Apprehended

Apprehended: Twenty-Six

Ethan had Garrett on clean-up duty after my episode. I insisted on helping, but the male was stubborn and downright refused any assistance. Especially from a pregnant Luna. I resigned myself to roaming about the estate, avoiding berries outside. In fact, Ethan forbade me to step outside. He didn't want a repeat of last night.

Thankfully, the news of my hallucinations only managed to spread to Lily and Gavin-which I assumed was Ethan's doing. Gavin was his Beta. Secrets were hard to keep amongst a cousin who was more like a brother.

The teasing was a constant. Gavin didn't quit. Eventually, I grew irritated and grabbed a pool ball to toss at the back of his head. Ethan stopped me with a glare. I returned a glower and sulked, unsure what to do. Clan members were preparing for some, "hunting," and I had no idea what that entailed. I asked Ethan but he was short with me, giving me no more than a few disgruntled words.

I spent a few hours with Lily, exploring the large estate. We counted the number of suites, losing the battle when we made it to one hundred. Most rooms were unoccupied and we found quite a few treasures: a piano room, a ballet studio, a green room-fully equipped with greenhouse glass and some decrepit plants-and a wood carving studio. I realized at once that it most likely belonged to Ethan's mother and I urged Lily to hightail it out of there, unsure if we were cleared to enter such a private domain without permission.

After we grew tired, bored and hungry, we made our way to the kitchen and had to beg Garrett for a chance to raid the fridge and cook. He shooed us out of the kitchen, insisting that we never need to do such work as long as he was alive. It was his job to take care of us.

Which left us even more bored.

We therefore decided to seek out our males for entertainment, finding them inside a rather extravagant looking office furnished with rich draperies, a heavy oak desk inlaid with jewels, rich furniture and plush chairs. They were huddled over the wide desk, speaking quietly and quickly to one another in that rapid way only a shifter could achieve. Their heads snapped up the minute we entered and two identical, dimpled smiles curved their lips.

"Why hello there," said Gavin.

"Hello indeed," added Ethan. They folded their arms across their massive chests simultaneously, striking identical poses.

"That's sort of creepy," Lily said abruptly.

"What is?" asked Gavin.

She gestured between the pair. "You guys share traits, poses and facial features. It's like watching a set of gorgeous twins."

I stifled in a giggle.

"Gorgeous, huh?" said Gavin.

"I think she was talking about

me

," said Ethan, nudging his cousin. "You certainly got all your traits and features from your amazing older Alpha."

Gavin gave him a look and snorted. "Please. I'm in a league of my own, grandpa."

Like lightening, Ethan punched Gavin in the upper arm and the male stared at him in astonishment before rubbing the bruised area. "Owww! Stop doing that! It hurts!"

Ethan chuckled and added, "yeah, a

pussy

league."

He scowled. "Brute."

"Girl."

"Shrek."

"Pansy."

I rolled my eyes as the insults continued. It was like watching a bunch of children bickering in a school yard.

"Yeti."

"Bitch-"

"Guys," I interjected softly. "Can we lay off the name-calling for a minute? We want to ask you something."

Gavin wiggled his eyebrows. "You females want some male attention? We can surely do that for you."

Ethan smacked him in the back of the head. "Don't be an asshole." He smiled at me and winked. "What do you want to ask us, baby?"

It was hard not to laugh at their weird dynamic. "Ummm, well, we were talking on the way up here and we wanted to know if we could...I don't know...go out?"

They froze.

"As in...outside?" asked Gavin, rubbing the back of his head.

"Yeah," replied Lily. "Would that be alright?"

"Where do you want to go?" asked Ethan, losing all mirth. He was completely serious.

I glanced at Lily quickly. "The store."

"Mall?" asked Gavin, looking at his watch. "It's a little too late in the day for that."

"No, not the mall," said Lily. "The

grocery

store."

They absorbed that in silence for a full minute.

"Why?" asked Ethan. "That's what Garrett is for."

I ran a hand through my hair. "Yeah, but he doesn't have what we want, and I-"

"What do you want?" Ethan cut in.

"Ummm...what?"

"What do you want?" he repeated. "Was it not in the kitchen?"

Lily answered. "We want ice-cream. Annie also wanted carrots, but Garrett said-"

Ethan pulled open a desk drawer and grabbed a set of keys, moving around the desk to offer me his hand. "Come on then."

I stood frozen in shock. "I'm sorry-what?"

He smiled warmly. "You want ice-cream and carrots. If we don't have it here, I'll go get it for you."

