Chapter 61

Trishanna stared at her mate and her ..... baby's father and she could feel the exact moment when the 'mom look' was born. Huffing, she crossed her arms over her little baby bump and began tapping her feet. Bradley released James, a look on his face that showed he knew he was in trouble. James inhaled, glad to have his lungs working again. He would have kissed his savior if she didn't look so, upset. Maybe disappointed was a better word. The two grown men shuffled on their feet, not sure what to do. Even the laptop was silent. "Would someone please explain to me just what the sweet hell is going on?" Trishanna asked, arching a brow.

Whiskers cleared his throat. "Umm, this is Robert Brooks. I am one of the three top leaders in the Council. At the moment, we were discussing the errors of these men's choices when things got a bit heated." Trishanna tightened her lips. "I see, guess it's a good thing that I showed up."

Whiskers huffed, "Actually, we would prefer to continue without your presence, Ms. Trishanna. So if you would be so kind as to leave." Cynthia glanced at the young woman, wondering how she would take the dismissal. However, she was not disappointed when Trishanna squared her shoulders and took a determined step towards the screen. "No offense Robert, but since it is a preference and not a requirement, I have all intentions of staying as this concerns me and my unborn child the most, don't you think?" With a glance over her shoulders, James rushed to place a chair directly in front of the laptop and Bradley helped her in. When she was settled in, she turned to the faces on the screen and arched one eyebrow. "Alright gentlemen, let's settle this matter once and for all." Cynthia smiled as she saw how Trishanna sat like a queen on a throne flanked by her two kings. And she knew that things were shifting more than any of them knew.

Trishanna sighed as the screen went blank. James rubbed her shoulders as Bradley rubbed her feet. The past two hours were draining and she was in desperate need of sleep, preferably in a large banana split, drizzled with chocolate and coated with sprinkles. She wiped the drool peeping at the corner of her mouth. "I'm starving" she whined. Both men looked at each other, a grin on each face. Where was the commanding woman who'd basically brow-beaten those fuddy old fools into agreeing to show leniency towards the Alphas and only serve them with a warning and a fine? James spoke up, "What would you like?"

Trishanna lit up like a Christmas tree, "I really want a banana split, with the works." James nodded, touching her cheek gently. "Sure thing, I know the perfect place. Let's head into town." He reached out his hand and helped her up. Heading towards the door, he turned to her, "Aren't you inviting your mate to join you?" Trishanna squealed and hugged James, thanking him profusely. She reached for Bradley, ignoring the slight look of confusion and soon she was flanked by her two men. The thought flashed through her mind, but she shook it away. Right now, all she wanted to think about was the sweet chilly goodness waiting on her.

James took them to the garage and soon the three of them were headed into town. Trishanna bounced on the seat of his SUV as she rarely left the pack. That thought made her sad, but Bradley's hand on her shoulder from his seat in the back made her smile. It was the first time in a long while, the last time she remember clearly was with Rosie. She smiled in memory of that trip and inwardly declared that she was going to enjoy it to the fullest. James sensed her enjoyment and he pressed the button that rolled down her window. 

Trishanna closed her eyes and sniffed in the air. It was strange that it was the same air that surrounded the pack, yet the rushing of it over her face, somehow made it different. She opened her eyes to see both men looking at her with care and tenderness. "Is this what it's like to run in your wolf form?", she asked, glancing back and forth between them. Bradley laughed, a sound that she hadn't heard in a while that made her heart skip a beat. "Trust me, love, it's even better." James chuckled, "He's right, this is nothing compared to running in our wolf form." Trishanna pouted and leaned back, crossing her arms. "I bet it is. I'm so jealous," she muttered to herself. Both men laughed, with James going even so far as to pinch her nose.

Trishanna sulked for a while, but she couldn't for long. Soon they reached the town and she perked up once again. This was a rare opportunity and she would not miss it. Her head looked like a revolving door as she swivled back and forth not wanting to miss anything, but unable to see out of the back of her head. Bradley chuckled, but James felt a touch of sadness. He was such an arrogant fool. He was the reason why she was more excited that a pup on their first school outing. His grip tightened and he decided that he was going to make up for this as well.

They pulled up in front of the ice-cream shop and cut the engine. Bradley hopped out and opened his mate's door, helping her down from the vehicle. With James and Bradley flanking her sides, they made their way into the cool interior. Thankfully it wasn't crowded, just a few parents out with small children. They made their way to the counter and let Trishanna make her order. James ordered an iced coffee and Bradley a strawberry smoothie. Sitting by the window so Trishanna could look out, they waited on their order. Soon it was brought over by one of the local teens.

Trishanna looked up to thank her but the pleasant smile dropped from her face. There was no way she was happy with the flirty looks this beanpole of a female was giving her men. Her hand tightened on the glass and a low growl rumbled from her lips. She could feel her fingers itch with the need to claw her sickly sweet smile off her clown-like face, or was it something else? James and Bradley heard her growl and were surprised. It was obvious that the clueless girl didn't, by the way she fussed over them. Bradley got upset and cleared his throat. "Thanks, our girlfriend would like to enjoy her treat in peace." 

The teen girl looked from one man to the other, shocked. James nodded, rubbing Trishanna's back to calm her down. Spinning on her heels, she left and the three looked at each other and laughed.

Maybe it was a good thing that they came out after all.