Alpha King's Missing Mate (Book 1 Of The Regal Eclipse Pack Series)

Chapter 24

Tyler pulled into the driveway and put his truck into park. He was in a good mood today even after all of the chaos at work. He headed inside and on up the stairs of the house with a smile on his face. He had a surprise for Jenna that he hoped would cheer her up. He stopped in the doorway of her bedroom and glanced inside.

Jenna was seated in the rocking chair their father had just recently bought for her. It was sitting in front of the window, giving her a view of their backyard. Jenna had on a sundress and her hands were resting on her belly as she looked out over the lake. She was seven months along now, and she looked beautiful, but he could sense the underlying sadness that had been her constant companion since he'd picked her up in New York City.

At first, he'd thought it was over their mother, and her illness, but even as Caroline had finished up her treatments, and grown healthier and stronger, Jenna's sadness still persisted. He found himself wondering if that sadness had anything to do with her baby's father. She'd said that he had been a one-night stand and then she had never said another word about it. He wondered if that was the entire truth. 

Tyler had heard the conversation Jenna had with their mother a few months ago regarding that man. He'd only caught the end of the conversation, and he had never brought it up again, but he had a feeling she must have truly had some sort of connection with this guy if she was still missing him almost eight months later. But he wouldn't mention it. "Jenna?"

She turned her head to look at him and gave him a smile that never reached her eyes. "How was work?"

"Good. I helped deliver a baby today," he said, entering her room, his critical eye assessing her tired state. The baby was wearing her out. He almost second guessed what he was about to ask her, but he had a feeling she needed some time away. She needed something to cheer her up. 

"I didn't know you delivered babies." She rubbed her hand across her own belly and smiled tiredly again.

"This one came much faster than the mother was expecting, so it was an emergency delivery. But it went well." Tyler walked over and sat down on her bed, his gaze moving down to her feet. She should have them up. "Jenna, would you like to go to Texas with me?"

"What?" Her mouth dropped open. "When? Why?"

Tyler laughed at her excitement, watching her whole face light up. "I have to go for a seminar. We'd leave Tuesday morning of next week and return Thursday evening."

"And it's okay that I come?" She gripped the arms of the chair, ready to jump up and dance. She'd barely been out of the house since she'd moved back home. Some days she felt like she was going to go stir crazy. The only thing she'd really left the house for was to go to the doctor or to buy maternity clothes.

"I wouldn't have asked if it wasn't. So do you want to go?" He smiled at her. 

"Of course I do!" She stood up and hugged him. A few days away would be welcome, and she'd never been to Texas.

Tyler hugged her back, thrilled he'd seemed to ease her sadness for a bit. His sister needed some cheering up. He wanted to see her smile more often. "I'll bring your suitcase up on Monday then so you can pack."

***

Jenna plopped down on a bench the following Wednesday morning and sighed. The Texas heat was no joke. She and Tyler had flown in yesterday and gotten settled in their hotel and had a delicious dinner. Today, he was in his seminar, and she had the entire day to explore the quaint little town and enjoy herself.

It was very picturesque. There was only one street that traveled through the town with the convention center on one end and a few hotels on the other. Several small clothing and souvenir shops, cafes and pastry shops lined either side of the street. Everything matched from the blue roofs to the hydrangea bushes planted in the yards, to the winding stone paths leading up to each matching red doorway. It was adorable and Jenna wouldn't mind living there. All except the heat. 

Jenna wanted to explore each shop, but she knew that as pregnant as she was, she'd be miserable before she was halfway through. Maybe one day she would get the opportunity to come back. For now, though, she needed to pace herself or she might never make it back to the hotel. Tyler would have to get a wheel barrel and push her back. 

She looked down and eyed her feet. They were a little swollen. She'd chosen to wear flip flops out just in case that happened, though anymore, they were almost always swollen. She'd sit for a bit, then continue her exploration. She was feeling a bit tired, but exhaustion seemed to be her constant companion anymore.

She had already been inside three shops, including a souvenir shop where she's picked up something for her parents and brothers. She had even been looking for something for her little one. Everyone she had met so far had been incredibly nice and welcoming, though she supposed for a tourist town, that was to be expected. 

Jenna watched people wandering up and down the sidewalks. Some, she noticed, could pass for werewolves, and she wondered if they really were. The men were incredibly good looking and the women beautiful. It made her think of Daniel and Talia, the two people from her past that she missed the most. 

She spotted three men standing across the street in front of the dry cleaner who could easily pass for werewolves. All three were exceptionally good looking. They were tall, and very ripped, their shirts stretched tightly across their massive chests. They seemed to be watching the area, almost like they were looking for trouble and in charge of keeping the peace. They would occasionally speak to each other, but mostly, they just watched everyone. All three had been watching her, she noticed, though not openly. She'd still caught them looking at her several times. 

"Would you like some water?"

The question caught Jenna off guard and caused her to glance up from her eye candy to see a beautiful young woman with dark hair looking at her. Another werewolf?

"Hi." She smiled up at the woman.

The woman flashed her a brilliant smile. "I'm Jules. Would you like a bottled water? I just got them from the shop, and you look like you could use one." She held out a bottle to Jenna.

Jenna smiled bigger. She was thirsty, and she opened her bag.  "How much?"

"Oh no, there's no charge. I just thought you could use one in this heat and..." her gaze flitted down to Jenna's belly, and she held the bottle out again, offering it to her. 

Jenna accepted it from her. "Thank you so much."

The woman smiled at her. "Have a good day." She turned and continued on down the sidewalk.

Jenna glanced back up to the three men and saw only one of them was left, the other two having disappeared. He was speaking to a woman with a small child in her arms, a smile on his handsome face. He kissed her on the forehead and Jenna sighed. She was about to have half of that. She wouldn't mind having the rest of it. A companion like... Daniel.

Jenna cut off that train of thought and tossed the empty water bottle in her bag. She stood up and headed down the sidewalk to the next shop. It was growing much too hot to continue sitting there. She felt like she was roasting on an open barbecue. She needed to get out of the sun. 

A few hours later, Jenna had visited most of the shops on one side of the road and she was growing exhausted. She glanced at her watch. She was supposed to meet Tyler at the cafe at 6:00 p.m. She had about an hour and a half left before it was time to meet him.