Free No Quarter by Anita Cox Page B

rather not run the risk of ruining more dress clothes in case the school went under attack once more. Colin seemed to have understood. That, or he kept his wife’s request in mind, because he dressed in jeans and a black, form fitting T-shirt.
    “Now that’s what I’m talking about. I knew you’d look good in a pair of jeans.” She winked and nudged him, hoping to lighten the mood. She could feel anxiety rolling off her mate, though his thoughts were quiet. It drove her mad wondering what he was thinking again. Really? What good was having a mental connection if she still had to wonder what was on his mind?
    “Actually, I’m just sort of…numb. All I keep seeing is my sister on the floor of the bathroom. I haven’t had a coherent thought all morning.” He blinked a few times then shook his head.
    Running the tips of her fingers along his hairline above his ear, she smiled. “That was nausea. Pregnancy is a real bitch from what I understand. Don’t worry. There’s no way Zoltar will let anyone near her. She has an entire herd of Centaurs standing guard from what Grace said on the phone.” She cleared her voice and took a step back. “I’m sure if they needed help, they’d ask.”
    With a light chuckle and a roll of the eyes, Colin shook his head. “You don’t know my sister. Stubborn runs in the family.”
    They stopped in to let Jake know they were leaving before heading to the car. Nala had confidence in her Beta’s ability. He never overstepped and showed loyalty to her almost immediately. Whether that was due to her position as Alpha or half-sister-in-law, she didn’t know, nor did she think it mattered.
    Once in the car, she began to relax. The drive there was more comfortable this time, with her mate opening up, talking about the past when he and Wendy were children.
    “It was like having an older brother. She used to push me around a lot. Don’t get me wrong, she never bullied me, not Wendy. She’s too busy being a mother to everyone .” His eyes crinkled at the side with this smile and it pulled at her heart, filling her with warmth.
    “So what did she do?” She asked as she rubbed her fingers in his palms. Holding hands with him had been her first step toward intimacy and it was something that felt nice to her. She often held his hand when she needed to feel a connection. She imagined Wendy cutting big chunks of blond hair off his head, or moving his chair as he went to sit.
    “Something she still does, though not many people catch it, when we’re at the dinner table and she’s walking around to serve, she’d flick my ear. You know, playfully mean, but it never really hurt. That kind of thing. You know, a gentle reminder that she is my big sister.” He laughed while giving her hand a squeeze. “She used to put extra Brussel sprouts on my plate too, because she knows I hate them.”
    She wrinkled her nose. “Well, we have that much in common.” Closing her eyes as she smiled, she leaned back in her seat, reveling in the sunshine coming through the window. It had been a few days since she’d went on her morning run and she missed that brief moment she took each morning…just closing her eyes and absorbing nature.
    “Damn this is the longest driveway on the planet,” he complained as she sped down the path.
    Straightening in her seat, she took a deep breath. The vulnerability she showed with her mate would have to take a back seat during this important business meeting.
    Zoltar and Wendy stood in the parking lot to greet them. Wendy looked good as new and radiant. The bump in her belly was starting to show as her shirt stretched to accommodate her tummy.
    “You look fantastic!” Nala embraced Wendy for a brief moment before releasing her. The woman just oozed warmth and affection and it was something Nala really loved about being around her. “Motherhood suits you.”
    Zoltar shook her hand, then Colin’s. “Welcome back.”
    “It’s about time!” Wendy shrieked noticing the