Page 101 of Echo and the Homicidal Sea Panda

The woman narrowed her eyes. “I supposeyou’rethe one who didthatto him.”

“Excuse me?”Mael frowned. “Did what towho?”

She didn’t reply.

“Is Echo okay?”His frown deepened as he looked between them.“Is he here?”

“He is, and he’s fine,” the man replied, lifting one brow while lowering the newspaper and cup. Mael noticed the same blue eyes as his mate. His father, maybe? “Who might you be?”

Mael released the breath he’d been holding. Echo was okay. His shoulders dropped, and he relaxed his brow.

“Maelstrom Marino,” he murmured. “And you?”

“Echo’s father.”

Mael stepped closer and offered his hand. “Nice to meet you, sir.”

Echo’s father eyed Mael’s hand, seeming hesitant to shake it—but he finally did. He didn’t look too happy about it, though.

Mael turned to who he assumed was Echo’s mother. “Mrs. Fisher,” he murmured, offering her a hand as well.

She glared, crossing her arms over her chest, refusing his handshake.

Mael lowered his hand and backed up a few steps.

Tilly pranced toward him before curling herself around his ankles in a figure eight.

“Tilly!” the woman barked. “Get over here.”

Mael inwardly rolled his eyes. Ifthe catcouldn’t be near him, would her son be allowed close? Not that he could say much. His mother hadn’t given Echo a warm welcome, either. Hopefully she’d be better the next time. She hadn’t given him many clues to where her mind was when he’d arrived home with Kaiden and the others.

Tilly leapt to the kitchen counter beside Mael, waving her paw at him, hinting she wanted his attention.

“Bad cat! Bad cat!”Echo’s mother roared, stalking Tilly’s way.“Get off the counter!”

Tilly leapt into Mael’s arms to avoid her wrath. He collected her against his chest with one arm and scratched between her ears. She purred loudly, giving the woman an insolent look. Mael gazed down at Tilly instead of acknowledging the anger on the woman’s face.

“Did you miss me, Tilly?” he whispered, giving her another scratch.

Tilly pressed her head against his fingertips and leaned her furry body against his. Her purrs vibrated against his chest.

“I’ve never seen that cat let anyone but Echo touch her,” Echo’s father murmured, one brow raised.

“Mom! What are you burn—” Echo strode into the kitchen in an old robe and froze two steps in. A gasp rushed out of his parted lips, his wide-eyed gaze locked on Mael.

Mael’s heart sped up the second their eyes met. He struggled to breathe. Echo’s face glowed, his eyes bright. They grew shiny with unshed tears.

After lowering Tilly to the floor, he marched closer, needing his mate in his arms. Echo launched himself at Mael, and they met in the middle of the kitchen. Seconds before he dragged Echo against him, he caught a glimpse of something. Before Echo could close the gap, he caught his mate’s hip and held firm. Frowning, he wrenched open Echo’s robe.

Whipping his head up, Mael caught Echo’s gaze.

“Surprise?”Echo whispered.

Mael’s knees went weak for a second, and he staggered back a step, turning his attention back to the swell of Echo’s stomach. He blinked a few times, his skin tingling all over. Mael moved his lips, but no sound came out at first. “You’re pregnant.”

When he lifted his gaze, he noticed Echo’s smile fading and doubt creeping in.

Unwilling to upset his mate, a slow smile stretched his mouth wider. Echo released a shaky breath, lower lip trembling.

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