Chapter 23
I was in a daze all the way back to Eric’s place. All of us were. Eric was handling it the best, as expected of a pack leader. He mostly stayed quiet and suggested in a stiff voice that we head back to his territory, both so we had a large place to stay and also for him to check-up on his guards.
Colton, Ramsay and I walked a bit further behind as Eric led us through the territory. He met up with Crystal and chatted briefly with her, in which she agreed to return to Eric’s house once more. When she saw the looks on our faces, she must have figured it was best not to ask what had happened.
“The guards that were escorting Neil are fine,” Eric told us as we approached the house. “Some were a bit scratched up, but not as badly as Neil. I told them what happened to him.”
I nodded and Eric didn’t add anything else. I got the feeling he was mostly telling us this just to saysomething.
When we reached the house, we all briefly split up to take showers, or eat something, or simply sit on the couch and think for a while--which was what I did.
I thought about Noro, all alone on the island. He decided to stay there for the night, saying he would be fine without our help now that Neil was gone. Even when I suggested he shift into human form and join us on the boat back to West Pack, he politely declined.
Impregnate me.That was what Noro had said.
He’d been wrong about the verse before. Maybe he was wrong this time, too.
But he was only partially wrong,I reminded myself with a grimace.
I shut my eyes and leaned back against the couch with a deep sigh.
I wanted to complete the prophecy. I wanted to save everyone in the four packs. But was I really ready for this?
Someone slumped next to me on the couch, and even without opening my eyes I knew it was Colton. I’d know his soft, fragrant scent anywhere. I leaned my head on his shoulder and he stroked my hair, the same way I did to him.
“How are you feeling?” he asked.
“A little scared,” I admitted.
“Me too.”
We didn’t speak for a while. We just enjoyed each other’s company and warmth until Eric came up behind us and put a hand on my shoulder.
“Hey,” he said. “Are you okay?”
I shrugged. “I guess? I don’t really know how to feel. This is all kind of crazy.”
Eric sat on my other side. His hair was damp and smelled of strawberry shampoo. He leaned in and kissed my cheek, which made me blush since he usually wasn’t so open with affection around other people.
“We’ll figure this out,” Eric promised. “Don’t worry.”
A groan sounded and Ramsay strode over. “Sorry. I was binging on whatever’s in Eric’s fridge.”
Ramsay slumped on the couch and leaned against Eric, who raised a brow but didn’t scold him.
Ramsay was the one to ask the question. “So now what do we do?”
“I have no idea,” I said.
“Maybe Noro misunderstood,” Colton offered. His fingers still weaved comfortingly through my hair.
“I’m not so sure he did,” I said with a sigh. “It makes sense, considering the context.”
“I think the biggest question we should be asking is ifyouare all right with this, Matheson,” Eric said calmly. “It’s your body, and your decision.”
Staring down at my hands, I mulled his words over. I knew he was right. None of them would do anything to hurt me. If I said no to this, that would be it. The subject would be dropped instantly.
But… did Iwantto say no?
