Page 20 of Lion Conquers All
Ryder groaned and reached for Ava, pulling her back for another kiss.
She smiled against his lips and twisted away. “We need to go.”
“Dalmeckwoman, you started it.”
“That’s why I finished it.” She gave him a wicked smile that told him tomostlybehave himself and headed for the back of the MCC. He loved her. Loved her so hard, it was impossible to imagine how he’d ever thought he could run from her like he did when he first saw her on that snowy mountainside.
He followed her into the back hallway. They both waved at Katherine in the office, then continued through the kitchen and out the back door where their pickup was parked.
The sky outside was clear. The air was warm at least for now, but the promise of snow hung in the atmosphere so strongly Ryder could taste it. They needed to find these kids quick. They might have a day or two before the first blizzard rolled down from the mountain.
“I’m not the only one smelling that, am I?” He climbed into the driver’s seat and started the truck.
Ava jumped in from the other side and shook her head. “No, I can too. It smells like winter. But it’s early. Even the locals have been grumbling about how early it looks like snow is coming this year.”
“At least Penny’s crew got Owen and Tara’s cabin done. I’m sure they’re happy to be moving in for real next week. They haven’t announced their news yet. Why do you think they’re waiting?”
Ava shrugged. “They’ll tell us when they are good and ready. Just because we can smell it doesn’t mean we have to ruin the announcement. Plus, she could be freaked out. The humans so far have had multiples, but Tara was bitten. She has a beast. I wonder if that will affect the number of young.”
“I remember a couple sets of twins when I was with our pack, but nothing more than that,” Ryder said, driving carefully down the main road. There were teens and people everywhere, even a few tourists. According to Kann, all of Douglas’ tourist cabins were full too.
“Our tribe had a pair once, but I can’t remember anyone every talking about three or four young at once.” Ava snapped her seatbelt into place. “Are you ready to be a father?”
Ryder’s chest tightened like someone had put a mountain on it. He’d thought about it—being a father. It terrified and excited him at the same time. He also wondered what he and his mate’s children would be. Would they be bears like Ava or wolves like him? Could they have both. He’d never known anyone personally who mated across tribes.
“I don’t know. I feel unprepared. But at the same time, I can think of nothing else I’d rather share with you,shuarra.”
The smile he was rewarded with told him his answer was the right one. Then another completely different thought crossed his mind. He slammed on the breaks and pulled over on the side of the road.
“Did I miss something? Are you pregnant?” His conscious mind ran amuck through his memories. The last few times they were together. Had Ava tasted different? Had her scent changed? He would’ve heard a heartbeat. A quick one. Babies had fast heartbeats. Was he that oblivious that he didn’t even know that they’d already made a child together?
“I heard a heartbeat last night.” Ava’s words were slow and precise. Her eyes were glistening and her smile was so wide it seemed to split her face in half.
A child.
He was going to have a child.
Theywere going to have a child.
A father. He was going to be a father.
His heart felt as though it would burst from his chest. It was beating so loud. So hard. His hands would’ve trembled had he not been gripping the steering wheel so tightly. He couldn’t breathe. His lungs were frozen.
After what seemed like an eternity, he gasped, drawing in a huge breath.
“Are you pleased?” Ava’s normally loud take-charge voice was small and worried.
He threw the truck into park and then took her face in his hands, staring her straight in the face. Her beautiful brown eyes. Her creamy smooth skin. Her silky long brown waves of hair. He loved everything about her. Her strength, her heart, the way she tried to take care of everyone around her. Now she needed to take care of herself. Now he needed to make sure he took care of her even more.
“I couldn’t be more pleased, my love. I’m so full of pride and joy and love for you I might burst from it.”
“Good. Good.” She repeated the word a few more times under her breath. A single tear rolled down her cheek and he used a thumb to wipe it away.
“Did you think I wouldn’t be?”
“I wasn’t sure. We’d not really talked about it. And then when the others’ babies came…we still didn’t talk about it. You didn’t avoid the babies. You liked them and held them as much as anyone else. I just…I don’t know what my mind was thinking.”
Ryder nodded, but never dropped Ava’s gaze. Never let go of her face. “I won’t lie. There were times last year before the tribe accepted us that I worried how having a family with you would go. Would it be safe? Would I be constantly worried about a dragon. Worried about humans figuring out we weren’t like them. I still worry about that because we live in the town and not out with the Tribe. But we’ll have to take it one step at a time, yes?”