I processed that in confusion. "You're really going to let us go with you?"

"Yeah," Gavin added. "Is that

really

a good idea?" He shifted uncomfortably, trying to hide the sudden unease but it was too late. I already saw it, no matter how fleeting it was.

Something wasn't right.

It was Ethan's turn to give him a look. "Yes, it's fine." He looked at Lily and I. "Don't stray. You stay tight to us, clear? If you can't do that, it will be the first and last time."

We nodded at the same time.

"Good," he said, grabbing my hand and leading me out of the office. Gavin and Lily followed.

It felt a little awkward. The banter was gone and was replaced with instant tension. It made me feel uneasy. Gavin wasn't one to act in such a way. Whatever caused it worried him. However, Ethan seemed to be a little more at ease, taking us to the foyer where Lily and I donned our coats and boots.

We headed to the lot at a good pace. The halls were filled with silence and Lily glanced at me occasionally, no doubt sensing the same discomfort.

Then Ethan smiled and lifted the key fob in the lot, pressing a button and waiting as a sleek, black Escalade with tripped out rims lit up. It purred like a kitten, causing the lot floor to vibrate.

Lily swallowed hard. "Is that...

your

car, Ethan?"

His smile widened. "Sure is. I'd like you to meet, Bertha."

Lily and I flinched. "Bertha?" I asked incredulously. "What about Cheryl?"

He began walking and stopped in front of the massive vehicle that fit his size rather perfectly. It was just as large and looming as he was. "Cheryl is my first. There's none quite like her. But Bertha here is my second." He reached out and ran a hand over the shiny hood. "Reliable, strong, bulletproof, tinted, the best technology has to offer, wicked engine...and has-"

"High-def stereo," Gavin finished. He jogged over to the truck and opened the passenger door, clearly excited to be getting into Ethan's ride.

Ethan held out a hand. "Hey! I don't think so." He pointed to me. "Baby rides shotgun."

I smiled.

Gavin's eyes widened. "Oh, come on! I always ride shotgun!"

Ethan shook his head. "Not anymore." He jerked a thumb to the back. "Move it."

Gavin muttered vile profanities in different languages under his breath, opened the back door and waved Lily over. I followed, making my way to the passenger side. Ethan grabbed me unexpectedly and hitched me up with ease to buckle me in. He gave me a kiss and a wink.

I felt my face flush and he laughed, closing the door solidly behind him. Then he was in the car, pressing flashing buttons and adjusting the seat for his long legs. Music blasted from the speakers, drowning the space in rap.

Gavin hollered and started throwing down beats like the show-off that he was. I giggled and stared straight ahead. Ethan pulled out slowly and drove through the lot with ease, pressing a few buttons to exit safely. He made sure he locked each set of doors behind us before zooming through the forest of trees and snow on a narrow stretch of road.

Then he began bobbing his head to the beat, throwing down his own version in a less extravagant fashion than Gavin. Lily and I watched in excitement, taking in all their male glory.

It was quite endearing.

It took us twenty minutes to reach a main road that led into...some town I was unfamiliar with. The good news? They had everything- including a large grocery store. It was late afternoon and the parking lot was filled with cars. A few people roamed about with family or friends.

It felt almost...normal to be outside amongst humanity again. Especially when paralleled to the life I had with Ethan. The life of wolves.

Ethan parked into a spot closest to the exit, backing up his beastly vehicle into the space in the event we needed a quick getaway. It was really smart.

He exited and opened the door for me, noticing that I was struggling with my seatbelt. He grinned. "Having trouble, cherie?" He leaned in and did it for me. But not before pulling back to stare at me.

"You smell good," I blurted. He totally did. Like soap and shampoo...and a little bit of his natural element-the woods.

He chuckled. "Do I?" He grabbed my chin and kissed me softly on the lips, taking my breath away. He was intoxicating. "And you taste good," he murmured.

There was a beat of intense eye gazing...a few tender kisses before-

"Come on!" Gavin urged, impatiently. "You're going to activate my gag reflex."

We laughed and left, holding hands as we weaved our way through the parked cars, shopping carts and people.

"Remember what I told you," said Ethan. "Stay close to us. Don't wander."

"Alright."

Lily and Gavin moved on ahead and grabbed a cart. "Get in," Gavin commanded.

Lily's eyes widened. "What?"

"Get. In," he repeated. "I want to give you a ride."

She laughed and gazed into the cart. "I don't know how I'm going to get in there. It's too high."

