“That’s a bit far away for a rival, isn’t it?”
“Not really. The White Claws span all across Canada, but you have to go to the top of the chain to make peace with any of the factions. When they don’t return, the clan will assume they have been taken out by the White Claws and then have to decide if they want to take on such a large clan. My guess is that they won’t. I’m dead, as far as they know. So, I’m free.”
“You can go wherever you want then,” he said.
“Yes.”
“So, where do you want to go?” he asked.
“Nowhere. I want to stay right here with you,” she replied.
“I can live with that.”
“Even when I’m big and fat with babies?”
“Especially then.”CHAPTER THIRTYMalcolm
Malcolm had been more nervous than he could ever remember when he had approached Foster with his situation. His heart thumped against his chest as he sat in front of him, waiting to have a chat.
“What’s going on, Malcolm?”
“I came in to talk to you about my new mate.”
“Ah, yes. I heard you came dragging back in here with a pretty little thing by your side, but no one has met her yet. I’m looking forward to meeting her soon.”
“That’s the thing. I need to talk to you about her before anyone meets her.”
“Okay. What’s going on?”
“I won’t mince words,” Malcolm said, preparing to do the verbal equivalent of ripping duct tape off his lips. “She’s a bear.”
“I’m sorry?”
“A bear. She’s not a wolf. She’s a bear.”
“Oh. I see. Well, that’s unexpected. I never took you for the sort to go off the reservation, so to speak.”
“It wasn’t planned. She had an accident, and I found her. I felt like I needed to take care of her until she got better and then there were these members of her clan that were after her. One thing just led to another.”
“Is she well now?”
“Yes.”
“Is her clan still after her?”
“No. I mean, I don’t think so. They think she’s dead.”
“Well, then why not let her go to find her way if she’s out of trouble?”
“She’s pregnant. It’s mine.”
“Well, that does make a big difference, Malcolm. Wow. Alright.”
“Listen, Foster. I’m out of my depth here. I know that. I guess I fucked up as far as being Alpha, but I care about her, and I don’t want her to go.”
“Is she an Omega?”
“Yes.”
“Well, it’s unorthodox, for sure, but I’m the Alpha of this clan, and it’s my say what can be allowed and what cannot. You’ve been a solid member of this pack and never once let me down. That includes now, son. We can’t help who we fall in love with and I’m not going to kick you out of the Alpha running because that happens to be a bear.”
“Really?” Malcolm said in disbelief.
“Really. I can’t help you with how the pack will feel about her. We’ve not had a bear in this pack for a very long time.”
“Wait. What?”
“Did you think you are the only one who has fallen for some other species of shifter? We already have a dozen or so humans; why would you think we can’t accept a bear? There have been tigers, bears, dragons, and multi-shifters in this pack, just not for a long time. Your girl is welcome here. Bring her to meet me.”
“I will. Thank you, Foster.”
“You’re welcome.”
“Oh, one last thing. Um, this may be stupid, but I just don’t know and neither does she. Our litter. Do you know what it will be? I mean, bear or wolf? Will it be...something else.”
“You mean will it be some monster?”
“Yes,” Malcolm said solemnly.
“Son, it will be wolf or bear. It might even be some of each, but it will not be a freak. I promise you that.”
“Thank you, Foster.”
“You’re welcome. Now, get her to the pack doctor and let him check her out. I’m assuming you’ve been hiding this and haven’t already. Those babies will be here sooner than you think.”
“Okay. Thanks, Foster. I appreciate your support.”
“Always, Malcolm. Don’t ever feel like you can’t come to me with anything.”
Malcolm nodded and stood, walking out the door feeling a whole lot calmer than he had when he came in. Returning home, he found Autumn looking at the spare room of his house with an air of uncertainty.
“What’s wrong?” he asked, stepping in behind her and wrapping his arms around her waist.
“Is it big enough?”
“It’s a baby.”
“It might be more than just a baby. It might be more than one.”
“True. I talked to Foster and he doesn’t have a problem with us being together.”
“And the rest of the pack?”
“Remains to be seen, but we have the important blessing. We’ll just have to win the rest over.”
“I hope so.”
“We’ll hope for the best. It would be nice to have the support of the pack behind us, but we can’t get too bogged down in all that. We have each other, and that is all that matters.”