I flashed him a peevish look. “There’s nothing wrong with a few potato chips.”
“Then buy theunsalted.” He cut into his sausage and took a bite.
“That’s as tasty as eating cardboard.”
Tak chuckled. “I would have never guessed you two weren’t a couple. But I have one question.”
I set down my fork.
“Will the father be visiting? If you reconcile, he still has to meet my approval if he’s to join the pack. Unless you want to leave.”
“I’m not leaving—not unless you cast me out. And… there’s no father.”
He nodded pensively. “Before I allow my pack to get excited over the prospect of another child, I first need to know if you plan to keep it. This is entirely your decision, but it’s not fair to raise everyone’s expectations if you’re considering adoption.”
I wrung my hands beneath the table. The procrastinator in me had been stalling on a final decision, hoping that time would make things more clear. I had no maternal instincts, and it was surreal to think I was even carrying. “That’s something I can’t answer right now. Maybe Ishouldknow, but…”
Tak curled his fingers around his glass. “If you decide to surrender the child to another couple, would you consider someone in the house?”
I adamantly shook my head. “Being around the baby would be too difficult. If I changed my mind, it would break the hearts of whomever took them.”
“Agreed.” He tapped his finger against the side of the glass. “Then if adoption becomes your decision, I’ll make sure this baby has the best home. No orphanages, no black markets, no wondering if they’re safe. At leasttwocouples in the Iwa tribe have been wanting a child, so you won’t have to worry about their future. I’ll see to that. But if you keep it, they’ll be a blessing in this house. You won’t be alone in this; it takes a pack to raise a child.”
“Thank you.”
“We’ll support you no matter which path you choose. I’ll have to make the pack aware of the situation so they don’t give you gifts before you’ve made up your mind. Does that sound reasonable? Fair?”
“More than fair.”
He shoveled an omelet onto his plate. “You should see Milly. I don’t doubt your skills,” Tak said to Salem, “but Joy needs professional care. You worked in human medicine for years, but how many Shifter babies have you delivered?”
“Zero,” Salem admitted. “But Joy doesn’t need a Relic.” He gave me a pointed stare.
“As your alpha, I command it. End of story.” Tak swallowed his bite of egg. “Last night when I learned she’s been under your care this whole time, I contacted the higher authority to retrieve your records.”
Salem’s countenance transformed to one of sheer terror. He scratched the top of his head, which loosened a chunk of hair from the knot. Staring at his empty plate, he said, “Calling them was unnecessary, don’t you think? You said our past doesn’t matter.”
“Your personal lives don’t matter, but your experience is relevant, Doc. If you want to care for a pregnant woman, I need to know your history and qualifications.”
“You could have asked me.”
“You already lied to me once. Perhaps I wasn’t certain you would be forthcoming with factual information.” Tak narrowed his eyes at him. “I don’t play games when it comes to women and children. You haven’t worked for the higher authority in years, and they lost track of you. But since your previous experience was exclusively with humans, Joy will be seeing Milly from now on. Needn’t worry,” he said to me. “She’s an experienced midwife and the closest one available. Most packs have a Relic working with them, and I’m still weighing my options. We’ll use her for now, but she’s stretched thin with it being a small town.”
I nodded at Salem to convey that I was fine with Tak’s decision. As noble as his intentions were, maybe hewasn’tdoingenough. Yet his unspoken fears about another Relic treating me were also my own.
Tak grabbed a large spoon and added fruit to my plate. “Good. Now that we have that squared away, I scheduled an appointment for you this afternoon. Mercy will take you.”
I blinked with surprise. “On her scooter?”
Tak threw back his head and laughed. Then he wagged his finger at me. “You’re funny.”
“Who uninvited me to the party?” Virgil swaggered in, his damp hair dripping down his bare chest.
Despite Catcher barking at him, Virgil nonchalantly took a seat next to me.
“This is cozy,” he remarked. “Where’smyplate?”
Tak gave him a thorny look. “The pack’s eating outside this morning. We’re having a private meeting.”
