He pulled to a stop, thankfully, in front of his house, and closed his eyes. In the past twenty years since Anna had been ripped from him, he'd been with only a handful of women-three to be exact-before Bay.

And now he was in a car with a woman who could ruin that fragile hold he possessed on his sanity.

Adam looked up at the house and swallowed the bile that crept up his throat. This was Anna's house, which she'd decorated over and over again as their years together progressed. This is where she'd decorated their nursery...

He bit his tongue, tasting blood, the sharp sting forcing his tears back and causing his emotions to tighten.

He didn't want to take Bay inside so she could taint it with her foreignness. But he was the Enforcer, God damn it. He couldn't stick his head in the sand and ignore it anymore. Though he'd try if he could.

He got out of the car, his movements stiff, and glared down at her. Bay lowered her head, her body shaking, but he could sense the power within her, the power that told him she was stronger than she looked. His wolf liked that.

Damn it.

"Get out of the car, and follow me," he growled, and slammed the door. He stomped toward his house, ripped opened the front door, and paced his living room.

The house had long since lost Anna's scent, but on some days, he swore he could feel her presence. But not today. No, today he could only feel the presence of a little wolf who could destroy him.

He clenched his fists and paced around the room that he'd slowly started to make his own, at least as much as he could without deleting Anna from it entirely. The walls were a chocolate brown with a cream trim that kept the room from being too dark. He had thick cream drapes to block out the sun when he wanted to sit in darkness, which happened more often than not recently. Simple, clean cream-and-brown furniture filled the room, so it didn't look so empty. He had frames filled with random photos of landscapes that Cailin, his sister, had made him put on the walls. He didn't want any pictures of his family up there because, if he did, he'd have to remember that Anna's photo wouldn't be up there.

Couldn't be up there.

His house was a small, one-story three-bedroom home. He'd always planned to build on with the help of his contracting brothers, Jasper and Kade, but when Anna had been taken, he'd given up on his plans and his dreams. What had been the point to make more room when her laughter and their babies would be absent? His chest ached, and he rubbed the wound that wouldn't heal.

Bay's scent filled the room, and he bit back a growl. As much as he wanted her to leave, his wolf didn't want to scare her.

They stood in his living room-Anna's living room-and stared at each other. He clenched his jaw, thinking about what to say, how to start.

What were they supposed to talk about?

Bay rubbed a hand over her swollen belly, and Adam swallowed.

Oh, yeah, that.

"Why didn't you tell me?" he whispered, his voice raspy.

She met his gaze head-on and didn't flinch. "How could I?"

Adam snorted. "I don't know, maybe pick up a God damn phone?"

Bay took a deep breath, but he could see the telltale signs of her temper, temper he'd thought he'd imagined that night. Yep, she had been a fiery redhead before, and by the way, she narrowed her eyes at him, she hadn't lost it.

"Excuse me? Where was I supposed to call? You lit out of there so fast I thought something had stung you in the ass."

"Nice language for a pregnant lady."

"Fuck you."

He raised a brow but didn't speak. He didn't want her here but had no idea how to get her to leave.

"Adam..." She closed her eyes and shook her head as he tried not to think about his name on her lips.

"What, Bay? What is it you want to tell me, huh? Why are you even here?" His voice rose with every question, and he fought the urge to throw something. Not at her, particularly, but at something, just to release some of the tension.

"What is your problem?" Her voice was just as loud as his, and he could feel the anger rolling off her in waves.

God, he was acting like an ass and it wasn't her fault. The only thing she did was exist and show up, filling his life like she shouldn't. She wasn't Anna. If he liked her at all, it would be a disgrace to Anna's memory. But now, because he'd made a mistake, she was in his life and in his Pack, because as soon as he'd mate claimed her, she'd been enveloped in the Pack. Because he had mate claimed her, he was able to get her pregnant. It was the only way for wolves to have children-with their mates. He didn't know why his father hadn't felt her come into the Pack, but that was a discussion for another time.

"My problem?" He growled and stalked toward her, his hands clenched so hard he was afraid they'd pop a vein. "My problem is that you're not supposed to be here in my Pack. You were just a quick fuck when I was too drunk to know any better, and now you're standing here looking like you deserve something from me. Well, let me tell you, I didn't make any promises that night, and I'm sure as hell not making any now."

She flinched as if he'd slapped her, and his wolf howled. His body raged as he fought for control. If he changed right now, his wolf would be the one doing the comforting, not the man, which was opposite for most wolves. He didn't want to be nice.

No, the man wanted to bare his teeth and growl in anger.

