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Eliza

I could barely sleep after Knox’s confession. I was caught in that twilight between disbelief and acceptance, replaying his transformation over and over in my head. A part of me was brimming with excitement, like I’d been granted an exclusive peek into a magical world. The other part was utterly terrified. Knox had said I was going to become a shifter and, apparently, I might already be pregnant with his child. It felt like I’d stepped into some fairytale turned real, but I still wasn’t sure if I wanted the starring role.

The next morning, I pressed a cool palm against my forehead as I stood in front of my bathroom mirror. I was burning up. My reflection showed someone who looked the same on the outside with brown hair, faint freckles, a tiredness beneath the eyes of a single mom, yet I knew I was irrevocably changed. My engagement ring sparkled in the morning light, reminding me of last night’s revelations and what they meant for my future.

Suddenly, I heard a small knock. Emma, up earlier than usual, slowly pushed the door open. She was in her princess pajamas, hair a wild mess, rubbing her eyes.

“Mommy?” she said sleepily. “I heard something last night. You okay?”

I couldn’t exactly tell my five-year-old that her soon-to-be stepfather had revealed himself to be a fox shifter in the moonlight. I knelt down to her height and smoothed a hand over her hair, steadying the swirl of emotions inside me.

“I’m fine, baby.” I forced a reassuring smile. “It’s just grown-up stuff. You know, wedding plans and all that.”

The flash of excitement in her eyes reminded me that she, too, had experienced a whirlwind of changes, losing her father’s presence, gaining a new father figure, and everything in between. For all her resilience, I still worried how this new, even bigger secret would eventually affect her. But for now, I wanted to protect her innocence a bit longer.

“Knox said he’d take me for donuts,” she said, a wide grin spreading across her face. “Is that okay?”

“Yeah, sweet girl. That’s okay.”

She scampered off, and I took a moment to gather my thoughts. Whether or not I was ready, my life had taken a sharp turn into uncharted territory. I just prayed my heart and mind could keep up.

By midmorning, I found Knox in the kitchen, quietly sipping coffee and browsing through his phone like any ordinary biker fiancé. You’d never guess he had fur and a tail tucked away somewhere inside him. He gave me a crooked grin when our eyes met, then set his phone aside and patted the stool next to him.

I settled in, and he slid a fresh mug of coffee toward me. There were so many unspoken truths we still needed to unpack. But my stomach growled, all too human, and he chuckled .

“You want some eggs?” he offered. “Bacon?”

“A piece of toast is fine,” I murmured, not quite meeting his eyes. My appetite was still overshadowed by the revelation of the night before.

Knox took a breath. “Eliza,” he began gently. “I know you’ve got a million questions. Fire away.”

I listened for Emma first, finding no sign of her little ears. “Where do I start?” I managed a brief laugh. Then I decided to dive in. “You said I’ll turn into a fox, like you. How soon? What exactly does that look like?”

“You’ll go through your first shift when your body’s ready. Might be months… might be a year. Everyone’s different. It can be difficult the first time, but I’ll be with you. I’ll guide you. The club will.”

My pulse quickened. “I have Emma to think about, too. She’s just a child. How is she going to handle this?”

He reached out and covered my hand with his own. “We’ll make it normal for her, just like any other family. Believe it or not, there are plenty of kids out there who grow up around shifters. We won’t hide it from her forever, but we can keep it quiet until she’s ready to understand.”

My stomach twisted, half from dread, half from wonder. How does someone’s life change so dramatically in under twenty-four hours?

“And… about me being pregnant,” I whispered, my voice barely carrying the words. “How do you know? ”

Knox shrugged, his dark eyes searching mine with sincerity. “It’s a sense, a smell, a… vibe, I guess you could call it. We foxes can pick up changes in hormones or something. It’s not exact science, but my gut’s telling me it’s true.”

I swallowed hard. “And if I am pregnant, that means the baby might be?”

“Half shifter, full-shifter,” he finished, shrugging.

“Half?”

