Page 93 of Hunted

I blink my eyes open but realize it’s still dark out. What woke me? I lay still for a moment, listening, but all I hear are the sounds of my guys, sleeping around me.

The best part of my new bedroom is definitely the bed. It’s big enough for all of us to sleep in without feeling cramped. I don’t know if they had it custom made, but it is amazing. Knowing they were all in here with me when I went to bed made sleeping so much easier. Not to mention the glow from the stars scattered across my ceiling. They really had thought of everything to help me adjust.

I feel a small pinch in my stomach and place my hand over it. Am I hungry? I lift my head and glance at the clock. Four a.m. No, I don’t think that’s it. It feels more painful than simple hunger.

My stomach cramps again, a bit longer this time, and I moan, trying to be as quiet as I can. What the hell? The soft sounds of the ocean plays throughout the room, but right now it’s not helping me stay calm.

I slowly lift Weston and Reece’s arms off me so I can sit up. My stomach cramps again and my hands start to shake.

Don’t freak out, don’t freak out.

For all I know, it’s just a stomach bug, or food poisoning. Those weren't so bad… right?

Sitting up fully, I feel something wet between my legs, and a whimper starts to break free. I try to stifle it quickly, not wanting anyone else to be a witness to my freakout.

This isn’t happening again. I’m safe. I’m with the guys. I’m not back there… alone and broken.

A bead of sweat rolls down my forehead, and I realize my whole body is trembling right now as I grip the blanket in both hands, preparing myself for what I’ll find.

I take a deep breath, then yank the blanket down. My eyes widen in shock at the sight in front of me.

“No, no no. This can’t be happening again…” I mumble as I reach down between my legs and swipe my hand through the mess.

I lift it up to my face to get a better look.

Blood.

My body freezes as I stare at my hand. How is this even possible? Wasn’t I being safe? I can’t—This can’t happen again.

My hand shakes wildly in front of my face. No, I’m having a nightmare. This isn’t real. I feel between my legs with my other hand, and it comes up bloody, too.

“No, no, no!” I scream, using both hands to try to wipe the blood away from me, pushing it down the blanket which only results in smearing it everywhere.

Someone grabs my arms as a piercing noise reaches my ears. The light flickers on and it only helps to intensify the bloody mess between my legs. I try to scream, but realize that piercing noise is me, I’m already screaming.

“Baby, baby, calm down!” Weston tries to yell over me as he tries to keep my arms from thrashing everywhere.

“What the fuck? Why’s she bleeding?” someone yells.

I shake my head as if by denying it, it won’t make it true. “No! Make it stop! I can’t—I can’t do this again!” I yell as Weston turns me into his chest and hugs me to him. I know I must be covering him in my blood, but I grip his shirt tightly and let him hold me as I break down completely.

“It’s okay, you’re okay,” he whispers into my ear as he rocks me back and forth.

“No! N-nothing is o-okay!” I stammer against his chest as it gets harder to take in a full breath of air. Other hands touch my legs, and I scream, snapping my legs shut and pulling my knees up close to my chest.

“Darla, it’s okay, it’s just us. Let us clean you up.”

I shake my head and grip Weston even tighter as my body shakes uncontrollably. My head starts to pound and when I open my eyes, dark spots dance in my vision.

“No, I can’t—I can’t survive this again!”

“Can’t survive what again?” Weston asks, as he holds me to him.

“I can’t survive another miscarriage!”

Chapter twenty-seven

Reece