Revolting

Shane's POV

Caydence knew how to keep her secrets. Although I was convinced she was in contact with William and Nina, she never revealed anything, not even a hint. It was only my gut instinct that insisted the source of renewed happy glow had to do with her "missing" son and daughter and law.

I'd nearly given up hope, when suddenly she cornered me at breakfast. "Shane, dear. I'll need a car and driver today. Could you organize it for me?"

I glanced across the table and wondered why she hadn't asked Nolan as he was normally the one to decide who was free, and which vehicles to send out. The fact that she had asked me was both suspicious and lucky. I happily organized her car and driver, and then discretely followed them once they left the pack grounds.

Nearly two hours later they pulled into an upscale restaurant in Glens Falls. Caydence waved to the driver, and then picked up a big bag and sashayed into the restaurant. The driver parked where he could watch the front entrance, so he didn't see her go right out the back door ten minutes later. An Uber driver was already waiting by the back door, and she slid inside, and took off again. "Oh Aunty Caydence, you are so sneaky," I said to myself with a knowing smile, as I pulled out into traffic and carefully followed the Uber cab. The cab drove a few miles and dropped her off at an unsuspecting diner at a truck stop. She bounced out of the cab and practically danced into the diner.

I wanted to so badly to follow her inside. I knew my mate was near, I could feel it in my tingling body. The need to see her, to touch her was so real, it was making me feel physically ill. But if I could feel her, chances are she could feel me, especially if I attempted to enter the diner. I circled the parking lot, and I spotted the SUV that William had commandeered from the pack fleet, after he had deactivated all the tracking devices. I found a spot where I could watch both the front door and the vehicle. And I sat there, for two long hours, feeling hungry, thirsty and anxious. Every time the door to the diner opened, I paid close attention. Truck drivers and travelers and small families went in and out. Finally, FINALLY, the door opened, and I spotted Caydence's small blond form, followed by Williams tall, willowy figure. I held my breath as he held the door, and finally I saw HER. Her face was radiant and smiling, her dark hair was piled carelessly on top of her head, leaving the elegant sweep of her neck bare. Then it hit me like a kick to the stomach. She was pregnant. Very obviously pregnant. I swallowed back something that tasted bitter, but I still couldn't take my eyes off from her. Motherhood looked amazing on her. Her breasts were fuller, her hips were wider, her casual, loose t-shirt and leggings hugged that perfectly round belly. She looked like a goddess.

Caydence got back into a cab, no doubt to sneak back into the first restaurant, and walk innocently back to the pack driver that was waiting for her patiently there. She stopped to hug William, and kiss Nina, and then to lean down and plant a kiss on her swollen belly. She left the big bag she had carried with Nina - probably full of gifts - and disappeared into the cab. Nina and William turned, and headed for the SUV. William kept his hand protectively over the small of Nina's back, and I felt a little stab of jealousy. I mean, I knew William, I knew about his sexual orientation, I knew that there could not be anything sexual between them... at least I didn't think so... but just the fact that he got to touch her, and I didn't made my blood boil. He helped her into the SUV, and then got into the drivers seat. As they pulled out of the diner, I put my sedan into gear and followed them.

I had hoped that they would lead me back to wherever they were hiding. But instead they drove about an hour outside of town to a budget motel, and parked in front of one of the rooms. I had to circle around the block, so they wouldn't notice me pulling in after them. Once they were inside, I pulled into the lot and parked near the office. I drummed my fingers on the steering wheel and contemplated what to do. I didn't want to scare her, or make her run. I just NEEDED to see her, I needed to talk to her, I needed to touch her. I needed to apologize to her. I went into the office and rented a room for myself. And then I took a deep breath and crossed the parking lot, and stopped in front of their door. I could hear them talking and laughing behind the door, and I felt a stab of fear. She was fine. She was obviously doing okay, and happy with her life. She didn't need me. But I desperately needed her. What if she rejected me, just as she had rejected Nolan? What if she still secretly loved Nolan? She was, after all, carrying his child. So many doubts flew through my mind before I pulled myself together and lifted my hand to knock on the door.

William yanked the door open, and when his eyes landed on me, he immediately dropped into a fighting stance. His eyes were looking around me and behind me, no doubt looking for Nolan's towering form. "Relax," I said, holding my hands up as a sign of peace and non-aggression. "Its just me. Nolan is not here. Please, I just want to talk to her."

Nina appeared under William's arm. Her golden-brown eyes scrutinized me closely. "I knew you were here. I felt you at the diner. Didn't I tell you William, that someone had followed Caydence?"

"Yeah," William growled, his brows knit together, "I just didn't expect it to be you, Shane." He still blocked the door with his body, even though he had to know it was futile. I was the head of security, the head trainer. My combat skills within the pack were unmatched. I could take him down before he could blink. But I wasn't here to fight with him. "Tell Nolan she is never going back."