Knox shook his head. “Means he won’t shift all the way.”

“Like part man, part fox? He?” I had so many questions.

“We can figure it out. If that’s the case, I’ll make sure you both are protected. And ‘he’ is just wishful thinking. Only because we have a girl.”

I didn’t have words, so I nodded, letting the enormity of it all settle in. Then I registered his nice words about Emma and smiled. Engaged. Soon-to-be fox shifter. Possibly pregnant. It was almost too much to wrap my head around.

Fuck almost.

It was just too much.

Birdie arrived in the afternoon, without Rocky this time. She wore a wide-brimmed hat that made her look like a vintage movie star, eyes hidden behind large sunglasses. The moment she strolled through my door, she held out her arms for a hug, and I found myself burying my face in her shoulder, tears pricking at the corners of my eyes.

“Eliza, what’s wrong, girl?” she said in a soft voice, peeling off the sunglasses to peer at me closely.

I stepped back and motioned for her to join me in the living room. Knox was out on the porch with Emma, occupying her with a new color-by-number set. I wanted some privacy, so I flipped on the TV for background noise and sank onto the couch.

Birdie perched next to me, her posture screaming concern. “You have that deer-in-headlights look, like the day Mark was arrested.”

A shaky laugh escaped me. “It’s not that bad. It’s just… complicated.”

She arched a well-groomed brow. “Must be pretty complicated if it’s got you trembling.”

I took a deep breath. “Knox told me he’s, uh… a fox shifter.”

Birdie stared, blinking once, twice, as if checking she’d heard me correctly. Then, to my shock, she let out a short laugh. “Wait, you’re serious?” Her laughter faded when she saw my expression.

“He… he shifted right in front of me, Birdie.” I trailed off, bracing for her reaction. “I guess half the club are shifters of some kind, mostly wolves, but Knox is a fox. And, apparently, I’m going to turn into one, too, because he already bit me. Plus, he says I might be pregnant. ”

For a moment, Birdie sat there, a silent anchor in my swirling storm of revelations. Then she pressed her lips together and said, “You know… it shouldn’t surprise me. The club has always had a secretive vibe. It was bigger than the usual outlaw stuff. But I never pinned them for this.” She laughed. “Good one, Eliza.” She was making fun. She didn’t believe me.

I glanced at the door, where I could just make out Knox’s deep voice from the porch and Emma’s giggles. Then I repeated myself, tried to make her believe me.

“This must be some engagement jitters,” Birdie said, patting my arm like I was a nut.

“I love him, Birdie. That hasn’t changed. I’m just scared of… everything. What happens next, how I raise Emma, and how to even begin explaining this to the rest of the world?”

Birdie reached over and held my hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze. “You don’t have to figure everything out today. You’ve already been through fire with Mark, and you came out stronger. This? Does Knox know what you’re saying? Regardless… I’ve got you.”

I let out a watery chuckle at her optimism. “Thanks.”

“I mean it,” she said. “We’ll get through this.”

That afternoon, Knox drove Birdie home on his bike, since I was going to borrow her car since mine was in the shop. Leaving me with a quiet house and an even quieter mind. Emma was out in the backyard playing with her stuffed animals, unaware that her mother’s world had flipped upside-down yet again. I settled onto the sofa, pressing a hand against my stomach, wondering if there truly was a new life forming inside me .

Memories of Mark flickered in and out, unbidden. He died last week. That thought still echoed with a strange finality. Once upon a time, he had been the father of my child, a man I trusted. Now he was gone, and all the darkness he dragged into my life had been swept away by the man who sat reading bedtime stories to my daughter. It felt surreal. He’d left behind so many unanswered questions, regrets, and scars, but I couldn’t let that shape my future anymore.

Knox was my future. Knox and the secrets that came with him. The knowledge that I was no longer just a teacher or a mother. I would become more than human, and already, I could sense that it was no longer if it was when. In my heart, the acceptance began to settle, like the pieces of a puzzle finally clicking into place.

