Page 54

“Leave?!” he boomed. “That should not happen.”

“I’m not risking living here.”

“Maybe the rules have changed,” said Grant.

“Grant, you know better than anyone how much they despise vampires,” said Sam. “Our daughter is in danger of being here. Even if you got rid of the baby, and they found out, she would be punished.”

Grant’s lips thinned in silent anger.

“You should have known better than to go to the beach alone,” said Grant.

“Grant,” said my mother, laying a hand on his arm. “Please reign in your temper. She had the babies already.”

“I’m not happy with any of this. And with her leaving Howl’s Edge,” said Grant.

Just then, Lio’s mother, Keera, walked in carrying a large bouquet. My parents had quieted down about their differing opinions, and the room was now filled with chatter, laughter, and cuddling the babies. My brother Adam was in awe of Baby Jay, watching him like he was some outlandish creature.

“We have an actual baby vampire in this house,” said Adam."Damn."

“Adam, don’t swear,” said Mom sharply, and I smiled. I was content watching everyone having a great time catching up and holding the babies. Soon Grandma announced it was lunchtime, and everyone left the room, including the babies, since my sisters were obsessed with them.

“I’ll bring you food,” said Lio, and I nodded.

Once I was alone in the room, I was able to take a few deep breaths and relax for a bit. After being in isolation my entire pregnancy, it was draining having to talk to so many people, even if they were my family. It upset me that Grant wasn’t proud of me, but there was nothing I could do about it. I wanted to do great things and impress my family, but my life had taken a different turn than what they wanted.

A turn I had never expected.

I had to use the bathroom. I stood up from the bed and felt instantly dizzy. I grabbed the headboard until I steadied myself. It was torture feeling so weak and tired all the time. As I took tiny steps to the bathroom, my back ached sharply. I paused in the middle of the room, unable to walk further with tears in my eyes. I was in too much pain to walk.

“Baby, what happened?” asked Lio, rushing into the room and setting my plate of food down on the nightstand. He grabbed me by the arm, and I was able to lean on him, relieving the pain in my back.

“I just needed to use the bathroom,” I groaned as he walked me to it.

“You should have waited for me,” he said, and I heard the panic in his voice. “We shouldn’t have left your side.”

“It’s okay,” I said.

“No, it’s not okay.”

After I used the bathroom, he was waiting outside the door for me. I could still hear everyone downstairs being loud and rambunctious, with Owen being the center of attention. I hooked my arm around Lio’s.

“Lana,” he said.

“Yes?”

“I’m so sorry about last night. It should have been an exciting moment for us, and you warned me that the baby might not be ours,” he said.

“I’m glad you remember it,” I said dryly. “I accept your apology.”

“I love you. You know that, right?” he said.

“I do,” I said, wondering where all this was coming from.Was it because I said I loved James?“I hope you’re not saying that just because I have a child now, and you’re forced to take care of us.”

“Listen,” said Lio, eyes narrowing. “No one forces me to doanything. I want to be here for you and to be the pack of your dreams.”

I sat down on the edge of the bed, overwhelmed by what he was saying.

“Are you sure?”