CHAPTER 37
LIAM
The words struck me like lightning. A wave of disbelief washed over me as I processed the information. Before fear could take hold, something deep and exhilarating stirred within me.
“Seriously?” I asked, barely catching my breath. I’d suspected it, of course, but my reaction was more about the way she was accepting it.
Though I knew our baby was growing inside her, I hadn’t expected her to tell me like this. What surprised me most was that she already knew, and didn’t seem disturbed… I mean, we’d just reconciled for another reason.
She nodded, a smile spreading across her face as tears began to well in her eyes.
“Since when did you know?” I needed to know, because she’d been completely normal with me.
“Since the day you chased me through the woods that rainy day, when I went to the pharmacy. Actually, I’d gone to buy pregnancy tests… in fact, I still have them in my purse. Do you want to see them?”
My heart quickened and a shiver ran down my spine.
“I’d love to.” Barely saying that, Shane got up from the bed, completely naked, the soft moonlight bathing her pale skin. She went to the closet, and I watched her rummage inside. “If you knew for a couple of days, does that mean you were okay with it?”
“With it? That, Liam, is a baby.” Her voice sounded muffled from the closet, as she didn’t look at me. I sat up in bed, waiting for her to come back. When she finally did, she turned to me, slowly approaching with a paper bag in her hand. “I won’t deny that a baby wasn’t the last thing I expected, but I wouldn’t know how to explain… I love it. No matter what you are, Liam; it’s clear I’m in love with you, and this baby is a result of that. And of many passionate nights. We can’t expect a different outcome when we’ve been so committed. But the question is: what do you think?”
“I feel so relieved that you know…” I smiled as she drew closer and extended my hand to take the bag. From it, I pulled out the pregnancy tests, and observed the two perfectly visible lines on each one. Though I didn’t fully understand it, I trusted my instincts and knew she was pregnant.
“Liam, that means…”
“Yes,” I interrupted, my voice trembling. “I knew it. The baby… it has a different scent than yours. I can feel it.”
Her eyes widened in surprise, and I saw emotion and disbelief in her expression.
“You can feel it?” she repeated, mounting me, and tossing the pregnancy tests onto the floor.
“I’m a wolf, Shane. I don’t just perceive it; I can also hear its heartbeat.” I saw tears welling in her eyes, gently sliding down her cheeks. I reached out and used my thumb to wipe them away.
“That’s wonderful…” she whispered, and I could see joy and surprise filling her. “So, can you feel it right now? Forget about that! If you already knew, why didn’t you tell me?”
“I was afraid of your reaction, and it’s not something I could tell you. You had to discover it for yourself.”
“What if I’d decided not to have it? What would you have done then?”
“That’s such a devastating possibility that I don’t even want to imagine you considered it. I can’t imagine my sweet Shane doing something like that.”
“You’re right, I hadn’t even thought about it. Nor would I.” She said, looking me straight in the eyes before kissing me.
“I know. I love you, Shane. I can swear to you that I am completely yours in every way.”
“I love hearing that, I needed that.”
My hands gently traced her belly, and I gave her a soft kiss on the forehead. The universe seemed to align in this moment, and in this palpable shift in our reality, happiness bloomed like a spring flower.
As the moment unfolded, we would be enveloped in this new phase. The possibilities seemed limitless, and the love we shared expanded to include this new life within. With a serene smile, I rested my head against the pillow, feeling more complete than ever.
“Baby?”
“Yes?”
“Do you think you’ll ever let me completely possess you in all my physical wolf-like forms?”
“Yes.” There was no hesitation in her voice, rather, she hadn’t even considered it. She simply said it with great certainty. “I accept you as you are. After all, you’re my werewolf, and I love every transformation of yours.”
“I love knowing you love me.” My heart swelled with pride.
“Never run from me again. Come and talk to me if anything happens, okay?”
“Okay.” She hugged me, pressing herself closer to my side.
“Let’s go to sleep, beautiful. Tomorrow will be a new day,” I whispered as the drowsiness of sleep began to overwhelm us.
“Yes.” she agreed. “Liam, that place was full of security cameras, do you think…?” For a moment my drowsy brain struggled to process her words, or what she meant, until I understood and spoke, gazing at the ceiling.
“Don’t you still believe me?” Something within me fractured at the idea that she didn’t believe me. How could I prove I would never betray her?
“I just wanted to see that bitch fall.” I relaxed. “Don’t worry, I’ll take care of her fall. No one touches what’s mine and stays very quiet.”
“Is jealousy what I perceive from my she-wolf?”
“You can bet your testicles it is.” I smiled.
“Let’s leave the parts of my body that excite you most, out of the betting.” She laughed, her chest vibrating against mine with the laughter.