Undercover Wolf's Great Loss (Shifter Doctor Daddies Instalove Romance 3)

CHAPTER NINE

April

Light flashed over my eyes as I stood victoriously over my abuser.

Remington—Adam, the man who I had been sold to—was dead.

And I had killed him.

My chest heaved another great bellow, my triumphant release clear in my howl. It took me a few minutes to calm down as I realized I was free—and that I would be free for the rest of my life.

Perhaps the old pack might send more men. They might even attempt to get even with me for killing their alpha. But one thing remained true: my life was my own and I was free to live it with my mate.

That bastard gave away my business, I thought as I shifted into human form and scoured the area for the backpack. As I tugged on my clothes, my thoughts continued, Remington told Claude that I’m barren.

What if Daddy doesn’t want me anymore because of that?

I didn’t say a word as I joined Claude’s side. His worried gaze was fixed on the river, trying to calculate how to safely retrieve Destiny and Viola. It would be a messy business, but it wouldn’t be as dangerous as facing off against an alpha and his accomplices.

“I can get to them,” Claude explained, “but you’ll need to haul them in. Any branches around?”

“I’ll grab one when you’re safely at the boulder.”

He smiled down at me, warmth emanating from his gaze. Honey-brown eyes absorbed me for a moment, making us the only two people in the world. As his lips approached mine, an exasperated voice cut through the night: “If you two are done ogling each other, we’re freezing over here!”

Claude laughed as he turned to Viola. “Sorry!”

I grinned as I waved my apology, stepping back to give Claude room to get into the river. The current had picked up a new rhythm, a wilder one, that threatened our plan. If we couldn’t rescue them, what were we going to do next?

Trust him, I urged himself. Let him lead.

The most shallow end of the river was on our side, thankfully, though I wouldn’t have considered it shallow at all. Claude waded into the water, the surface immediately coming up to his chest. He shivered—the water must have been cold at this hour of the night.

As he swam with herculean strength to the boulder, I turned to scout a large branch from the treeline. I hauled the massive branch toward the river and waited for Claude to give me a signal, summoning my wolf claws to be used for extra leverage.

A nod and a wave came next. With renewed energy, I slid the end of the huge branch into the river, carefully extending it to where Claude crouched. He caught the end and held it steady, waving for his daughter to walk first.

I dug my wolf claws into the branch, holding it stationary as the little girl walked with her arms extended to keep her balance. Once she was safe, Viola was sent next. I released the branch into the water at Claude’s command and watched as he swam back to safety.

Into my arms. Into my embrace. That’s where he belonged.

Our tight hug lasted for several seconds until he drifted back and knelt to the ground next to Destiny. I smiled weakly. “I can’t believe I met your daughter without realizing it.”

Destiny glanced between her father and me. She settled her gaze on Claude and whispered, “Are you my daddy?”

“I am, sweetheart. I haven’t seen you in a long time.”

She glanced at Viola who nodded warmly. “Go on. Say hello to your father, dear.”

“I don’t look like you,” Destiny pointed out.

Claude sniffled as he nodded in agreement. “I’ve changed a lot about my appearance so those bad guys wouldn’t find us.”

“You’ve been hiding? This whole time?”

“Yes, but I’m home now. I’m taking you home with me.” He extended his hand to me and I gratefully took it, enjoying the squeeze he gave me. “All of you are coming with me.”

“What about Mommy?”

Claude choked for a moment. Emotions warred on his face as Viola turned Destiny to her, explaining in a low voice that her real mother who birthed her wasn’t alive anymore. The sweet little girl turned to me with tears in her eyes and pointed. “Can you be my new mommy?”