Page 60

He looked up at me,resting his chin on my chest. His eyes sparkled and his smile widened into a broad grin. “We’re going to have ababy.”

My jaw dropped. “Are you serious?”

“OfcourseI’m serious,stupid. You and I are going to be fathers. I’m pregnant,Christophe.”

All I could do waslaugh. I hugged him and kissed him andlaughed.

“We’re going to be fathers,”I said in awe. “Hounds of Hell, Mason. This is amazing. This is fantastic. We’re going to have a family. The nextLunas…”

“And with thisnews about your mom, maybe this means that things are going to change.” The hope in Mason’s voice brought me back down toearth.

We still were livingthis separate life. Mother had come around, but Father was still as stubborn as ever. I didn’t want to raise a child like this. A child wouldn’t understand. Not to mention, my child, assuming they were an alpha, would be the next in line to inherit the Crescent Moon Clanleadership.

Imadethe decision in my mind at that moment that no matter what, this child would not be raised as a secret. If Father didn’t acknowledge us, then there would be no more argument. I would leave to be with myfamily.

* * *

That night,I met my parents in the smoking room with a newly steeled resolve. Just like the time I’d told them about Mason and I, I walked around the room and looked at the portraits and ancestral artifacts that lined the walls. This time, though, I wasn’t nervous at all. The eyes of my ancestors no longer seemed to be glaring down at me with disapproval, but instead were looking at me with encouragement. With pride. I was a Luna. Mason was a Luna. Our child would be aLuna.

“Mother, Father, please have a seat,”I said, as I sat down in one of the leather armchairs. “I have some wonderful news to give you both, and I hope you can share in my happiness andexcitement.”

Something in Mother’seyes flashed. Father was stone faced and folded his hands over his stomach. “Go on,” hesaid.

“Mason is pregnant.I’m going to have achild.”

“Christophe, that’s fantastic!”Mothersaid.

Father exhaled a long breath.

“Basch?Are you not going to say anything to yourson?”

“There isn’t anything to say.”

“Basch!”

Iheld up my hand.“That’s fine. Father, this is no longer in your hands. You won’t decide the fate of my child. Whether you decide to be a part of your grandchild’s life is your decision. But my child will be raised as a Luna. And I will be with Mason. The clan can wait for my leadership once you’ve passed, or Arthur can take over as next in line, it doesn’t matter to me. You’ve always told me that family comes first, so I’m going to be with my family,regardless.”

Father looked away.As prepared as I was, it still hurt. Silently, I stood and left the smokingroom.

Mother followed me. “Christophe,”shesaid.

“I’m sorry,Mother. I’ve made up my mind this time. No turningback.”

“Iknow.You do what you must. I told you I was working on him, and I’ll continue to do so. When the baby comes, please don’t forget aboutus.”

Isoftenedand took my mother’s hand. “I won’t,” I said. “I’ll always be in touch with you. I’m not shutting anyone out. I just need to be there for Mason from nowon.”

She nodded.“Continue your duties to the clan. Nothing will change. You’re still to be the leader, I’ll make sure ofthat.”

Igave my mother a hug,and left. As I walked down the steps towards the car, a part of me wondered if today might be my last day ever living in the Lunamanor.

Mason was aloneat the house, and greeted me with a tight hug. No words needed to be said; he could read on my face that it hadn’t gonewell.

“Jennifer wentto visit Mom up in Ursidcomb for the weekend,” he told me. “So… you’ll be moving in,then?”

“Hope you don’t mind,”I said,smiling.

“Hey. You paid for the place.”He grinned. “You can do whatever you want. Are youhungry?”