Page 47 of Fangs for the Memories (Budapest Bites #1)

I didn’t sleep much. Not only is Lucy’s pull-out bed lumpy as hell, but I had all sorts of scenarios running through my brain.

I need to tell Ferenc about the baby. After the first test, Lucy insisted on another to be sure. Five tests later and they were all positive.

Lucy was supremely excited. If nothing else, I expect because it was a massive “fuck you” to Mark.

She never did like him much.

I dug through my things until I found my phone, only to discover the battery was dead, presumably from being in the hold, and no charging cable. By that time it was late and I was tired, so we resolved to sort it all out in the morning.

Which is what had me tossing and turning. Ferenc bustled me out of his country without even saying goodbye. He said he loved me, he said I meant the world to him, and yet…

How do I know what he says is true? Maybe his real mate turned up and he needed to get me out of the way?

Turns out, even if he’s not in my life anymore, Mark is still spoiling things for me.

When, in the early morning, I finally hear Lucy moving around in the kitchen, it’s a relief. My head is one hundred percent not a fun place to be.

I wrap my ruined coat around me and go to join her.

“Hey, hun.” Lucy gives me a big hug, frowns at my coat, and then pushes me onto one of the stools next to the window which doubles as a breakfast bar. “You want some coffee?” She fills a cafetière with hot water and the scent fills the kitchen.

My stomach does a slow about turn.

“Um…maybe not,” I say.

Lucy opens the fridge, brings out some orange juice, and pours me a glass.

“Apparently tastes the same coming out as going in.” She pushes it towards me.

“Thanks, I think.”

I drain the juice in almost one gulp, not realizing how thirsty I am.

“What are you going to do?” Lucy asks, putting two slices of bread in her toaster.

“Generally, or right now?” I ask.

“I was thinking about the fact you’re carrying a werewolf baby and the father is three thousand miles away.”

“Don’t,” I groan. “Like I haven’t been thinking about it all night.”

“Any conclusions?”

“None.”

“Well…you’ve got nine months…at least I presume werewolf babies have a nine-month gestation?” Lucy says. “I mean, it could be shorter…”

I pick up a sock from where it’s been drying on the radiator underneath the window and throw it at her.

“Not helpful.” I chuckle before I put my hand on my stomach. “You don’t really think it’s shorter, do you?”

“I’d be more worried if it was longer, if I were you…but I’m not you, so I’m just here for the ride.”

“Oh, you’re such a comfort.” I wince my face up at her.

“Always, my love,” she responds in a saccharine tone.

I go for the other sock, and she runs off into the bathroom, cackling like a hen.

“I should have gone to stay with Kezia,” I call after her.

Once we’re up and Lucy has spent time cooing over my wardrobe, none of which is going to fit in the next few months, we head out into the damp London air, heading for the nearest electronics store to get a cable for my phone.

Of the werewolf bodyguards…they and the SUV I arrived in…there is no sign. But then neither are any screaming harpy like creatures trying to pluck me from the street.

It’s almost as if I’ve been dreaming…if it wasn’t for the positive pregnancy tests.

The little corner shop selling all things mobile phone related has what we need and we repair to a nearby cafe so I can charge up. Lucy makes a fuss about me eating something, so I choose a croissant and have some more juice.

“There you go,” she says as the screen changes from showing a battery icon to an actual photo, one I took of the Hungarian Parliament building.

Almost instantly it’s covered with notifications, from my mother, from Lucy, from the group chat…but not from Ferenc. Not a single one is from him.

What chills my already queasy stomach is something else. I stare at the screen for a few seconds before picking it up and unlocking it.

“What’s wrong?” Lucy says as I push my half-eaten pastry away.

I stare at the text. It might be from an unknown number, but it’s crystal clear who it’s from.

“Mark.” I show her my phone. “How does he know I’m back?”

Mark

Hey - we need to meet. We have things to discuss

“Ignore him. What have you got to talk to him about?” Lucy growls.

“Maybe I could persuade him to let me have my business back?”

“Hun, he didn’t do you any favors when he was supposed to be getting married to you. Now he’s with his knocked-up bitch, he’s absolutely not your friend in any way, shape, or form,” Lucy says. “You should keep well away.”

She glares off into the distance out of the cafe window before looking back at me.

“You’re totally going to go see him, aren’t you?”

“I don’t know what’s happening anymore.” I sigh. “If there’s the slightest chance I can salvage my business, I might not have to go home and live with my mother.”

“I would never allow such a travesty,” Lucy says fiercely. “You know you’re always welcome to my sofa bed.”

I wrap my arm around her. “Thanks, bestie. But you won’t be saying that when your place is cluttered up with baby stuff, will you?”

Lucy leans her head on my shoulder. “I got you, hun, even if you are having a baby which is more likely to chew a bone than a bottle.”

I gently punch her in the arm. “Thanks, I don’t think.”

She looks me dead in the eye. “Grace, promise me you won’t go see Mark, please?” she says. “Whatever it is he wants, you don’t need him in your life.”