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 asking 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 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 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 met him. He’s cool.”
“You met the pride leader? Why?”
Brand hesitated. “Your parents and brother moved into his pride with Meg after they realized you weren’t coming back. I assume 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.”
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 said.
“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 are 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?”
“What do you think they’ll look like? Do you worry about that?”
“I hope, if we have any girls, that they look like you. That’s a given.”
She laughed. “You know what I mean.”
“It doesn’t matter. They are ours, hon. Chances are they will be able to shift. You’re half and I’m full-blooded. I know they’ll be as cute as hell, whatever a part wolf, part leopard looks like in fur. It’s also a given that, in skin, they’ll look like every other kid.” He paused. “It’ll work out.”
“I’m so happy but I’m a little scared.”
“The pack will accept them. They’ll never be snubbed or teased. No one would dare. I’d kick their asses.”
He did know her too well. She let go of her fears. “Okay.”
“I’m kind of a badass,” he teased.
“You are.” Her gaze lowered to his chest. “And you’re really sexy.”
“I think we should celebrate by getting naked.”
“You always suggest that and I always agree.”
Brand leaned closer until their noses touched and stared deeply into her eyes. “We’re together and the world is right. Relax, Charma. It’s all downhill from here. We’ve been through the worst when we were apart. Nothing we ever face could be as bad as life was without you.”
“That’s very true.”
The playful glint returned to his gaze. “I want you to know that you saved me when you came home. Someone
was offering me up to their grandmother as a boy toy. She wanted to become a cougar. I much prefer belonging to a sexy leopard.”
Her eyebrows rose.
“Seriously. Do you think I would have made some grandma a happy woman?”
She reached for the buttons on his shirt. “Let’s find out in about twenty-five or thirty years when our kids start having babies. I’ll be a grandma then.”
“I can’t wait. I’ll embarrass our grandkids by chasing you around and carry you off to bed every chance I get.”
Charma choked up and hugged Brand. “I don’t know what I’d do without you.”
He held her tightly. “You’re never going to have to find out.”
About Laurann Dohner
I’m a full-time “in-house supervisor” (sounds much better than plain ol’ housewife), mother and writer. I’m addicted to caramel iced coffee, the occasional candy bar (or two) and trying to get at least five hours of sleep at night.
I love to write all kinds of stories. I think the best part about writing is the fact that real life is always uncertain, always tossing things at us that we have no control over, but when you write, you can make sure there’s always a happy ending. I love that about writing. I love to sit down at my computer desk, put on my headphones and listen to loud music to block out the world around me, so I can create worlds in front of me.
Laurann welcomes comments from readers. You can find her website and email addresses on her author bio page at www.ellorascave.com.
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Also by Laurann Dohner
Cyborg Seduction 1: Burning Up Flint
Cyborg Seduction 2: Kissing Steel
Cyborg Seduction 3: Melting Iron
Cyborg Seduction 4: Touching Ice
Cyborg Seduction 5: Stealing Coal
Cyborg Seduction 6: Redeeming Zorus
Cyborg Seduction 7: Taunting Krell
Cyborg Seduction 8: Haunting Blackie
Lacey and Lethal
Mating Heat 1: Mate Set
Mating Heat 2: His Purrfect Mate
Mine to Chase
New Species 1: Fury
New Species 2: Slade
New Species 3: Valiant
New Species 4: Justice
New Species 5: Brawn
New Species 6: Wrath
New Species 7: Tiger
New Species 8: Obsidian
New Species 9: Shadow
New Species 10: Moon
New Species 11: True
Riding the Raines 1: Propositioning Mr. Raine
Riding the Raines 2: Raine on Me
Something Wicked This Way Comes, Volume 1 anthology
Something Wicked This Way Comes, Volume 2 anthology
Zorn Warriors 1: Ral’s Woman
Zorn Warriors 2: Kidnapping Casey
Zorn Warriors 3: Tempting Rever
Zorn Warriors 4: Berrr’s Vow
Print books by Laurann Dohner
Cyborg Seduction 1: Burning Up Flint
Cyborg Seduction 2: Kissing Steel
Cyborg Seduction 3: Melting Iron
Cyborg Seduction 4: Touching Ice
Cyborg Seduction 5: Stealing Coal
Cyborg Seduction 6: Redeeming Zorus
Cyborg Seduction 7: Taunting Krell
Cyborg Seduction 8: Haunting Blackie
Mating Heat 1: Mate Set
Mating Heat 2: His Purrfect Mate
New Species 1: Fury
New Species 2: Slade
New Species 3: Valiant
New Species 4: Justice
New Species 5: Brawn
New Species 6: Wrath
New Species 7: Tiger
New Species 8: Obsidian
New Species 9: Shadow
New Species 10: Moon
New Species 11: True
Riding the Raines 1: Propositioning Mr. Raine
Riding the Raines 2: Raine on Me
Something Wicked This Way Comes, Volume 2 anthology
Zorn Warriors 1 & 2: Loving Zorn
Zorn Warriors 3: Tempting Rever
Zorn Warriors 4: Berrr’s Vow
Ellora’s Cave Publishing
www.ellorascave.com
Mating Brand
ISBN 9781419991899
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
Mating Brand Copyright © 2014 Laurann Dohner
Edited by Pamela Campbell
Cover design by Allyse Leodra
Model Jimmy Thomas
Electronic book publication May 2014
The terms Romantica® and Quickies® are registered trademarks of Ellora’s Cave Publishing.
With the exception of quotes used in reviews, this book may not be reproduced or used in whole or in part by any means existing without written permission from the publisher, Ellora’s Cave Publishing, Inc.® 1056 Home Avenue, Akron OH 44310-3502.
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This book is a work of fiction and any resemblance to persons, living or dead, or places, events or locales is purely coincidental. The characters are productions of the author’s imagination and used fictitiously.
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Table of Contents
Blurb
Title Page
Dedication
Prologue
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Epilogue
About Laurann Dohner