Chapter 174

Shawna POV

My sister is crying at the end of the line, as if someone stole her whole world. "Lynn, it's a windshield. They caught the ones responsible. It's going to be fine."

"And what if it's not Shawna. This is the second time they have tried to sabotage us. Marjorie of all people, I barely speak to that two-bit floozy," she cries.

"Marjorie? As in Malik's mother?" I ask, surprised.

"Yes, the one and only. She and a very young warrior. Why would she be involved in that?"

"Malik," I reply. To me, that's a simple enough reason, but Lynn isn't catching on. "Lynn," I finally say sharply. "His mate turned out to be one of the purchased females that the Alpha had been talking about. Perhaps she's trying to protect him, keep him happy."

"What? Really?" She has calmed down to a sniffle and a hiccup here and there. "She's coming after me? But why?"

"She must have been told by the Alpha," I say. "Because you tried to leave, and he knows that you are pregnant. He didn't want you to leave. He wants to force you back and force you to leave your mate. Isn't that what he told you?"

"He wants to kill Clint. I won't let that happen. I'd move to another country if I had to," she says defiantly. "I can't believe he went to all this trouble."

"So you wait a couple of days in that little town, get the windshield fixed, and then you're on the way. You could wait another two days, so long as you are safe, right?"

"Am I though? What if the Alpha finds out and sends someone else? How can I be sure that Cedric will continue to keep me safe? He has to do something with these two idiots," she says. "Oh my, I can actually hear that woman carrying on through the walls."

"Lynn, I'm going to go talk to Michael about all of this. I will call you back. Stay calm, I love you," I tell her, and then hang up.

"Michael," I say, opening the door and walking out to the living area. I find him on the couch just hanging up from his call. "How long would it take us to turn around and get my sister?"

Michael's eyes go wide. "You mean turn around and drive to where they are? Babe, no. They will get the windshield fixed before we arrive. Why would you want to do that? We are so close to home."

I sigh, one of those deep, frustrated sighs. "It's just, I'd feel like we were doing something to help them." I throw my hands up. I'm being ridiculous. "I know, I know. That's ludicrous to think we'd be helping by driving and not even getting there in time to do anything." I laugh, but it comes out harsh. "Sorry."

"It's perfectly normal to want to help Shawna. Your sister sounded like a hot mess," he laughs, then stands up, walks to me, and pulls me in for a hug. "Let's get home. We will be there just after lunch if we leave soon."

"Okay," I reply. "I guess that makes the most sense." I pull back and narrow my eyes at him. "Who were you talking to anyway?"

"Cedric."

"Oh, please, do tell. What's the excuse? Marjorie? Malik's mother, that's what Lynn said. Why on earth would the Alpha send her?"

"I think because of Malik. His mate is one of the purchased females, so it makes sense. Also, I remind you that you yourself stated that the rumors are that Malik is the Alpha's son, right?" I nod. "It would make sense that he would want to protect him as well, although he can't possibly know that Lynn told us anything that created this investigation into his pack. So that's where I am stumped." Now that Michael says that, it has me wondering as well. Is this just a coincidence? Does the Alpha suspect Lynn knows? Does he really want her to come back because she's pregnant, or does he have ulterior motives?

"I had hoped that we'd have some peace after I was released from my contract and we set out to our home," Michael states. "I hope this is over for us soon. I hate that you continue to suffer, and you should be moving past this. The fact that it has somehow touched your sister, too, is just unfathomable." Michael rubs his hand over his two-day growth of beard. He hasn't shaved since Nashville. I am deciding if I like the beard on him, but then again, my mate is a handsome man. He looks good no matter what.

"It's not your fault," I tell him, running my hand up his chest to touch his cheek. "We can get going now if you want. I know you're anxious to get home."

Michael tilts his head down and kisses me softly. "Are you all packed and ready to go?" he asks.

"Just have to toss a couple things in my bag, but yes. We can go anytime you want. I would like some breakfast, but maybe we can get something to go," I say.

"Sure, we can do that," Michael says. I pull away and begin to put the rest of my things in my bag, then zip it closed.

"I'm set," I say. Michael grabs both of our bags and we go down to get some breakfast. He orders us breakfast sandwiches and coffee to go, pays the woman at the counter and then tells me he's taking the bags to the truck while I wait for our food. We are going to be home today. The place where he grew up, where his family is, the place we will start our own family. I place my hand on my stomache, reminding myself that I have a baby growing inside of me, and yet I wanted to galavant across country in the hopes of getting to my sister. In time do what exactly? I'm not sure.

I'm sitting in the chair outside the pick up area, waiting for our food when Michael comes back in and sits at the chair next to me. "You're quiet." He grabs my hand. "Lost in thought there?"

"I guess," I shrug. "Just thinking about our future, our home, our baby." Michael's eyes snap to my stomach where my other hand is resting.

"Are you feeling okay? You don't seem to be nauseous anymore," he points out.

"You're right," I furrow my brows, trying to remember the last time I felt sick. "It's been a bit actually. Over a week," I say.

"Does that mean we are past the twelve week mark?" he asks.

"I'm not sure. It's my first pup, so I'd guess the doctor can tell us once we get to your pack."

"Well that's today babe," Michael smiles. "We can go straight to her, if you want. Get you checked out and find out when we're due," he says grinning. "What do you say?"

I smile, "I'd love that." And I would. Thinking about that takes my mind off the depressing situation that my sister is currently in. I've got to remain positive for her as well. We are both having babies, and neither of us should be putting unnecessary stress on our pregnancies. To bad it can't be helped.