The Alpha's Niece (Barton Pack Book 1) Read online

Remember stopped and brought a hand to her mouth.

  "Oh Cyrus," she gasped.

  He smiled. Aaron and Martha had brought over the presents before dawn.

  It wasn't nearly what the baby would've had if Remember had taken her place as the wife of an alpha but he'd done what he could. Under the tree was a baby carriage with a wicker basket, a cradle, a white crib, a tiny wooden rocking horse with yarn hair, a high chair, and a dresser with three drawers.

  "That isn't the last of it either. Tell her," his mother urged.

  "Once the weather warms in summer I am going to add a bedroom to the downstairs of the house for my mother to live in. I know it will be some time before the baby will need a room away from you but-" Remember stopped him by throwing her arms around his neck and hugging him tightly.

  "I didn't expect this," Remember whispered.

  "It wasn't much. The baby needed things," Cyrus said.

  "Plenty of babies born around here have much less than all this," his mother said. It wasn't quite what she'd said when she helped him order it from the catalog. She'd been as excited as he was.

  After Remember walked around the tree gently running a finger over each of the items they all sat down and the rest of the gifts were exchanged.

  Cyrus received two new shirts, a pair of pants, six pairs of warm knit socks, and a pair of woolen mittens.

  His mother gave Remember an apron and a new handmade dress. Remember gave his mother a quilt.

  Then, they sat down to breakfast. Cyrus had barely finished his eggs when there was a knock on the door.

  He groaned. His mother hurried to answer it.

  Ahote stepped into the kitchen. She was wearing thick black furs which contrasted the white snowflakes that clung to her. Her eyes were bloodshot and there were dark circles underneath them.

  "Mother fell on the ice yesterday. We think her hip and maybe her leg are broken. We thought if we just kept her still they would heal by themselves. She's in so much pain," Ahote cried.

  "Did you bring a wagon?" Cyrus asked. He didn't particularly want to risk the long walk in the ice and snow. If he fell and broke a limb it would heal but it would also make it much more difficult to give Thunder the care she needed. She was older and her ability to heal herself was fading. He would have to see how bad her injuries were but he already knew at her age there might be little he could do but give her morphine to ease the pain.

  "I brought the wagon," Ahote assured him.

  "Would you like some coffee or food?" his mother offered.

  "No. Thank you. Sorry to ruin your festivities," Ahote said.

  "It is the life of a country doctor," his mother said swishing her hand to wave away the very thought.

  Cyrus hurried to his office and grabbed his bag. He checked his supplies to make sure he had antiseptics and painkillers. He didn't see a reason to disturb Aaron. There was little to be done for Thunder if she really did have a broken hip and leg. Aaron's potions couldn't return her bodies' power to heal itself.

  "I'm ready," Cyrus said stepping back into the kitchen. Ahote nodded and led the way out to her wagon.

  ***

  Remember tried to push away her disappointment as supper time came without the return of Cyrus. She and Tabitha spent most of the day sewing as it was too cold and the snow too deep to do much else.

  The light coming through the window began to grow dark and she finally put away her needle.

  Her child kicked and fought inside of her. He was quickly running out of room to grow. He would have to be born soon. It made her wish more and more that Cyrus would hurry home. She'd decided that tonight was the night. She'd put it off as long as she could because of her nerves. She'd told herself it would be a lovely Christmas gift for her husband. Only, he wasn't there to enjoy it.

  She leaned back in her chair and felt her eyes growing heavy.

  "You should get to bed," Tabitha said. Remember yawned and forced open her eyes. She wanted to protest but couldn't. She needed sleep.

  She dragged her heavy body up the stairs, changed into her nightgown, and fell into bed exhausted.

  ***

  Cyrus tried to be as quiet as he could as he made his way up the stairs but he was exhausted.

  He stumbled as he entered the bedroom and only with the help of his cane was he able to remain upright.

  The room was dark but he heard Remember stir.