Around sunset, Knox returned without his Harley’s roar announcing him. I heard the back door quietly open and close instead. He found me in the kitchen, my phone in hand, one foot tapping nervously as I tried to figure out if I should schedule a doctor’s appointment or wait to confirm everything with Knox’s shifter sense.

He crossed the room in a few quick strides and wrapped his arms around me from behind, gently resting his chin on my shoulder. The warmth of his body enveloped me, and despite my nerves, I melted into him.

“How’re you doing?” he asked softly, pressing a kiss to my temple.

“I’ve been better.” I loosened in his hold so I could look up into his eyes. “But I’ve also been worse. My mind is everywhere, Knox.”

His gaze was steady, the same gaze that once held me together when the world threatened to tear me apart. “I understand,” he said. “Let me help you through this. ”

I leaned my head against his chest, listening to the strong beat of his heart. For a moment, the only sounds were the hum of the refrigerator and the distant giggles of Emma playing upstairs.

Finally, I broke the silence. “I need to get tested, to confirm… about the baby. And I need to know how all this shifting stuff affects the pregnancy, if it does at all.”

Knox tightened his arms around me. “We have doctors who specialize in our kind. We’ll go see one. They’ll explain everything better than I can.”

“Thank you,” I whispered. Then I tilted my head up to press my lips to his. It was a slow, sweet kiss, the kind that silently said we’d stand together, even though I was still trembling inside.

Knox drew back slightly. “I never meant to shock you like this. But if we’re going to spend our lives together, I need you to know all of me. Fox side included.”

A delicate laugh escaped me. “From a rebel biker to a fox shifter… you’re a whole adventure, Knox. But I wouldn’t trade it.” I paused, searching his face. “No more secrets, okay?”

“Scout’s honor,” he murmured, solemn as any vow he’d taken on that knee the other night.

Later that evening, after Emma was asleep, we sat on the couch, sipping tea. Well, I was sipping tea, and Knox was half-pretending to enjoy it for my sake. I couldn’t help but smile as he made a face at the herbal taste.

“So,” I began. “ Birdie brought up a good point. She was suspicious about the club for a while. But I had no clue. Are you sure Mark didn’t know?”

“Birdie? What did you tell her?” Knox asked, all excited.

“Just the basics.”

“Eliza, I thought it went without saying that you can’t tell anyone.” He was angry.

Suddenly, my mistake became more than obvious. “Oh, Knox, I just… I’m just in shock. I didn’t even think. She’d never tell anyhow. She didn’t believe a word of it.”

“You can’t tell anyone. Is that clear?” Knox shook his head. “Birdie, I’ll have to have a talk with her.”

“What kind of talk?”

“I’ll have to make sure she doesn’t believe you. As to your question, Mark wasn’t part of any of this, but the people he was tangled up with… I told you, they’re big players in the supernatural world. They probably recognized me and the club for what we are, and that painted a target on you, especially once I claimed you.”

My thoughts drifted to the trial that would never happen now. “It’s over, I guess,” I said. “At least that part. But what about… well, people who come looking for me or Emma or you? Because we’re different.”

His eyes hardened with protective resolve. “They’d be stupid to try anything. My club has your back now. No one messes with us Knoxville boys. Things are volatile right now, in the grander sense, but my brothers are the true strength of the club.” Then, a hint of a smile. “Besides, it doesn’t hurt that we’re a bunch of wolves and foxes and all sorts of snarling beasts.”

Despite the grim subject, I felt a surge of reassurance. “Still,” I murmured. “I’d do anything to keep Emma safe.”

Knox set his empty mug down and pulled me closer, so close I could feel his heart beating. “So would I,” he whispered. “That’s a promise.”

I nodded, my eyes brimming with gratitude and a hint of fear. This was a bigger world than I ever thought I’d be part of. But I realized, too, I wasn’t as afraid as I could be. Because Knox was here, and with him came a sense of home.