He watched her throat as she swallowed. She lowered her voice and spoke slowly. "I'm here because I need your help. I don't want to be here. I know how much you precious Redwoods love your Pack. I may smell like you, but that doesn't make me want to be yours. I'm only here because this isn't just about me anymore."

She placed her palm on the swell of her belly, and Adam flinched at the not-so-subtle reminder of where this conversation was heading.

"Is it mine?"

She nodded, a sad expression on her face. "Yes, Adam. It's yours. I wouldn't be here if it weren't."

Adam swallowed and closed his eyes, pain ricocheting through him, followed by a terrible numbness. He'd known the baby was his the second he saw her get out of the car...but hearing her say it? His temple ached, his pulse skipping in a staccato beat that made him want to vomit.

He growled and walked away from her, unable to even be in her presence. She was the epitome of everything he didn't want, everything he'd once had and lost. He didn't want her here.

"Adam, you can't just walk away from this," she said from behind him, her voice stronger than he'd have given her credit for.

"Watch me, Bay."

"This isn't about you or me and the fact that we got too drunk and mated. Fate's a bitch. I know that. Don't get me started."

He turned around, his body shaking with his anger. "You're fucking kidding me, right? The poor-me routine? You're a little old to do that. I know how much Fate likes to fuck with us, so just drop that subject."

"Fine, but we need to talk."

"No, we don't. We're going to sit here and wait for my father to deal with you. I don't know why I said I could handle this, but I don't know what you want, but I can't do it. My father will have to deal with everything. I can't." God, he hated himself, but he was shaking. He needed Anna, not her.

"I have things to say before he gets here."

"You're not keeping anything from him. Whether you like it or not, he's your Alpha. You must obey him."

"You don't get to have it both ways, Adam." She walked toward him and stood so close her belly brushed him. He jumped back as if he'd been burned, and she winced. "You can't say you don't want me here and that I'm nothing and then, in the next breath, say that I have to listen to my Alpha. Either I'm Pack, or I'm not."

"Like I said, you may be Pack, but you won't have anything to do with me. We had a decent fuck, and now I'm done. I left without a look back, and I don't want to look at you again."

She threw up her hands and let out a breath. "I know you're an ass and think you're hurting me by saying that, but get over yourself. I'm here because someone is after me."

That brought him up short. "What do you mean?"

"Oh, now you're interested in what I have to say."

"Get on with it Bay, or I'll leave."

"Fine. Someone has been following me, and I can't protect myself and the baby. I'm just one wolf. I need help." Her expression told him that last part about needing help had been ripped from her, but Adam didn't really care if it hurt her to ask for help.

"So, you're telling me you may have led people who want to hurt you here, to my den? What the fuck were you thinking? You've endangered us all!"

"I was thinking that our Pack is supposed to be the strongest of them all, and I needed help." She stared at him, and he looked into her green eyes. "Please."

He couldn't think, couldn't breathe. He needed to get out of there, now.

He growled and lifted his lip. "My father will be here soon to talk to you about this and the fact that you've hidden yourself from him. I don't know how the hell you did that, but you've got some explaining to do."

She lifted her chin but didn't meet his gaze. "I understand that, and I'll answer any question that can help me protect my baby."

He didn't comment on the fact that she'd said her baby. He couldn't even stomach the thought of it being...theirs.

"I'm leaving you here while I go deal with something." He walked toward the door then paused. "Don't even think of leaving. I can smell the enforcers, the men who work below me, surrounding us. They'll know if you try anything."

"So, now I'm a prisoner."

He turned toward her and glared. "Deal with it, Bay. You're not welcome here, and you're sure as hell not welcome in my home. Once we figure out what the hell is going on, you're gone."

With that, he stormed out of the house, slamming the door behind him. He staggered to a nearby bush and heaved, his stomach revolting at what he'd said, done, and what he'd have to do.

He'd left the Pack before to get some breathing room and had come back darker, shakier. And now his past was back to bite him in the ass.

What the hell was he going to do?

Chapter 3.

Bay walked on wobbly legs to the couch and awkwardly sank into the cushions, her body drenched in a cold sweat. She held her stomach and closed her eyes. The baby kicked softly, as if reassuring her she was doing the right thing.

She choked back a sob as the tears fell from her eyes. The baby turned and kicked again into her palm.

She rubbed softly and blinked away the tears. "I know, baby. I'm trying to stay strong for you. You're such a good baby already. You didn't let me get too sick, and you let me sleep. See? You're amazing." She spoke in soothing tones to her stomach and tried to calm down. She knew the stress wasn't good for the baby, and she had a feeling it would only get worse as time progressed.