Gavin was on it, picking her up and settling her inside the cart effortlessly.

Then all eyes went on me.

Ethan smirked, snatching a nearby cart with a twinkle in his sparkling eyes. "Your turn, my Luna."

I took a step back and shook my head. "Ohhh, no you don't. That's

too

high."

Ethan took a step away from the cart, lowering his body predatorily. People nearby began to stare. "You think I can't pick you up and put you in?"

I didn't answer.

"I'm more than capable. Now get over here."

I shrieked and scrambled back when he pounced forward with a booming laugh, wrapping his arms around me and lifting me into the air. I smacked his arms away. "You big brute! What are you, six?"

Gavin was red with laughter, clutching his stomach and doubling over from the hysterics. A couple of young kids stared and pointed, followed by an older couple who scoffed and moved on, whispering under their breath.

But Ethan and Gavin would not be stopped. They wanted to give us a ride and we were going to get it whether we wanted it or not. Lily was all in, clapping excitedly like a child when Gavin grabbed the handle bar and started zooming through the first isle.

Which left Ethan and I, and his face was full of mischief. "You ready?" he asked, following Gavin like a bullet and not giving me a chance to answer. We flew through the isle and my hair whipped back as items blurred passed.

It was difficult not to laugh. It was also well needed.

My face turned tomato red with laughter. More people stared but I honestly didn't give a shit. We were having too much fun. We slowed at the end of the isle and Ethan and Gavin walked side by side, gazing at the food in isle two.

"Want cereal?" Ethan asked me, grabbing a chocolate flavor.

I wrinkled my nose. "Are there grains?"

His brows shot up. "Grains? That's what you're craving?"

I nodded and pointed to a nearby box that looked appealing.

He took it and placed it in the cart beside me. Then he dumped in a box of chocolate anyway. I gave him a look. He shrugged and continued moving. "In case you get a craving for chocolate."

It was sweet. He was thinking about possible pregnancy desires. I smiled. "I love you."

He smiled too. "I love you too, sweetheart."

And so it went. We passed each isle, taking whatever we fancied. When we arrived at the produce section, I gestured to the vegetables and Ethan guided the cart over, stopping when I grabbed the metal cart and hitched my body up.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa," he said, grabbing my upper arm. "What are you doing?"

I glanced at the veggies. "I want carrots."

"Alright, that's fine. I'll get them for you. Don't try to leave the cart without my help. I don't want you getting hurt."

I smiled affectionately...and tried to get out again. "I want carrots," I repeated. Ethan cursed and shoved his hands underneath my armpits to lift me out. I wrapped my legs around his waist and my arms around his neck. "Carrots."

He laughed and walked over, grabbing the kind I wanted. "These?" he asked, curiously. He examined the bag.

I rolled my eyes and snatched it from his grasp, pulling it open and grabbing a carrot. It snapped loudly against my teeth on the first bite. Which was heavennnnn.

Ethan stared incredulously. "Are you that hungry, love? I can buy you food. There's a burger place inside the store."

I shook my head, chewing loudly. "No. I only wanted carrots."

His lips curved up into a grin. "I can see that, belulla." He grabbed six more bags and tossed them into the cart before patting my bottom playfully. "What other veggies, baby?"

I gasped when I noticed broccoli.

It was Ethan's turn to roll his eyes, but I could tell he was enjoying every minute. After tearing open the broccoli, he grabbed six of those too. We went through a few more vegetables, finally finishing up when Gavin and Lily came back from the bakery section.

My eyes turned into saucers and I dropped a carrot stick. "Ethan."

He followed my gaze and laughed, carrying me and riding the cart at the same time. "Come on," he said, pressing a kiss against my forehead.

The bakery section was a few isles over.

And what a sight it was.

Ethan set me on the floor. "Get whatever you want."

I looked at him. "Really? Anything I want?"

He glanced at my baby bump. "Absolutely anything your heart desires."

I smiled and forced Gavin to take Lily out of the shopping cart. She was munching on a pastry and I demanded to know which one it was. She pointed it out and I walked to the counter to press my face against the cold glass display.

"You know what," said Ethan, moving to stand beside me. He looked at the bakery employee. "We'll just get ten of everything."

The worker's eyes widened, his mouth gaping like a fish. "Ten? Of everything?"

"Yeah," he said, completely unfazed. "Do you do deliveries?"

It took a moment for the poor guy to get it together. "Ummm...yeah. We do."

"Good. How about you deliver that weekly? I'll provide the info. Can we do that?"

