“I’m a person, I have a family.I’m sure you know about my non-profit that helps hundreds of women and childrenevery year?” I questioned her.
She grimaced. “Yes, we are awareof your philanthropic efforts.”
“What does Layla do?”
Dr. Tavern chewed her lip. “Sheowns a few night clubs and an anti-aging skin crème line.”
“Ahh, well thank God for her.” Ilaid the sarcasm on thick and shifted. I took off after Kai. It was importantto me that the high ups at RAIDOS didn’t lump vampires and werewolves together.We were nothing alike. If they thought they could just wipe me out because myblood could grow the vampire race, they had another thing coming. Did I havetwo enemies now? The vampires and the humans?
I ran alongside Kai as we met Maxand the others at the front of the water treatment plant. None of our wolves haddied.
‘If RAIDOS hadn’t helped us thiswould have been a lot worse,’I told Kai.
‘I know.’
‘Dr. Tavern didn’t have to warnus about them taking me if Layla has a child.’
‘I know,’he said again.
I sighed. I didn’t know why I wassticking up for them. Then I laughed out loud. Sylvia and her clan had joinedour group.
“What’s so funny?” she asked.
“We thought humans were a weakrace.” I gestured to the pile of ashes that symbolized dead vampires.
Max chuckled. “Guess we gotta upour game and buy a helicopter.” He nodded to Kai.
“Consider it done.” Now Kaismiled.
New Family
A month had passed already. Itwas a rough two weeks with no shower. We had been bathing in freezing coldcreek water and only drank bottled water. When the running water testednegative for the silver particles, we were finally given the all clear. Kai hadordered a device on every water tap on every pack members’ house that glowedblue if silver was present. This would prevent future attempts. So today Ipacked my bags to accompany Kai to his sister’s wedding in India.
We drove with Akash, Max andTrent to the airport. I hadn’t heard anything from RAIDOS. I didn’t know howlong it took for a vampire pregnancy to show. I knew Kai was working onsomething. He had a plan A, B and C in case certain things came about. I didn’twant to be involved. I focused on my Circle nights with Sylvia and her coven. Iwas learning about my witch powers. Diya had been video chatting me and Emmanonstop lately to show us last minute things for her wedding and to get ouropinion. I was excited to have her and Jai join our pack; we had grown close.
Kai told Emma she couldn’t travelpregnant and left most of the pack behind to protect her. Only the five of uswere going. We boarded the private plane and took our seats. The samestewardess that we had on our LA flight was there to help us. Max appraised herbody and then caught me looking and blushed. Kai poked him with an elbow.
“Why not ask her on a date?” Kaichallenged when she was out of earshot.
Max’s face looked pained for asecond and then it was gone. “I was just looking. I’ve had my great love.Anything else would taste like orange juice after brushing your teeth.”
“I’ll ask her on a date,” Akashsaid, grinning. One stern look from Kai had him staring at his shoes.
I laughed.
‘What does Max mean?’I asked Kai.
Kai looked at Max sadly. ‘Hewas mated for four years and she died about twenty years ago during labor withtheir first child. Neither of them survived.’
I tried to control my breathingand my face. I didn’t want Max to know we were talking about him. I swallowedhard. ‘That’s horrible. What happened?’
‘The baby shifted into wolf formduring labor, while inside her belly. The placenta tore. They both bled out.She couldn’t heal fast enough.’
My hand went to my mouth. ‘Couldthat happen to Emma?’
‘I won’t let it.’
Oh my God. Why hadn’t I thoughtabout this before? Of course werewolf pregnancies would be hard. You werecarrying a shape shifting baby! Emma would be okay. I told myself. I closed myeyes and forced myself to sleep. I awoke as the plane landed.
