Juan (The Juarez Pack Book 1) Read online

Page 17


  Amee finally sent Ariel away to rest while she crawled in bed with her mate. Juan had saved her again just by sensing somehow that something wasn’t right with the doctor. The appointment had been done, or so Amee had thought but the doctor had started to give her a shot. Juan’s wolf hadn’t liked it and stuck his arm in the way. At that point, the doctor couldn’t stop and he had injected her mate who had immediately dropped to the ground. She and Ariel, okay mostly Ariel, had retrained the doctor who turned out not to be a doctor at all.

  Would they ever stop coming for her and would her babies ever be safe? They moved around like little gymnasts and her stomach rolled but she stayed in bed with her mate wrapped around him hoping he would come out of this. She could smell the odd medicinal scent coming from him and hoped it meant his system was flushing the poison out. Ariel had him on an IV of fluids just made to hydrate and covered with blankets for the purpose of sweating him. While Ariel wasn’t a doctor, she had called several as well as some healers and no one had a better idea.

  “White wolves have some inherent healing abilities, it’s part of our power. Just lie with him and send good thoughts,” Ariel had said. It’s exactly what Amee was doing now. She realized she could lose him and right now that thought cut into her heart. He had done what he could to save her and the babies and now she prayed to God and the goddess she could save him.

  It was almost exactly a day later when the doctor arrived. To say he was unhappy was an understatement. Not bothering to introduce himself or greet her, he went straight to the task at hand. “I smell some strong medicines. I don’t think they cared if they killed you or they were just incompetent. Much of it is out of his system and he should be fine in a few hours. Someone needs to change the covers and you shouldn’t be touching him,” he snapped.

  “He’s my mate and I limited the touching and I wear gloves. We were bathing him regularly yesterday and last night. We’ve just taken a break today,” she explained.

  “This particular poison is deadly to fetuses. Probably why the assholes chose it. I’m exhausted and jet lagged and since I can do nothing further here, I’m going to bed,” he marched out leaving her behind with an open mouth.

  A couple hours later, Ariel brought supper. “Did Doc visit? I can see by your expression he did and he wasn’t his usual sweet self. I have a deal with him since he’s a researcher and he gets time off, but we called him back in the middle of one of his super-secret research trips. It’s never pretty when that happens but sometimes life gets in the way and I’ve explained that to him. Too bad he still doesn’t understand what I mean,” Ariel explained. “How is Juan doing?”

  “The doctor says he’ll be fine and his color is better but I just want him to open his eyes and look at me,” Amee admitted

  “It won’t be long. I can sense improvement,” Ariel declared.

  Amee and Ariel shared supper, talked about the family, and Ariel shared some stories of her children especially Mikee who was into everything. It was hard for Amee to imagine having two children as active as Ariel’s oldest but everyone assured her wolflings aka pups, were curious and active. The babies had been very active in her belly since their daddy had gone down on his back. Maybe they wanted to reassure her that she wasn’t alone.

  It was just as Ariel began to leave that a strangled sound caught both their attention. It came from Juan and he made a growling sound next. Amee grabbed his hand and told him she was right there beside him.

  “Are you and the babies okay?” Juan rasped.

  “We’re fine. I’m just worried about you.” Amee said.

  “W-what happened?” he asked.

  “Do you remember anything?” Amee wondered.

  “Took you to Doc,” he whispered.

  “How do you feel right now?” she asked.

  “Hit by a truck. Just tell me what happened!” he demanded.

  Amee’s and Ariel’s eyes locked and held. Ariel shrugged her shoulders. “You need to tell him before he gets upset,” she offered.

  Amee turned to look back at Juan. “Yes, you took me to the doctor who said I was fine. Before he let me go he started to give me a shot and you got in the way. It was a bad drug, but you got it instead of me,” She said. “You saved me again just like a hero.”

  Amee moaned, a sharp pain hit radiated out from her stomach. “What’s wrong?” Ariel asked?

  “I-I don’t know,” she ended on a gasp.

  “Maybe not but I think I do,” Ariel said.

  “Is my mate alright?” Juan asked struggling to sit up and barely managing.

  “I have a feeling she will be soon. By the way Cole McDougal and his mate Iona are on their way. He will be meeting with Bartose’s son Geldish before he negotiates with Bartose to get him to back off,” Ariel explained.

  “I met Iona didn’t I?” Amee asked through her careful deep breathing exercises.

  “I’m sure you did when Marissa had the ceremony for the twins. Iona is a sweetie. I’ll be glad to have her here to help you with the birth,” Ariel admitted.

  “What birth?” Juan said with his hoarse voice.

  “I believe your twins are on the way,” Ariel observed.

  The sound of water splashing on the floor emphasized her positions. Juan faded back into his pillow. He had passed out. It was true he was pale and not entirely well, but passing out over the birth of his children? Amee honestly wished she could pass out too and miss the whole thing since the labor pains were brutal. Her whole body seemed to be seized by the need to push but she knew it was too soon. Now she didn’t even have the comfort of her mate to see her through.

  Juan was making noises again. “Was it a dream?” he asked.

