Free Wolf's Holiday by Rebecca Royce Page A

your need to run. Go. We’ll talk later.”
    “I ruined a moment you were excited about. I can’t take this back.”
    “Drew.” A growl rolled through her voice. “I am fully aware of who you are. I don’t believe for one second you would produce any child who would go on to lay scorch on the Earth. I did, however, know there was a very good chance baby talk would freak you out. Not for the reason it did. I held off talking about it because I didn’t want to freak you out. Go. We have a big day tomorrow. The run and the gift-giving. You need air, and I need you to get some.”
    His mate understood him; she always had. What other female would be fine with their mate running out at a moment like the one they were having?
    “B—”
    She interrupted. “Drew. Go. I’m not going to be patient forever. And you didn’t sleep last night, so do try to get some tonight, if you can. I’ll see you tomorrow. Don’t be late.”
    He didn’t smell any pain coming off B, but that didn’t mean she wasn’t hiding it. “Even if we never have children, we’ll always have each other.”
    His mate turned her back on him and walked to the window. “Have a good run, my love.”
     
    ***
     
    Betty stormed through the crowd of revelers. The real party wouldn’t start until after the run. It seemed, however, some of the pack was happily getting their holiday on a little bit early. Good for them. Her scent must have given away her mood because no one stopped her or tried to get in her way. She was a woman on a mission.
    Crazy baby? Bad blood? Just the two of them?
    On the far side of the gravel lot opposite the bar, Ryker stood with his arms folded, staring impassively at Roland James. The tension roiling between them didn’t bode well for anyone. Not her problem. Not tonight.
    Betty didn’t mind it being only she and Drew for the rest of their lives. She’d be lucky to have every day with him, to close her eyes with a last breath knowing he was with her. Tears threatened, and she pushed them down. She’d always thought they’d have kids. Bunches of them. Pups running through the backyard after their first shift, laughter, pack.
    B pushed through the door of Gee’s and slid up to the bar. The old bear looked at her, eyebrows raised. He walked over and leaned toward her.
    “Hello, Betty.”
    She nodded. “Gee. I’d like a drink. A big one.”
    “Sure.” He moved behind the bar and came back with a glass he set down in front of her.
    She pointed to the red container. “That’s water.”
    “Big drink.”
    Her hands shook, and she put them in her lap. “I’m not having a great night. I get that was funny. Only my sense of humor…it’s fled.”
    “Which is why I’m not pouring you a large drink. Not making it my business how folks around here want to drown their sorrows. I’d be out of a job if I did. But you’re the Alpha’s mate. You can’t come and get drunk if you’re mad or sad. Doesn’t look strong.”
    She leaned forward. “Then give me the bottle, and I’ll take it home.”
    “Not going to happen.”
    Betty slumped in her seat. Wasn’t this supposed to be a happy time of year? She’d been enthused after hanging out with the humans. When had it all gone to shit?
    “You know”—Gee picked up a glass and started to clean it—“many folks get depressed this time of year. It can be sad to not have family around or realize you don’t have the life you always thought you would. I remember one time, many years ago, I had a similar conversation with your great-grandmother.”
    All right, he’d caught her attention. She loved when the bear told stories. “You did?”
    “You’re named after her. Only no one called her Betty. Elizabeth wasn’t going to ever be so informal. She was Elizabeth. Her mate was Patrick. They sometimes called each other ‘ma’am’ and ‘sir.’ Had a real sense of right and wrong, those two.” He shook his head, and she wondered if he was seeing them as though they were