2 Secrets Kept

The McCain house was quiet and dark when I returned and pulled into the drive. I knew they didn't need lights and I didn't tell them if I was coming home or not. I sighed as I turned off the ignition and made my way up to the front door.

It was too quiet as I made my way towards mine and Fredrick's bedroom. I was exhausted and couldn't wait to fall into my big bed. I quickly shower and dress in my pajamas, and cuddled under my covers and fell asleep.

-*-

The next morning was bright and sunny. I woke to the warm sun blaring through the large glass wall that looks out into the forest. It was a special glass that blocked UV rays from entering the house, quite expensive.

"Good morning, love. How did you sleep?" I heard Fredrick whisper from next to me.

I groan in delight as I stretch my muscles. Today I was going to the clinic to schedule a consultation for later in the week. I was a tad bit excited.

"Good morning, my husband," I replied groggily.

"I wanted to tell you in person that I'm needed in South America for a couple of weeks. I promise I won't be long. I'll be back as soon as I complete whatever task is needed of me," he said turning to look outside. His expression unreadable.

"Okay. Do hurry back to me so I don't miss you too much," I replied, kissing him sensually yet gentle.

I sat and watched as he packed a small bag. My mind wondering about a mile a minute. This was the perfect opportunity to set everything into motion. If I did everything correctly I could be pregnant by the time he arrived home. I had to hold in my squeal of excitement.

I walked Fredrick and Elizabeth to the sedan. Elizabeth is Fredrick's mother and sire to his father Christian. I gave Elizabeth a hug and wished her safe travels. Fredrick leaned over and gave me a quick sultry kiss before promising to return to me as soon as possible.

"I shall be joining you two shortly thereafter," Christian spoke from the doorway.

We both waved them off till I could no longer see the car. I went to have a seat with my favorite book on the livingroom sofa. About five minutes or so in, I could feel eyes on me. I looked up and nearly jumped out of my skin. Everyone was gathered in front of me. Each wearing a peculiar expression. I look at Alexa, wearing a large grin and beaming at me.

"Alex," I said.

"I called the clinic for you and scheduled your consultation for the morning. No worries Tricia, you'll definitely be pregnant before Fredrick comes home. He won't be back for a month so you're clear," she replied in her sing song voice.

"What about his reaction," I asked nervously.

"As long as you're happy he'll be happy," she replied without hesitation. Everyone smiled in agreement.

"Right. So, tomorrow then," I said sheepishly. "I guess you guys won't mind if I head over to the wolves territory now to spend the night," I asked.

"Of course not Tricia," Christian spoke calmly.

"Don't miss us too much Patty Pear," Ericsson snickered as he crushed me into a bear hug.

"Can't... breathe... Eric," I gasped.

He chuckled before releasing me. "Pretty soon I won't get to hug you so much Patsy," he faux pouted. I rolled my eyes.

"It's okay Eric. Just gentle hugs from now on okay," I smiled brightly at him.

I gave everyone else a hug and said goodbye before heading out to my SUV. The drive over the Oswego River was quicker than usual, not that I'm complaining of course. Pulling up to Nic's drive I caught sight of Derrick and Lucian walking in the opposite direction, away from the house.

"Back so soon sis," Nic called from his porch.

"Fredrick is heading to South America as we speak. So I'm free for the whole month," I smiled at him.

"You can stay here if you want. Or at my old mans, he's got a spare room. Especially since Stephanie and Stacey aren't returning anytime soon after they packed up their stuff," he said.

Dominic's two older sisters had returned home to gather their things and say goodbye, in a sort of permanent way. I felt so awful for Richard. His heart being broken by his own daughters. Then deciding to move into the house right next to the counsel building for better access. It was quaint and cozy, with two bedrooms and a spacious bathroom. It was repaired especially for Rick to have enough space for his wheelchair to get around. He was getting better at standing but that was about it, his diabetes was still a risk. Kelly and Dominic made sure he always had healthy food and no junk, though I suspected he had a stash.

"Yeah, I can do that. I'll have to ask him and go get a bag or ask Alexa to deliver it to the coffee place by the bridge. She scheduled my consultation for tomorrow morning so it'll save me the hassle of going back and forth," I replied.

"Well c'mon in we just started on lunch," he smiled his sunny smile.

"Where's Kelly," I wondered out loud when I didn't see her anywhere.

"She's sleeping. She's been having some complications with the pregnancy. Doctor says it's any day now," he replied as he gathered stuff to make sandwiches.

"Is everything okay with the baby," I asked concerned.

"As far as the doctor knows. But we're all hoping the baby will come within the next day or so," he placed a sandwich in front of me and grabbed me a soda and chips.

"I would love to be there for you guys, Nic," I smiled as I began to eat.

"You know you're like family and you're welcome anytime little sister," he smiled taking a seat with several sandwiches of his own.

After eating we sat and started to discuss plans for the future. Dominic wanted me to be prepared incase nothing went my way. A back up plan. He promised to set up his guest room just in case. I rolled my eyes, he worries too much. I assured him that if worse came to shove that I could buy a house in their territory, or rent my father's house since he and Sandra were happily married now.

When it started to get late Nic called Derrick to escort me to territory line for my suitcase. I had texted Alexa while Nic was on the phone with Derrick.

"So are you staying with Dom tonight," he asked as I drove slowly to our destination.

"Actually Nic is asking Rick right now as we speak," I blushed.

"You can stay at my place Patricia," he whispered.

Sometimes I questioned if he wanted something more than friendship. I remember the mess I was in when Nic found his mate. It was months before Fredrick came back after we broke things off way back when. I had no one to turn to for comfort and Derrick just happened to be right there. He became my rock for a while and the lines of friendship became blurred just for a moment.

"You know why that'd be a bad idea Derrick," I whispered.

"I know," he replied, his head hanging low.

I wanted to reassure him that no matter what he was still important to me. After all he was the first man that saw me in my most vulnerable state. If I knew he'd never find his true mate someday I probably would have chosen him. But I didn't want to risk anything. He was the only one without a mate and soon he was to travel with Nic and Max to other territories to introduce Nic as the new Alpha of their wolf pack. He was sure to find his true mate by then.

I sighed as I parked in the parking lot of the coffee shop just inside the vampire territory. I got my bag from Alex and a call from Rick confirming that I was indeed welcome. The drive back was in a comfortable silence, saying bye to Derrick was always so awkward. He wasn't the only wolf that had these types of feelings either. When I walked into Rick's I was surprised to find Lucian sitting on the couch watching TV.

"Lucian," I said, dragging my suitcase toward the guest room.

"Patricia," he replied with that devilish smirk.

I wanted to pity him but he took life in stride. He had found his true mate bond with Stacey Salazar during her visit to gather her belongings with so much as a backwards glance. She was married already with her college sweetheart with a child on the way. So she felt no qualms in rejecting the bond and cutting ties to her wolf. I know Lucian was a mess when he found out she was already pregnant and wanted nothing more than friendship; but as far as I know they kept in contact anyway. He was happy to be friends and nothing more, and so he continued his way of life.

That night Lucian invited himself to dinner and crashed on the couch after Rick and I turned in for the night.

_____________________________

Little did Patricia know that the wolf was not sleeping at all. He was there when she revealed her desire for a child, hiding in the trees undetected. He knew her secrets simply by snooping in her old room and reading her diary. He followed her everywhere without the knowledge of her and his brothers. He had wanted her ever since that day. The day they met, she had a fire in her eyes that she showed only when he was near. He had to have her.

She was going to be his, if it was the last thing he did.