Ray tilted his head, cocking an eyebrow. “I see. So that’s how it is with Lions?”
“What?” Fox had turned away but looked back to Ray, frowning.
“Within a Pride, that’s how it is?”
“Yes, of course. Isn’t it the same here?”
“Well, sort of, but not so rigid. I understand why you’re so . . . uptight now. But why didn’t you just tell her that?”
Fox shrugged, exasperated. “Why? Because it’s fucking common sense that’s why! What’s so hard to understand, Ray? Why should I have to tell her something that’s a plain and simple fact?”
Ray held his free hand up. “Hey, I’m just asking is all. No need to bite my head off. I just didn’t realize how important it was to you, and to be fair, I’m pretty dang sure that Sheba didn’t either.”
“I’m going to explode,” Fox admitted. “My head feels as if it’s going to fucking explode.”
“Right, that’s it, I’m going to contact her. This is just crazy.”
Fox ran his hands through his hair that he’d allowed to grow and that now mirrored his Lion’s shaggy mane. His breathing coming in short gasps as his longing to have his mate safe grew to heights he didn’t know existed. He truly thought he was going to lose his mind if she didn’t return soon . . . like in the next few seconds.
“Why, Sheba? Why would you do this?” he mumbled, his body leaning over the porch railing as his anxiety increased.
“They’re on their way back,” Ray patted his shoulder. “I just spoke to her.”
“What? When? I didn’t hear you.”
“I used the damn cell, Fox.” Ray shook his head. “Right here.”
“Really?” Fox asked.
“Man, you are out of it, aren’t you?”
“I’m losing it, Ray,” Fox admitted. “How long?”
“Minutes, they’ll be here soon. But you need to talk to her and explain the ways of your people, Fox. She wasn’t aware of how you do things and she was excited and couldn’t wait. You know how she is and didn’t think you’d mind her going with Ari. So, please, don’t get angry with her when she gets here. Just explain things to her. Okay?”
“Fuck!” Fox ran a hand over his face, trying to calm himself before Sheba arrived. The last thing he wanted was for her to see him like this. “I’ll try but I’ve never felt so damn scared before. It was eating me up, Ray. From now on, she goes nowhere without me and she doesn’t leave camp, okay?”
“All right, my friend. I hear you and I’ll keep an eye on her too. I promise. Now, I’m going to go and leave you two to talk but I’ll be back to help you later.”
“Thanks, Ray, and let’s keep my little meltdown between us. Please?” Fox smirked. “I don’t particularly want her knowing I was a basket case just because she went into town.”
“My lips are sealed, kitty cat, my lips are sealed.” Ray chuckled as he left.
“Yeah, okay, mutt.” Fox laughed as the huge Beta sauntered away and he thought for the thousandth time how much his life had changed.
From a lone Lion to living within a Wolf Pack as an Alpha’s mate and having the massive Beta as one of his best friends was nothing short of a miracle. Let alone the way they joked around, and the first time Ray had called him kitty cat, well, let’s just say the entire room had gone so quiet a pin could be heard to drop. But Fox had stared the man in the eye, lifted his lips and smirked, and called him a mangy mutt who should be wormed more often and that had been the start of their friendship.
Yes, he’d come a long way since leaving his Pride those many years ago and he’d not change a damn thing . . . well, apart from Sheba going off on her own when she was so near to giving birth to their daughter. That was something he’d change for sure.
For now, he tried to compose himself so she didn’t realize he’d almost lost his mind while she was away collecting the crib they’d ordered and try to explain why she could not go anywhere else without him until they held their precious bundle in their arms.
Sheba wiggled in her seat, unsuccessfully trying to get comfortable in the truck. “Damn! I can’t wait for this little minx to be born. I can’t get comfy no matter where I am.”
“Not long now,” Ari almost squealed. Sheba couldn’t help but smile, her friend seemed more and more excited as the days passed and her baby’s birth drew nearer.
“I know, but I’m past the excited stage and now just want it over with.”
“Uh oh, Fox is waiting for you,” Ari whispered as she pulled to a stop.
“I know.” Sheba waited as he opened the door and helped her out. Normally it was something she’d hate but right now she’d accept any help she could get.
Fox gave her a quick kiss before picking her up instead of just giving her an arm to lean on. “Hey, Fox, you don’t need to carry me! Put me down.”
“Nope,” Fox said, kissing the top of her head. “Ari, just leave everything there. We’ll get it later.”
Ari just nodded as Fox strode away. Sheba waving to her friend as they went.
“What’s going on? Ray said something about Lions and them not leaving the Pride when they’re close to giving birth?” Sheba could feel the tension in her mate, even if his face had a smile on it.
Fox nodded. “Yes, I made the mistake of assuming it was the same with Wolves, especially when Tilly told you to stay in camp, I thought you would. I didn’t expect you to take off with
