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Life was good.

Chapter Eighteen

Rue

I hadn’t been home often lately. At least not alone. Ever since our mating, we spent our nights together either at his place or mine. Pascal was going to have to leave for a day soon to take care of some of his investments. I didn’t really understand, but it involved transferring funds so he could better handle things from here. I was going to miss him, but we had a special date planned tonight, and I was very excited about it. When he pulled up outside the shop to pick me up, I ran out with my backpack over one shoulder and hopped in his car. I knew what we were doing but not where.

“Hello, omega.” Pascal leaned over and gave me a kiss. “Ready for shifting?” It wasn’t our first time, but the others had been where there were others, and this was just us. “I think I’ve found the perfect place. It’s an hour or so away. You good with that?”

“Sure.” To tell the truth, my stomach was a little off, but I figured skipping lunch might have factored into it. We’d planned to have dinner later on. “Where are we going?”

“The state park. Someone suggested that there’s an area where even shifters rarely go and they said it was perfect for a romantic date.”

“That’s great. I wonder why I’ve never heard of it.” I settled back in the seat and closed my eyes, suddenly exhausted. A giant yawn stretched my jaw. “Can’t wait to see it.”

“Omega?” Pascal shook my shoulder. “Are you asleep?”

“What?” I yawned again. “No, of course not. How much longer until we get there?”

“We are there, but you look awfully tired. Maybe we should just go home to bed and try this another day?”

“Oh no. I’ve been looking forward to this trip all week. Just give me a minute. I guess I did fall asleep. I can’t wait to see the area and to play with your bear.”

We undressed and shifted, and Pascal led the way to the trailhead. His bear was much faster than my raccoon, but that never seemed to matter. As we set off down the trail, he kept pace with me, nudging me with his nose and making affectionate rumblings as we went. I felt much better now, and as we explored the forest together, the cool evening breeze ruffled my fur and carried the scents of other animals and plants to my nose. It was refreshing and fun and my raccoon chirped in happiness at spending time with his favorite bear. Any humans who might see us together would find it odd, but we didn’t run into anyone the whole time, and when we got back to the car, we headed for a roadside diner we’d passed on the way here, and I indulged in a double cheeseburger, fries, and a shake.

I definitely felt better. Skipping lunch was a bad habit and had probably been causing my recent stomach upsets. I would have to take better care of myself.

Pascal stayed at my place, but he had to leave very early in the morning for his business, and he kissed me goodbye and left me in bed. It shouldn’t bother me that he’d be fifty miles or so away all day. How silly that the thought made me weepy. And my stomach was off again. The smell of the coffee he’d brewed was making it worse, and I hurried into the shower to try to clear the scent out of my nose.

After emptying my already empty stomach, I drove to work where Alfred took one look at me and made me sit down. “Rue, what’s wrong? You’ve been a little pale, but now you look bad. Should you have stayed at home?”

“No, I’m okay, really.” I brushed off his concern, but as the day went on, I felt worse, and then, midafternoon, a thought occurred to me. I didn’t think it was likely, but on the off chance,I popped out of the shop and went to the pharmacy then came back and shut myself in the bathroom. No way was it going to be true. I sat on the closed toilet lid and waited, watching the plastic stick carefully for changes. The instructions said to set it down and walk away, but how could I?

This was a very serious matter.

One that could change everything. Pascal and I hadn’t even discussed cubs…or kits. What would he think if it was true? I continued to stare, waiting out the time, and finally, three minutes that felt like three years had passed and I was looking at a plus sign.

I was pregnant and worried. Did he want young?

When I emerged into the front of the shop, Alfred finished up with a customer and then came over to me. “Are you feeling any better?”

“A little, thanks, but I think I’ll go home early if you can manage things here?”

“Of course. Maybe you should visit the healer? Quinn is very good. He might have something to make you feel better.”

“I doubt it, but thanks for the advice.”

“Maybe you just have to let it run its course, whatever it is.” He had that right.

“That’s exactly what I’ll do. I’ll see you tomorrow.” I went home, rehearsing in my head how I was going to tell Pascal the news. I was happy, and I prayed he would be too.

Chapter Nineteen

Pascal

Since our mating, I’d made a habit of going to the Trash Panda a few minutes before it closed to pick up my mate. Sure, he could walk home alone and was perfectly capable of doing that, but I wanted to.

It made me happy.