Free Delta Bear (Rogue Bear Series 2) by Meredith Clarke, Ally Summers

planted against her belly.
    “Did you accept him as your mate?” she asked.
    Haley nodded. It wouldn’t make for good clan politics if she told them when she asked Jax to claim her she didn’t know what she was signing up for. But it didn’t matter—according to his clan laws, she had invited him into her body and what was done was done. On top of that, did they really expect her to share what happened in the bedroom?
    Estelle looked past her and into Jax’s eyes. “Tsk, tsk, Jax.”
    “She’s more than capable, Estelle.” His voice was firm. “She will be a strong alpha while I’m gone.”
    Estelle withdrew her hands. “I’ve seen alphas do a lot of things in my time, but I don’t think I’ve seen one leave his mate with cubs.”
    “I’m not,” he declared.
    Haley’s hands instantly landed on the swell of her stomach. She felt the nausea rising in her throat. Oh, God. She was going to be sick in this bear cave.
    Jax reached out to steady her. “Hey, are you ok?”
    She nodded, but her eyes caught his. “I think I’m pregnant.”
    She knew it wasn’t medically possible. She had had ultrasounds and tests. Her ovaries were basically frozen until she did hormone treatments, but as another wave of nausea rolled through her she knew there wasn’t any other answer.
    The way coffee smelled made her sick. Her favorite lotion made her throw up. She was craving everything sweet in sight. Her breasts had never felt more tender. And now, one of the bear clan leaders said she knew there were cubs. Haley knew it too.
    No, it wasn’t medically possible. It would be weeks before she should even have the slightest symptom of pregnancy. No pregnancy test would confirm she was pregnant after a few days, but she could feel it. None of this had to do with science or medicine. She was standing in a cave of bear shifters. The man she had fallen in love with was a bear and she was carrying his cubs.
    She reached for Jax, and his arm wrapped around her waist.
    “Congratulations, Jax.” The old man slapped him on the back. “You didn’t waste any time. I think this settles things, doesn’t it Estelle?”
    “Barnes, you know I won’t fight if there is another generation on the way. It’s no way for cubs to be brought up.”
    Haley watched as the two shook hands. The others in the group began to file out of the meeting, each one stopping to congratulate them.
    When the last one left. Haley looked at Jax.
    “I’m not supposed to be able to get pregnant,” she whispered.
    “I know.” He pulled her against his chest, his arms circling her.
    “What are we going to do?”

19

Jax
    H e held her close . So close he could feel her heart beat against his chest. This wasn’t supposed to happen. None of it was supposed to happen.
    “I think I’m going to be sick.” She pushed away from him and held onto the wall closest to her.
    He watched her. She was pregnant. She was carrying his cubs. He didn’t know whether to burst with pride or wallow in the shame of what he had done. He never would have claimed her like he had, only to leave her with his cubs.
    He ran his hands over his head and tried to smile when she turned toward him.
    “Sorry,” she whispered.
    “Are you ok?”
    She nodded. “I feel better. Can we go back to the cabin?”
    “Of course.”
    They walked in silence. He didn’t know what to do or say now that everything was different. He left Haley on the couch while he poured a glass of water for her.
    “Here you go.”
    She took the glass and drank until it was empty. “I’m crazy thirsty.”
    He nodded. “I can see that.”
    “It’s common with pregnancy.” He could hear the tone in her voice. She sounded like she did at the hospital, reciting medical facts. “Although, what’s not common is someone who needs a Hail Mary pass to get pregnant to be pregnant after five days.”
    She wanted an explanation from him but he didn’t have one. “I’m as surprised as you are. I didn’t know it