She pressed a kiss to the small of his back. “I don’t think I’ve giggled during sex ever before either. For the record, it was lovely. The giggles were from a funny thought. I don’t think I’ve been relaxed or happy enough during sex or any other time really, to giggle like that before. You make me happy, Cade.”

He turned and looked at her, hazel eyes taking in every line of her face. “You’re a gift, Grace. It makes me sad that you’ve not been as happy as you deserved to be. But I promise, despite the insanity of the world right now, to spend my time giving you that happiness.”

Chapter Five

As the steaks grilled, Cade handed Grace a glass of wine. Tegan settled in with Ben and Megan on the small couches in the living area. Cade liked to see how his sisters tried to make Grace comfortable and feel at ease.

He dialed home and waited as the phone rang.

“Lex Warden.”

“Hey. I just wanted to call to fill you in. You with Nina right now?”

“Where the hell else would he be I ask you?”

“Hello, sweet thing. It’s lovely to hear those dulcet tones,” he said dryly and rolled his eyes at Megan, who snickered.

Unease trickled through his gut and he cut his eyes to Grace, who looked at him through narrowed eyes.

“What’s up?” Lex interjected over the line, amusement clear in his voice.

“I met my mate today. Sealed the bond. We’re coming home tomorrow night.”

“You what?” Lex yelled. “Are you serious?”

“I am. She’s beautiful and a doctor so you know she’s smart. Her name is Grace. She’s also Warren Pellini’s sister and the inside source who’s just handed us a huge amount of information that may end up stopping him once and for all.” Cade smiled at Grace, trying to let her know he believed in her.

“You’re shitting me! You had sex with that ass**le’s sister? How do you know you can trust her? Cade, this is insanity.” Nina’s voice brought total silence to their end of the call.

Grace’s eyebrows flew up and Megan put an arm around her.

“You’re out of line, Nina. Grace is my mate. Of course I can trust her. She risked her life for us. For every wolf including the one in your belly.”

Chaos broke out as everyone on their end started talking about the pregnancy. Grace stood up and moved to leave the room but Cade reached out to stop her, bringing her to sit in his lap.

“No. You belong here with me. She’s wrong. She doesn’t know you and she’s worried. It’ll be fine.” He kissed her temple but knew she was very unhappy. His wolf, hell his human, was agitated at her dismay and troubled feelings. It was his job, the point of his life to make her happy and she most definitely wasn’t right then.

“Cade, I can’t believe you told everyone. I asked you to keep it quiet until after the week was up.”

“Nina, I can’t believe you’re being this way right now with my mate here in the room,” Cade shot back.

“She’s jealous. Can’t you hear that in her voice?” Grace said softly. “She’s had you to herself all these years. And if you think other people don’t feel the same way about me because of my last name you’re out of your mind. It’s going to be a problem. You have to know that.”

“You don’t know me, don’t speak for me,” Nina said from the other end.

“I’d ask the same of you, then. Or, are you so very special you get to be abusive while no one else can reply?” Grace replied calmly

Well now, apparently shy had its limits with Grace. Cade smiled inwardly. Not at the strife but at her spine. The jealousy comment hit him hard. He hadn’t thought of that, which had been stupid of him because of course Nina would have a hard time adjusting.

“I agree. Come on, Nina, I’m telling you, she’s good people. Do you honestly think Cade would ever endanger his people by bringing in anyone who posed us harm?” Tegan said, smiling over at Grace.

“Stop trying to leave the room, Grace,” he whispered in her ear. “You’re the Alpha of this Pack too. Last names bedamned, you’re a better wolf than most. You risked your life to get this information and no one is going to get away with attacking you in my presence.”

“I’m sure we can smooth over all this trouble when you get back,” Lex interjected. “Of course we’re pleased you’ve found your mate, Cade, and I’m sure Grace is a wonderful person.”

“That remains to be seen!” Nina yelled.

“I think you’ve got some proving to do as well, Nina. But in the long run, I don’t need to prove anything to you. I’m here, get used to it.” Grace pushed Cade’s restraining arms away with a strength he’d only suspected and stomped out of the room muttering to herself.

“We’ll be home tomorrow night. And she’s right, get used to it.” Cade disconnected and scrubbed his hands over his face.

“That went well.” Ben chuckled. “At least no one threatened to kill her and leave her body in the woods like you did with me. All in all, a warm Warden reception.”

Cade snorted. “We’re not that bad. What the hell was that? Nina is a hardass yes, but I’ve never known her to be anything less than a compassionate, good-hearted person.”

Megan just stared at him. “You’re such an idiot. I love you, you’re smart and strong and all the things a person should be but you have such a blind spot. Grace is right, Nina is jealous. Part of it will be hormones from the pregnancy but another part is that Nina has had you and Lex as her husbands for the last two years.” She held up a hand. “Oh I know neither of you would ever overstep your boundaries and I know she’s ridiculously happy with Lex and now you are with Grace. But in the time since Nina joined Cascadia, you’ve not dated or really had any females around. You’re her anchor and let’s not lie, you’ve been a little in love with her and she with you.”