“Yes.” Droplets streamed down her cheeks.
He placed his hand on her abdomen. “We are much like humans, and carrying more than one child is rare. The length of pregnancy is nine lunar cycles and we are born in human form.” He kissed her cheek.
It was a relief to know about the child she carried. Their child.
“Do you have more questions?” His voice was soft and encouraging.
But now that she had a few more details she needed time to formulate more inquiries. “Not yet. I’m sure I will in the coming days.” Since she’d realized she could be with child she’d gone into shock, then fear, and finally, had been given this reprieve.
“This is wonderful, my witch.” He covered her face in kisses. “The pack will be thrilled.”
“Please don’t tell them.” She’d hardly adjusted to the news herself.
“Why not?” The shock was evident in his eye.
“I’d like us to wait.” Nothing was sacred between just her and him. “Until after we depart from Italy, not to add to everyone’s fears, please. I would appreciate a little time for you and I to adjust to the news. Us two.”
He kissed her forehead. “Very well. Ours to know until our departure from Italy.” The pack already had to watch over her with such caution, since the Nazis wanted her blood to build an army with her abilities. She’d yet to figure out what was so menacing about her Shunu gifts. Imagine the added stress of the pack finding out she carried the Alpha’s pup! There was no way she could do that to them, given how dangerous getting out of Italy would be since that country had joined with the Nazis.
A knock came from the other side of the door.
“I’m needed.” He got out of bed. “I am very happy. Try to get some sleep as I’ll need you to see to my satisfaction before lunch.” Covering his melted eyelid with his patch, he smiled and kissed her nose.
She shook her head at his silly talk. “You mean you need to see to my bliss before lunch.”
“And dinner, oh, and don’t forget, just before bed.” He pulled up his pants, tugged on his shirt and slipped on his Nazi jacket.
Franko was just outside, waiting for VanWolf to go with him.
Chapter 2
Cathen sensed the Alpha–VanWolf–enter the train car and glanced over the back of his seat. VanWolf wore the Nazi uniform.
In the past few weeks, Cathen had avoided the Alpha, but he was often left watching over his mate. The Alpha had marked the woman meant to be Cathen’s mate. Only he and VanWolf knew this to be true, since VanWolf had been the one to foretell the events. Resentment lay heavy between them. The pack was all the family Cathen had left. Soon not even that would matter to him. Then he would give VanWolf no choice but to free him from his role as Epsilon-Beta. He would leave for good.
VanWolf stopped next to him. His broad frame obstructed the pathway’s overhead light.
“Get off the train and take Alexia with you to the rendezvous point,” he ordered.
Something wasn’t right, and it hadn’t been for days. VanWolf’s behavior was anxious and cautious. Recently, he changed orders on a dime. He threw sharp glances over his shoulder. Given the pack rescued Jewish orphans, danger was always at their heels.
Cathen clenched his jaw. All he seemed to do lately was escort the princess wherever VanWolf ordered. Didn’t the Alpha get that the last thing he wanted was to cart Alexia around? “What’s going on?”
“Let me worry about that.” VanWolf lowered to Cathen’s eye level, pulled a bag from his shoulder and placed it on his lap. “I need you to make sure my wife is kept safe and out of Nazi hands. She’s in the next car. I won’t be far behind you. The rest of the pack is already on their way to the rendezvous location.”
The chill in his blue eye iced Cathen’s soul. “Yes, sir.”
VanWolf rose, spun back in the direction he’d come from and exited.
Cathen got up and headed through the adjoining doors. Passengers slept in their seats as he weaved his way to her. Heaviness weighted his shoulders. Spending the next few days trapped with the blissful Alexia and VanWolf sounded as fun as getting his fingernails ripped out with a pair of pliers.
Alexia sat staring into the night. Then her gaze met his in the reflection of the window. A red shawl covered her head and wrapped over her mouth.
“What is it?” She shifted toward him.
“Come.” He extended his hand to her.
They were all accustomed to vanishing on a moment’s notice. She placed her gloved fingers in his palm. Her touch tormented his senses, igniting warmth within his chest. He directed her back and opened the emergency door. Cold night air assaulted his skin, cooling the inner fire raging. The train slowed. He buttoned up his long gray wool jacket and put on his fedora. Cars on a road a few miles ahead intersected the tracks. This could be trouble. He hoped VanWolf knew what he was doing. The uncomfortable prickle in his chest told him werewolves were not far.
The conductor shouted and waved at the men getting out of the vehicles.
“When I say jump, we jump, all right?” Cathen grabbed her by the shoulders.
Alexia shook her head, big green eyes fixed on him. “I can’t.”
“Why not?” Did she expect him to ask the conductor to stop the train? Their lives were in danger. There were creatures neither of them wanted to have an encounter with just ahead.
“I just can’t.” She crossed her arms.
Cathen would see about that, and pulled her near. Not wanting his body to register the feel of her, he leapt and twisted to break her fall. The icy snow bank jabbed into his back. The impact forced his lungs to plead for air. He held her secure to his chest.
“You didn’t have to do that.” With her pointy elbow, she stabbed his sternum while the softness of her curves stirred hunger that had gone dormant lower. Being this near to her would only fan a fire better turned to ashes. But such was life and his suffering.
“You’re welcome, princess.” His only defense against the wound of losing her was to annoy her to the point she avoided him. Nor did she talk to him. Though he knew his hurtful words dug into her, he found himself helpless from lashing out with venom at her, if only to protect himself against the effect she had on him.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to sound ungrateful.” Her famous sultry pout surfaced.
Tougher and more hardened men than he had melted at her loveliness. She tugged the dangling strings of his heart. Despite the fact that he wanted her to have no influence on him, she did.
“Don’t worry. I’m just the hired help following orders,” he snapped. He lifted her and himself upright. This wasn’t the time for him to have an argument with her, but he couldn’t help it. “Stay low and follow close behind me.”
She slipped her hand into his.
Such a simple gesture, but it woke desire. Even with all his hurtful words, she trusted him with her life. He inhaled her fresh scent in the bitter cold air. An ache shot to his groin, filling him with lust. Wind blew snow squalls around them. Visibility was minimal. He took cautious steps forward.
Alexia glanced back at the stopped train. Men with flashlights searched under the railcars one by one.
Cathen dragged her to the densely wooded area.
“Wait.” She pulled away. “I can’t connect with VanWolf.”