Chapter 153

Michael POV

"You see, I heard about an incident today. Seems that Jarod and Malik came upon you and Shawna at the lake," I nodded. "Anyway, Malik was upset. He went to the training grounds and sparred with anyone who would challenge him in his state of anger. A handful of guys stepped up and let him get his frustrations out." He held up his hand. "Don't get me wrong, he has no right to feel any way about you and Shawna. You are mates and he has a mate as well. I want you to know where this is coming from, though. I hope it will help us avoid an unnecessary confrontation."

"Okay," I leaned forward, resting my elbows on my knees. I was already over this irritation that Malik had for me, not knowing why he'd care when he has his mate.

"You see, Celeste did something she shouldn't have done, and I'm afraid it's done nothing but cause grief for Shawna and then for Malik," he lifts an eyebrow as if he expects me to respond. I don't. I give him my undivided attention. "She promised Malik that if Shawna didn't find her mate by the time she was twenty-one, he could have her as a chosen mate. But then they broke up, and he became aggressive, always coming here and asking for her. She would tell us she didn't want to see him. We would send him away. He cornered her a few times, grabbed her too tightly, and scared her. That sort of thing. When she disappeared and they went looking for her, he was determined to find her. I think in his way, he loved her. Celeste thought that Shawna ran away, on purpose, to escape what she had done. She's been consumed with her guilt in all of this." He paused and looked at the floor, then took a deep breath.

"Celeste acted irrationally over and over where Shawna was concerned. Her disappearance made her worse. You see, our daughter was always a coveted she-wolf, being as beautiful and intelligent as she is. Even the Alpha at one point thought she could marry his son."

"I'm not sure why you are telling me this, to be honest. We are mates. Malik has a mate, where is this coming from?" I asked.

"He thinks Celeste lied to him and that Shawna went away on purpose to avoid him. Of course, that's not true. He's just upset about the whole thing. He still chose a mate, and maybe that's why he's mad. He will get over it. He just needs a little more time, and Jarod is keeping him clear of Shawna. They know that you two will be leaving for Georgia in a few days, so I don't think you'll have any issues, but you should be cautious of him nonetheless. I know he cannot beat you, but I don't know what he would do. Our pack here, they can be a bit uncivilized, as I'm sure Shawna shared with you."

"I appreciate you filling me in," I stand. "I'm neither afraid of him nor concerned, other than for Shawna's safety. She's the most important thing to me, and I won't tolerate his harassment of her. He can try to come at me, but it will be a mistake."

Shawna's father smiles, "I figured as much. You kids have a good night." he picked up his book and returned to reading, as if he didn't just unload a pile of shit in my lap. I trudged back to the bedroom, waiting for Shawna to come out of the bathroom so I could shower. Maybe we should leave sooner rather than later. Shawna didn't need any of this extra stress, and if she were pregnant, which I was convinced now that she was, it would be best to get her to my pack doctor for a checkup. After all she'd been through, I want to make sure she's healthy in every way.

I must have fallen asleep, because I wake up to Shawna presses kisses to my face and neck. I growl and pull her into my side. "What are you doing?" I ask.

"Waking you up baby, so you can shower," she whispers. "My Mom is home, I heard her in the living room with my father. I think things went well with Cassidy today."

"That's good, right?" I ask, rubbing my hand up and down her back.

"Of course, it's wonderful," Shawna says, pressing a soft kiss to my lips. "Now go shower before I ravage your body right here."

"With my lake water stink?" I chuckle. "I mean I don't care if you don't."

"Go shower before my mother realizes we're both awake and then I have to get dressed and go sit out there and listen to her," she says with a smile. "I will be here waiting for you." Shawna climbs over me and slides under the covers, pulling them up to her chin.

"I can take a hint," I sniff my armpits. "Oh actually, yeah I'm gonna shower." Shawna giggles and then swats my ass as I get up from the bed. "I will be back." I slip out the door, gently pulling it shut behind me and head to the bathroom for a quick shower.

When I return, my mate is curled into a ball, fast asleep. It was a busy day and it seems I wore her out. I snuggle in behind her and pull her to my chest. Taking in a whiff of her scent, I can't help but let my mind wander back to what her father told me earlier. Malik had been promised her as a chosen mate. I can understand his anger, but he should be past that now. He has a mate and Shawna is alive and well and with her fated mate. He should be happy for her. If he ever really cared about her at all, that's what common decency would dictate. I sigh and close my eyes, not worried about him in the slightest. I think it's better if we just head out of here sooner rather than later. We have accomplished what we came here for, her parents have seen her and know she's alive and happy. Besides, I think about how she's been feeling lately and my instinct tells me that my mate is with child. Soon her scent will change and I will know for certain. Depending on the date she concieved, it will be evident soon.

I pull Shawna tight against me and close my eyes. In the morning I will broach the subject of leaving. I know she wants to at least say hello to her sister before we head out, so maybe tomorrow is a good day to head into town and get off this mountain side. We can get a hotel for the night and then start the rest of our journey to Georgia. That's what I'm thinking of as I drift into a dreamless sleep, my mate snuggled tight against me.