With soft music playing from the radio, I curled up against Knox’s chest. Each breath felt less ragged than the last, each passing moment a step toward embracing what lay ahead. Our wedding, the shifting, the life we’d share, secrets and all.

Knox’s phone buzzed, and he glanced down at the screen. “Got a message from Rocky. We might have a club meeting soon, just routine stuff. You can come if you want,” he offered gently.

I hesitated. “Are you sure?”

He nodded. “You’re going to be my ol’ lady, my fiancée. You’re part of this family.”

I felt proud and nervous. The club was no longer just some group of rough bikers. It was a society of supernatural beings and their allies. And I was about to be one of them, truly one of them, in body and spirit .

Leaning up, I pressed a soft kiss to Knox’s lips, heart fluttering at the promise of everything yet to come. “Then I’ll be by your side,” I said, holding his gaze. “Always. Apparently, for an eternity.”

It wasn’t a question anymore. It was our truth.

“See, you’re catching on,” Knox said with a cunning wink.

Knox and I locked up the house for the night, taking a moment to peek in on Emma, who was already sprawled across her bed, clutching her stuffed bear in sleep. My fiancé gave me a reassuring squeeze of the hand, and we headed to the bedroom.

Inside, the easy glow of the lamp bathed us in soft light. My head was still spinning with the possibilities. I wanted nothing more than to feel Knox’s arms around me, anchoring me. He pulled his t-shirt over his head, revealing the chiseled planes of his body, mapping out the tattoos that only hinted at the fox within. His dark eyes met mine, full of worry and hope.

“You okay, Eliza?” he asked quietly.

“Honestly? I think so,” I admitted. A small, sheepish smile tugged at my lips. “Would it be crazy to ask… can you shift again? I just… want to see it, see you, so I can believe.”

Knox exhaled slowly, as though preparing himself. “It’s not that I don’t want to,” he said. “But I don’t want to freak you out.”

I pressed a hand over my heart. “You already showed me everything the other night. I guess I’m still in shock, but I need to face it head-on. Do it… please.”

His lips quirked. “Alright. Just remember you asked for this. ”

He stood in the center of our bedroom, closed his eyes, and began to shift. But something was different this time. Instead of the sudden, full transformation into a fox, Knox’s features morphed only partway. His ears elongated and became sharply pointed, a brilliant shade of orange flicking out in a tail behind him. Whisker-like lines appeared on his cheeks and upper lip, and thick red-orange fur emerged at his forearms.

I just stood there, transfixed, my heart hammering. I recognized the man I loved in the shape of a creature caught between two forms.

“Fuck,” I whispered, unable to form the words.

He opened his eyes, which glowed amber in the dim light. “I can do a partial shift if I need to… sense things better or if I just want a little more strength. Are you okay?”

Despite the swirl of awe and disbelief, I nodded, inching closer. “I’m not scared,” I managed, though my heart thudded in my ears. With trembling curiosity, I reached out to touch the triangular fox ears at the top of his head. The soft brush of fur against my fingertips made me shiver.

Knox let out a quiet growl at the contact. Something caught between human and animal, and I felt heat flood my cheeks. The primal aura of it all teased my senses more than I was ready for.

“I think that’s enough for now,” I managed, stepping back. “I’m sorry. I just… God, it’s a lot.”

Slowly, his body melded back to pure human form. The ears retreated, the whiskers faded, the tail vanished. Knox blinked a few times, rolling his shoulders as if shaking off the lingering fox sensations.

“There,” he murmured. “Better?”

I exhaled a shaky laugh. “I’m not sure I’d call it better, but definitely less terrifying.”

His expression turned somber. “Is it too much? I don’t want to push you.”

I could see the underlying worry in his face that I might reject him. Stepping closer, I rested a hand on his chest. “Knox, it’s not you. It’s me trying to catch up. And I’m sorry, but tonight… I’m not really in the mood for anything. I mean, physically… but… I just need time.”

“I understand.” He lowered his head and pressed a gentle kiss to my cheek. “I’d never force you into anything, shifter or not.”

