Marcus knew he was being uptight and overprotective. He couldn't bear to let go of her in the crowd. He hadn't thought it would be so hard. He wanted to stake his claim. He needed to. He also knew that since he had brought so many women to these events no one would take Amy seriously. That's why he was possessive. She deserved to be treated like a beautiful intelligent woman, not arm candy.Brian had greeted him cordially when Marcus went upstairs to get him and his wife. Marcus knew he would need to deal with Brian man to man. Amy cared about the suspicious man and Marcus wanted her to be happy. If he couldn't kill the guy the least he could do was become his friend. If Brian was game, they would work things out.Amy's guards had told him what Brian said at their lunch together. He knew Brian was investigating him. It would make things much easier on Brian if he stopped checking into his past. It was rock solid, but Marcus did not like unnecessary attention brought to his life. He r
The following afternoon they boarded the plane and returned to Arizona. Even if they were absent only three days, Amy missed the ranch, it was now her home but most of all she missed Alba. She got down on her knees and laughed as Alba's long rough tongue licked her face."I missed you," Alba mentally projected."I missed you too and I worried you would have the pups without me. You look like you might explode."The wolf gently nipped her arm and Amy rubbed the spot. "I didn't mean that as an insult, you are beautiful."Amy saw a similar look on Ivan's face, but his was from a lifetime of love and it was a heartwarming sight. He turned on his heel, left the room, and returned in wolf form.Ivan followed Alba over to her favorite rug and lay down beside her. He began grooming Alba and she didn't seem to mind.As Amy and Marcus turned to leave the room, Alba whispered gently into Amy's mind, "The pups will be here soon."Amy smiled and told Marcus she was starving. They went to the
Amy went into the kitchen. She saw Alba as soon as she walked into the room. Alba whined. Amy got on her knees and rubbed her head. She didn't want to touch Alba anywhere else and cause pain."You should have said something." Amy whispered."The longer I can put off letting everyone be aware the better it will be. Did Ivan tell you?""Of course, Ivan told me. You're being stupid and making me say mean things when you just need love, so stop with those thoughts. What do I need to do?""Go for a walk outside with me. It will be a while yet before the cubs come and I need to walk.""Okay, I can do that. Let me grab a jacket. Do you want the men with us?""Absolutely not! Birthing is for women and I don't care how the world has changed. When it comes to including men in childbirth I'm not changing.""I'll get my jacket. Can I at least tell them where we are going?"Alba just sent a long sigh through Amy's mind. Amy took that as a yes. Marcus was just waking up and Amy felt him. She
Ivan changed back to his wolf form and rested next to his wife and babies. Hours later Marcus picked Amy up and carried her to their room.She was exhausted, but it was a good feeling. Marcus cuddled her in his arms as she fell asleep. He held her as he lay awake throughout the night. He was thinking of how lucky he was, but at the same time, he was afraid of the future and knew he had to deal with Victoria for the last time. He always knew it was his responsibility to kill her and recognized that he owed her the end she wanted. The thought of Victoria's death no longer brought sadness. It brought completeness and was something he should have done long ago. He looked at the woman in his arms and knew he could not live without her. Nothing and no one would take her from him.When she began to stir, Marcus picked her up and carried her into the shower."I could wake up like this every day," she said and began kissing his chest as the water washed over them.Their time in the shower w
Another week passed and preparations for the babies' naming ceremony began. The other U.S. wolf clans would send envoys and there was a lot of work ahead. It was important for Marcus to show the strength of his clan as well as build trust among his allies. Dealing with different packs was always walking a fine line in diplomacy. The other clans had heard about his recent problems with the pride queen and expected to learn the latest news while attending the celebration. Marcus' clan was the largest in the U.S. and his fight could be theirs too.Amy was given free rein in the party preparations and she had a blast. She had never thrown a party and had no idea how much fun it would be. Alba grumbled but went along.It was obvious Alba had forgiven Ivan. He was never seen far from her side and Alba did very little growling when he was around regardless of which form she took. Ivan had taken her out for a few runs since the babies were born and Alba always appeared more relaxed when she
A few hours later, a loud knock sounded, on the door, at the top of the stairs. Mary was crying on the other side. Alba released Amy's hand and raced up the stairs. When she threw open the door, she could see tears on Mary's face. Alba placed her hand on Mary's shoulder and then stopped. She could smell the cats on her."What have you done?"Tossed backwards down the stairs, Alba was unable to stop herself from falling. The cats poured into the cellar. Victoria entered and stood glaring down at Alba as she laughed. She looked at Amy and the babies; then gestured to her cats to leave the cellar. "They're mine. I don't need help to finish this." Her gaze met Alba's with terrifying directness. "Oh Alba, more children for me; I thought the pain of losing the other two would keep you from wanting to suffer more."Alba was injured, but she started crawling to her children.Mary spoke, "What do you want with them? I thought it was Amy you wanted to kill." She looked desperate and wanted V
Philip said that Ivan left the house carrying the body of his wife. Marcus knew he should let him be alone with Alba but he couldn't. He followed Ivan's scent trail and walked miles into the woods. He heard the mournful howling long before he reached his friend.Ivan was nude and was sitting with his wife in his arms. The damage done to Alba's body brought fury to Marcus even through his wall of grief.It took a moment for Marcus to realize Ivan was speaking to him. "I can't survive without her. I want you to kill me. I need to be with her."Marcus knew Ivan asked the impossible of him. "Ivan I'm here to help, but I can't let you go. You are as much a part of me as Alba was part of me and I'm selfish. I need you; your children need you. I'm so sorry and I don't know how any of us will survive without her."The yell of grief that came from Ivan was shattering. Marcus knew he didn't have a choice and acted quickly. Taking blood would do what it always did and give the donor what he n
The hours passed swiftly and few words were spoken. Alba and Ivan's sons Asia, Conner and Duncan had a lost look on their faces. Columbus, the oldest, was the rock they all needed. Even Ivan was deferring to him.Amy did not know the brothers as well as she did Ivan and Alba, but she loved them. They were her family. They knew how much Alba cared about Amy and it meant a lot to them that she shared their grief.Marcus and Ivan left for a short time before the procession began. When they returned, both had red rimmed eyes. Amy could feel the sadness of the entire pack. She wasn't reading their minds, but she could feel the waves of sorrow they emanated.When it was time, they walked to the mourning site. Ivan carried the babies. They remained in human form and their small bodies had blankets tightly wrapped around them, more for emotional comfort than protection from the cold. They stayed quiet and needed the solace only their father could provide.Amy never knew her father. He died