Rawling disappeared, and I made plans to stay on the doorstep all weekend. But he poked his head around a corner and told me to get my ass inside and close the door.
“I hope it’s as hot as it used to be, because if not, you’re outta here.”
That gave me hope that I had a chance. I patted my butt and told it to make me proud.
Rawling was pulling out a quiche I’d picked up in town, fruit salad, bread, and coleslaw. I kinda expected him to barf, but he grabbed plates and utensils and told me to serve myself.
“The morning sickness is a little better. I’ve been eating one-color foods but I might branch out and eat all the colors of the rainbow.”
“I’m glad.” He plonked himself on the sofa and tucked in, and I joined him and sat opposite.
I ate a piece of quiche while deciding whether to start with an apology or tell him how much I cared about him.
“I’m so sorry and I love you and I’ve missed you terribly.”
My wolf was impressed by how I’d combined all three points into one sentence.
Rawling sighed. “You’ll need to do better than that because I’m still angry.” He put down his fork. “I’m pregnant with our baby, and for all your dickish faults, I love you.”
He burst into tears, and I didn’t think twice before I leaped over and sat beside him. He leaned into me and sobbed, and my tears trickled onto his hair. We sat with my arms around him until his cries faded.
“This isn’t an excuse, and I should have talked to you, but instinct took over and I needed to make you mine. I’m sorry, and I don’t know if it’s a forgivable offense.”
Rawling sat up and wiped his eyes. “I will forgive you, and I’m almost there. But if I decide to toss you out, can I keep your parents? They’re cool.” He sniggered, and I wiped the remaining tears from his face.
He took my hand and placed it on his tiny bump. “I know the timing is lousy, but I’m already so in love with our baby.”
“Me too, and being away from our little one and my mate has made me a hollow shell of the person I used to be.” I needed my mate and child in my life.
Rawling smirked. “I hope part of you is the same size as before.” He pushed out his bottom lip. “It’d be a shame if it was smaller.”
Gods, my mate was hot and sexy, and I wanted to rip his clothes off and fuck him. But I needed his consent.
I leaned forward and stuck my tongue in his ear. He shivered and murmured, “Yes.” But he pushed me away, and his smile faded. I braced myself for whatever was coming.
“I have to tell you something.”
“Okay.” My mind raced as to what he was going to say. He was leaving Sombertooth was my first thought, so if I returned to school, my folks had already agreed Rawling would live with them. No, I had to ask him if he wanted to do that.
“I’m not who you think I am.”
“You’ve said that before, and I’m pretty sure I know you well enough to say you’re exactly who I think you are. Smart, sassy, kind, funny, and a loyal friend. And an amazing lover.”
He got up but held a cushion over his belly with one hand while fiddling with the ring his godfather had given him.
“I’m not latent.”
“Huh?”
He removed the ring, and the latent scent vanished but was replaced by a shifter one. What the fucking heck was happening? My mate had a beast. Why would he pretend to be latent?
Rawling put the ring back on and his latent scent returned.
“Don’t be fooled by the shifter smell. It’s because of the baby.” He explained that before coming to Sombertooth, he didn’t know shifters existed, but his godfather had told him to always wear the ring.
How did I not know our mate was human?
I didn’t either.
