Riven bit off a piece of venison. I stared at the dried meat as if I was in a desert and I’d spotted an oasis. He offered me some, insisting it was a good source of protein. Before I could stop myself, I grabbed a piece and bit into it. The taste exploded across my tongue. It tasted of heaven, and I pictured the mountains and trails we’d walked with our hands brushing against one another
“Oh my gods.” I shoved the rest of it in my mouth “That's... why does that taste so good?”
He didn’t respond but sat beside me and placed his nose at the base of my throat. Gods, was he going to bite me? But he inhaled before pulling away.
“What are you doing?” I couldn’t read his expression. Had I offended him by shoving the dried meat down my throat?
“There are tales in our history that talk of omegas who develop a taste for dried venison.” Riven stared at the remaining venison. “How long have you been experiencing nausea?”
Why was he asking? My symptoms were irrelevant to us. I thought back, counting the days. “I don't know. Before the trial. Maybe a week ago or more?”
“Before you left Moonridge Lodge.” It wasn't a question. “And the nausea, is it worse in the morning?”
Why did it matter when I experienced… No. Was he saying… ? It couldn’t be. That wasn’t right. How? Oh gods. “That's not possible.”
“Why not? I could draw you a diagram.” He smirked.
I slapped his arm. “You think I'm pregnant.” Pregnant? I was stressed.That had to be it.
“You're an omega,” he pointed out. “And I’m an alpha.”
“I'm not pregnant. I'm recovering from a trial, and today my boss threatened me in open court.” That was enough to make anyone’s belly squirmy.
Riven got up, saying he could go to the nearest pharmacy and get a test, and I jumped up too.
There was no point because I wasn’t pregnant. But as I denied it, I ran my mind over my symptoms. The fatigue along with the nausea and being grossed out by food I enjoyed. And my body was different. Not bloated or achy, just different.
“Oh my gods.” I collapsed onto the couch. “This can't be happening.” I clutched his hand as I gulped air into my lungs. Riven breathed with me until I’d stopped hyperventilating.
I might be carrying a baby.
He traced the lines on my palm. “If you are pregnant, we'll figure it out together.”
I’d pushed him away, thinking my future was predetermined, but now I was faced with something I couldn’t avoid. My mind raced as I traipsed around the small living room. Pregnant. Perhaps with a shifter baby. A baby that might be part wolf, or all wolf, growing inside me right now. Thank gods Riven was here. I couldn’t imagine finding out I was carrying his babyand being alone.
“If, and this is a big if, I am pregnant, will the baby be…?”
“A shifter? Probably. From everything I’ve read, that’s the most likely outcome.” He went on to say that we wouldn’t know for sure until our child reached puberty.
Our child. A baby we made. I grabbed my coat ‘cause I had to find out for certain. “Pharmacy now.”
“There are shifter clinics in the city. We could go there.”
That might be the better option, but how would they receive me? Riven assured me there’d be no judgment, though I recalled how his uncle had scrutinized me whenever we met. But taking some deep breaths, I gave him the okay to make a call while pressing a hand to my stomach. A baby. A new life created from our bond, growing inside me even though I'd run from the truth of what we were to one another.
“My darling.” He kneeled before me so we were on the same level. “This is overwhelming for you. Maybe terrifying. But whatever the test shows, you're not alone.” He kissed my brow.
But I pushed past him into the bathroom and threw up. When I was done, I rinsed my mouth and stared at my pale reflection in the mirror. I could do this if Riven was at my side.
Shifters existed and mate bonds were real. And Riven Morris, alpha wolf and future pack leader, was part of my life. I adored this man who could grow a tail and get furry. But I hadn’t told him that, and he deserved to hear the words.
“Ready to go?”
“Mmmm, but before we do, I want to say something.”
“Okay.”
I couldn’t imagine what he was thinking, maybe fearing what I had to tell him. “I love you, and whatever that test shows, we have a lot to figure out.” I placed my hands on his chest. “But I no longer want to be parted from you.”