  “Was what a dream?” Amee wondered.

  “I thought Ariel told me the pups, no the babies were on the way. It’s too soon, isn’t it?” he asked as he looked at her wanting confirmation.

  “Sorry, stud. You heard right and I agree with her. The pains are still spaced far apart, but my water broke so we’ll be having these babies today,” Amee stressed.

  “Where’s the doctor?” Juan asked with panic in his voice. “What’ll we do without one?”

  “Chill, sweetheart. We have time and there is a doctor nearby. Right now you’re in more immediate need than me,” she explained as she handed him a large bottle of water. “You need to drink all you can.”

  “Of course you are right. I need to get better so I can protect you and assist with the babies,” he agreed.

  “Now you understand,” Ariel said with a smile. “Males aren’t very good at this,” she whispered low in Amee’s ear but Juan frowned telling them he’d heard it.

  “It’s alright Honey. Better that I expect less and get more,” Amee declared.

  “I will get better so I can help you,” he vowed as he guzzled a bottle of water.

  He seemed to perk up by the minute and Amee felt relieved that he was better. She needed his support as she birthed and took care of two little wolves. Pain shot through her, at least it wasn’t moving rapidly, yet. Right now she was sitting in a recliner Ariel had brought in for her and resting in between contractions.

  “Where is my patient?” the doctor growled. That wolf needed to learn a bit about bedside manners before a she-wolf in labor took his head off his shoulders.

  “Which patient are you looking for?” Ariel asked sweetly.

  “The one about to drop two pups,” he barked.

  “Doc, I like you or you’d be leaving with your tail between your legs. Straighten out and remember your charm or else,” Ariel growled apparently having enough of him.

  “Whatever you say, Ariel. Where’s our girl at?” he asked.

  “She’s in the recliner resting,” Ariel said.

  “Has she moved along in her labor any?” he asked.

  “Very little,” Ariel replied.

  “Let her drink water, but no food. I don’t want to worry about it interfering with the delivery,” he directed. “If she gets too hot or
sweaty she can have a sponge bath but I don’t think she’ll want to stand.”

  Amee didn’t want to stand or do anything else. Pain kept shooting through her and she only drank because she was so thirsty. The babies couldn’t come fast enough to suit her but after their early start, it was like they changed their mind and decided to wait.

  “Can’t he induce or speed up labor?” Amee asked.

  “Not safely,” Ariel answered. “Look at the bright side, Juan is getting better.”

  Amee looked at him and his color was evening out and he did look like he was well on his way to recovering. Having Juan standing at her side holding her hand meant a lot to her. If she was honest it scared her that the babies were coming so early. If they weren’t wolf, there was no way they would survive so thank goodness they were wolves. They were far enough along just a bit undersized but fine. Special care would have to be taken to see that they caught up with the proper progress of their age.

  Juan groaned and she looked over to see he was sitting up like a healthy person would instead of slumping against his pillow. Deep down she knew he was healing and would be okay but she wanted him to be fine now so he could enjoy his babies being born. It seemed that life had thrown them one curve ball after another and it didn’t seem fair. Why did everything have to be so hard won for them and easy for others?

  She was sure that the babies would be born before the dawn of the next sun and their birth would be slow and painful like everything about their mating had been. Sometimes it sucked to be a white wolf but at least she had family she could rely on like Ariel.

  Epilogue

  Those are two beautiful pups you have,” Cole complimented.

  “You have twin nieces?” Juan asked.

  “Yes, and they own my heart,” he admitted.

  “To be honest I expected two boys but a boy and that little girl who will twist me around her finger will be perfect,” Juan declared.

  “”Little girls do that, it’s just part of their charm,” Cole agreed.

  “I guess we’d better get to business. The council sent you?” Juan asked.

  “At your father’s request,” Cole added.

  “So where do things stand?”

  “It seems that Bartose is attached to Geldesh. He’s his favorite son.”

  “Then why did he send him?”

  “When he originally sent him in to take Doc’s place, he was here to pick up information. They had no idea Amee was here. When he found out, he decided to make her ill even if she lost the pups. It seems this trick has worked well in the past. If you weren’t suspicious of the shot, it would have worked this time too.”

  “It made no sense to me. He said she was fine than he wants to give her a shot. My wolf didn’t like it.”

  “Speaking of wolves, Ariel said to tell you Amee needs to change as soon as possible. It will help her healing and keep her wolf stable. Iona is with her right now, but I told them you would want this first run. You’ve not seen her wolf yet have you?”

  “No, and you’re right. I need this.”

  They picked up the babies and carried them into the other room with them. Amee and Iona held out their hands to take them. The babies snuggled into the female’s arms.

  “Tell me what’s going on?” Amee asked.

  “I’ve talked to Bartose and he’ll leave you alone as long as Geldesh is kept in good health. It’s not a solution, but a stopgap,” Cole explained.

  Amee knew that but meanwhile the babies were here now and hopefully Bartose wouldn’t go after them. She was the one he was obsessed with and the one that had offended him by escaping. He was a real bastard.

