Page 59 of The Howling (Monsters of the Yeavering #2)

I f I thought the wedding preparations were lengthy when I was dealing with Reavely’s ghostly family, having them back in the flesh has stalled everything.

Except my pregnancy. That has progressed at an impressive rate over the past few weeks. I’ve started to show, and Bessie has had to let the dress out not once but twice.

“If you get any bigger, I’ll have to add some darts,” she grumbles, but her eyes twinkle with delight. “Try not to expand before tomorrow.”

I pat my little bump, hardly more than a big meal really. “Can’t promise anything. Currently growing a Barghest pup.”

Lilburn snorts from the corner.

“Eating the Bargest out of their castle more like,” she says.

“How many are you having?” Bessie asks. “Pups, that is?”

I look at her, hoping she won’t stick a pin in me. “Hopefully only one.”

It’s Bessie’s turn to snort. “I attended the last queen during her time, as well as many other Barghest females. They do not have only one .”

“I’m human though,” I retort. “We do usually only have one at a time.”

I catch Lilburn out of the corner of my eye shaking her head.

“If you hadn’t noticed, you’re in the Yeavering now,” she says. “Nothing is as it was beyond the veil.”

I expand my fingers over my stomach.

“I thought Reavely was maybe joking with me. He said he was one of four.” My voice is a little hoarse.

“There’s no way you’re fitting four in there.” Bessie chuckles. “You’re far too small.”

“But what if she does?” Lilburn says, far more dramatically than she really needs to. “I think you’d pop,” she adds unhelpfully.

“There’s one way of telling.” Bessie has a mouth full of pins which she deftly deploys in rapid succession around my middle.

“An ultrasound?” I query.

Lilburn and Bessie look at me sharply.

“Okay, no strange beyond the veil technology. How then?”

“Have you got one?” Lilburn asks Bessie.

“My neighbour does.” Bessie stabs in the last pin, and before I can say anything, she’s left the room.

“What is she going to get?”

“You’ll see.” Lilburn grins. “Are you hungry?”

“Always, but if I eat anything, this dress is going to need letting out again.”

Lilburn shrugs. “If I was full of Barghest, I’d be eating all the time.”

I furrow my brow and shake my head at her, at the same time eyeing the plate of freshly baked scones Bessie has put out. “That sentence is wrong on so many levels,” I grumble.

Bessie comes back into the room, something clutched to her chest. She picks up a reel of thread and unwinds it before she slips a gold ring onto it.

“Is that…someone’s wedding ring?”

“My neighbour’s, and she wants it back, so we need to be quick,” Bessie says. “Hold out your hand.”

“You’re joking, right?”

“Why would I joke? Do you want to know how many pups you’re having or not?” she demands fiercely.

I mean, there’s not much I can do about it if there are four inside me, but I suppose it would give me a heads up on what to expect.

I hold out my hand. Bessie takes it and dangles the ring on a string over my palm. Lilburn leans in, watching intently.

“Isn’t this supposed to tell me what gender my baby is?”

“Why would you want to know that?” Lilburn asks. “It doesn’t matter if you have a male or female.”

I shrug. “No, it doesn’t.”

Because whatever gender or genders I have, they’re all going to be loved the same, by me and Reavely.

“Hold still,” Bessie says.

I hold my breath instead.

Infinitesimally slowly, the ring starts to swing on its own. I’m watching Bessie’s hand, but it’s absolutely steady as a rock.

Not that I needed to see because suddenly the ring stops, then jerkily moves in a triangular motion, before coming to a halt.

“Is that…what did I see?” I blink hard as Bessie releases my hand and pockets the ring.

“Three!” Lilburn says with glee. “You’ve got three pups stuffed in there.”

Bessie looks me up and down. “You’re going to be big,” she says.

“Did someone say my mate is going to be filled with pups?” a deep, familiar voice booms from the doorway.

Reavely leans there, arms folded over his impressive chest. He’s wearing a shirt today, tucked into a set of skin tight pants. The shirt is, however, open to the waist, revealing plenty of his abs. Plenty enough to make me salivate.

“I have a vested interest if I’m to keep her clothed,” Bessie grumbles.

“Three.” I stare at him, still trying to process the information. “Three,” I say again.

Reavely gathers me in his arms. I try to push him away.

“I’m full of pins.”

His mouth hits mine. “You’re full of pups,” he murmurs against me. “The pins be damned.”

“You won’t say that when you’re jabbed with one.” I feel the wet on my face from tears I don’t want to shed.

Reavely slips a thick finger under my chin and raises my face up so I’m looking him in the eye. He swipes a thumb over my cheek, over my tears.

“What is wrong, little mate?” he rumbles.

“Nothing, it’s just…”

His chest is ready for a growl, I can feel it.

“Did someone hurt you?”

“I’m just so happy, Reavely.” More tears burst from me. “And this is pregnancy hormones. It’s not me.”

“You’re going to have to get used to it, Barghest,” Lilburn says. “And not attempt to destroy the entire Yeavering in her name.”

Reavely looks at her and narrows his eyes. She stands her ground before disappearing, like any good mischief sprite.

“Also, you probably shouldn’t see me in my wedding dress,” I say before he attempts to follow her.

“I’ve seen you in your wedding dress,” Reavely rasps. “And out of it. It’s how the pups got in you in the first place.”

Behind us, I hear a soft huff of laughter from Bessie.

If Reavely hears it, he ignores it, instead leaning forward, inhaling over my hair and then putting his lips next to my ear.

“And I will be ensuring you remain pregnant for a long time to come, so it is for me to assist you with any of your hormones or anything which threatens you.”

His words shouldn’t send a spike of lust through me, but it’s there, and Reavely’s nostrils flare. The growl he’s been holding back escapes from his mouth, his sharp teeth nipping at the bare skin on my neck.

“I never thought I’d have to say this in my shop,” Bessie interrupts us loudly. “But if you’re going to do what I think you’re going to do, I’m going to need the dress back first.”