Chapter Twenty-Two

Annie looked among the scuffed bookshelves of the used bookstore they had decided to check out. Fingers trailing over the pastel-colored spines as they browsed through the parenting books. She knew that she should feel excited about the triplets, but the more she thought about it.



The more nervous she felt. What if the pack showed up demanding that they return? Sure, Beau was dead. She hadn’t really sat down to process how that made her feel. There hadn’t been time yet to do that, if she were honest with herself. Annie knew that she had been putting it off.



She was thankful for Candy and the love that she gave her, but she couldn’t help but think about Beau. He had been her first love. Even if he had treated her badly and had been in love with Abby for as long as she could remember.



She was aware that it wasn’t a healthy relationship. That it wouldn’t have been the best place for her to raise children, it wasn’t like her family would step up to help. She hated to think of what it would have been like for herself and how the children would have been raised. Nothing she could picture would have been a positive upbringing. Not with the fact that they would have been raised by Beau and the pack. Raised to be blood bags for the vampires.



“How about this one?” Candy asked, holding up a pale yellow book with lavender lettering. Pulling her from her thoughts.



“Seems as good as any of them.” Annie said with a shrug. She wanted to be as excited as Candy about the babies, it made her feel good that at least her mate could accept the babies.



“Do you see any that you’d like? I saw one about child raising, but they seem all to be focused on doing it ourselves. We’ve got a pack and I don’t think we’d be able to keep my mom away now that she knows.”



“I don’t think most baby book writers are writing towards shifters.” Annie said, “I’m good, did you want to look at anything else, like something for you?”



“No, I picked up a strategy guide last week. So, I’m good for a while. How about we go get you some clothes?” Candy asked, giving her a nervous smile. Almost as if she could sense her depressing thoughts.



Annie looked down. That was one thing that she had never really gotten into. Gaming, it was something Abby liked.



“What game are you playing?” She asked as she followed Candy to the cash register, trying to change the subject.



“Clevania, I don’t have a guild yet. I’m still learning the ropes.” Candy sighed as she sat the baby name book down on the counter. “Do you play?”



“No, I’m not very good at games. Abby is though, she’s not big on computer games.”



The cashier showed up and rang them up. Candy picked up the bag afterwards and turned to look at Annie. “Where to next?”



“You wanted to get some clothes.” Annie said, smiling as Candy held out her hand for her to hold.



“What type of clothing would you like?”



Annie shrugged, unsure of what to say. She knew anything they bought today would just be for the short term. “Maybe some shirts and some leggings?”



Candy looked over at her as they strolled down the sidewalk. The crisp air felt good on her skin and was helping her keep her libido in check. “You don’t want anything else?” She asked as they passed a lingerie shop.



There went Candy’s control as she slowed to a halt. Her gaze moving over to Annie’s before flickering over towards the scantily clad mannequin. Thinking of how Annie would look in something like that.



“I think it’ll be awhile before I can wear something like that.”



“I don’t know, I think you’d look good enough to eat.” Candy breathed out as she leaned closer. If Annie were a drug, she knew that she would be an addict. Everything about her mate was addictive,



“Candy-” Annie gasped, that feeling from before sweeping through her. As the air around them seemed to charge, it felt like she was drawn to the wolf like a magnet.



Annie leaned closer to Candy, stomach pressing against Candy’s as she brough her arms around her shoulders. Pulling her closer, “You make me feel so many things.” She said as she breathed in the soft scent of her perfume and the warm woodsy scent that clung to her skin. The scent that was uniquely Candy.



Her whispered words brought up goosebumps on Candy’s skin. “Good things?”



“The best.” She said, pressing her lips against Candy’s. This was a feeling she hadn’t even realized she had been searching for. Now that she had it, she never wanted to let go of her mate.



Annie lost herself in the kiss. She could feel the pounding of her heart through her entire body. Feel it all the way down to her toes. Being with Candy was something that she hoped she would never tire of. That Candy would never grow tired of her as well. She felt warm hands on her hips, pulling her closer. The crinkling of the paper bag from the book store. It was like this moment would be ingrained in her memory. Annie loved the way that Candy made her feel.



The loud cawing sound pulled her from the kiss as she felt Candy stiffen in her arms.



“Are you okay?” She asked, pulling back slightly.




“Yeah, I just, I need to tell you something.”