Maggie suddenly felt timid standing alone next to an Omega wolf—she wasn’t scared of him, but he might be able to tell exactly what was wrong with her, and why. The reason for her attempt to return to the pack, as well as the reason she’d left in the first place. Was she ready for anyone to know it all?
For many years she’d been on her own, dealing with her fears. She still wasn’t ready to admit to anything more than she needed help healing her body. Maybe in a few weeks, or months, she could talk about the rest of the trouble. Now it was enough she was attempting to rejoin a pack on a trial basis. She pasted on a bright smile before lifting her gaze to his. The expression on his face made her drop the fa?ade.
Damn.
“You know what’s wrong with me, don’t you? And why?”
He dragged a hand through his hair, staring off into the distance. When he looked back at her the anger and indignation she’d seen was once again controlled. He nodded slowly. “It’s an Omega thing.
Don’t worry, I won’t tell anyone, and I doubt Missy will pick it up. She’s a little distracted right now. But, Maggie, you need to understand—you’re safe here. Erik is a rock. You can share anything with him.”
Tad’s simple statement, and the lack of pity in his eyes did more to ease her fears than anything else.
“Thanks.”
“Now, we’d better get inside. Missy’s a trifle…touchy these days. I’m going out of my way not to piss her off.”
The house was clean and tidy except for a few toys scattered around. Bright pictures and fabric filled the cozy rooms. Maggie admired what she saw as they moved at a quick pace through to the back of the house. There the kitchen faced the trees, and just to the side was a cheery sunroom with floor-to-ceiling windows. Missy sat curled up in one of the comfy chairs, basking in the sunlight.
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23
Vivian Arend
“Maggie? You’re here!” Missy twisted in her chair and what Maggie thought was a pillow twisted with her. She threw her arms open wide, her eyes bright and her smile from ear to ear. “I can’t believe you’re finally here. Come and give me a hug.”
Maggie raced across the room, maneuvering as close as possible, wrapping her arms around her sister and relaxing into her embrace. The tears that had threatened earlier fell now as they held each other for the first time in what felt like forever. Finally Missy patted her on the head and kissed her forehead.
“I’m so glad to see you again.”
The heavy bulge of Missy’s baby-filled belly separating them moved and Maggie pulled away in amazement.
“Oh my goodness, you’re…” Oops. Gigantic was probably not a good thing to say to a pregnant woman.
“Huge? Damn it, I don’t feel like a wolf, I feel like a stinking whale.”
Maggie laughed. “There’s never been more of you to love than now.”
“Oh gee, good one. Like I’ve never heard that before.”
They grinned at each other. The years apart faded away. Missy was family—all the family she had left—and she desperately needed family right now.
She reached out to give Missy’s hand one more squeeze. “Thanks for letting me join you.”
“You’re going to be working for your keep, trust me. I can’t move fast enough to keep up with Jamie.
I’m so glad he won’t be able to shift into a wolf until he’s a teenager. He’s hard enough to catch at eighteen months.”
Maggie glanced around the room, looking for her nephew. “Where is he?”
“Sleeping. I think. I don’t hear rockets going off, so he must still be locked in his room.”
Tad dropped a kiss on his mate’s forehead before squatting beside her. Missy glared at him. “Finally.
Did you get me—?”
He thrust out a handful of brightly coloured chocolate bars. “Dark chocolate. Plus orange chocolate…with walnuts.”
Missy stared, disgruntled, her mouth twisting. She planted both hands on the sides of her chair to heave herself into a new position. Tad rushed to help her. She smiled sweetly at him and started again.
“After you left, I decided I also wanted—”
“—dried smoked salmon. There’s one bag on the table. I left the rest in the fridge.”
Maggie laughed behind her hand. “Missy, are you trying to be difficult?”
Her sister pouted. “It’s his damn fault I’m a bloated beach ball. Again.”
Tad winked. “All my fault. I confess.” Maggie watched in amusement as the two of them teased and verbally sparred for a minute before he rose, kissing Missy’s cheek once again. “I’m going to leave you 24
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Wolf Games
two ladies alone to get reacquainted. I’ll take Jamie with me, but we’ll be back in time to escort you to dinner.”
“I want pickles at dinner.”
Maggie burst out laughing as Tad shook his head slowly. “You hate pickles.”
“I want them.”
Tad snickered at Maggie. “Pickles. At least it’s not pickles and ice cream. That would be too cliché.”
“Your fault,” Missy restated.