Elaine POV
“Are you alright?” I asked, taking a step towards him.
Azaire straightened his spine as he stared out at the vast blue lake in the Blood Moon Pack.
“I’m fucked up.”
“Don’t say that.”
“How did you find me?”
“You’re my fated mate. It wasn’t that hard, but did you have to run so far?”
“I’m sorry I made you come all this way,” he mumbled.
His clothes shredded when he shifted, so he was completely naked. It was a good thing we were alone out here. Dove was still recovering from the massive power surge I had unleashed earlier, so I wasn’t able to shift. I relied on Ross and Megan to find him.
“You know I’d follow you to the end of the world. I’m sorry about Leon, babe.”
“It doesn’t matter. Fuck, why didn’t I question if when she first showed up?”
“Because you have a big heart, my love. Don’t beat yourself up.”
I joined him on the sand and took his hand. I felt the tension in his muscles, and I felt his pain through our mate bond. One reason I would want to give up my powers again was so I could feel our beautiful bond again- and not be cursed because I’m a hybrid.
“The only consolation is Leon’s not in danger of the curse if he’s not my son.”
I kissed his arm and looked up at him. His green eyes bore into mine. We all thought Leon’s green eyes came from Azaire.
“That doesn’t save our baby, though,” he said.
“Once we take care of Avena, and my Mom can come back, we’ll get the curse sorted. Any kids we have will be fine.”
“Uh-huh…”
“Well, it’s nice you’re talking about children or is this because you’ve lost Leon and you want to replace him?” I snapped.
Azaire turned to me and held my shoulders. “That’s not the reason at all, my love. Are you feeling okay? Is there something you want to tell me?”
“I’m fine. I don’t want you to think you can replace one child by having more! It doesn’t work that way.”
“No, Elaine, that’s not what I think- can we go back to the hospital? I shouldn’t have left that way.”
I nodded. He’s right, but he had also been given bad news.
“Richie made sure Holly went through with the DNA test. She wasn’t happy about it, though.”
“Of course not, but she knows the truth,” he grumbled.
“Come on, Ross and Megan are parked somewhere.”
“And here I thought I’d get to carry you on my back again.” He pressed his lips against my cheek and inhaled my scent. “You’re so good. Let’s go.”
***
We made it back to the hospital. Azaire had slipped into some comfortable sweatpants and a t-shirt. Blazer and Fran came to welcome the newest member of the Shaw family! Fran looked great, and she sounded good, too. Yet a look of concern was plastered on my big brother’s face.
“It’s so great to be an Aunt! He’s a beautiful baby,” Fran said gleefully.
Fran hugged me. “You might be an aunt to Oliver’s child when the DNA test comes back positive.”
Fran bit her bottom lip. “I heard. I knew Oliver did some stupid stuff, but to sleep with his own brother’s girlfriend! That’s messed up.”
“Anyway, I have to see Opal. I’ll catch you later.”
We spent the afternoon with Opal, Richie and the baby. It was a calm and peaceful evening compared to the day we had. Opal was sad that her parents didn’t show up to meet their grandchild, but she didn’t let it affect her too much. She was surrounded by so much love. Richie looked at her as if she had stars in her eyes, and her smile produced gold.
I kept my senses on high alert in case any magical being entered the hospital, and that meant pushing my wolf to the back of my mind. I got to carry the baby, and my heart swelled. Shane had the famous Shaw green eyes. Azaire didn’t take his eyes off me while I carried the baby. He was full of desire and love. It made me want to take him home and make love to him. Everything went great; even Janet was on her best behaviour. When visiting hours were over, the nurse kicked us out.
Richie and Janet would spend the night at the hospital. There was no way either of them was leaving. Azaire and I were the last ones to leave the hospital.
“Are you sure you’re feeling okay?” Azaire asked for the hundredth time.
“Babe, I’m fine! Are you feeling okay?”
He stopped me in front of his car and lowered to my level. I sighed and rolled my eyes playfully.
“Why don’t you believe me?”
He smiled. “Because I know you, Elaine. You feel different… I think you need to get tested.”
“I’m not getting needles stuck in my body for no reason! You do it.”
“It’s not the same, mate. I mean it, Elaine. You feel different and smell different.”
I tilted my head to the right. What does that mean? And then it clicked. I backed up, shaking my head and wagging my finger.
“No, no, do you mean my scent’s changed?”
Azaire advanced. “I noticed it today, but yes. It’s my pup. You’re pregnant.”
“No, Azaire. It could be magic!”
He laughed and took me in his arms. “I know what your magic smells like, and I know what my pup smells like. Good thing we’re at the hospital so they can take care of all your fears.”
My palms were sweaty, and my head was spinning. There’s no way I’m pregnant. Then I recalled all the times we’d made love in the past few weeks. It was very possible I was carrying this man’s baby. He never leaves me alone!
“Oh my gosh, oh my gosh! Why do they guys always know before the women?” I swatted him playfully.
He took my cheeks in his hands and pressed his lips against mine. “Because we’re obsessed with our women.”
“Well, isn’t this sweet?” a raspy feminine voice said.
I scanned the dark parking lot until my gaze landed on a murky and malevolent figure standing in a pool of mud. Shivers spread across my body.
“Stay back,” I warned her.
“You were much more confident earlier. You told that coward warlock that I knew where to find you. He was only good enough to drain.”
She killed the warlock I saved and drained his magic. How typical of her.
“You’ll regret coming back, Avena,” Azaire threatened.
“Oh, look, it’s the witch’s little puppy.”
“I’ll end you!” Azaire growled.
“I’m only here for what you owe me. A child from the next generation. I don’t have time to wait nine months, though.” Avena’s sick gaze travelled to my belly.
My hand hovered over my belly protectively.
“Lucky you, they’re twins,” she grinned.
“What?” I rasped.
Avena outstretched her arm and formed a fist with her hand. A force yanked me forward, but I didn’t fall. Blood spewed out of my mouth, and my head pounded mercilessly.
“No!” Azaire yelled. “Stop!”
“The children’s blood will be enough for me,” Avena cackled.
“A-Azaire.” I dropped to the parking lot floor.
My visible blurred and my hearing faded. The last thing I felt was fear for the children I wanted so badly, and the last thing I saw was Azaire’s alpha wolf attack Avena’s fragile frame.