Bay knew she'd shocked them when she got out of the car and they noticed her pregnancy. And if she were honest, the petty part of herself had wanted just that. She'd wanted to see the shocked look on the face of the man who'd claimed her as his mate and walked away without a backward glance.

But, as she sat here in his living room, she didn't feel any better. In fact, she felt worse. The things he'd said to her...

She shook her head then blinked away the tears. She couldn't show weakness by crying at the drop of a hat. Most people might have been able to blame it on the hormones-and yes, those contributed-but she didn't want them to know how much being rejected hurt. She had to be strong for both herself and her baby; even if she had to look like a cold bitch to do it.

She'd do anything for the life that grew inside of her, even face the man who hated her and wasn't afraid to let her know it. Why did he hate her so much? She hadn't done anything to him other than sleep with him when he'd come onto her. It didn't make any sense. What had she done?

Damn, she hated self-pity and wallowing. She'd been alone for so long that she was used to standing on her own. And no, she didn't want anyone to think that was a request for pity; it was just a fact. Her mother had been banned from the Talon Pack when Bay had been born, and since then, she'd lived without a Pack.

They'd forced her mother to choose-the Pack or her child. She'd chosen her child and lost everything for that.

Bay would never forgive the Talons and barely resisted the urge to blame the Redwoods, too, just for being a Pack. Yet, now she had to rely on them and their strength to protect her. Didn't that just grate?

She lifted herself off the couch with great effort and rubbed her back. She was a big as a blimp, or maybe a whale. Though most of her weight resided in her midsection, her ankles were swollen, her breasts had gained two cup sizes and ached from a mere touch, and her rings wouldn't fit on her fingers anymore. She'd cursed some days when she wished for a partner in this experience; someone to hold her hand, rub her feet, and tell her that everything would be okay.

But, no, like she'd wanted, she had no one. No friends, no family, and no mate. She may carry his mark beneath her skin on the juicy part of her shoulder where it met her neck, but that didn't make him her mate.

He'd left her.

Fate really sucked ass since it had decided to leave her with a man who could look at her the way he did and give them a baby on the first try. Her baby kicked her ribs, and she cradled her stomach and groaned.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean I didn't want you. I love you so much. It's just that I didn't think I'd be in this situation." The kicking stopped, and she sighed.

"He'll protect us, Bay. Stay strong," her wolf whispered.

"If only it were that easy." She walked around the room to inspect her prison. The room looked like it had been warm once but had long since grown cold and emotionless. No pictures of friends or family or actual paintings dotted the walls. They just held images of landscapes and random things. It wasn't unlike her own apartment. After all, she didn't have anyone in her life to take a picture of, and putting up pictures of herself on the walls seemed a bit narcissistic.

She traced her fingers along the dark mantel above the fireplace without thinking and gasped. Images of a brown-haired woman flashed through her mind. Bay fought to breathe, her body shaking, as she watched the woman tip her head back and laugh melodically while hanging two large stockings on the mantel then a smaller one right between them. Love poured through the woman and into Bay, and she wanted to scream. Bay focused on the image as a man stepped into the vision and knelt to kiss the woman's flat belly. The man turned to the side. Bay froze then pulled herself forcefully from the memory.

Adam.

Oh, God.

She'd known he had a life before meeting her; she hadn't been that ignorant. But he'd been mated...

She stumbled to the couch and plopped down as the baby kicked. Adam had a mate and a baby. Or rather, had a mate. Since Adam had mated Bay that meant the laughing woman must have died.

No wonder Adam looked at her like he wanted her to shrivel up and die.

He'd lost the love of his life. No wolf wanted to move on after that and mate again. It was a nasty trick of Fate that a wolf could be mated again after such a loss. In their world, there were several potential mates that a wolf could find and identify by scent. The couple could choose to mate or part ways, depending on the need of the mating scent. But to have found another mate after losing the first one no matter how recently was cruel in every sense of the word.

Why would Adam want to be in her presence when she reminded him of all he'd lost?

And what about the baby that the woman had been pregnant with?

Was Adam already a father?

There was a stark absence of children's pictures, and her heart ached as she knew the truth. Whatever had happened to the laughing woman had also taken her baby.

Poor Adam.

That little spark of connection to Adam flared through their dull mating bond, and she snapped it close. No, he couldn't know she felt anything for him. That would only make it worse.

She looked down at her hands, spread her fingers, and cursed. She hated her so-called gift of psychometry. She could touch something and see the memories ingrained within it. Her powers though were sporadic, and though she'd been practicing for all of her forty years on earth, she still didn't have a handle on them. Visions would come out of nowhere, ripping her consciousness from her current time and throwing it into hazy images of the past.