Fuck, but the only thing Liam wanted to do was throw Eli over his shoulder and carry him up to their bed.
That was right. Their bed. Liam had started sleeping in the same room Eli did out of convenience. He loved falling asleep at the end of the day and waking up every morning next to Eli’s cute sleeping figure.
He always made sure Eli was well-fucked and sated before they went to sleep. Just that morning in the shower, Liam slipped his dick inside Eli’s tight ass. He still wanted more.
Ever since Liam gave Eli his mate mark, they couldn’t get their hands off each other. They were horny as hell, which was only expected as they were newly mated.
Liam doubted the heat between them would cool down anytime soon. Keep it in your pants, he reminded himself. His grizzly disagreed.
No, Liam decided. Once he locked Eli and him in their room, they might never come out.
He kept his gaze on Eli’s face but rested the palm of his hand against Eli’s slightly distended belly. A male Omega’s pregnancy only lasted three months. Eli was only going to get bigger with time.
“Logan, I made you a sandwich as well,” Eli said.
Eli’s smile never faltered once. Logan stomped up to Eli, frown on his face. Nonetheless, his brother accepted Eli’s offering.
These two weren’t exactly the best of friends yet but Liam could tell Logan was puzzled by Eli. Logan had a tendency to scare off most folk— humans, and weaker shifters included, but Eli stood his ground around him.
“When is your doctor’s appointment?” Liam asked Eli.
He suddenly remembered Eli needed to head to the shifter clinic in town for a check-up. There was no way in hell was Liam going to let his mate go alone.
Eli wore his mate mark and carried his scent. That mark was a warning to would-be predators, opportunists who might see a pregnant Omega as potential prey. Still, Liam wasn’t going to take any chances.
“Crap. I forgot that was today,” Eli said with a sigh. “It's just been a very busy week.”
“Yeah.” Liam cupped Eli’s cheek. He looked into Eli’s eyes.
It amazed him how easily Eli had gotten along with his brothers. Eli didn’t need to involve himself in the running of the lodge. Yet, his Omega insisted on contributing. His mate was the creative sort. Eli always had ideas on how they could approve and Liam loved listening to them.
“Don’t get me wrong. I loved fixing up the place with you guys,” Eli began.
“Logan included?” He asked.
Logan snorted in the background.
Liam looked over his shoulder, surprised his brother picked up his paintbrush, and continued his work.
“Absolutely. He’s grumpy but he’s nice,” Eli said. “The other day I was working outside and he made me a cup of coffee while I wasn’t looking.”
Liam could hear Logan cursing in the background. Eli must’ve known Logan better than he thought. Logan could never take a compliment. It was amusing to think Eli was capable of making his tough and usually solitary brother blush.
Liam smirked. “What time is your appointment?”
Eli checked his wristwatch and widened his eyes.
“Oh no. It’s at noon, an hour from now. Think we’ll be able to make it?”
“We will,” Liam promised him.
He didn’t exactly relish going to town but this trip was more important than getting supplies for the lodge.
Both Eli and he needed to know the baby was healthy.
“Give me five minutes to shower and dress.” Liam added.
“I’ll be waiting in the truck,” Eli said.
Eli
“Liam, is anything wrong?” Eli asked, concerned.
The shifter doctor applied cool gel over his exposed stomach. Liam stood by the door, arms crossed. Eli’s bear still wore his scowl. Eli shifted a little on the examination table but the doctor gave him a warning look. Oh right. Eli needed to stay put.
“Nothing. I’m good,” Liam said with a grunt.
Eli knew they generated a couple of stares when they entered the clinic.
Thank God the clinic was small and private, unlike the crowded hospital in town. They’d reviewed their options together and it was a no-brainer that they agreed Eli should give birth here.
For one, Dr. Lee seemed professional. Unlike most of the townsfolk, Dr. Lee wasn’t intimidated by Liam’s size or reputation. Liam had been moody since they drove into town.
This was only their third trip to South Pine. Their previous trips to the grocery and supply shops had been quick and efficient.
Liam didn’t waste any time lingering. Eli knew that if he asked if they could walk around and do a little window shopping, Liam would concede.
His mate had a hard time saying no to him but Eli didn’t want to make it any harder on Liam. Liam wasn’t fine. Eli knew his mate didn’t feel comfortable being around other people in South Pine.
Seeing the locals either looking threatened or acting scared of Liam, didn’t help his mate one bit. The last time they went to the supermarket, one gutsy werefox had approached Eli. The bastard asked Eli if Liam was holding him captive.
The werefox was a stranger who assumed the worst. Eli had been pissed, to say the least. He argued with the werefox and defended his mate passionately until Liam had to gently steer him away.
He remembered Liam looked a little pleased as they were driving back home.“I could’ve taken him,” Eli recalled saying, heat in his voice.
That was a complete lie and they both knew it. He only felt brave because he knew Liam would never let anything happen to him.
“I know,” Liam had replied.
Once they returned to the lodge, Liam pulled him to their room and made passionate love to him.
That was a good day, Eli mused.
Eli blinked. He was letting his mind drift when he should be focusing on the present. Liam’s grizzly was clearly on edge. Did someone annoy his bear on the way here while Eli wasn’t looking?
He could sense the
