Page 93 of An Unending Claim

Nathan closed his eyes, remaining still while I held his face again and urged him down for another kiss. Then I whispered, “Living without you isn’t living. It’s simply existing. I want to feel alive.”

He opened his eyes, and they were molten silver as love and lust wound their way around us. “No sex. Doctor’s orders,” he complained gruffly.

Then he cupped one of my breasts and kissed me with more fervor, our tongues reacquainting themselves with each other. My panther vibrated with excitement, unaware that we were about to be left sexually frustrated. When he pulled back, I was panting and so freaking needy, I wanted to strangle Myka, even though I was sure she wouldn’t have set the rule if it wasn’t necessary.

My cat hissed and growled, seriously pissed, until Nathan purred, “But that doesn’t mean I can’t make you feel alive, baby.”

His hand moved to the valley between my breasts and began to travel down, but stopped suddenly on my stomach.

Our eyes flew to meet, both of us shocked and excited. “Did you feel it?” I asked breathlessly as I placed my hand over his.

“Was that…?”

I nodded. Then it happened again. Our little girl kicked.

We sat in stunned silence for a bit, enjoying the tiny bumps that made it all the more real. My panther was in the same euphoric state, laying her essence right over the spot where our cub was growing.

I thought about our future, no more living in fear—and not just from the people threatening my life. I wasn’t going to let anything scare me away from an eternity with Nathan and our family. We’d walk side by side, partners, parents, lovers, and still be ourselves. Nathan and I were strong apart, but we didn’t have to be when we leaned on each other. We were a force to be reckoned with.

Loving Nathan, being his mate, it wasn’t a cage. And neither was being Alpha female to the pack. These were new experiences, too, and every day would bring new ones. I didn’t want to miss any of them.

“Yes,” I whispered. Nathan raised his head and cocked it to the side, his gaze curious. “Yes, I’ll stay.”

He smiled smugly and shook his head. “It’s adorable that you thought you had a choice.”

“I’ll check in from time to time,” my dad said a few days later as he closed his arms around me. “I’d like to meet my grandchild when she’s born.”

“That would be great.” I smiled as I hugged him back.

Things were still a little awkward, but it would take time to soothe the wounds I carried from being abandoned as a child. I wanted to have a close relationship with my dad, though, so I knew it would all work out eventually.

“I know Nathan won’t bring you for a visit now, and I agree with that choice. But, perhaps after the baby is born, you could all come. Georgia and your siblings are eager to meet you.”

I started to agree, but was cut off when Nathan interjected, “When it’s safe.”

“If we go by your definition of ‘safe,’ that will mean never,” I snorted. Nathan shrugged and I rolled my eyes before turning back to my dad. “I’ll work on him.”

My dad smiled, his green eyes twinkling with laughter. “I’ve no doubt you’ll succeed.”

I grinned, but both our smiles slowly died as the reality of the situation intruded. Taking his hand, I gave it a gentle squeeze. “Thank you for coming.”

“I’m sorry it took me so long,mon ange. I promise to be around for you and the baby for as long as I can.”

The reminder of his mortality sent a sharp pang through my heart. I hadn’t discussed it with Nathan–or my dad–yet, but I was determined to find a way to change things.

“I love you,” my dad murmured as he cupped my face and kissed my cheek.

I wasn’t ready to say it back, and I was grateful when he smiled and nodded, acknowledging that he understood and wasn’t offended. “See you soon,” I whispered.

“Yes, you will,” he replied with a wink. Then he held his hand out to Nathan and they shook. “I know you’ll take care of her.”

Nathan nodded. “Of course. She’s my mate.”

My dad’s lips stretched into a grin. “Yes, but I meant because she’d kick your ass if you didn’t.”

Nathan chuckled and slipped his arm around my waist. “Yes, she would.” Then his silver eyes dropped to my face and his expression was soft when he added, “But, I’ll never give her a reason to doubt how much I love her.”

I practically melted at his words…it seemed there was a sappy romantic hidden somewhere inside me. He brushed a kiss over my lips and when I stood on my tiptoes to deepen it, we were startled apart by the clearing of a throat. I turned back to my dad with a sheepish grin and shrugged.