  "Was it bad?" she whispered. He made his way to the dresser and grabbed his night shirt. Then, he sat down in his chair to undress and remove his prosthetic leg.

  "She is not young and her injuries were as bad as her daughters feared. I did what I could to immobilize the broken bones and I gave her something for pain," Cyrus said.

  He hopped over to the bed and slide between the covers. It was warm already from Remember's body. Cyrus leaned into the softness of the mattress with a sigh of relief. His whole body longed for slumber. He closed his eyes but opened them again when he felt Remember's lips on his cheek. She moved her lips against his mouth a moment later though the movement was awkward. He felt her hand reach out and touch his chest and begin to move downward. He grabbed her hand.

  "What are you doing?" he asked softly. He had a pretty good idea what she was doing or at least what she was trying to do.

  "I thought we should...I mean I wanted to...." Remember said and her voice broke.

  "It isn't necessary," Cyrus said. He wasn't sure what had brought on her sudden impulse.

  "It is. I need to do this before the baby comes. I've been trying to build up my courage but there isn't much time left. I thought it would be a nice gift for Christmas," she said. He reached out and gently stroked her arm. She was trembling.

  "We are both very tired," he said.

  "Cyrus, I need to do this. Please. I need to get back what he took from me," Remember whispered. Her teeth were chattering though he doubted she was cold.

  "Not tonight," Cyrus said. It had been a long day and he was tired but this wasn't the only reason he wanted to stall her.

  He hadn't been with a woman since he lost his leg. He hadn't really thought much about being with one. He knew he was capable. No man could go that long without relief at least in the form of his hand.

  He'd put ideas of the bedroom out of his mind after he lost his leg and he hadn't planned for his marriage to bring them back up despite the desire he felt for his wife. Even in her current, very pregnant, state she was a woman with soft curves. Her pregnancy had made her breasts rounder. He couldn't honestly say he hadn't noticed those breasts or that he hadn't ever thought of touching them. It had been fantasy though. Now, he had a very frightened woman who he loved and who needed him to help her get past the worst thing that had ever happened to her. He didn't have the strength to take that on tonight.

  "Don't you want me? Is it because-" she looked deeply hurt and Cyrus winced. Of course a woman like her might think her husband didn't want her because of what had happened to her before. He mentally chided himself for not considering her reaction to his refusal.

  "I am exhausted. That is the only reason. I promise," he assured her.

  "Promise me it will be tomorrow," she whispered.

  "I promise," he said though the words made his tongue feel swollen. He tried to push all the worry and uncertainty away. Tomorrow Remember might come to her senses or perhaps she might be overcome by her fears. If she wasn't, he would need to do what he had never thought he would do. He would have to make love to his wife despite the fact he was no longer a whole man.

  Chapter 17

  Remember's heart was pounding when she awoke though it took her several moments to recall why.

  She rolled over and found the bed beside her empty. She wasn't sure whether to be relieved or disappointed.

  She put on her dressing gown and made her way downstairs. She could smell coffee, bacon, and biscuits coming from the kitchen.

  Cyrus and Tabitha were both at the table when she arrived. She gave Cyrus a questioning look. He smi
led at her in return.

  She wished he would have just stayed in bed. The anticipation the day before had been difficult enough. She didn't know if she could endure another day of it.

  "I'll be visiting Martha today. Do you need me to take any messages to her?" Tabitha asked brightly. Remember felt her cheeks redden as she wondered if Cyrus had told his mother of their plans and asked her to give them the house to themselves.

  "No messages," Remember said almost in a whisper as she took her place at the table and grabbed a biscuit which she attempted to nibble at.

  Tabitha took her dishes to the sink and began washing them.

  Remember wished she would leave them there and leave the house. Remember could finish washing the dishes after...the panic started to fill her again and she pushed all thoughts of mating with her husband away.

  "I'll be back around supper time," Tabitha said as she laid her clean dishes on a cloth to dry.

