I look back at Caroline, fear consuming every cell in my body, paralyzing me as she gazes back with tears in her eyes. “They must never know, Imogen. Not until your baby is due. If they find out, they won’t hesitate to change you.”
“Don’t they want kids, though? It would be one of their kids. I don’t understand why they wouldn’t be happy about this,” my voice comes out just above a whisper. I’m confused. If they love me as they claim to, why would they hurt me in such a way?
Caroline seems to hesitate for a minute, unsure if she should answer.
“You’re hiding something. What aren’t you telling me, this is a good thing, I don’t see how they would think it is bad.”
“You have been given a deadline, Imogen. Three days. I may be able to push it out to four but that’s delaying the inevitable, this is the only way.” I have a feeling she isn’t telling me something, I know it can’t just be that. After spending so long trying to hide in the shadows, hoping for a human life, how could they turn down the thought of having a child?
“That’s not it, you’re hiding something. Either tell me the truth, Caroline, or I will call them. I can’t believe you would try to lie to me. I know we haven’t known each other for long, but you know how I can’t stand the lies and the secrets they keep. So please, just be honest with me,” I tell her, feeling suddenly emotionally exhausted, everything would be easier if everyone would just speak the truth instead of this back-and-forth yoyo effect they are trying to cover up their lies. It is really starting to bug me that every supernatural creature I have met has outright lied to me, time and time again, then they scratch their heads and wonder why I have trust issues.
Caroline sighs. “I worry you may change your mind,” she says, thoughtfully.
“If this is my only chance to have a child before my life ends believe me, I will take it,” I tell her, truthfully.
She nods and sits down on the stool at the island counter. I sit across from her, waiting for her to answer.
“You’re human, Imogen. We don’t know which of my sons fathered this child.”
I’m confused, what’s that got to do with anything? We are all mates. I don’t think they will care who the father is biologically. “Your point?” I ask, trying to figure out what she is trying to tell me. She looks away, not meeting my gaze before she sighs.
“If the baby is a werewolf, it will kill you, they won’t take that chance,” she says, her voice coming out shaky before she turns her eyes back to me.
“I don’t understand? You said werewolf and human babies come out for the most part human, with only a few advanced abilities but not enough to distinguish between them.”
“Yes, that is true. But no human has ever survived giving birth to a werewolf baby. They may not be able to shift or anything, but in the uterus the baby will literally tear itself out of you.”
“How, when they can’t shift? You said it yourself that werewolf babies born to human mothers can’t shift and don’t carry on the traits of a werewolf.”
“Yes, because after the child is born and the child grows the DNA that makes them a half breed slowly loses its essence if you like, in the uterus they are half Lycan DNA. It’s not until the child hits about four when they lose the majority of the Lycan DNA or venom, if you will.”
“And if it’s a vampire baby?” I ask, now hoping this child is actually Theo’s and not Tobias’s.
“Nothing, you will crave blood during your pregnancy, but the child would be born like any other human baby and they will be human. Sure, it would weaken you because the baby will be feeding off you more than a normal child but won’t kill you.” She states.
This whole procreation shit is giving me a headache. Everything is so confusing.
“They won’t take that chance with you, Imogen. If they find out you’re pregnant, they will change you without even considering what you want. I know my sons, they won’t risk losing you.”
I nod in agreement and Caroline suddenly stands up.
“I will come back tomorrow; I can’t risk staying now. Your emotions have been heightened and they will be able to feel your distress. I actually wouldn’t be surprised if they are on their way here already.”
“But what do I do?” I ask, suddenly frightened.
“Don’t give them any reason to expect anything we have discussed, I will bring a friend tomorrow and we will come up with a plan. No one must know, Imogen. I can’t even trust Josiah with this secret. Be careful with what you think around them. Theo will snoop if he becomes concerned, just keep them distracted until tomorrow and then, you and I are leaving.”
“How do I keep them from reading my mind?” I ask incredulously.
I suck at lying. How am I going to keep them distracted till tomorrow?
“You’re their mate, Imogen. I don’t think I need to tell you what will distract them.” I know what she is talking about. My face heats up with embarrassment.
She chuckles lightly at my embarrassment before grabbing the trash bag and leaving. I hear the door click shut softly and I walk over to the window and watch her drive down the driveway towards the front gates.
It is only around twenty minutes later when the front door opens again. I’m sitting on the couch, watching Netflix, thankful that they finally have the internet fixed here.
Tobias and Theo place their keys and wallets in the bowl on top of the mantel piece. I ignore them coming in, trying to think of only the show, suddenly feeling nervous around them and the secret I’m trying to keep from them. Tobias walks over with Theo and both stare down at me.
“You’re back early” I state when they don’t say anything.
“Did my mother come see you today?” Theo asks, sniffing the air lightly.
I can tell he can smell her scent. I nod my answer to them. They both walk off when they realize that is the only answer they are going to get from me. I sigh, feeling relieved.
Theo comes over a few minutes later and sits next to me on the couch. He pulls me over to him and places me on his lap, wrapping his arms around my waist. I let him, not wanting to give him any reason to invade my thoughts.
“What did my mother want?” he asks, speaking into the crook of my neck.
“Nothing, she came over for coffee, she will be back tomorrow. She had to do something,” I tell him. I can’t risk lying. They will pick up straight away through the bond if I try. I just avoid telling them everything instead. Theo nods.