The guy nodded, grabbing a slip of paper and handing it the Ethan. "Sure."

I tugged on Ethan's shirt, whispering into his ear. "Ethan, that's too much. You don't have to-"

"I'd do anything for you, my petal. You're pregnant. Which means you can have pretty much anything you want." He said it so easily and without a hint of hesitation while scribbling on the paper.

I smiled...and pressed a kiss on his bearded cheek in mischief. "Does that mean I can have a horse?"

He laughed. "A horse? Really? Why not a dinosaur?"

"That's what I have

you

for."

He laughed even louder. "Is that so?"

"Yes. So I can have the horse?"

"Maybe not a horse

here

. But I'd be willing to buy another one just for you."

That gave me pause. "Another one?"

He finished writing and handed the paper over to the employee. "Yeah. I have several horses actually. I own a farm."

It was my turn my to gape. "What? You didn't tell me!"

"I have a lot of properties, dulzura." He lowered his head to whisper, "I'm older, remember? Money and property come easily when you have all the time in the world to collect it."

I tapped my foot against the tiled floors, thinking that over. "Soooo...I can have the horse?"

He chuckled and pressed a kiss to my temple. "Yes, I'll get you your very own horse, love. But only after you give birth. I don't like the idea of you riding whilst pregnant."

I swear, I was only joking. But he was a

ctually

willing to buy me a horse! I squealed and ran to Lily and told her. She started squealing too.

"Jesus," said Gavin, snapping a look at Ethan. "What the hell did you tell her?"

Ethan shrugged. "Just that I'd get her a horse."

Gavin rolled his eyes. "Another one? We have enough at the farm."

"Can I have one too?" Lily cut in in excitement.

Gavin winced. "You? On a large male horse? I don't k-"

"I'll get you whatever you want," Ethan interrupted.

Gavin glowered. "That's

not

what I was going to say."

Ethan clapped him on the shoulder roughly. "They

get

whatever they want."

Gavin wasn't pleased. "You're going to spoil them, you realize?"

Lily and I ignored them, talking amongst ourselves about the idea of visiting a farm.

"Look at what you've started," Gavin added. "They're never going to let us live this down unless we take them there."

"That's fine," said Ethan, taking massive loads of baking goods to the full cart. "We'll plan a trip." He tossed us a wink. "How about that, sweet flowers?"

We shrilled and began bouncing around.

Gavin paled. "I'm not allowing either one of them on a fucking horse!"

I laughed and wrapped my arms around Lily. "A farm!"

"No," snapped Gavin.

Ethan finished packing the boxes carefully and punched Gav's shoulder. "Don't be a twat, my brother. Let them have their fun. Besides, we're going to visit after my Luna has the young." He leaned in to whisper, "they also won't be riding alone. They can sit in front of us while

we

ride."

Gavin smiled, warming up to the idea instantly. "I'm in."

We continued our way around the store, finishing up as several people ogled Gavin and Ethan for their size and odd appearance. Though it had become a new norm, it still felt uncomfortable whenever females' eyes twinkled in lust. Yes, it was justified, but it felt creepy to see their eyes scan their bodies in obvious desire.

Not to mention a few men who stared at Lily and I.

It made me uncomfortable.

At one point, I wandered to the refrigerator section while Ethan grabbed milk and I opened a freezer door, zeroing in on vanilla ice-cream. A man around the age of thirty grabbed the door and held it open for me with a smile, green eyes and blonde hair.

"Allow me," he said.

I scarcely had a chance to look him over when Ethan appeared, towering over him like the large beast that he was. He smiled, revealing his fangs without a care. "Beat it," he said.

The guy stuttered and glanced between us briefly before cowering away in fright.

I smiled and grabbed the ice-cream. Ethan stood guard like a looming sentinel until I finished, watching my every move until we doubled back and met up with Gavin and Lily near the cookies. It was comical.

When the carts were full, we headed back to the lot to dump everything into the car with space to spare. Then we hopped in and Ethan rolled down the windows, blaring music once more. It took us the same amount of time to go back home as it did to come to the grocery store. All too soon, the forest whizzed by and the cold seeped into the car like ice. The sun was beginning to set, casting golden orange rays of light against the barks of frozen trees.

I shivered in the cold, watching as the snow sparkled and the crisp air wisped against my cheeks. It felt nice to be outside. It felt nice to be in the forest again. It had become home.

I jerked back when the windows began rolling up, turning to Ethan with a questioning look before something flew into the open space between the glass and window frame.