Igazed at his gorgeous face, so filled with concern for my wellbeing. “I knowit’s for my own good, but I need to do what’s good for humanity and for thegirls who were taken, not just myself. It’s my life purpose. You need tosupport that.”
Hecould feel the finality through the mate bond, like a steel door shutting. Iwasn’t going to budge and he knew it. Letting go of my face, he turned toeveryone.
“Giveme a few days to design the mission. I call the shots. If she’s injured ortaken, I will never forgive any of you.”
Iplaced a hand on his shoulder, but he shrugged it off. “I’m going for a run.Alone.” He crossed the barn in seconds and slammed the door behind him.
Itried to hold back the tears that were threatening to fall. We never fought. Henever walked away like that.
Shamusapproached and put an arm around me. “He’s a big Alpha teddy bear who got hispride hurt and his orders shot down. He’ll be okay.”
Inodded.
“Weneed to get Sadie and Tara back. This is the only way to draw Layla out.”Shamus said. He looked like he hadn’t slept. He was right. Two females weretaken. I needed to help in any way that I could.
Rajmotioned me over with a flick of his head. Then, Sylvia and the others left andit was just Raj and me.
“Ican’t believe you’re back here. Is your pack okay without you there?” I askedhim. He was the Alpha of a huge pack in Delhi and they were the big, badfighting kind of werewolves. The flight from India was a good twenty hours.
Rajchuckled. “There have been a few issues in my absence. Nothing my dominantsecond can’t handle. Nikhil will be a good replacement for me one day. Muchless power hungry and more even tempered than I.” He smiled and I returned thegesture.
Rajand I had a comfortable relationship. He seemed rough on the outside but he wasreally just a loyal family guy. Kai and Raj had their issues, but I could seethat all he did for his son was out of love, and I trusted his opinion.
“So,this plan—”
Henodded. “Is a good one, but I want to remind you of the intel I received fromthe captured vampire in my possession.”
Ishivered. The vision of that creature being starved for information had been asore spot with me. But I did remember the intel. The vampires had created somesort of bloodletting device. They would drain and bottle my blood to sell tothe highest bidding vampire. Drain enough to keep me alive but also enough toimpregnate thousands of vampires.
Iblurted out something that I wasn’t sure if I should share with him but I wasdying for a second opinion on it. “The witches have found a way to make myblood infertile to the vampires.”
Rajraised his eyebrows. Rarely did you catch this man off-guard. He opened hishands as if to say, ‘why not do it?’
“Itwould mean that Kai and I couldn’t have kids. Ever,” I told him.
Hisface fell. “Ahh. I see.”
“Butthe whole greater good thing, right? Should I be reconsidering that?” I cheweda fingernail. I had talked with Kai about this. We had already decided two kidsand then I would do the spell. Why was I reconsidering it? I guess I wantedsomeone else to agree with me. I didn’t want to be making a selfish decision.
Rajplaced his hands on my shoulders and stared me right in the eyes, a bigdominant Alpha stare. “Listen to me, daughter. There is no greater moment inall my life than when Kai was pulled from Maya’s belly. The second I saw him,my first born, I realized how incredible life was. The fact that two people cancreate a life, it’s astonishing. Would my son become a doctor? Cure cancer?Would he discover a new planet? Would he fall in love and have children of hisown? There is no greater gift to the world than having a child with thepotential to do anything. Now, not all people want children and that’s fine.Good for them for having the insight to know themselves and make that decision.But for me, being a father is the greatest life achievement I have ever known.Don’t deny yourself of that, if it’s something you desire.”
Myeyes were swimming with tears. He was right. I shouldn’t let anyone dictate mylife. I deserved to be happy and have everything I wanted. I did want to havechildren and I would. After seeing Avery, something in me had changed and nowafter getting the last of the doubts out of my system, I was ready.
Igave him a hug. “I’m going to go find Kai.”
Leavingthe barn, I stripped down to nothing. After shifting, I took off running and followedKai’s scent as I ran through the thick trees, relishing in the cool breezeagainst my white fur. A good hard run was just what I needed. Kai’s scent ledme to Bagby Hot Springs. The natural spring he had taken me to right before ourwedding. He was naked and submerged in the water looking out into the sky. Hesensed me approaching and looked in my direction.
Ishifted instantly. “What are you thinking about?” I asked him, trying to gaugewhether or not he was supremely pissed at me.
Heturned to look at me with a serious expression. His wet hair was tousled and helooked all kinds of sexy. A deep sigh escaped his lips. “I feel like I’mconstantly pulling you in my direction. I had to fight to get you to set awedding date, I had to fight for you to want to have children with me, and nowI’m having to fight to keep you from getting killed by vampires. I’m justwondering what it is you want in life. I’m done fighting. I just want you tohave what you want in life. So, what do you want, Aurora?”
Myheart dropped, a numb feeling spread throughout my body. He was right. “Kai.” Iclimbed over the side of the soaking tub and slipped in beside him.
“Iwant you! I want a baby with you. I want a happy ending,” I told him as I slidon top of him and straddled his waist.
Hiseyes went yellow.
“But?”he asked.
