FavoriteObsession, page 32
The guy grinned. “I don’t need to escape. Once I mate the royal, they won’t kill me.”
“You can’t bind her to you. She’s…” Movement out of the corner of his eye stopped his words. He cursed inwardly. Abby held a jagged slat of wood in her hands. She crawled toward the doorway.
The shifter whipped his head and swung the gun. Josh leapt. He wrapped his arms around Abby. A shot rang out. His body jerked. Another blast followed and the world went black.
Chapter Thirty-Three
Something yanked Josh out of his regenerative sleep. He opened his eyes. Inky mist filled his vision. What had woken him? He frowned.
Something brushed against his stomach. He glanced down. Nothing. He pushed to his feet and surveyed the empty realm. No grass, no swing, no Mira…yet he heard her pitiful moans and felt her hands clutched around his waistband. Of course, she was in the human realm, not theirs. With his cats offering their heightened senses, he pivoted on his heel and listened. There. He focused on her cries and let his mind follow them home.
The scent of spring rain filled his lungs with his first breath. The barn where he’d found Mira surrounded him. People talked in the background but the sound of Mira’s sobbing captured his attention. He peered at her. She lay in a fetal position next to him with her hand fisted around the edge of his bloody jeans. His heart squeezed.
“Baby, don’t cry.”
She whipped her head up. Her eyes widened. “Josh.”
She threw herself into his arms. He held her close. “My kitten.”
“Where were you?” She leaned back. “I tried to find my way back into our realm but I couldn’t. The link was severed.”
Because he’d died and cut it.
He ran his hand over her tangled hair. “I’m sorry, baby. I had to heal first.” Or return from the dead. Whatever description worked. “I’ll always return to you.”
“I don’t understand. What are you? Obviously not human anymore but you’re not a shifter either.”
He glanced over Mira’s head. Several Shifter Affairs agents stared at him with shock. Not good. He turned his head and met Devin’s eyes. The other male nodded and ushered the humans out.
Once gone, he looked at Mira. “I’m still human. Well, mostly.” He shook his head. “I’m different, not a shifter, not a hybrid like our kids will be. I’m…” He grinned and thought back to the night in the bar that started everything. “I’m a black sheep.”
She chuckled and tightened her grip on him. “You’re my destiny. That’s what you are.”
He nuzzled against her. “And you’re mine, kitten.”
The door flew open. Kade stormed inside. “Zoe’s fucking gone.”
Mira twisted in her arms. Her pulse kicked up. “Oh gods. It’s my fault.”
“It’s mine, Mira, not yours. Remember I had ordered her to witness our mating announcement.” Kade flexed his clawed hands, over and over. “I’d thought allowing her to believe we’d mated was the best solution. Otherwise if the Council questioned her, they’d scent her lie.”
“It’ll be okay.” The reassuring smile she wore didn’t match the anxiety in her voice. “Josh will be able to get in touch with her.” She glanced at him, pleading with her eyes. “Won’t you?”
“I wish I could, but Zoe…” He didn’t know how to broach the subject of his little sister’s horrific past. Finally, he sighed and decided the facts Kade would find out if he investigated her would have to do. “Zoe doesn’t stay in one place. She roams the country, working odd jobs and living day by day.”
“Excuse me?” Kade’s retracted his claws and stepped closer. “Why?”
“She’s been running from her memories for years. I meant to tell you, but…” Josh blew out a rough breath.
“What happened to her?”
“She lost the love of her life and her unborn child within hours of each other.”
Kade cursed but Mira gasped. She covered the tattoo he’d had inked on his arm for his nephew. “John was her son?”
Tears burned his eyes. He nodded.
She hugged him close. “I thought…I thought John was yours.”
“No, kitten. The only kids I’ll ever have are the ones we create.”
“Oh, Josh,” she breathed and snuggled closer.
“Dammit, Josh. Tell me everything.” Kade’s agonized voiced boomed around them.
“They were killed.”
Kade growled. “How?”
“I’m warning you, Kade, let it alone. Her family’s gone, the murderer is in jail and Zoe wants to forget it. You push at her and you’ll never see her again.”
Kade turned and punched a hole in the wall. He braced his arms against the wood and hung his head. “She’s not here, Josh. I don’t think that’ll be a problem.”
“She’ll be back.”
“When?”
Josh shrugged.
Kade strode to the door. “Not good enough. I’m going to find her and bring her home.”
“You can’t abandon the pride,” Mira said.
He stopped and whipped his head to peer at her. “No, I can’t, but I can hire enough private investigators and stick enough shifters on her pretty little ass that she’ll learn what it feels like to be labeled as prey.”
Kade stormed out before Josh could deliver his warning.
“He’ll alienate her.” She leaned her head back to meet his gaze. “Won’t he?”
“Yeah, kitten, he will.”
He scooped Mira into his arms and pushed to get, but she pressed a hand to his chest. “Josh?”
“What, love?”
“I never touched Kade. I couldn’t.”
He settled her bottom over his lap and brushed his thumb over her cheek. “I know. You love me.”
She blinked rapidly. “I do. Gods, I love you so much.”
He leaned in and pressed his lips to hers. I love you too, my favorite little kitten. Always and forever.
She smiled. Always and forever, my mate. Always and forever.
Epilogue
Mira stared into the full-length mirror and grinned at the sight of her distended stomach. Her little ones didn’t have much room left, but they still managed to squirm around at night and wake her up. She placed a hand on her right side where her daughter’s rhythmic jerking sent ripples up Mira’s sides. The little girl had hiccups again. The poor child always got them. Mira ran her fingertips over the section of her belly until they eased.