"I'm not here for Nolan," I said firmly. I looked rather desperately at Nina. "Please... just let me talk to you."

Nina put a calming hand on William's tense arm. "Its okay, Will. I trust him." She ducked under his arm and stood face to face with me. "What do you want to talk about, Shane?"

I gestured to my room on the other side of the parking lot. "I have a room, could we talk in private."

"Luna," William gave a warning growl, but Nina quieted him with a meaningful look.

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"I'll be okay," She assured him. "I'll call you if I need you."

I offered her my arm, and she hesitated before she slipped her small hand into the crook of my elbow. The sparks that ran up my arm now were even more intense than they had been a month ago. I don't know if it was because she had broken the bond with Nolan, and now there was no interference with the magic between us... but it felt so much stronger, it was overwhelming. I needed her so bad I could hardly control myself. I remembered to walk slowly, to take care for her uneven gait. I saw that beneath her leggings, her knees were still taped. It gave her some stability, but it didn't fix the overall problem of her legs. She carefully navigated the curb and stepped up onto the side walk, using my arm as a support as she did so. I unlocked my door with the key-card, and ushered her inside.

There was nothing special about this motel room. It was strictly utilitarian, with a queen size bed, a TV situated on a dresser, and a small desk wedged into the corner. There was only one chair, which I offered to Nina. I thought about sitting on the desk, but I was compelled instead to drop to my knees in front of her. "Shane," she whispered, "What are you doing?"

"I'm sorry Nina. I'm so sorry I failed you. Please forgive me."

I felt her trembling hand reach out to stroke my hair, and it was the most pleasurable feeling I'd ever encountered in my life. "Nothing that happened in that house was your fault Shane. You have nothing to apologize for."

"You are wrong." I looked desperately into her eyes. "I knew he was hurting you, and I did nothing. I should have challenged him. I should have killed him. At the very least, Nina, I should have taken you away. I should have gone with you when you left. I should have been the one to protect you."

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She shook her head, "Don't "should" on yourself, Shane. I know how complicated the situation was. He was your Alpha. You are his second. He was my mate..." She bit her lip, "I don't even know how this-" she gestured to the two of us, "happened."

I took her small hand in both of mine. "I wondered about that too...I have a theory. Would you like to hear it?"

She nodded. I scooted closer to her. "I think I was meant to be your second-chance mate. You and Nolan were both resisting the bond, breaking it slowly even before you out-right rejected him... and because your bond was weak..." "Maybe..." She sighed. "But things are still too complicated. You are still his beta, Shane. And then there is this," She gestured at her round stomach.

I couldn't help myself, I reached out and smoothed my hands over the large baby bump. I felt the baby move and kick under my hands, and grinned. I wasn't sure what exactly I was supposed to feel at that moment, knowing my mate was pregnant with another man's child. I was I jealous? Hell yeah. Did I wish that baby was mine? You betcha. But at the same time, I felt a deep sense of acceptance. It wasn't the baby's fault. It wasn't Nina's fault. She hadn't asked for this. In fact I had heard, during one of Nolan's drunk confessions, exactly how he had consummated their marriage, the one and only time he'd had sex with her. The pregnancy didn't change anything for me... I still wanted her, I still needed her, I was still ready to lay down my life for her... her and her unborn baby.

I looked up at her, and found her staring at me, a little dazed. I could hear her heart beat accelerate, and was deeply gratified to know that my touch affected her, as much as her very existence affected me. I stood, and cupped her pretty, heart- shaped face between my palms, brushing my thumbs over her full lips. Instinctively her tongue darted out and licked her lips. She wasn't even conscious that she was doing it, but it tore me to shreds. "Nina?" I was asking permission. Instead of granting permission, she snaked her arms behind my neck and pulled me closer, and pressed her warm, wet lips against mine. It was like an explosion of fireworks. The passion and desire that swelled up between us was like a palpable energy in the air. I kissed her until she pulled back to come up for air, and then I lifted her from the chair, and carried her to the bed. I was a man possessed, I wanted her so badly, but I also made myself remember that she had been hurt before. She might not want this. She might be afraid. I couldn't stand the idea that she might be afraid of me, and I tried to pull back.

"Stop. Stop doing that." She demanded, her hands taking fistfuls of my shirt. "You can't kiss me like that, and then just back off." Her eyes searched my face, her expression uncertain. "What is it Shane? You don't want me? Is it the baby?" "Oh God, Nina. If I wanted you any more, I would explode. I just... I don't want to hurt you. I don't want to scare you." I lowered my voice. "And maybe its kinky... but I think you look sexy as hell with this pregnancy."