushes had me imagining a rabbit rushing home to their burrow.

The moon peered at us over the trees, and I sent my mate a quick glance. His eyes were closed, and I scented not just Kalen but his lion. I’d never appreciated the moon until I’d mated, and I sent up a thank-you as the light spilled onto my belly.

A small pain stabbed at me, though it was more like a hug. It wrapped around me, and my back throbbed. I must have squeezed my mate’s hand because his eyes snapped open.

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