  "Wonderful," Cyrus said. Remember felt her throat go dry. Did her husband really expect them to be in bed that long together?

  "Be careful out in the snow," Remember said.

  "No need to worry about me. I've lived through my share of Iowa winters," Tabitha said with a wink. She grabbed her cloak, hat, and mittens before finally, mercifully, heading out the door into the cold December day.

  Remember looked over at Cyrus. They were completely alone together.

  "Do you still wish to..." Cyrus asked looking down at his coffee cup.

  Remember felt her cheeks warm but she forced a nod. She needed to do it. She knew it was not going to be easy but she had already set her mind to it.

  Cyrus nodded in response and pushed his coffee cup away from him. Then, he stood up.

  She was shaking but she forced herself to her feet and followed him back upstairs to their bedroom.

  Sunlight streaming through the window illuminated the room. She wasn't sure how she felt about that.

  "Should I take off my leg?" Cyrus asked. She looked over at him. She hadn't thought about his prosthetic one way or another.

  "Whatever you think it best," Remember said. Cyrus took a seat in the chair.

  "Perhaps you should turn around and undress. It will make things easier for us both," he said. Remember nodded. She turned around so that her back was facing him and she squeezed her eyes closed as she forced her hands to undo the ties of her dressing gown. Then, she undid the buttons of her nightgown. The buttons were difficult with trembling fingers but somehow she managed. Once she was naked she took a deep breath and slowly turned around.

  Cyrus was sitting across from her. His prosthetic leaned against the chair and his body was naked and exposed just as hers was. Her eyes went immediately to the stump of his leg.

  "If it bothers you I can put it back on," he said hurriedly.

  "No. It doesn't," Remember said quickly.

  Cyrus pushed himself up and hopped over to the bed.

  ***

  Cyrus felt foolish but there was nothing to be done. He'd promised Remember that he would do his duty as a husband and he wouldn't go back on his word. He'd been surprised how beautiful she looked even with her belly swollen from the pup she was carrying.

  His body was responding to her and he hoped that the blood flowing into his erection wouldn't cause her to run from him in a fit of terror.

  He sat on the edge of the bed and bid her to move closer to him. He could see the effort it took but she came to stand within arm's reach of him.

  He reached out and put a hand on her hip. She flinched but didn't pull away.

  "Are you sure? We can stop if you have decided you're not ready," he whispered. He wasn't sure how much she believed him because at that moment his cock gave a little jerk in her direction. His body wanted her much more than he had anticipated and he hoped she didn't sense how deep his desire for her was. It could only frighten her.

  She shook her head but he could hear her swallow hard. Her mouth was probably too dry to speak.

  "It has been a very long time since I was with a woman. I'm not sure I recall exactly what I am supposed to do," he whispered. It had been a long time but he knew very well what to do though he didn't want her to know that. He wanted her to take the lead so they could move forward at her own pace. Now that he was so close to making love to his wife the last thing he wanted to do was scare her away.

  "I could kiss you," she said. He wasn't happy with how her voice trembled.

  "You could, if you wanted," Cyrus said. She leaned her head down and for just a moment her lips brushed his. Then, she pulled them away again. He stifled a sigh. This was going to be far more difficult than he'd expected.

  "Should I lie down?" Remember asked looking at the floor.

  "I suppose you should," Cyrus said. He could see her trembling and he knew what he needed to do. He just hoped she would let him.

  She climbed into the bed and lay down on her back lifting her eyes to the ceiling. He watched her hands fist the blankets and it nearly broke his heart in two.

  He rolled to face her and her eyes snapped shut. Her jaw was set in determination. Cyrus sighed. He knew what she expected him to do but there was no way he could bring himself to. Not like this.

  He brought his hand to her thigh and her body jerked. His instinct was to remove his hand but he forced it to stay where it was.

