MY HOME IS IN YOUR ARMS

Chapter 1

Something is wrong with Gavin.

I can't put my finger on it. The 'girls' are silent on the subject, other than a sigh, or a 'hmmmm'. They say nothing. But I know that they know something is wrong with Gavin.

It's been almost a full year since Gavin and I mated. And it has been glorious. I honestly couldn't ask for a better mate. He is kind, loving, attentive, and extremely passionate. Thank you very much. Being mated with him is a million times better than I ever imagined it could be.

We stayed in the Golden Moon Hybrid Pack for the month of December, only returning to the Blood Moon Pack in Scotland in time for New Year's Eve. We had all felt it was important to start the New Year in the pack we called home.

We came back two men fewer than when we left Scotland. Thomas stayed with Joy in the Golden Moon Hybrid Pack. Two more of our security team found mates in Nova Scotia. The Golden Moon pack hosted a winter solstice mating ball and that is how our security team members found their mates. Rick's mate was from the Blomindon Pack. Yes, my birth father's home pack, who came at Dad's invitation.

Henry's mate turned out to be the girl, Jasmine, the council had sent to McGill University in my place many long years ago. Pa had kept a protection detail on her while Gabriel Savage was still alive. When she graduated, the council had given her a job in council headquarters. Pa had her invited to the mating ball to allow me to formally thank her for her willingness to impersonate me for all those years.

I still laugh remembering the moment Henry and Jasmine met. All the guests had been assembled in the ballroom waiting for Pa and Ma to enter as part of the official protocol for welcoming the King and his Queen. Ma and Pa entered first, followed by the Beta couple, George and Anna. Gavin and I followed next as a visiting Alpha couple blood related to the royal family. Our security team flanked us, but in a pattern that was unobtrusive.

I noticed Henry suddenly still, sniffing the air, and saw him mouth the word 'mate'. His eyes frantically searched the room looking for a corresponding response. A loud and joyful squeal of 'MATE' pierced the air. Suddenly, this pretty, brown-haired, brown-eyed woman ran straight to Henry and jumped into his arms, smothering his face with kisses. It was only after things calmed down that introductions were made, and I knew this young woman was Jasmine.

Thomas made the decision to join the Golden Moon Hybrid pack. Joy had become pregnant almost immediately and wanted to stay close to her parents. As promised, we allowed Thomas to live where he chose. What surprised many, was that we allowed him to keep his pack affiliation with the Blood Moon pack. We treat it the same as dual-citizenship. His parents and siblings, along with a large extended family live in Scotland, and we didn't want to force him to give up pack ties. We gave Rick and Henry the same consideration.

It was an amazing evening. There were a number of other matches that night. Before the ball ended, Pa held an impromptu mating ceremony, officially joining each of the newly mated couples. Of course, they would have their own individual weddings at a time of their choosing, but the couples felt it was an honor to have the blessing of the Supernatural King.

Earlier in the day, during quiet family time, Mom and Dad had arranged for a large birthday cake to be served in honor of my twenty-second birthday. Gavin had surprised us all, by getting down on one knee, and proposing.

"Ellie, I know we are marked and mated. But I want to be tied to you in every way possible, including the human tradition of marriage. So, Ellie, here, in the presence of all our family, I, Gavin Jet McGrath, am on bended knee. Eleanor Jade Grant Rankin, will you do me the honor of becoming my beloved wife?"

Through tears of joy, I gladly shouted, "Yes, Gavin Jet McGrath, I, Eleanor Jade Grant Rankin gladly accept your proposal. I will be honored to be your wife, and you will be my beloved husband!"

The ring he placed on my finger was one he had asked Fiona to design especially for me. I loved it. That day, indeed, was a day to remember.

The next day dawned cold and crisp. The sun was shinning in a brilliant blue sky. I woke up in Gavin's arms. My new home for the rest of our very long lives. I wiggled around to face him and met his lazy smile. Goddess, this man's smile is breathtaking. We started our morning with a slow kiss that soon burned with passion. A long while later, hot, sweaty, disheveled, and fully sated, we left our bed to get ready for the day.

Showered and dressed, we enjoyed a coffee before meeting the family for breakfast. Entering the kitchen to the family area, we were met with a scene that was both funny and concerning at the same time. Mom was crying, pacing back and forth, while Dad was trying his best to calm her down.

"What's going on?" I had to ask twice because they hadn't heard me the first time due to Mom's loud wails. Finally, Dad clued in they weren't alone and that someone had asked a question. He blinked at me a few times before answering.

"Fiona is having the baby! Ian took her to the pack hospital a couple of hours ago. We are just nervous, you know. We just want everything to be okay, especially after what happened eight years ago." That last part was spoken softly as Dad didn't want to add further stress on Mom.

"Dad, just hold Mom. You know your physical touch will help calm her, and her touch will calm you. I am sure everything will be okay. Didn't the doctor say that both Fiona and the baby were strong and healthy? Don't worry, they will be fine." I spoke in a soothing voice as I knew keeping a calm, cool demeanor would be the best way to help them regain their equilibrium.

I mind-linked Ma and Pa with the news, but knew they would be busy with Jaxon, Sophie, and Fergus. I let them know I would keep them updated.

Gavin looked overjoyed. He loved kids, and was excited about meeting his new niece or nephew. Soon there was a knock at the back door which Gavin answered. His parents, Conrad and Maria, were invited in to await the news of the baby's arrival. Gavin and I started making breakfast, allowing the prospective grandparents the opportunity to bond over this shared moment.

Gavin's father and I had already cleared the air between us. He had been truly repentant for his past actions towards me. I assured him I didn't hold him responsible, as it was not of his own choosing, rather it was a result of the Vampire fog and the Witch's spell. I had no hard feelings. He was my mate's father, and as such, I now considered him and Maria part of my family. His relief was obvious, as he profusely thanked me for my kind and understanding nature.

In truth, there was no way in heaven or hell that I was going to allow my relationships to continue to be tarnished by the evil actions of Gabriel Savage. He was in the past. And he was going to stay there. I had a future with the mate of my dreams, and nothing was going to interfere with that.

We served breakfast, and then cleaned up the kitchen. Soon after, we received a group mind-link from Ian announcing the safe arrival of their son, Anthony John Conrad McGrath. The pack's alpha heir and his mother, were both healthy, strong, and ready to face the world.

We spent the following week getting to know our new little family member. Gavin would whisper to me that he couldn't wait to hold our baby in his arms. I had already gone into heat, and we had spent most of our second week here in our suite, mating like crazy. We were hoping that by the time we returned home to Scotland that we would be able to share some good news.

But that didn't happen. Nor did it happen when I went into heat again six months later. All the others in our group that had found their mates last December were now either pregnant, or had just had their first child.

But not us. I can guarantee it's not for lack of trying. We can't keep our hands off of each other. We decided to consult the pack doctor. And his conclusion.

Something is wrong with Gavin.