“You sure you got everything?” Austin asked. “Food?”
“Check. Every stand has a supply of fresh water, and there’s always the creek if we need more. Sealed bags of jerky and other dry edibles, not to mention the emergency stash hidden on the north side with cooking supplies and canned food.”
Once in the woods, they didn’t have plans to return to the house. It made them vulnerable.
Reno shifted his stance, both a dagger and gun on his belt. He had on camo pants, a dark green T-shirt, and was probably the only one wearing paint on his face. Years of experience fighting in human wars had prepared him for this.
“It could be days or weeks,” Reno said. “They might not come.”
Austin glanced at the dark window on his left. “They’ll come under the cover of fog. The weather report said we’ll have it through the weekend.”
He heard a clicking sound coming from the study and quieted a moment, trying to listen.
Reno’s voice softened. “Any last orders before I head out?”
Austin gripped the back of Reno’s neck and pulled him forward until they looked down, foreheads touching. “Stay alive. If it looks grim, then we get the children to safety.”
“Is Lexi all right?”
Austin dropped his arm. “She’s fine. Just one last check before we get this party started.”
Reno smirked. “That’s what I like to hear. I’ve got my piece in,” he said, pointing to his ear. “I’ll be waiting to hear from you.” He gave a short salute with his fingers and pivoted around, heading out the front door.
They had made all the preparations. They’d shut off the lights, hidden the valuables on the property, and set traps. Whether a few rogues broke into the house didn’t matter. They didn’t truly win the land until they killed the Packmaster or made him surrender. The only exception was if the Packmaster had abandoned his territory, and they would have to search the woods before staking claim.
When the study door opened, Edward’s gaze lowered to Austin’s clenched fist.
“Come with me,” Edward said, strolling toward the sunroom on the opposite side of the staircase.
They entered the dark room where they often set up the appetizers during peace parties. Austin closed the curtains, glimpsing Ben’s wolf scuttling around the side of the house. The only light in the room came from a snowman night-light he’d found in a drawer before the Relic rushed over.
“Saving on electricity?” Edward mused, setting his black bag in a white chair.
“What’s wrong with Lexi?”
The Relic folded his arms. “Nothing.”
That didn’t settle with Austin. “That’s a lot of pain for nothing.”
Edward tipped his head left and right, mulling over the comment. “What I’m going to tell you might ring a bell, or you might think I’m a loon,” he began, his British accent easier to understand. “My family specializes in Shifters—generations of knowledge locked inside this noggin. There’s an old wives’ tale passed around as rumor, but there’s truth to it. An alpha has more… magic in him than the other Shifters.”
“I’m aware of that.”
His brows rose. “Then you must be aware your unborn child is an alpha. He or she senses Lexi’s anxiety. It might sound far-fetched, but your Shifter instincts are innate, not something acquired later in life. Even in the womb, the baby turns and senses the world around him. Lexi’s never felt this pain before?”
“No, I haven’t seen any spells,” Austin confirmed. “It’s been pretty good lately.”
Edward inclined his head. “She said the same, but I suspect she might be fibbing. She can’t shift; the wolf inside knows it could harm the baby, so it won’t allow it. But the baby is also trying to protect his or her mother.”
Austin let that thought nestle in his head for a minute. “Are you telling me the baby’s trying to come out so Lexi can shift? That doesn’t make sense; she’s not even hurt.”
“The pregnancy has progressed faster than normal.” Edward’s gaze roamed around the dark house. “Where’s your pack?” But the question was rhetorical.
“Out for a walk.”
“I haven’t heard any rumors, and I’m guessing it’s because you’re keeping things tight-lipped. If war is imminent, then that is the source of her pain. The only way to stop it is to remove her worries. The fear makes her baby sense danger, and as an alpha, it knows it’s safer on the outside than in her womb because the mother wolf will protect it. I can assure you it’s something my family has seen numerous times in our careers. Perhaps it’s not common knowledge, but it’s been the cause of premature births.”
“Christ,” Austin breathed, turning away. “I can’t have this happen… not now.”
“I’ve given her a talking-to about it. She’s a courageous woman, but her condition is delicate. Have you considered sending her away?”