Cougar's Gift: Pacific Northwest Cougars: (Shifter Romance) (22 page)

L
ibby woke
up feeling physically better but emotionally devastated.

Knowing that she wasn’t crazy about being pregnant now had her at least connecting with the tiny life inside her. Before her family even made it in that morning the nurse came in to check on the baby.

This time, Libby looked. The tiny flicker on the screen was her baby. It was real, floating inside her. Her and Stryker’s baby. She had no idea how to raise a baby let alone one with claws.

But she couldn’t deny it any longer, no matter how fantastical the whole thing was. She was having a baby. If nothing else, she needed to focus on that.

Explaining it to her kooky family might not be as hard as Stryker imagined. The Berkowitz’s were always looking for the strange and unusual. They’d love to have the inside scoop on something paranormal.

“Do you want a copy?” the nursed asked her. She was well aware this was the first time that Libby had watched the ultrasound.

“Yes, please,” she said quietly. The crumbled copy had disappeared yesterday. She felt bad for not believing it before. She hoped little babies weren’t affected by their parent’s denial of their existence.

“Does your husband want a copy? I know they like to put them on their desks at work,” she offered.

“No, this one is fine.” She wasn’t about to explain it to a stranger.

“All right,” the nurse said, clearly not clueless to the situation. She pushed the cart out of the room and passed Stryker on his way in.

Libby looked up to see the man of her dreams walk through the door. It was also the man that, even though he hurt her worse than anyone ever had before, she still cared for him. She still loved him.

She didn’t give her heart lightly, mostly because she had never given it away before. He still had hers in his hands. She’d slept last night, but she’d also woken up for vitals checks and her thoughts would go straight to him.

“Hey, mouse,” he said. He was holding a huge bouquet of flowers, they were all daisies.

“Hi,” she said quietly.

He came over and placed a kiss on her forehead. If he’d try to kiss her mouth Libby didn’t know if she’d refuse him.

Stryker placed the flowers on her lap. “How did you sleep?”

“You know, the nurses told me you were outside,” she called him out.

“I wasn’t going to leave you. No matter how mad you are at me, Libby. I’m not going anywhere. I will do everything I can to take care of you and our child. Keep you both safe, even if you won’t talk to me. If that means sitting outside your hospital room or outside your house. I’ll set up a tent if I have to.”

Libby didn’t doubt him, for all his faults, he was loyal. She knew that about him instinctually.

“Have you eaten yet?” he asked when it was clear she wasn’t feeling talkative.

“No, they are going to bring me something. I’m starving.”

Her mom knocked on the door frame announcing their presence.

“Good morning, dear,” her mother chimed. She was carrying a large brightly colored afghan. She flicked it over Libby’s legs before kissing her cheek.

“Hey sport, you are looking so much better,” her dad said, beaming at her. “Morning Stryker, you on the other hand, don’t look as good.”

Libby snorted and Stryker gave her the eyebrow lift.

“What, you look like shit,” Libby remarked.

“Liberty,” her mother scolded.

There was another knock and a very nice smiling lady brought in her breakfast. She pulled the lids off as soon as they tray hit the table. It was rubbery eggs, cold toast and a bowl of fruit salad that was mostly overripe honeydew melon.

Libby’s parents and Stryker watched her eat every morsel on the tray. She didn’t even care they were watching she was starving.

They casually talked amongst themselves, but she knew they were counting each bite. About the weather and his family farm. Stryker kept up the pretense that it was just a small family farm. Libby wasn’t going to help him fix his undersharing with her parents.

She finished her food and was still hungry. She didn’t want to admit it, but it felt like she hadn’t had anything.

Begrudgingly she looked at Stryker, as always he read her like a book.

“What can I get you?” he immediately offered.

“A hamburger, no a cheeseburger, with bacon. Large fries, if they aren’t big enough get two. Oh and a vanilla shake, again if it’s not big enough, get two.”

Her mom was looking on horrified. Libby could feel her disapproval. Turning to glare at them she said, “I’m hungry.” Her tone dared them to comment.

Instead, her mother cleared her throat as her father fought a smile.

“I’ll be back,” Stryker said, nodding to her parents. He was out the door and the room was quiet.

“So,” her father started, breaking the silence. “How are things between you two?”

“Dad, it’s really complicated. Can you give me some time? I promise I’ll tell you everything as soon as I get it figured out for myself.”

“Oh course, Liberty, we will support you however you need. You just say the word,” her mother interjected.

There was another tap on the door. It was like Grand Central in her room today. Her doctor came around the corner. “Good morning, Ms. Berkowitz,” he said looking at her chart.

“Morning,” she said to him.

“Well, I would have to say that your vitals are all back to normal. I want to keep you on the course of antibiotics. The baby is doing great, so there is no reason to keep you here. I find healthy people tend to get sick in hospitals,” he said, finally looking up and laughing at his own joke.

Her father didn’t want to let the doctor be the only one laughing so he chuckled along.

