Dreaming of the Wolf (Heart of the Wolf #8)(85)

Peter spread his hands in a way that said there was no other possibility.

“I’ve got to get cribs and all that stuff. Everything that Lelandi’s been stocking up for her babies when they’re born.” Jake had thought all her purchases and the way she’d been stressing over the upcoming event had been unnecessary. That half of the stuff she’d bought was not even needed.

But now he was rethinking his position. Now when he had his own triplets on the way. He rose to his feet, wondering why he was sitting around when he had so much to do.

“They’re not going to be here for several months. You’ll have time,” Tom said, looking immensely amused. “My advice to you though is, don’t make the nursery pink just yet.”

Jake dragged his fingers through his hair, ignoring his brother’s teasing, and then took a deep, steadying breath. Hell, now he had to get married. In a real wedding, of all things.

Peter said, “The other news is that I had some men check out Danny’s place. You should have seen the way he rigged up the place. Strands of hair stuck to drawers in the event anyone opened them.”

The guy was nuts.

“We replaced them, though. Found a gun in a desk drawer and some papers having to do with racketeering that we sent to the Feds—in a surreptitious way. They’ll probably get a search warrant and nail the bastard.”

“He’s not a wolf?” Jake asked, surprised. If Ferdinand Massaro had been and Mario might be, he’d thought for sure Danny was. But Peter wouldn’t have sent the Feds incriminating evidence if Danny had been a wolf.

“Nope. And no wolves had been in the house. So unless someone changes the equation, Danny’s free to go to prison—for as long as he should live.”

Darien entered the house with his cell phone to his ear, his expression grim and his brows raised as he acknowledged Jake, Tom, and Peter. Jake had the sneaking suspicion that more bad news was on its way.

Darien signed off with whomever he was talking to on the phone. “The police in Denver want to speak with Alicia about Ferdinand Massaro’s murder again. They believe she witnessed the murder and want to put her in the Witness Protection Program.”

“They can’t,” Jake said.

Darien sighed. “I know that, Jake. But you, Tom, and Peter will have to accompany her to Denver. Along with some men for backup guard.”

“What if she shape-shifts?” Jake asked.

“Just pray she doesn’t,” Darien said, glancing in the direction of the sunroom, undoubtedly hearing some of Lelandi’s conversation and probably wondering what that was all about.

Lelandi must have been talking on the phone as she said, “Oh, yes, a real wedding. What do you think for bridesmaids’ gowns, Silva? Alicia says she wants you to take part, too, and wanted your opinion.”

Darien gave Jake a questioning look.

“We’re getting married.” Jake spoke as if he didn’t want any discussion about the matter.

“Married? Bridesmaids’ gowns?” Darien asked, his voice low.

“We were all set to just go to a justice of the peace, but Lelandi wouldn’t hear of it.” Jake shoved his hands in his pockets, almost wishing Darien would make Lelandi cease and desist. But he knew Darien wouldn’t. “Guess who gets to give the bride away.”

Darien looked at Tom, who was grinning big time now.

“Don’t look at me,” Tom said. “You’re the pack leader.”

Darien groaned. “Hell, if it wasn’t for Lelandi’s temperamental condition, I’d put my foot down and say absolutely not. So when the hell is it scheduled?”

Jake sighed. “What do I know? The women have taken over.”

“That’s what happens when the women are pregnant,” Peter said, although since he wasn’t mated, he hadn’t had to deal with all the ups and downs himself.

Darien’s gaze swung back to Jake.

This time Jake couldn’t contain the delight in his expression or tone of voice. He sounded like a kid at Christmas. “Alicia’s pregnant, Doc says. With triplets.”

Darien was still frowning. “Yours?”

“Appears that way.”

That’s when Darien’s smile first appeared. He said to Tom, “You’re next, little brother. We’ll have a boomtown here before we know it.”

***

The next morning, on the drive to Denver to see the police about Ferdinand Massaro’s murder, Alicia had a panic attack. Although it wasn’t really a panic attack because the panic was for real. The moon was at its fullest, and although it was daytime and the moon wasn’t easy to see, it was there all the same.

And Alicia knew, despite trying to stop it, that she was getting ready to shift. She was worn out from the discovery the day before about her father and learning she was pregnant with triplets, as well as Lelandi’s rush to help her find a gown before Alicia couldn’t wear one unless it was a maternity gown, and Jake loving her all night long. She’d been sleeping with her head in Jake’s lap as Tom drove the SUV to Denver, while Peter sat in the front passenger’s seat and remained quiet. Another SUV filled with four more pack members followed, making her feel safe and protected and totally overwhelmed by all of the events of the past couple of days.

But all of a sudden, she began to get really, really hot. That brought back into focus how she wasn’t herself anymore. The first thing she did was worry about the babies. Would the shift hurt them? Then she realized that werewolves had lived like this for a very long time, and they’d survived all these years, so everything would be all right.