Page 20 of Expecting The Unexpected

Krerr’s brow rose, “Please, it isn’t like we had seven sons by immaculate conception.”

“Well, that’s how I like to think about it,” Hron muttered.

“The point is, we lost control that day, and the next thing we know, Krerr is expecting you,” Stok snapped.

Hron’s eyes snapped to his father’s. “Are you telling me I was a mistake? A whoopsie? A ‘how the hell did that happen’ moment?”

“You, Hron, were our greatest joy and surprise. You are not a mistake and never were. You just weren’t planned,” Krerr said, then looked at Throg. “The only thing we could figure out was that our coming together was so explosive, neither of us were thinking clear and the wrong gland was released. Could that have been what happened with you and Spencer?”

Throg could only nod, not wanting to discuss his and Spencer’s sex life... well, if it could be called that.

“There’s still the issue of not being mates,” Peth stated firmly.

“We’re mates,” Throg murmured.

Elijah gasped, “What did you just say?”

Throg lifted his gaze and looked around the room. “I said, wearemates. Spencer is my Viata.”

“How could... I don’t understand, Throg. You and Spen... Why? Why are you refusing Spencer? He’s a wonderful and beautiful man,” Petree wondered, in complete confusion.

Mason snorted, “He’s refusing Spencer for just the reason Spencer said. Throg doesn’t want him because of what happened with Chantal.”

“That’s not true!” Throg shouted, as he stood up, so fast, his chair went flying behind him.

Mason, Abe and Bryant stood up just as fast. Abe snarling, “What other reason could there be? I admit I don’t know the Nakaka as well as I should, but I thought you guys coveted Viatas as much as shifters do their own mates.”

“We do,” Groth said, looking at Throg thoughtfully.

Throg didn’t like the way the doctor stared at him. It was as if the man could see into the deepest, darkest part of his very soul. Like he could read Throg’s mind as well as body.

“Then, explain it to us. Explain how you could refuse the man fate deemed as the one being in this entire world that can complete you?” Abe snapped.

“Yeah! Explain!” Elijah said, crossing his arms and giving a sharp nod.

“I don’t have to explain anything to any of you.” Throg snarled.

When everyone started talking at once, Dr. Oleander held his hand up. “He’s right. This is a mating issue, and by shifter law, he isn’t required to answer to anyone in regards to it. However, I do have a question for you, Throg, if you don’t mind?”

Throg looked at the shrink warily, but nodded. “You can ask, but I can’t guarantee I’ll answer.”

“Fair enough,” Dr. Oleander said, then asked, “You are the second born from the gods to the Nakaka, correct?”

“Yes,” Throg answered warily.

Dr. Oleander asked, “If I remember correctly, from my teachings, the ancients are the first born designed by the gods to protect the humans, and the second born were designed to protect the ancients and their families.”

Even though it hadn’t been a question, Throg nodded, answering, “Yes.”

“That means you were there when the attack took place on the Nakaka over two hundred years ago?” Dr. Oleander asked.

Throg’s body stiffened, “I don’t talk about that time.”

De. Oleander nodded as he clasped his hands in front of him, softly saying, “Maybe you should.”

Throg couldn’t stop his snarl. “And maybe, you should keep your shrink shit to those that need it.”

“Throg, calm yourself. I will not have you disrespecting the doctor,” Hron warned.

“It’s fine Hron. I have the answers I needed... well mostly.” Dr. Oleander said, just as quietly as before.

Unable to take any more of these people’s questions and stares, Throg made his way to the door.

“Where do you think you’re going, Throg? You haven’t been dismissed,” Hron stated in the Caliph tone he rarely used on others.

Turning to look at the Caliph, Throg said, “I don’t know what happened, or how it happened that Spencer is expecting our child, but I do know that my mate is hurting. He’s hurting, scared, and feeling very alone. I need to go to him. I need to talk to him. I need him to understand why we can’t be mates. I need... I need...” Throg’s voice box seemed to lock up on him, stopping him from being able to say another word.

“You need to make your mate understand that he is safe, going to be okay, and that he isn’t alone. You want to make him feel better,” Dr. Oleander gently said.

Throg nodded, then looked at Spencer’s friends. “I had no choice, but to deny him. I am a guardian, born by the gods to do a job. I must set everything aside, even a mate, to do that job. I won’t leave him alone to raise our child, but I cannot be his mate. It is... It is the way of things. I’m sorry.”