“Yeah, about that. I’ve just been growing more and more frustrated. My emotions feel out of control at times. I’ve honestly wondered if the continual draining of blood by the vampires did some permanent damage to my brain. I haven’t said anything to Drake about it because we’ve just been arguing a lot. This evening when I told him I was coming here, he shut me down. He simply told me no.”
“What?”
“Nuh-uh.”
“Dangerous.”
All three girls spoke at one time. Bethany nodded. “Yes. That was the straw that broke the camel’s back. I told him I thought some space would be good. I’m not leaving him or anything, but he’s just so intense. It’s hard to deal with that without the follow through. My skin has become so sensitive to his touch that I pant like a freaking dog in heat when he simply takes my hand. I mean all the sweet touches and soft kisses were beginning to make me crazy, like literally crazy. Taking him against his will might have become an option if I thought I had any chance at overpowering him.”
“That’s my girl,” Jen said and winked like a proud mama.
“When I told him I wanted my space, he refused to let me have it. Then it hit me. Why not torture him the way he’s been torturing me? So, I stripped off my clothes and told him I wouldn’t put them back on until he stopped being ridiculous.”
“And that’s when I knocked on your door? Man, do I have great timing or what.” Jen laughed.
“Or what,” Sally and Jacque said at the same time.
“I just don’t know what else to do.” Tears formed in Bethany’s eyes, and Jacque wrapped an arm around her and pulled her into an embrace. “And I cry about nothing. I mean, I cried at a dog commercial the other day. I lied to Drake and said it was allergies.”
Sally walked over on her knees from where she’d been sitting and sat back on her heels in front of Bethany. Her eyes met Jacque’s. The redhead could tell Sally was thinking the same thing she was.
“Bethany, would you mind if I touched you?” Sally asked gently.
Jacque shot Jen a glare and shook her head when the blonde opened her mouth. Jacque was getting good at making her best friend shut her trap with just a look. Apparently, it only took fifteen years to train Jen to behave appropriately.
“Okay,” Bethany said.
Sally placed her hand on Bethany’s stomach and closed her eyes. Jacque watched in awe—she always did when she saw Sally use her magic—as the light flowed into Bethany.
After a few minutes, Sally pulled her hand back. A serious looked showed on her face. “Shut the bond down tightly if you don’t want Drake to know what I’m about to say.”
“Okay,” Bethany said. “What are you about to say?”
“The emotions, sensitive skin, increased desire, and irrational crying isn’t because of your time with the vampires, sweetie,” Sally said. “You’re pregnant.”
Bethany’s mouth dropped open then closed then opened again. “We only did it twice,” she said, looking at the girls but seeming to see right past them.
Jacque couldn’t help her smile. “I’ve heard it only takes once, mama.”
Bethany’s head snapped over to Jacque. “Mama?” she whispered, sounding a little awed and a lot terrified. “I’m going to be a mama. I can’t be a mama.”
There was a long howl that suddenly filled the night.
Jacque patted Bethany’s back. “Weren’t able to hold the bond closed, were ya?”
Bethany shook her head. “He felt my alarm. I couldn’t stop him from opening it.”
“We’re going to have company soon, right?” Jen asked.
Bethany nodded. “He’s coming.”
“We got your back, Bethy,” Jacque said, and Sally and Jen nodded.
“If you want us to stay with you for this initial confrontation, we can be your buffer. Sometimes having a supportive and, at times, funny peanut gallery keeps the fur balls from throwing tantrums,” Jen explained.
“Is she serious?” Bethany asked Sally and Jacque.
“Believe it or not, she is,” said Sally. “We’ve probably got more experience than most keeping the wolves from losing it.”
