Chapter 49


The next morning found the two knocked out, curled up on the furs, during the night Shuu had wrapped his larger body around Kagome's smaller one. Cocooning her in his embrace, his body warmth made her scoot closer to him. Her hands rested on her stomach, caressing her baby bump, Shuu's larger hand clasped over hers in a protective manner.

It was a heartwarming scene and it should have made Parker upset to see his little mate wrapped in the wolf's arms as if they were lovers. Yet after yesterday his mind had been made up. Shuu was not only worthy of being a part of their brood but would be a great addition to it. He had put his life on the line for not only his mate but himself. Most males merely tolerated their female's other mates, often trying to pass them up and become the main male of the pack.

Whomever held their female's fancy the most tended to have the biggest brood of cubs. Some males downright planned the downfall of their male packmates.

Yet Shuu had put his life on the line without even being a full fledged member of their pack. He had no ulterior motives except to keep Kagome and himself alive and safe. Even if Kagome decided to not mate with the wolf he would always be ready to help and defend the other male. Though judging from the way they cuddled on the pile of furs he had no doubt it was only a matter of time until Shuu was welcomed into their home as a part of their pack.

Deciding to let the two rest he quietly padded his way into the kitchen and began to pick up the mess that had been left when Kagome had literally stopped what she was doing to run to his side. He made quick work, putting things back where he knew she liked them to be kept. Task done he took a seat at the table and glanced down at his hands. His biceps had deep purple bruises from the force of them being pinned to his side by the feral.

He knew he should have a few broken ribs but had no doubt his little mate had taken care of that last night. Things were kind of a painful blur, he remembered having a bottle of something foul shoved down his throat and then a warm fuzzy floating feeling as he drifted off to sleep.

He wrinkled his brow as he tried to recall more but it was hazy, shoving the thoughts away he stood. He had a lot to do today, people to talk to, deals and alliances to be made. There was no way he was going to let his pack stay in the beast city if that damn feral was going to stay around.

Either Bai and her males would leave or they would.

He would not put his mate and their cubs in danger as it was clear that Bai had no control over her mate, in fact he had a small suspicion that the other female liked having all the drama and fighting if only to play the victim.

A fang poked out of the side of his mouth as he made a mental to do list. He would have to talk with his mother, ask her if she could tap into the gossip grapevines. If Bai was planning something or still spreading rumors he needed to know.

He would also have to request a meeting with the ape king, there had to be something they could do to force the feral and if possibly Bai to move on to another village. If not they might have to relocate elsewhere and the Ape king would more than likely have an idea of a place they could call home.

Maybe by the sea, he heard that the mere folk were good with herbs and it would help his little mate settle in easier and feel more at home. Plus they would have access to salt and fish!

Ideally he didn't want to have to relocate his brood, let alone when she was so close to giving birth, but their safety came first. He would have to speak with Bart and the other's maybe he could gain them as official allies. The more eyes and hands he had to keep his mate safe the better.

He would also have to ask his father to train more with him, maybe even find a few sparring partners. He needed to get stronger, he wouldn't stop until he was as strong or even stronger then the damn snake.

"Don't frown so much, you'll get wrinkles." The soft female voice was light and airy with humor, his body tensing as a pair of arms wrapped around his shoulders. Catching his mate's soft floral scent he basked in it, his shoulders lumping as he relaxed in her hold.

"Mmm, maybe it'll make me look smarter?" He cracked a smile as she chuckled and pressed a kiss to the side of his neck before standing up fully, resting her hands on his broad shoulders.

"Maybe, anyways. How are you feeling? I couldn't heal you too much without raising questions but I did take care of the more serious injuries." He hummed in agreement, fully understanding why she did what she did.

"I'm fine, thank you my love. How are you? The cubs?" He knew healing took a lot out of her since she entered the final leg of her pregnancy. In fact he would have preferred her to not use her healing on him but knew that to try and dissuade her from doing so was a battle he wasn't going to win.

His mate was a stubborn little thing.

Giving a small yawn she squeezed his shoulder's lovingly before letting them go as she moved to the firepit to rekindle it and start some water boiling for tea. If she didn't brew it before midday her stomach would be upset, she had a hard time keeping food down if she didn't have her morning sickness tea.

This last leg of her pregnancy had been hard on her, most women had a glow in the final term of pregnancy. Her? She looked and felt like crap but it would all be worth it the second she brought her cubs into the world.

"Mmm, we're fine, just a bit sore." She busied herself as they made small talk. Grabbing the herbs she needed to steep in the now warm water. "Do you want a cup of green tea?" She glanced at him over her shoulder waiting for his answer. It had been a bit shocking that he liked the semi bitter brew. She would have assumed that he would like a more sweet or floral brew.

"If you don't mind. Afterwards I have to go see my mother and a few others." He smiled as she nodded and poured him a cup, moving to bring it to him yet she froze, a flash of pain tearing across her face as she let out a low pained whine.

He frowned and was on his feet moving towards her a she trembled, her shoulders hunching as the glass slipped from her hands to smash on the floor.

"Kagome! What's wrong!" The panic in his voice was nothing compared to the panic he was feeling. Curling her hands under her baby bump she could only whimper again as another flash of red hot pain tore through her, a sudden wetness pouring down her legs into a puddle around her feet.

"I-I think my water just broke!"