Her voice caught in her throat. “Alastair had his own plans. First, he killed my father and brother and installed himself as our new Prime. He then set his sights on you and your territory, but he needed your brother out of the way.
“One of our elders helped me escape. I was the next in line after my brother died, same as you here. They hid me away, and it was then I realized I was pregnant with Charlie’s baby.” She ran a hand through the child’s thick, dark hair.
“This is Charles Edmund Duran, Jr.” Her eyes misted and when she lifted her face, her cheeks were wet. “Charlie for short, just like his daddy.” She smiled, giving Becca a shrug. “He’s your nephew. Your brother’s child.”
Becca moved to where Eleanor stood and knelt in front of the shy little boy. “Hello, Charlie.” She slipped two fingers under his small chin and the little one looked up. When his eyes met hers, tears stung. He had her brother’s face.
“Charlie’s half cougar, half leopard. I want him to learn about his father and his Leap, but I can’t leave the pride. I’m all they have.” Eleanor hugged her son. “WE’RE all they have. I didn’t find out Charlie was dead until after Alastair came back wounded and swearing vengeance. The elders kept me hidden knowing the baby I carried put an even higher price on my head.
“Alastair’s death is a blessing. He kept our men under his thumb by threatening their families. Wives and children were held under threat of torture if the men didn’t follow his demands. You freed us, Becca. You and your new mate.”
“What can I do for you, Eleanor? How can I help?” Becca asked. “After Charlie died, I had no family.” She glanced at Jaylon and then at the little boy and finally at his mother. “Now I have you. You’re my family. What can I do?”
Eleanor looked at Chester and then at the elders seated at the council table. “The men Alastair coerced into helping him. The ones here in Pineland. I want you to let them come back with me to Wind River.”
Becca looked at Lucilla and the elder motioned for the guard. Three Pineland males walked in and stood in front of the council and Becca’s heart sank as her eyes fell on one man.
Kyle Foster. Lyssa’s father.
Now she understood what Jaylon meant.
She rounded the table, her adrenaline wild as denial coursed through her. “No,” she shook her head harder, “please tell me this is some kind of mistake!”
Kyle’s sad eyes found hers and he nodded. “A mistake, yes, but it’s mine, Becca. Not yours and not the council’s. I got played, sweetheart, we all did and I’m so sorry.”
32
“Played? Why would you deliberately agree to involve yourself in something that hurt our people? Hurt me? Lyssa is like my sister—and you—you’re as close to a father I’ve had since mine died.” She took a step closer to the man, but Jay held her arm.
Kyle looked at the two men accused beside him. “We didn’t sign up for that. None of us knew that was Alastair’s plan. He promised if we helped him, he would help our Leap regain its pride, its strength. We had no idea we were dealing with a delusional nutcase.”
Disbelief flooded Becca’s chest and her throat tightened. “How could you not know? Or at least suspect? Alastair led the raid on us that killed Charlie and so many others.”
Kyle raised one shackled hand. “He told us he was wrong, that he wished you well, wanted to make amends for what he did.”
Becca was almost speechless. “And you believed him? Without checking with Jasper or me or anyone?” She shook her head. “Alastair sold you a pack of lies. He didn’t want the leopards to rise again. He wanted to strip us of everything we had with me as his prize.”
Kyle’s voice broke. “We know that now. I thank God you weren’t hurt.”
Jaylon stood, his chair clattering to the floor. “Not hurt? Your selfish appetite to get what you think was owed you nearly cost Becca her life.”
Tears stained Kyle’s dirty cheeks and Becca’s heart broke for the man she knew and loved.
“There are traditional measures for this kind of betrayal, foolishly brought or not, and I know you are fully aware of the consequences.”
She watched three heads fall to their chests in dejection. “However, my new sister-in-law has provided us with an alternative solution. I put it to the council, though it is my decision that you be exiled for two years. One for each bullet I suffered because of your actions.”
Kyle flinched at her words, but Becca continued. “You will have no place in our Leap or anywhere in our territory during that time. You will take a place of service in the Wind River Pride and work off your time there. Think of it as an indentured sentence. At the end of those two years, we will reevaluate the situation and see. My sister-in-law Eleanor will be your arbiter.”
Kyle’s eyes met hers. “What about Lyssa?”
Becca’s heart squeezed knowing how hard this would be on her friend, but she shook her head. “You should have thought of that before you allied yourself with our enemy, regardless of what bullshit he sold you.”
She exhaled hard and threw a hand in the air, pacing toward the window. Frustrated, she turned, her eyes seeking Eleanor.
“I don’t know, Eleanor. How can I send these three with you to Wind River knowing they followed Alastair’s lead with nothing hanging over their heads to make them do his bidding? To make them turn against their own? How can I trust they won’t turn again and put you and little Charlie in danger?”
Eleanor gave her a soft smile. “Look at them, Becca. Use your senses. Can’t you smell their regret, their sorrow? It holds no trace of disloyalty or lies. Their remorse is genuine. They love you and they love this Leap. Let them come with their families to help heal our pride. In doing so, they’ll help heal themselves. They can teach my son about his father and the leopards of North America. Charlie will be our Prime one day, but he will also be one of you. A cousin to your child.”
