The Beginning

[Mason's POV]

I turned my angry gaze towards Nigel and Ash. Those two were aware of Danica being close to giving birth. Why the hell did they bring up something that could cause her to feel extreme emotion?

"You don't have... " I began, but stopped as Danica shook her head.

Looking up, she gave a smile and shook her head, sending her long, dark curls cascading around her overly plump breasts.

"Thank you for this." She said, looking at Nigel and Ash. "Would it be okay if I took this home and read it?"

"Of course." Nigel responded. "It is yours to do with what you will. Just don't forget to let us know if you find anything about the wolves that we may be dealing with. "

"Why didn't you look for yourself?" I huffed in frustration. "You know her condition, but you do this."

"Mason, I'm fine." Danica sighed, beginning to stand. "Thank you both again."

Wrapping my arm around Danica's waist, I began to lead her outside where the sun was beginning to set.

"You okay?" I asked once we were back in the jeep.

"Hm?" Danica turned her beautiful golden eyes on me as my question sunk in. "Yeah, I don't think I can be too moved by the diary of someone I didn't know."

As her words hit me, I felt a pang of pain rush through me. I couldn't really understand how she felt since I did know my parents. But I knew that if it was Martha's diary, she would have most likely been a mess.

"Right." I sighed, putting the jeep into drive. "I guess you're right."

Despite saying that she was fine, Danica didn't speak the entire drive home. And even if she was trying to hide it, I could feel her tension radiating through the bond. It seemed that thanks to the damn shaman, I would have to take the time to make my woman feel better. Not that I was too opposed.

Since becoming pregnant again, Danica's breasts had grown so much bigger and they looked amazing bouncing while she rode me.

"Get your head out of the gutter before we get to Chris and Bella's." She called, snapping me out of my quickly drifting thoughts. "Heaven forbid they smell your desire."

Laughing, I caught up with her, wrapping my arms around her and resting my hands on her belly. Just as I put them in place, I felt a strong kick from the little dude that was baking inside Danica's body.

"I'm not removing them." I chuckled, taking my son's kick as him saying to stop touching his mom.

"Are you really arguing with an unborn child?" Danica asked with a giggle.

I immediately felt my heart race at how lovely her laugh sounded and found myself wanting to sweep her away right here and now. I was sure Chris and Bella wouldn't mind having Bryllie around a little longer.

I was so lost in my thoughts that I didn't notice that Danica had stopped until I almost ran into her. Stopping myself from colliding with her, I looked into her eyes and tried to decipher what was going through her head.

"What's wrong?" I asked, frowning slightly. "Why did you stop?"

"I was thinking..." She began placing her hand on my chest. "Maybe Bryllie could spend the night with Chris and Bella."

As she spoke, her golden eyes flashed with desire. It seemed that picking up on my thoughts had gotten her in the mood.

"Are you sure?" I asked, wrapping my arms around her. "I don't want to make you too tired."

"Mhm."

That was all the agreement I needed. My dick was coming to attention and it was screaming to be buried deep in my mate.

Scooping Danica into my arms, I began making my way towards our loft at the top of the packhouse. 

Although Danica had wanted to stay in the house that she shared with her adoptive mother, we had decided against it. Given that the trolls and harpies were still somewhere in the world, it just wasn't safe. Especially since we had Bryllie.

"I could have walked." Danica sighed, rubbing her chest against mine.

"I don't want you to overextend yourself... yet."

Reaching our destination, I quickly unlocked the door and headed in. Not wasting any time, I made my way to the bedroom and laid Danica on the bed.

Keeping my gaze fixed on her, I began to remove my clothes, taking pleasure in the look of hunger that was beginning to spread across my mates face.

"What about me?" She pouted, propping herself on her elbows.

Moving forward, I prepared to undress my queen, but stopped as the diary she had received from Nigel slipped out of her jacket pocket.

Looking over in confusion, she looked at the old leather-bound book with an unreadable expression.

"Are you curious?" I asked, letting out a breath.

I couldn't believe that a damn book had ruined the moment. But the reality of it was written all over Danica's face.

"Maybe a little." She admitted, giving an apologetic smile. "It is almost like a safe place for a little bit of my past."

"Yeah."

I knew it was a sore spot for her that she hadn't grown up in the world of wolves like the rest of us. Not to mention, she was all but lied to for the first 18 years of her life. Of course, the diary would call to her like a siren.

"Then how about you read it to me like a story book?" I suggested, plopping down on the bed beside her. "Maybe it will help me calm down."

As I spoke, both our eyes drifted down to the bulge that was very evident in my boxers.

"But…" Danica tried, but stopped as I shook my head.

"You're going to be distracted until you get to take a peek." I said slowly. "So, go ahead and read it to me."

"Alright." Danica sighed, picking up the book and flipping to the first page. "Then, shall I begin?"