But that wouldn’t help Margaret’s illness. My mood dampened as I thought about what would happen to her. Pierce said there was nothing anyone could do to help. Did that mean it was only a matter of time before Margaret wasted away? Would she even stay alive long enough to meet her grandchild, whom she obviously already loved so dearly?
I just didn’t know.
* * *
After leaving the library,I hung around in the lounge. Pierce and I usually liked to watch TV together here, and there was a big window - currently with the blinds open, since it was after dark - that faced the front of the estate, so I could see the car pull up when everyone returned home.
Since Pierce and the others still weren’t back, and I was feeling a bit lonely in this huge mansion all by myself, I decided to call Caleb. I felt bad, since it was getting late for a human’s schedule, but I hoped he was still awake.
“Hey, Benji!” Caleb said as he picked up. His voice sounded more upbeat than it did earlier, which relieved me.
“Hey, man.”
“What’s up?” He laughed. “Calling to make sure your man wired me the money?”
“No way. I know he wouldn’t lie,” I said.
“Well, he didn’t. It showed up in my account right away.” Caleb sighed contentedly. “I meant what I said, you know. About making it up to him. I don’t wanna keep accepting his handouts.”
“I know, I know,” I mumbled. Caleb was stubborn as a mule - just like me. It must’ve run in the family.
“I was just thinking… What canIdo, though? For a guy with so much money?” Caleb asked.
I mulled it over, then began thinking of my own situation. “I mean, therearethings you could offer that he doesn’t have.”
“Like you did? Having some rich guy’s baby?” Caleb remarked.
That’s not the whole story, but…“I didn’t just have a rich guy’s baby, okay? You’re making it sound like I made a dumb split-second decision.”Not that that’s entirely false, but he doesn’t need to know that.
“Still,” Caleb said with a sigh. “I can’t believe you met a rich alpha, and now you’re gonna have his baby. It’s like something out of a novel.”
“Oh, that reminds me,” I said suddenly. “I have huge news.”
“Don’t tell me you’re having twins.”
“What? No.” I paused. “I mean, probably not, I don’t know.”
“Dude!”
“Caleb, shut up for one second, okay? I’m trying to tell you something!”
He stopped talking. I exhaled.
“So, you know those vampire books you like?” I began.
Instantly Caleb interrupted me with a gasp. “Yes! I read all of them while I was recovering, and then re-read them. They’resogood, Benji, thank you so much again for - “
“Caleb.”
I could practically hear him wince. “Sorry. Go on.”
“As I was saying… I found out something that’ll blow your mind,” I said.
“What is it? Spit it out already!” Caleb snapped, sounding excited and impatient.
I couldn’t help but grin. “The author’s working on a new one.”
“Wait, how do you know?” Caleb asked.