“My child?”
She grinned, nodding. “You leopards have been away from the mountains far too long. Can’t you tell? Your scent is saturated.”
Becca spared a glance for Jaylon who shook his head. “Don’t look at me. I’m a city wolf.”
“Wait. You can tell if I’m pregnant?”
Eleanor chuckled. “There’s no if about it. That boy is potent!” She gestured to Jaylon.
Becca’s mouth fell open, speechless. “I would know if I were pregnant, wouldn’t I?”
Eleanor shook her head. “Not always. Sometimes, little ones change their scent enough so it’s not easily distinguishable from their mother’s. I can tell because I’ve had years of practice.”
“Okay, then.” Lucilla banged her gavel on the council table. “The elders agree with the ruling of our Prowl Leader. Those here will be sent to live with the Wind River cougar pride for a term of two years. Their families are allowed to go as well. After such time as Eleanor Duran, mate to our former Prowl Leader, Charles Duran, advises, you will be assessed and reinstated into the Pineland Leap.” She banged the gavel again.
Lucilla shooed everyone from the room, with Eleanor suggesting they talk more a little later, but Becca barely heard a word. Her eyes stayed on Jaylon until they were the only ones left in the cabin.
“Do you think she’s right?” Her question was barely a whisper.
He pulled her into a loose hug. “I don’t know. It’s a two-hour ride to the nearest drug store. We can hit the local CVS and have you pee on a stick before we head to the airport.”
“Don’t be so jokey. This is important.” She gave him a playful shove, but he didn’t let go.
“It is and it isn’t. We’re mated Becca, and we’re older. This is what I’ve wanted. You, me, and a family of my own. Our own.”
She eyed him with a disbelieving smirk. “You’re only saying that because it’s the safest thing to say to your wife who’s about the freak.”
He kissed her. “True, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t genuinely what I think and feel.”
“But so soo
n? Jeez, Jaylon. We’ve been together less than a month and yet here we are mated, married, and now expecting? Aren’t you scared?”
He shook his head. “After almost losing you to a bullet, a baby will be a walk in the park. Literally.”
A slow smile spread across her lips. “I can just picture you pushing a carriage in the park.”
He laughed. “And how do I look?”
Slipping her arms around his neck, she kissed him softly. “Gorgeous.”
“What’s that rhyme? Becca and Jaylon sitting in a tree...first comes love…then comes marriage…”
She smirked again. “Fast tracked. That rhyme was definitely fast tracked.”
He pulled her in closer. “That’s the way I do most things.”
“Oh really? I know one thing you like to do slow. Hard, yes. Rough, sometimes…but you definitely take your time.”
“Oh, and what’s that?” He leaned in, taking her mouth.
“Making babies.”
He grinned against her lips. “What do you suggest, then?” His hands slid to cup her full ass.
Becca’s breath hitched.
“Practice…lots and lots of practice.”
Epilogue
Becca opened the door to the nursery and stopped dead in her tracks. She’d been wondering where her husband was. He’d left her in bed after making her knees turn to jelly and hadn’t returned with the promised meal. After a while, she’d decided to go looking for him.
There he was, rocking their newborn while chatting animatedly with her. She padded forward quietly, taking in the scene of her mate and their daughter. Love filled her heart to near bursting.
He glanced up and smiled, his voice soft as he continued to talk. “I think your mommy is angry with me. I promised her food but instead came here to steal some time with you.”
Their little Sophie closed her eyes and gave the cutest tiny yawn.
“I guess she is trying to tell me she’s had too much fun with you and isn’t ready to hang out with me,” Becca grinned.
Jay put Sophie in the crib facing the massive window where thick snowflakes fell. She loved winter. And now even more that she had Jay to keep her warm.
He turned to Becca and gave her that panty-melting smile she’d come to love. “Why don’t we get you back into bed?”
She raised her brows, curling her arms around his neck and grazing her fingers into his hair. “I was supposed to get fed.”
With a quick lift, he had her in his arms, heading to their bedroom. “I’m going to feed you so much cock you will never go hungry, baby.”
She snorted and kissed his chin. “You are such a pig.”
“But you love me anyway.”
She nodded, staring deeply into his eyes as he stopped by their bed. “I do. I love you so much, Jay.”
A flirty smile played over his lips. “I know, baby. I love you, too. Now let’s see about your hunger. I’m feeling pretty hungry myself.”
“Jay!”
She giggled when he dumped her on their bed, hopping on after her. With Jay, life was never boring.
The End
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About the Author
New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author
Hi! I’m Milly Taiden. I love to write sexy stories featuring fun, sassy heroines with curves and growly alpha males with fur. My books are a great way to satisfy your craving for paranormal romance with action, humor, suspense and happily ever afters.
I live in Florida with my hubby, our boys, and our fur children “Needy Speedy” and “Stormy.” Yes, I am aware I’m bossy, and I am seriously addicted to iced caramel lattes.
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Milly Taiden, Piece of Tail: BBW Paranormal Shape Shifter Romance