“It takes a while to get paperwork organized, but I think by early afternoon we can have you discharged. Let’s say after lunch?”

“Thank you, doctor. I’d be happy to go home.” Libby wanted out of the hospital and out of the itchy gown. She had PJ’s to wear and books to read.

Mrs. Glass, one of her many regulars had taken up for Libby while she was sick. Opening the library and closing up at night. She had invited her friends and they were spending the days in the conference room playing bridge.

Libby was more than happy to give her some more free coffee klatch time with her friends. She was still tired and hungry, not to mention still really, really sad.

“I’ll let the nurses know,” he said. Libby’s dad shook his hand and the doctor left.

“Well, if that’s the case,” her mother started, looking at her husband. “Are you coming home with us, or will you be going over to Stryker’s?”

Her mother asked this like she was afraid her daughter was going to start screaming or throwing things at her. Like she had the energy, Libby thought.

“Mom, I just don’t know yet. I would say no of course I’m coming home with you, but it’s complicated.”

“Sweetie, we know that. You let us know either way,” her dad said.

“Just in case, we are going to go do some grocery shopping. Get the house settled before you come home.” This was from her mother that was already standing with her purse in hand. Libby wasn’t stupid, they were trying to leave before Stryker got back.

“Bye, baby,” her dad said, tapping her foot.

L
ibby was alone
for all of ten minutes before Stryker returned. He was toting two bags of food and two extra people.

Setting down the bags, he introduced the strangers. “Libby, this is my brother Dax and his wife and mate Effie.”

Libby saw that Dax kind of looked like Stryker, but his hair was lighter. He was taller and broader than Stryker. He was smiling a very kind smile. The woman looked like she’d woken up at three in the morning to get done up.

She was wearing a pair of navy blue slacks with a white sleeveless blouse that had an intricately folded scarf around her neck. Her ebony colored hair was pulled up on the top of her head in a huge roll that was curled over her forehead. The rest trailed down her back in soft curls. Her makeup was spot on with smokey eyes and ruby red lips. Libby felt like a slug next to her.

“Holy shit, Stryker! How did you manage to snag a sweet little thing like this? Did you find her in a convent?” Effie laughed.

“Effie, tone it down a notch huh?” Dax said, smiling at his wife like he was in no way actually annoyed with her.

“Nice to meet you, Libby. Welcome to the family,” Dax said, offering his hand to shake.

Libby took it out of politeness. “Hi,” she said quietly.

“Seriously, Stryker, she is so out of your league. Do I smell french fries?” Effie said, taking a sniff.

“Oh shit, yeah. Here, mouse,” Stryker said, pulling the rolling table with the two bags in front of her. “The fries were small so I got you two, same with the shakes,” he said, pulling the items out.

“Why don’t you two boys go bond or something,” Effie suggested to Stryker and Dax. “No girl wants a man watching while she’s horking down a hormone-happy meal. “Out,” she ordered.

Stryker looked at Libby. “I’ll be fine,” she answered. Now that she’d gotten her food she really didn’t need him anymore.

Liar, she thought.

“We’ll just be downstairs. Did the doctor come by?” Dax asked.

“Yes, he said I can go home this afternoon.”

Stryker wanted to ask whose home, but it wasn’t the time. Nodding he followed Dax out of the room.

“All right, I know you are starving but you have to at least share a fry or two,” Effie said, settling herself at the end of the bed. Propping her feet up next to Libby’s hip she gave her a wink.

Libby couldn’t help the shocked giggle that snuck out of her.

“Don’t worry, I’m a little much, but most people get used to me pretty quick. Plus, we are going to be third best friends. Don’t take that the wrong way it’s really just a title.

See my BFF Cassie is my first best friend slash soul sister. Then Everett’s new mate is my second best friend. Just you wait until you meet Layla she’s a ball buster. So that makes you my third best girlfriend.” She explained all this while snagging a fry.

Libby stared and grabbed for her burger. She unwrapped it and took a huge bite. Heaven. She chewed then washed it down with her shake.

“So, Stryker really fucked it up didn’t he?”

Libby nearly choked on her burger.

“Huh?”

“Oh, Dax told me everything. He kept you in the dark. Pussy move if I do say so myself.”

Libby had another mouth full of food. She chewed and swallowed. “You’re human right?”

“As human as they come. Of course I’ve got a little bit of Dax in me now,” she said pulling her scarf aside and the top of her shirt to show her a faint outline of what was clearly a bite mark. It had faded to a white/silver looking scar.

“Yeah, what does that mean exactly?” Libby said, shoving some fries into her mouth. Then she realized there was a whole other shake. She popped the top and dipped her next fries straight in the shake before eating it.

“Huh, my kinda girl. Anyway, you know shifter DNA, altering your human body yadda yadda,” Effie said, flipping her hand.

Libby slowly shook her head in the negative.

“Fucking hell, Stryker! I’m going to kick his ass. What did he tell you?”

“Not much, I was mostly delirious.”

“I don’t see a bonding mark, where did he bite you?” Effie was scanning her body.