She moved her hand to her lower back and pressed against the pain there. The ache she’d suffered with for months had worsened over the past few days. Her human doctor had told her it was a sign she was getting close to going into labor. She had to trust her knowledge since Mira couldn’t connect with her babes the same way she could’ve if her children had been true shifters. As hybrids they were an anomaly, much like her bond to their father.
She turned and let her gaze roam over the body of her mate. Josh slept on his stomach, one arm hanging off the side and the other hooked around his pillow. A sheet covered one leg, half of his firm ass and a small section of his back. Gorgeous. Love, lust and a deep affection filled her up. Tears misted her eyes, happy ones. She felt truly blessed to have found Josh.
A hand at her achy back, she waddled to their bed. Today was a day for celebrating, but sadness hung over it. Although Josh’s parents and Ella would be attending their small wedding, Zoe wouldn’t. She hadn’t returned to them despite Kade’s efforts to find her.
Mira sighed and bent closer to study the inked memorial to Zoe’s son. More moisture flooded her eyes. No mother should have to bury a child. She choked on a sob. A strong, warm hand covered her bare bottom. She jerked back, nearly toppling over. Josh stopped her tumble with his confident, familiar embrace.
“Sorry, kitten. Didn’t mean to startle you.”
The dream, the one she’d feared. It had been a flash of the future, just not the one she’d expected.
She glanced into her mate’s blue eyes and smiled even as tears rolled down her cheeks. “It’s okay. I was just thinking about Zoe.” She scrubbed at her wet skin and huffed. “These darn hormones are making me so emotional.”
He lazily traced her bottom and returned her grin. “It’s normal, love. Don’t be embarrassed.”
He would know she was too. Her feelings radiated along their bond yet she couldn’t feel his, another peculiarity.
“I wish she were here.”
“So do I, kitten.” Josh sighed. “I’ve contacted everyone I can think of to keep an eye out for her. With that and all the ads I’ve placed in the papers across the country, I’m hoping she’ll hear about our marriage and decide to show.”
Mira nibbled on her lip. “Maybe we should postpone the ceremony until she can join us.”
He shook his head. “No, baby. I want us to be man and wife before our little hellions are born. I promised my gran that I wouldn’t have kids out of wedlock.”
“We’re already mates. A slip of paper doesn’t mean anything.”
He shrugged. “Maybe not, but it’s important to my family. Besides, I can’t wait to see you in the wedding gown Jazz designed for you. From what I hear, she has the basement of the church turned into a mini-salon.”
A knock sounded, stopping her words. She peered over her shoulder.
“Let’s go, Mira. Kade is waiting for you.” Aron’s booming voice echoed from behind the closed door.
Josh tugged her closer. “You can’t have her yet. She’s mine for another hour.” He winked at her. “And I want to enjoy every moment of it before the girls steal her away to get ready for tonight.”
Aron’s annoyed grumbles faded. She faced a grinning Josh. He urged her to climb into the bed with him. Once she was settled on her side, he snuggled behind her and placed his palm over her belly. They lay there in silence for a long time. There was no need for words.
Finally, Josh kissed her mate mark, sending tingles skipping through her body. “Are you ready to become my wife?”
“Yes, Josh. I’m ready.”
“What about being a mom?”
She covered his palm. “I already am one.” Another wave of sadness brought a fresh wave of tears to her eyes. “At least to Megan.”
Josh pressed his lips to her neck. “You are to Molly, too. Kade said his cousin reads her all the letters you write to her. She sits and listens to him. That tells me she understands.”
She choked back a sob. “I want her to come home.”
“Soon, love. Zach’s determined to find the scientist from the medical facility where Molly was kept.” Josh helped her sit. “After the babies are born, we can plan a trip to visit Molly, okay?”
“Do you think it’ll be safe?”
Josh dropped to his knees and rubbed soothing circles over her belly. “Trust me. I won’t let you or our little ones get hurt.”
She smiled. “I do, Josh. I trust you with my heart, body and soul.”
“Same here, kitten.” He stood and offered her his hand. “Now let’s go tie the knot.”
She placed her palm in his. Three hundred years she’d live with the prophecy and the shame of her childhood hanging over her shoulders. With Josh smiling down at her, she didn’t resent any of the pain she’d suffered. She was thankful for it. It made her into the woman she was today, one who could appreciate and treasure her one true love.
“Yes, let’s make it official. I can’t wait to be your wife.”
He tugged her into his arms. “You’re my everything, Mira.”
And he was hers. Always and forever.
About Nancy Corrigan
Nancy Corrigan has always had an active imagination. When she finally sat down to pen her first novel, she found her sweet romance had too much spice. After trying to tone it down and failing, she gave in and let her characters have their way. She’s glad she did. Because isn’t the best romance the kind with lots of amazing sex anyway?
She’s lucky enough to share her cat's home with three wonderful children, husband, dog and snake. When not writing, she works in a pharmaceutical lab.
Her passions beyond family and reading include music, classic cars, tattoos and animals (all of which have found their way into her writing in one form or another).
Nancy 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 Nancy Corrigan
Royal Pride 1: Unexpected Find
Royal Pride 2: Beautiful Mistake
Ellora’s Cave Publishing
www.ellorascave.com
Favorite Obsession
ISBN 9781419991646
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
Favorite Obsession Copyright © 2014 Nancy Corrigan
Edited by Elizabeth London
Cover design by Fiona Jayde
Cover photography by CURAphotography
Electronic book publication April 2014
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