  Cole and Iona stayed for a while before they left. Now she was left alone with her mate, a healthy Juan. “I’m glad you’re in good shape now,” she observed.

  “Yeah, me too. Now I can take care of you and get you back home. As long as the agreement holds, we’ll be fine.”

  “I suppose Ariel will keep Geldesh? What happens if he escapes?”

  “I don’t even want to think of it. Bartose will be right back on our ass. There’s something I do need to discuss with you. We need to change and go for a run.”

  He leaned forward and pushed a button. Two nurses came forward and even though he saw Amee was nervous about trusting others with the babies, she handed the little girl off while he handed off the boy. He grabbed her hand and pulled her outside and they walked to the back of the building. Her hospital style gown covered little but it didn’t matter.

  The woods were a stone’s throw from them and the smell of the damp earth and the trees lured them. He held her close and kissed her with passion. The change was coming over her and he could feel the electricity of it. A moment later she stood before him in all her splendor. Of course she was a white wolf, that was a given but so far each one had been slightly different than those before her. Amee was no exception to the rule. Her eyes were the same as her human, a dark delicious syrupy brown. She was white all over except she had four socks the wheat color of her human hair and both ears were tipped with the same color. She was truly unique and indescribably beautiful. Looking at him just for a second, she then took off like a streak and he had no choice but to chase. His female was fast and when he caught her, he jumped her and they rolled around on the ground.

  Playing in the earth and the woods bonded them on a deeper level. It was hard to explain and unnecessary so he didn’t. Joy radiated through him as he reflected on his family, not just a mate, but children. As he and his female trotted through the woods together to return to their twin pups, he realized that he was the luckiest male on the planet.

  To keep up with sales, new releases, and freebie sign up for the newsletter

  (Catty Diva, Corre Deepe and Crystal Dawn)

  https://app.mailerlite.com/webforms/landing/h9z1q5

  Connect with the author at:

  http://www.facebook.com/pages/Crystal-Dawn/378841472210002 http://crystaldawnauthor.wordpress.com

  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=94o8Yy0dcEo https://twitter.com/crystaldawnauth

  http://thebookreviewsblog.tumblr.com/ https://www.tsu.co/crystalauthor

  https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/976311.Crystal_Dawn

  https://www.facebook.com/books2revue

  If you want to read more books by Crystal Dawn, check out:

  Blue Moon Pack Series

  Planet Amazon Series I, II, III, IV and V

  Cousins of the Moon Series 1 and 2

  Legends of the White Werewolf Series 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7

  Keepers of the Land Series A completed 6 book series.

  Frozen Origin Series 1, 2, and 3

  Frozen Origin Quickies 1

  Frozen Holidays 2 PK Eudoras & Zelus

  Frozen Origins Love 2PK Adonis & Aphroditus

  The Southwest Illinois Pack Series

  The Wilde Pack series

  The Strong Pack 1 & 2

  The Red Wolf Series

  Lucifer Frozen Origin Demons 1

  Winged Beast Series

  Witches of Ulyss Series

  The Warriors of the Vinii by Corre Deepe

  Xanterie

  The Mating Game series By Catty Diva

  Can a bad day turn your life around?

  Crash landing on Earth seemed the worst thing that could happen to Xan, his crew and their battered ship. It was only the beginning. After nearly freezing to death, Xan’s savior, in the form of a little Earth female, is driving him crazy. He doesn’t want to want her, but he can’t seem to help it. Edie wonders if she’s gone crazy when she wakes up looking into the glowing red eyes of a naked, not quite human male. He seems determined to keep her with him, but she’s just as determined to go.

  Frozen Origin

  Book 1

  Zeus

  He is the leader of the gods, no not the Greek gods of ancient times that they are named for, but the god line of genetically manipulated beings said to be so much more than men. They’ve been imprisoned by Origin, t
he company that created them, all their lives, but now they have a chance to be free.

  She leads the team that has come to free them. She and her team always come in first and leave first on every mission, which is a good thing because she is drawn to the gorgeous god. She needs to leave to get on with her life and the career she loves.

  She doesn’t want to settle down, he is unwilling to settle for anything less. When they are thrown together fighting Origin and secrets are revealed, will it bring them closer together or place insurmountable obstacles in their path?

  Note: graphic sex and is for adult readers only.

  Lucille

  White Wolf Matriarchs

  Book 3

  Lucille has seen Grey several times when she visited and lately when she worked at her cousin’s, Cassie’s, house where wounded veterans of the supernatural persuasion stayed while they were rehabilitated. She had to admit the man/wolf grabbed her attention and he stared at her so intently with those soulful eyes of his. He was just too young and too wolf for the two of them to ever make it.

  Grey was sure she was his fated mate but she always ran away from him. She wasn’t running now but the problem was they were both caught and in a cage. How had things gone so wrong? She would be sold to be mated or a sex slave to an alpha while he was bound for the illegal fights so well hidden that even while he and his team investigated the illegal slave ring, they’d had no idea this was going on. He’d finally gotten Lucille’s attention just in time to fail her completely.

  Look for it in 2016.