Page 67 of Rhett

I grinned. “After hearing that story, hell yes.”

As Freya got closer, it was her almond-shaped emerald-green eyes that captured my attention—they were almost hypnotic when they focused on me. My brain got fuzzy for a second. My extremities felt like an invisible force was holding me captive, then mysteriously, the trance was broken, along with my brain fog.

“That’s so strange,” I blurted out.

Freya arched a brow. “That confirms it.”

“Confirms what?” I asked.

“That I can’t pulse hybrids for as long as I can with full-blood Others. When I first pulsed Imani, something blocked my magic from digging further into what type of Other she was. You just did the same thing. My magic could not penetrate what felt like an invisible perimeter you erected around your body.”

I shrugged. “That’s what happened to Nyx last night.”

“I need to get to the bottom of this hybrid-pulsing situation,” Freya murmured.

Piper jabbed Freya in the side. “Stop digging for shit that ain’t none of your business.”

“Ouch!” Freya gave Piper the stink eye. “Will you quit poking me with that bony elbow of yours?”

“Stop being so damn grumpy,” Piper complained before looping her arm through mine. “So Bo told us you’re planning on staying in the Ridge.”

“I haven’t decided.” I glared pointedly at Bonnie.

A smile twitched across Bonnie’s lips. “I don’t see what the holdup is. We all know that you and Rhett are mates.”

“Who’s we?” I squeaked.

“The whole town,” Piper confided. “Gossip travels fast around here.”

“I see,” I commented.

“That’s right,” Freya added. “Bo already let everyone know that you’re a midwife and you’ll be opening a clinic to treat our females.”

My eyes widened. “What?”

Piper grinned. “Lord knows we need you in the Ridge, especially if the spell calls more fated mates and they settle down with their mates.”

I gave Bonnie a dirty look. “It seems my grandmother has been very busy stirring the gossip pot. But I’m not sure what my plans are when it comes to the Ridge.”

All three of them stared at me.

“But we need you,” Piper said.

I frowned. “But don’t you already have pregnancy health care?”

“What health care?” Piper arched a brow. “Most females rely on Izzy’s magic-laced remedies or the town’s hot springs to get them through any hiccups during and after their pregnancy.”

I frowned. “What about prenatal care, delivery, and postpartum care?”

“Nova, remember we’re talking about female shifters, not human females,” Bonnie reminded me. “Pregnant shifters don’t trust the human world for health care.”

“It doesn’t matter if they’re a human or shifter. Everyone is entitled to health care.” I fumed, frustration coursing through my body. “No one should have to choose between the health of their baby and the fear of being captured and dissected by humans.”

“We’re just explaining the situation,” Freya said. “Most female shifters give birth at home or in their birthing dens, with their mates providing comfort and support during the birthing process.”

“With no trained medical attention?” My eyes widened.

“None,” they said in unison.