“I know. I saw your hesitation and confusion. Markus’s actions were his own. There will be no more unnecessary deaths tonight,” Kieran said, pitching his voice loud and clear for everyone to hear.
“Show’s over,” Damien yelled.
The crowd began to disperse. Kieran’s pack mates talked among themselves. A few of them walked to where Kieran and Rain stood. Kieran’s heart warmed as Bianca, one of the olderwolves in the pack, took Rain’s hands in her wrinkled ones.
“Welcome to the pack, Rain,” Bianca said, then kissed her cheek. Tears filled Rain’s eyes as more of Kieran’s pack mates echoed Bianca’s actions.
Kieran smiled fondly at his mate. “You’re one of us now, Rain.”
Chapter Nine
Rain came to a halt and looked over her shoulder. No sign of Kieran yet. Good. She padded past a familiar grove of oak trees and entered her favorite clearing. Feeling thirsty, she drank from the small brook nearby.
Her stomach rumbled. She probably should have eaten a bite or two before going out for a run. After all, she was eating for two now. Grace told her this was the last week she’d be able to shift, so Rain took the opportunity to slip past her watcher and go for an afternoon run in the woods.
Kieran was going to be mad once he found out what she did. Her mate thought Rain should be in bed resting. Rain didn’t even know why she needed a bodyguard although Kieran frequently insisted on it.
It wasn’t like Rain had any enemies left. Three months had passed since Kieran killed Markus in the duel. Kieran had planned to deal with Felix eventually, but her former lead alpha got himself killed. According to Scarlett, an outsider had challenged Felix for his position and won. That was it.
Rain felt relieved after hearing about Felix’s death. It also didn’t hurt that most of Kieran’s pack mates had accepted Rain as the lead alpha’s mate. Of course, the fact Rain carried Kieran’s offspring didn’t hurt.
Hearing the rustling of nearby bushes, Rain spun only to see Kieran bounding right at her. He tackled her to a pile of freshly fallen leaves. Rain shifted to human form, and he did the same. He pinned her arms above her head while Rain’s heart beat excitedly against her chest.
“Naughty mate. Just found you slipped away from Damien’s watchful eye,” he said.
“I needed to go for a run. The baby might come next week or the week after. This is my last chance,” she reminded him. “Ican’t be stuck in bed all day, doing nothing.”
“All right,” he said.
Rain closed her mouth. She already had a dozen excuses ready on the tip of her tongue. “Just like that?” she asked, suspicious.
Kieran laughed. “I can’t just punish my beautiful and pregnant mate. But, Rain? Next time you feel caged, let me know. I’ll accompany you.”
“It’s just you’ve been so busy lately. I didn’t want to bother you,” she said.
“I’ll always make time for you.” He leaned in close and captured her mouth with his.
Just like that, Rain melted like butter. They’d only been mated for a few months. She thought the passion between them would fade in time, but the heat between them only burned hotter.
Kieran released her wrists, then ran his hands lovingly down the sides of her breasts, her hips. He started kissing the mate mark on her neck, then the tips of her breasts. Rain moaned as he left a trail down her distended belly. When his lips reached her clit, she willingly parted her legs for him.
She buried her fingers into the thick crown of his hair as he traced her pussy lips with his tongue. Kieran closed his mouth over the sensitive bundle of nerves. One nip, and Rain came all over his face. He pulled his head away, licking his lips.
Rain’s nipples tightened as Kieran lifted her legs over his broad shoulders. Then he entered her in a single thrust. She gasped, clawing at the ground to gain a foothold. He slipped in and out of her, mindful of her pregnant belly.
It didn’t take long for her to climax a second time. Her vision blurred, and she screamed Kieran’s name while he pumped in and out of her a few more times before filling her with his seed.
Afterward, he lay next to her, and Rain rested her head against his shoulder. Kieran brushed his fingers against hers.
She gave them a squeeze. “I love you so much, Kieran,” she whispered.
“I love you too, Rain,” he answered without hesitation.
Rain could hardly believe that four months ago, she’d been a miserable wretch at her old pack. Each day had been a struggle to live. During her darkest moments, she had almost given up on life. After her father’s death, she felt like a lifeless husk, but not anymore.
“Do you think if my father was still alive, he’d be happy for me?” Rain asked her mate.
“Without a doubt.” He raised her fingers to his lips and kissed each one.