Tish POV
I walk with my arm linked in Kai's. I chatter endlessly trying to keep his attention of the pack house. It is still in ruins but it is slowly being rebuilt. Kaden and I decided it was best to stay in the cabin until it is complete.
Kaden is walking on the other side of me. He is tense. I overheard the conversation he had with the doctor. He doesn't think Kai is ready to come home. Unfortunately, Raven and her mates agree. They have posted extra security outside of their small cabin. I am the only one who is excited, and I worry that Kai can sense that. I push the door to the cabin open and pull Kai inside. "Home, sweet, home!"
Kai looks around the cabin and sighs. He seems disappointed. His feet drag as he walks back the short hallway. Standing outside of the bedroom door, he frowns. "You all hand sex in here."
"We've had sex in there, too," I remind him.
That simple statement seems to be enough for him, and he disappears inside. I move to follow him, but Kaden grabs my arm.
"I have pack business to attend to," he whispers. ''I want you to come with me."
"What?" I gasp. "Kai just got home. He shouldn't be left alone."
"I know," he groans. "But I don't want you to be alone with him. There is no telling what he might do."
Kaden's fingers graze over the healing mark on my neck. It is a constant reminder of Kai's mistake, but I refuse to hold it over his head. "He was poisoned," I remind Kaden. "He won't hurt me now."
"I'm not leaving you alone," he snaps at me.
"Then I guess you are working from the cabin," I protest, crossing my arms over my chest.
"It doesn't work like that, Tish," he grumbles. "We won't be gone long."
"Then it won't matter if I stay," I reply.
"You can be so fucking difficult," he growls.
"And?" I spit back at him.
A knock on the door interrupts our argument. I fling the door open and glare at Kieran, who is standing on the other side. "Can this wait?" I yell.
"No," Kieran seems shocked by my temper.
"Make it quick," I hiss. "We are fighting."
Kieran looks at Kaden with sympathy. He doesn't bother to come inside.
"I am leaving for the North Pack," he begins. "Mae needs me, and Raven is here to help."
Cocking my head to the side, I look Kieran up and down. He is hiding something from me.
"What is wrong with Mae?" I demand to know.
"She's pregnant," Kaden chimes in. Kieran glowers in Kaden's direction, and he slinks away into the kitchen. I am left in shock.
"Why didn't she tell me?" I say hurtfully.
"You are dealing with your own mess, and she didn't want to worry you," Kieran explains.
He is still keeping something from me. I can see it in his eyes.
"What aren't you telling me?" I ask. My heart feels like it is in my throat, and I might vomit.
Kieran is refusing to look me in the eyes. "Pregnancy has not been easy for her. Narah has been having awful visions, and it is putting everyone on edge," Kieran explains.
"She needs me," I whimper.
"Your mate needs you more," he nods down the hall.
I finally understand the impossible situation Mae was put in between Kieran and me. Kieran is right; Kai needs me here, and Kaden does, too.
"You tell her to call me every day," I whisper. "I want to know everything that is going on."
"Fair," Kieran says before walking away.
I slam the cabin door shut and ignore Kaden standing in the kitchen. Stripping my clothes off piece by piece, I walk down the hallway. Kaden is hot on my heels. I stop at the bedroom door and peek in. Kai is curled up on the bed, sleeping.
Without hesitation, I climb into bed beside him and nuzzle into his chest. Kai mumbles my name in his sleep and wraps his arms around me.
Kaden is still grumbling in the doorway. I tilt my head back and poke my tongue out at him. He tries to maintain his angry disposition, but he cracks a smile.
Throwing his arms into the air, he admits defeat. "I will be back in a few hours. You know where the bat is."
Kai's eyes fly open, and he zeroes in on his brother. "I'm not going to hurt her, Assface."
He lies his head back down and is somehow back asleep in seconds. I chuckle as Kaden places a goodbye kiss on my forehead. When I hear the cabin door close, I rest my eyes, relishing in the warmth of Kai's touch.
"Mom," he mumbles in his sleep. "This tea tastes like shit."
I practically jump up in the bed. "What did you say?" I try to urge him to keep talking.
"The tea," he mutters. "It tastes bad."
"When did she give you tea?" I say a little too loudly, and Kai's eyes flutter open.
He wipes his eyes and gives me a weird look. For a moment, I am afraid that he won't remember who I am. "Why are you awake?" He grumbles.
"You were talking in your sleep," I answer him honestly.
"Did I say another woman's name?" He asks.
I stifle the laugh in my chest. "Not exactly. But should I be worried?"
"No," he says, pulling me back against his chest. "I don't want another woman. Just you."
"Good," I reply as I cuddle up next to him.
"This room smells like sex," he whines.
"I washed the sheets," I tell him.
"We should have sex," he yawns.
I prop myself up on my elbows and smile. "Do you want to?"
Kai wiggles uncomfortably beside me. "I didn't think you would be so eager."
"Why wouldn't I be? You are mine," I tell him.
"I am afraid I will hurt you," he tells me.
"I know you won't," I assure him, but the look on his face tells me that he isn't as confident as I am. "But we can take it slow."
"I love you," he says.
I rest my head on his chest and listen to his heart as he falls back asleep, and I secretly worry that the Kai I once knew is gone. But at least I know who poisoned him, and when I find Luna Scarlett, I will kill her.