“Thank you,” I whispered, a swell of emotion tightening my throat. “I just need you next to me tonight, that’s all.”

Knox nodded, pulling me into his arms. We climbed into bed, the blankets enveloping us in a small cocoon of warmth. He cradled me against him, his breathing slow and steady. Despite everything, I drifted off with an odd kind of peace.

The sun peeked through the curtains when I woke up, the tangy scent of coffee already filling the house. Knox had let me sleep in a little while he fed Emma breakfast. Softly, I got dressed, pulling on a pair of jeans and a comfortable top, still marveling that, for all the secrets we’d shared, the day-to-day routine carried on .

Knox soon ushered us out to his truck. Apparently, the Harley wasn’t ideal for a family run this morning, and we headed to the Royal Bastards’ clubhouse. My stomach fluttered with nerves. Even after last night, I still had no idea what to expect from the MC’s inner circle, especially knowing some of them might be shifters too.

Emma was excited, bobbing around in the backseat with chatter about the cool bikes and funny uncles at the club. I cast a quick look at Knox, who offered me a calming smile. He squeezed my hand.

When we arrived at the clubhouse, the Wild Dog, the name now sounding all too appropriate, it was a large building with motorcycles parked in neat rows. Knox hopped out and helped Emma. The building felt different now that I knew. Which of these bikers was secretly a wolf or another fox like Knox? I couldn’t help scanning their faces as we stepped inside.

My nerves were all over the place. Though Knox had explained how important it was to keep his shifter nature a secret, I’d been so rattled last night that I’d accidentally blurted out something weird to Birdie. Now, I had to figure out how to fix that slip before it caused any real trouble.

Birdie was already there, perched at the bar in one of her retro sundresses, chatting with Rocky. At the sight of me, she jumped up, adjusting her sunglasses that always seemed ready to fall off her head. Her eyes flicked to Knox, then back to me. She looked… uneasy.

Rocky slipped an arm around Birdie’s waist, and I noticed the comfortable ease in the gesture. They’d been seeing each other on the sly, or not so sly, given they weren’t exactly hiding in front of me. Rocky, a muscular man with blond hair and blue eyes, was one of the more stoic bikers I’d met, but now, the way he gazed down at Birdie was downright tender.

“Hey, Eliza. Knox.” Rocky nodded.

“Hey.” I attempted a casual smile, though my nerves had me wound tight. “So, we’re here. You guys wanted to talk?”

Knox guided me over, leaving Emma to run off and play with the clubhouse dog, an old bulldog snoring contentedly in the corner. He surveyed Birdie and Rocky with a measured look, then gave me a sidelong glance.

“Birdie, you doing okay?” Knox asked, voice cautious.

“Hey, Eliza,” she said, voice soft. “How are you feeling today?”

I could feel Knox at my back, tense and watchful. Rocky, tall and broad-shouldered, studied me with a guarded expression. They were both worried I might slip up again. I cleared my throat, shooting Knox a quick glance before turning to Birdie.

“I’m… better,” I said. “Sorry about the other day. I was pretty out of it.”

Birdie frowned. “Well, you were talking about all sorts of bizarre things, about Knox being a…a…” Her words drifted off, and I saw her mouth quirk, like she was unsure how to phrase the craziness I’d spouted.

I forced a laugh, pressing a hand to my forehead. “Yeah, I know. I said some wild stuff, didn’t I? I’ve just been feeling so sick lately, nausea, headaches, the works. I was rambling, Birdie. I’m so sorry if I worried you.”

Birdie’s skeptical gaze flicked from me to Knox, then to Rocky. “I guess you did sound… I don’t know, delirious.” She tucked a lock of hair behind her ear, clearly uncertain. “Are you sure you’re okay now?”

Rocky stepped forward, slipping an arm protectively around Birdie’s waist. “Eliza’s been under a lot of stress,” he said carefully. “We all have. With everything going on, it’s understandable.”