  It wasn't as easy as he had hoped to maneuver between her legs but with effort he managed. He looked up at her again. Her eyes were still squeezed shut. It was probably for the best. If she saw what he was about to do she would be horrified just like any proper lady would.

  With both hands he pushed her thighs gently apart. She didn't resist though he could feel her muscles tense.

  He pushed down the anger that tried to surface. Jordan was a monster. He wanted to find him and he wanted to hurt him even though revenge on Jordan wouldn't do anything to heal his wife.

  He bent down his head and placed a kiss on her inner thigh. Then, he took his tongue and gently brushed her pink slit. She let out a gasp and her eyes flew open.

  "Your body isn't ready. I need to make sure you are wet enough," he whispered.

  "And that is the way?" Remember asked.

  "Yes, it is. If I don't get your body ready it could be very painful," he said.

  "Do what you must," she whispered turning her head to the side.

  He began to caress her with his tongue. He could taste her fear but it was mixed with the flavor of honey. As he continued to lick and suck her the honey taste began to overtake the taste of fear.

  When his tongue ran around her clitoris her hips bucked. He decided that was a good sign. He brought his hands up to her slit and pushed it back so he could more easily see the little pink nub that was where a woman took her pleasure. He began to lick it vigorously.

  ***

  Remember had no idea what Cyrus was doing but she had to trust him. He was a man and a doctor. Surely, he knew what there was to know about mating.

  The thing he was doing to her with his mouth was strange and surprisingly pleasant. She did feel a hot wetness building up between her legs as he licked her most intimate places. The licking made her belly feel full and her muscles tense but not in fear. She felt like something was building up inside her. She opened her mouth to pant. It was strange but she couldn't say it was unpleasant. She startled slightly when Cyrus pushed his tongue inside her but even that felt surprisingly good. She hadn't expected that. She hadn't expected any of it to feel good.

  She felt her body responding to his touches. Her hips were bucking despite herself and urging him on. The primal nature of her wolf was close to the surface. She didn't feel like she would change form but she felt excited like she had during the full moons when she had teased Cyrus playfully.

  Finally, she felt as if the muscles in her body were wound as tight as they could go and with the next swipe of his tongue Remember felt those muscles uncoiling in a hot wave of pleasure. She felt pulsing deep inside of her and hot pleasure ran
through her belly and then spread to her arms and legs. She let out a feral sound that startled her as the room seemed to grow black for a moment and then burst back with vivid color.

  She could feel the hot liquid between her legs. Cyrus hadn't been wrong that what he was doing would make her wet. She thought it might even have dripped onto the blankets beneath her. Perhaps he had done his job too well.

  ***

  Cyrus's cock was aching. He wanted nothing more than plunge deep into her and thrust hard and fast until he found his relief. If he had been a younger man or her another woman he might have let those instincts take hold but he managed, though only barely, to hold himself back.

  He was panting and desperate but he had been thinking about this next step and it was vital that he do it the right way. If he failed, he might never be allowed to have her again and now that he had enjoyed tasting her he knew there was no way he was going to give her up. His wolf was impatient. He wanted to mount her and mate her but Cyrus pushed him down fighting for control.

  He pushed her leg to the side and rolled over until he was on his back at her side.

  "Cyrus?" she asked.

  "You have to do it. I got you ready but you have to do it," he whispered.

  "I don't understand," she said.

  "Get up," he said. He could tell by the look on her face that she was confused but she also was curious. Much of the tension from earlier had drained from her and he could tell she was less apprehensive. He wanted to keep her that way and he had an idea how.

  She sat up and he inched his way closer to the center of the bed.

  "Now move over me," he whispered.

  She looked at him, unsure.

  "Lean over me," he said again. He was surprised by how husky his voice was. His aching cock was growing impatient. He closed his eyes for a moment to be sure he had control of himself and then he opened them again. Remember was staring at him but she'd moved over him as he asked. He put a hand on her hip and positioned her above his erection.