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I make quick work of the test. Placing it back in the box without even looking at it, I wash my hands and take the test back to Liz.

I hand it to her as soon as I walk out of the bathroom.

“What did it say?”

I shrug as I make my way over to the small fridge Phaedra has in her clinic. Ever since my run in with those ferals and vamps in the woods that day I saved Liz and Miko, Phaedra has kept emergency blood in her clinic. I thought it was nice of her to think of me and Marley in that way.

“Don’t know. Didn’t check. But I’m sure it’s negative.” I grab a bag out of the fridge. I need a little boost after vomiting. Before I can sink my fangs into the bag, Liz’s soft gasp has me turning to her.

Her wide eyes and huge smile have me frozen.

“Michaela, you’re pregnant.”

My world spins again. My heart pounds in my chest.

“Liz, don’t joke about that.”

She shakes her head. “I’m not joking.” She turns the test around for me to see. I place the bag of blood down on the nearest flat surface and walk over to her. Taking the test out of her hands, I stare down at the two lines. My knees get weak and the first tear rolls down my cheek.

For so long, I’ve wanted this. I begged and prayed to all the many gods for it, and it never happened. Now, to be standing here with this positive test in my hands feels like a miracle.

Liz wraps her arms around me.

“But she said,” I can’t get the rest of the words out. The witch had said I’d never get pregnant.

“No, she said you will never give him a baby.”The reality of those words hit me like a sledgehammer. I always thought she meant in general. But now I understood her curse. Markis was never really mine. He was mated to another before I met him, and he was only with me for what I could do. That witch blessed me the day she cursed me.

“I’m pregnant,” I repeat, pulling away from Liz.

She has tears in her eyes too. “Yes. This is it. This is what I promised you. You’re getting your happily ever after.”

“I have to tell Zo. Oh my gods, Marley is going to be…” My words are cut off as a burning sensation hits my chest.

Even though I no longer have a bond with him, he still has the same effect on me. Markis is here. My time is up.

“Sacrifices will have to be made. Your job will be to figure out who will be the sacrificial lamb.”The enchantress’s words come back to me from that day at the shop. It’s time I picked the sacrificial lamb.

I glance down at the positive pregnancy test one more time.

“Liz, I’m so sorry,” I plead.

Enzo

“I love you Enzo,”her words continue to cycle through my head. Why the hell did those four words sound like a goodbye?

“Are you alright?” Chayton asks, getting my attention.

I shake my thoughts away. Scanning the crowd, I look for Michaela, but don’t see her.

“She left with Liz,” Chayton says with a smirk.

I turn back to him.

“For someone that didn’t want to keep the mate bond, you sure are attached. It’s almost like you would’ve missed out if your best friend and Alpha didn’t step in.”

I shake my head at him. “Real subtle, Chayton.”

He laughs. “Hey, I’m glad you locked her down. Hell, we would’ve never been able to figure out who was sending those ferals into our lands if not for her.”