Page 23

“So, Elizabeth,” the youngest one says placing the macaroni back down on the table. “How’s the pregnancy going so far?”

Luna beams with happiness at the question. On the other side of the table, I can feel Chayton’s concern. It’s coming off him in waves. He’s worried about this pregnancy. Not so much if the cub will be born a wolf or human, but if his human mate can survive the pregnancy.

“So far, so good. Phaedra says that the heartbeat is strong, and everything is looking good. I only wish my husband would believe that I’m fine.”

“I have a reason for my concern, Elizabeth.”

“I’ll be fine, Chayton.”

“Not only is this your first child, but it’s also a shifter. You are human. Anything could go wrong. You can’t be mad at me for wanting you to take it easy.”

I agree with Chayton a hundred percent. Luna needs her rest. She definitely didn’t need to be worried about feeding her vampire friend or stressing over who accepts them or not.

“You’ll be fine, Liz. You and the baby,” the oldest bloodsucker says.

“Thank you, Michaela.”

Chayton’s ire clashes with mine.

“Maybe, you should stay in a vampire’s place,” I say through clenched teeth. “You know nothing about shifter births.”

The vamp’s eyes stare back at me with so much fire in them I’m surprised they don’t melt. She blinks and when she opens her eyes again, the fire has died, and indifference greets me.

She turns to Liz without acknowledging me. “I’ve lived a very long time. I’ve met my fair share of half human and half shifter babies. Your situation isn’t uncommon. The worst you will experience will be in your last trimester. They get a little shifty toward the end.”

I look at Chayton, who looks confused but hopeful.

“No casualties?” he asks the leech.

Why would he even trust anything this creature says?

“No more than a regular human birth,” the leech says, glancing at Chayton. “With all pregnancies there are risks, but she is no more in danger than any other woman giving birth.”

“See, babe. You can relax.”

“But you need to listen to your body,” the leech continues. “No stressing.”

“See, babe,” Chayton taunts, using Luna’s words against her.

Elizabeth sticks out her tongue at her mate. Their playful banter makes me wish for a connection like theirs. At the thought, anger boils up in me.

“Liz, maybe you can convince my sister that she needs to give me a niece or nephew,” the youngest says.

The oldest chokes on the lemonade she just drank. My wolf growls in my head.

“What the fuck are you growling about?”I ask him.

“I don’t know,”he admits. His confusion is obvious.

What the hell about what was just said would make him growl? When I turn to my right, I spot Chayton looking at me, just as confused as I am.

“Please,” Liz jokes. “I’ve been trying to get this girl to settle down for years. She is allergic to commitment.”

The youngest laughs as she slips her fork of beans in her mouth. “She’s been single for way too long, ever since the divorce she’s…Ow,” she looks over at her sister, who is giving her a pointed look.

“Divorce?” Luna questions.

For some reason, my wolf is highly interested in this conversation.