Knox nodded his agreement, setting a hand lightly on my shoulder. “She’s been pushing herself way too hard,” he explained, his voice calm. “Between raising Emma, the new school term, dealing with Mark’s passing… it’s enough to make anyone say things they don’t mean.”

I breathed out a sigh of relief, seeing both men back me up. Birdie looked torn between concern and lingering doubt.

“So, you’re not… serious about the, uh, ‘fox’ stuff?” she prompted, eyeing me with a laugh.

My face flamed. I shook my head vigorously. “No, God no. I—I don’t even remember half of what I said, but it was all nonsense. I promise.”

She hesitated, chewing on her bottom lip. Then Rocky gave her a gentle nudge, and her shoulders loosened. “Alright, if you say so. We were just worried you’d really lost it there for a minute.”

“I appreciate it,” I replied, giving her a weak smile. “I’m sorry for scaring you.”

Rocky cleared his throat. “So,” he began, looking from Birdie to me. “I hear you two ladies had a talk about more than just that. Maybe about you needing some time off, or… something else you might need?”

My stomach did a little flip-flop. I had a feeling he was probing to see if I’d admitted anything else. “Just typical friend stuff,” I lied smoothly, hoping to divert Birdie’s attention. “Girl talk and all.”

“Right,” Birdie said, nodding. Her relief was almost palpable. “Eliza and I talk about everything, her weird dreams, nightmares, all that drama with Mark… but I guess not everything, right?” she teased, casting me a playful wink. “Next time, just let me know when you’re about to spin me some wild story. I’ll bring whiskey and chocolate.”

Despite the tension, I couldn’t help a small laugh. “Deal. Promise.”

Knox let out a long breath and shared a subtle look with Rocky. Both men seemed satisfied that Birdie now believed it had all been the product of my exhausted mind. Emma chose that moment to dash over, clutching a coloring page decorated with neon crayons.

“Look!” she announced, holding it up proudly. “Uncle Doug said I did a good job!”

Birdie’s attention diverted, and she cooed over Emma’s artwork, letting out effusive praises. I exhaled, relieved that the worst of it was over for now.

With Birdie occupied, Rocky turned to Knox and me. “We’ve got that officer meeting soon,” he reminded Knox, voice low. “Eliza, you’re welcome to come, but if you’d rather stay out here, we get it.”

My pulse kicked up. I understood this was the club’s hush-hush business, no telling what might come up. For now, I was content staying with Emma. “I’ll hang with Birdie,” I said. “We’ll keep Emma busy.”

Knox gave my shoulder a reassuring squeeze before heading down the hall with Rocky. The heavy door closed behind them, leaving Birdie, Emma, and me near the bar. After a moment, Birdie reached out and patted my hand, a faint worry line marring her brow.

“You sure you’re okay?” she asked again, a quieter, more personal question this time.

I took a beat before answering. “I’m… trying to be,” I said honestly. “It’s just been a lot, Mark’s death, the stress with the trial that never happened, and now all this wedding stuff.” I patted my stomach lightly, using the excuse I’d grown accustomed to giving. “My body’s not handling it well.”

Her expression softened. “You know I’m here, right?” she murmured. “For anything.”

“I know,” I said, feeling a tiny pang of guilt. Because there was so much more, so many truths I couldn’t share yet. “Thank you.”

She nodded, then forced a bright smile for Emma. “Come on, kiddo, let’s show your mom what an awesome artist you are.”

As Birdie led Emma away to an open table, I caught sight of Knox peeking around the hallway corner, probably checking to make sure everything was okay. I gave him a small nod. He flashed me a brief, relieved smile. The secret was safe, for now. And I was safe, too, sheltered in this strange web of half-truths and well-meaning lies, knowing full well we’d face more questions down the road.

But at least, until Birdie became an official wife in the club, or a shifter herself, she would remain oblivious to the supernatural truth swirling around us. And I’d wait until I had an actual positive test to talk to her about me being pregnant.