“But…” I looked back at Maddy.
She obviously felt something. That had to be why she was whimpering and gritting her teeth.
“Oh,” Sebastian said, drawing out the sound. “I know what that is.”
“What is it?” I asked, annoyed that I had no clue what he was talking about. I glanced around the table, my gaze resting on Gabriella at the far end of the table, seated beside two of my brothers.
Maddy’s birth mother was gazing at Maddy with teary eyes and a soft smile. I swung my head back to my own parents. My mother was also staring at Maddy, a knowing grin slowly spreading on her lips.
“Okay, what the hell is going on?” I asked. “Can someone tell me?—”
The scent finally triggered a memory. Iknewthat smell. The scent of pregnancy.
“Why is everyone looking at me?” Maddy asked, shooting worried glances at everyone.
I focused my senses on her body. I wanted to know for sure. My shifter hearing picked up on the thud of her pulse, the hiss of breath going in and out of her lungs, and a tiny fluttering sound that wasn’t usually there—the sound of a very small heart beating deep in her womb. A sound so light it was like butterfly wings. My jaw slowly fell open.
“Nico? Please tell me, what the hell is wrong?” Maddy asked. She no longer looked irritated—she seemed freaked out.
Unable to form words, I slid from my chair, my knees hitting the floor in front of her. Placing my palm on her belly, I could sense the tiny being inside her. I couldn’t believe I’d missed it. It must have happened when she went into heat. I’d been too consumed with everything the royals were doing to realize what was happening with my mate.
Excitement, pride, fear, and protectiveness flooded my mind and heart. Maddy stared down at me, eyes narrowed. She didn’t get it. She didn’t understand.
“Nico?” she whispered.
Finally finding my voice, I choked out the words. “Maddy, you’re pregnant.”
Her eyelids fluttered as the words slammed into her. “I’m sorry, what?”
“You’re pregnant,” I repeated.
“That’s not possible. I’m on birth control.”
The corner of my mouth lifted in a wry smile. “When’s the last time you took it?”
We’d only worried about necessary medicines when we loaded up on supplies—antibiotics, painkillers; anything that could be used to help save lives. No one had thought about basic items like birth control pills. She’d been out of those for weeks. Realizing this, she still shook her head.
“Still, though, we were careful.”
I shook my head. “Not that first night when your heat came in. That very first time.”
Her lips formed a word that I was sure was going to be another denial, but then I could practically see her replaying it in her mind.
“Fuck,” she breathed.
She had to be mortified that this conversation was happening in front of my brothers, my friends, parents—everyone. I didn’t sense any excitement from her, not even worry or pride. Just pure, unfiltered terror. Her fear was so strong it was almost beyond reason.
Maddy shook her head vehemently. “No, Nico. I can’t be pregnant. I can’t.”
The fear in her eyes made no sense. Why was she so scared? Did she have a phobia I didn’t know about?
“Maddy, it’s definite. I can smell the baby, hear its heartbeat, and sense its aura.” I reached up and cupped her cheek. “It’s okay, Maddy.”
It was anything but okay, though. She was vibrating with fear, shaking her head back and forth like a metronome. Maddy was terrified. I glanced furtively at everyone else. Their elated smiles had frozen in place.
“This is bad. Such bad timing,” she muttered, tears sliding down her cheeks. “Nico, what will happen if Viola finds out I’m pregnant?”
That was the reason her fear was so pronounced and visceral. It wasn’t that she didn’t want a child—she was afraid of what Viola would do to her or our baby. I cupped her face, preventing her from shaking her head.