Shifting her burger into one hand she pulled back the sheet and showed her the bandage.

“How the hell did he bite there during sex?” Effie was looking seriously confused.

Libby took another bite and shook her head in the negative again. She watched Effie put it together.

“Are you telling me you were in a hospital bed, sick as a dog. He walked in said, ‘hey babe I’m a shifter’, and fucking bit you on the leg?”

Libby nodded affirmatively.

“Oh, I am so kicking his ass. I’m going to offer you something that wasn’t given to me. Would you like the girlfriend’s guide to mating a shifter? I’m really thinking of writing a book, until then I’m happy to give you the crash course.”

Libby was almost done with her burger. Her stomach was feeling much better, she had in-bed entertainment and best of all she had someone who was going to tell her what she needed to know.

“Yes, please,” she said offering the pack of fries to Effie. She grabbed a few and started talking.

It was a massive download of information. Mating marks don’t fade even if you are a shifter. Shifters heal really fast. Shifters live longer than humans and now that she was a bit shifter she’d live longer too.

They did turn into big freaking cats, but sometimes their cats were easier to deal with than the men. Libby didn’t tell her she already knew about the cubs shifting, since she was on a roll and her hands were gesturing wildly as she spoke. Distracting her at this point could mean someone loses an eye.

Effie covered pack hierarchy, that Dax was the Alpha and basically in charge. That the boy’s mother who although still a horrendous bitch was now almost tolerable.

She told her Stryker’s twin, Everett, had switched packs. And that she was the first in the family to get pregnant with a cougar shifter. Kenzi’s baby was an adorable bear cub.

This news was a surprise to her. “Don’t you and Dax want kids?” Libby asked quietly, finally settling back in her pillows with the second shake.

“Sure do, but as Dax says the fates will send us our baby at the right time. Now as a human it’s hard to believe in all their mumbo jumbo at first.

But my bond with Dax is so strong, so true, it has to be guided by the universe. I know we’ll start a family. Now that I’m aging slower we have all the time in the world,” Effie said, her eyes getting soft.

“You’re nice,” Libby said, sucking on her straw.

“And you’re way too sweet for Stryker. I don’t know what the fates were thinking. But there is something about you, who you are, that they decided was exactly what he needed. Shifter mates aren’t like boyfriends or even husbands.

The minute they find their One their world turns on its head. You are their breath, their heartbeat, their happiness and joy. Your health, well-being, mentally and physically are their number one priority.

And I mean it. They will move heaven and earth to keep you happy, give you whatever you want, or what they think you need. And the Hayes boys? Well, imagine all that with unlimited resources.”

“Wow,” Libby replied. Yeah, someone like that sounded perfect.

“Yeah, wow,” Effie agreed.

“But, he lied to me. He didn’t tell me any of this. I almost died,” Libby reminded her.

“Yup, that sucks. Not saying it doesn’t. Let me ask you something. Does he talk to you?”

“Who? Stryker?”

“No, Big Bird. Yes, Stryker. Does he talk to you, like full conversations?” Effie asked.

“Well, yeah. We talk for hours sometimes.”

“I’ve known Stryker a bit longer than you and in total he has said eighty-seven words to me.” Effie left that to soak in.

“Eighty-seven?”

“Yup, I keep count. It’s a fun game and before you ask, no I do not count grunts, growls, or chin lifts as words,” Effie said, with a saucy grin.

Libby busted out laughing. Huge loud giggles that had her clutching her stomach.

“Yeah, laugh it up. Yet you have something no one, not even his mother, has ever gotten. Stryker’s words. And darlin’, just looking at you and how he looks.

I guarantee you have his heart, soul, and every syllable of his future. He wants to love you, take care of you and that little cub. And I’m just guessing, but after this catastrophe he will do anything, and I mean anything you want.

You just have to give him a chance. I’m not saying forgive him right away. Hell, I’d drag out his torture for a good long while. Middle of the night ice cream runs, hour-long foot rubs, day-long shopping trips.

Oh yeah, I’d make him miserable. Except see, he won’t be miserable. He’ll be over the moon you want to spend that time with him and that you are letting him take care of you. It’s a win-win, honey,” Effie said quietly.

Libby saw the honesty in Effie’s beautiful face. She wasn’t trying to convince her to take him back for Stryker’s sake. She was convincing her to take him back for her own. Her anger and hurt heart could keep her away from her life’s happiness. Forgiveness is divine, but Libby never was very religious.

“I need to think about it,” she said quietly to Effie.

“You do that, but if I can suggest. Do it at his house. If you don’t he’ll be camped out on your porch. Literally,” Effie said with a small laugh.

Libby looked at her like she was crazy.

“Oh yeah? He told Dax he would shift and his cat would climb some big tree outside your window and watch over you all night.”

Libby sucked in a breath. Had he really? She watched Effie nod.

“Think about it,” she said patting her leg. Effie grabbed the bag and shook it to find a stray fry in the bottom.

“We need more of these, I’m texting Dax.”