There was just something about that guy that made Kade feel as if he were hanging around with Satan. He really wasn’t that bad, but the man definitely held a wicked gleam in his amethyst eyes.
As far as Kade could see, Oliver was doing all right. Whenever Kade visited the hut, Oliver was laughing and chatting with Keaton. He wasn’t an expert, not by a long shot. But it seemed that Oliver was going to be okay. The guy had even befriended Kade, asking him if Kade and Keaton wanted to hang out with him and Micah.
He had no problems with that. He was glad when Oliver told him Blair was doing fine. He really hadn’t meant for the brothers to find out. Kade didn’t hold the slipup against Keaton. The secret was out in the open and it looked like the brothers were going to be okay.
“Let me know if you need any help,” Bishop said. “I’m not that bad at carving.”
“Dude, I’ve seen your work. You carve just about as well as I drive.” Kade chuckled.
Bishop’s eyes softened. “It’s good to see you laughing again, Kade. It’s good to have you home, too.” His brother rubbed the back of his neck, as if telling Kade how he felt was like pulling teeth from a lion. “I’m proud of you,” his brother muttered.
Bishop had no idea how much that compliment meant to Kade. He had always looked up to his older brother and Bishop’s opinion always mattered to him. The anger and resentment that had festered inside of Kade for so many years over the injustice was almost gone, nonexistent. He had heard that his friend who had accused him of setting up the rape had passed away a few years back.
Kade couldn’t find it in himself to mourn the loss. But he had a life to look forward to now so he wasn’t going to dwell on his past.
He had a bright future and a sexy mate, and that was all Kade focused on. Keaton had taught him a valuable lesson about life, love, and forgiveness. He would forever be grateful to his sexy little leopard.
He directed the delivery men on where to put the supply of wood, feeling at ease and content for the first time in his life.
* * * *
Ahm returned to the ranch after his meeting with the Ultionem. His back was killing him and all he wanted to do was lie down. Bryce was standing in the living room, watching as Ahm shimmered in.
The damn bear was always watching him lately, as if Ahm was going to drop his load at any second.
“How did the meeting go?” Bryce asked as he ran his hands over Ahm’s swollen belly. Okay, admittedly Ahm enjoyed the attention. He loved when his bear rubbed his belly. During his pregnancy, he had found that the act turned him on. The doctor said that it was natural, normal since his hormone levels were so high.
Ahm thought it was weird as hell.
“Boring, my little ray of psychotic sunshine, but I have to attend nonetheless.”
Bryce growled. “You’re not supposed to be shimmering. The doc says it can add stress.”
Ahm inwardly groaned. He and Bryce had had this argument many times. With his back hurting the way it did, he was in no mood to rehash the valid points he had already made. “I’m fine.”
Bryce cupped Ahm’s face, his grey eyes searching. “You don’t look fine. You look pale and sweaty.”
Ahm pulled his head back in aggravation. “I’m pale by nature if you hadn’t noticed.” He opened his mouth to tell Bryce to back the fuck off when a strange noise fell from his lips. The sharpest pain he had ever felt in his life circled around his stomach and intensified right by his navel.
Bryce’s forehead creased. “What was that?”
Ahm’s hand flew to his stomach as his eyes snapped up toward Bryce. “I think you need to call the doctor.”
Bryce looked momentarily confused, cocking his head to the side. “Why would I call—Oh…oh yeah! Oh shit! Now? Right now?”
Ahm wanted to laugh and smack Bryce at the same time. He doubled over, crying out as the pain became worse. “Yes, now!”
Bryce ran toward the kitchen, pivoted on his heel, and ran back toward Ahm. “What can I do? Do you need anything?”
“A fucking doctor would be nice right about now!” Ahm grabbed the back of the couch, panting through the pain. His mate ran from the room and Ahm tried to move around the couch to sit down but the pain was too much.
He heard loud footsteps coming down the stairs and then Chauncey appeared. “What the heck are you doing? Why are you crawling on the floor? Bryce is going to be pissed if he sees you like this.”
“I’m in labor, you fucking moron.” Ahm was grateful for the small reprieve when the pain eased, finally giving him a chance to breathe.
“Bryce!” Chauncey shouted at the top of his lungs, his eyes panicked. The big bear began to backpedal, quickly retreating. “I’ll—I’ll go…uh…boil some water.”
Ahm ignored the nutty bear as the pain started to build again, wrapping around his stomach, centering at his back, and then shooting up his spine. He shouted, curling his hands into fists as he braced himself.
“I’m right here, snuggle puffs. The doctor is on his way.” Bryce scooped Ahm off of the floor and raced upstairs. He kicked their bedroom door open and quickly placed Ahm on the bed. “Tell me what you need me to do.”
Ahm rolled to his side, breathing heavily. “Since this is our first child, the first time I’ve ever been pregnant, how the fuck should I know?” Ahm didn’t mean to be such a prick, but he had never been in this much pain. “I swear to god, if you ever get me pregnant again, I’ll
