Filed to story: Chasing the Rejected Luna's Heart (Clara & Liam) Book PDF Free
He just grunted in acknowledgment. “Yeah, I guess. She’s never gonna let me live this down.””For the record, I don’t care who the father is on a biological level,” said Marcus. “The baby is still all of ours.””Obviously,” said Cole.
It was rare for them to agree on anything, so that was saying a lot. If nothing else, I had their support, and that meant more than I could say. I sighed in relief, nestled between them both.”Thank you,” I murmured. “I love you both so much.””And we love you,” Cole said, nuzzling my neck.”Always,” Marcus agreed. “But the water is getting cold, so can we get out of here before I freeze my dick off? I’m not a shifter. I don’t function as a heater.”
I laughed, turning off the water. “Yeah. I could definitely use a good night’s sleep after that.”
And I couldn’t think of a better way to get it than cuddled up between them.
LAVINIA
I slipped out of bed around two in the morning, restless and hungry. That was more common than not lately, and I had a feeling it was only going to get worse the further my pregnancy progressed.
While there was always a chef on call in the kitchen downstairs, I really would have preferred my go-to chocolate rice cake with Nutella and mini M&Ms back at my apartment to any of the gourmet stuff she had going on down there. The maid who was stationed in the kitchen hastily offered to make me something, or call the chef, and I felt bad for her obvious distress when I insisted on just raiding the fridge for some chocolate-covered fruit on a platter left over from one of the endless string of events the mansion seemed to be host to.
Alexander had a point about this place being a safer base for us right now, as long as we had to worry about the fae emperor’s minions coming through the portal, but I actually missed my tiny apartment above the bar. And I missed the fact that either Sam or Cole were usually downstairs to talk to whenever I needed it.
Sometimes I just wished I could go back to my new old life. The one I had somehow not only gotten used to despite thinking getting kicked out of my pack was the end of the world, but also come to own and love more than the one that had been ripped away from me by my so-called father and mates.
With my delayed midnight snack in hand, I went back upstairs and out onto the balcony for a little fresh air since that usually helped prevent the nausea that liked to creep up whenever I ate anything. Morning sickness was the most heinous case of bait-and-switch advertising ever.
The gardens below were like something from a fairy tale, illuminated by the moonlight and dew-beaded hedges. The paths wound around in an intricate labyrinth of fragrant blossoms and lush greenery. I could make out the edge of the fountain pool in the center, with lily pads dotted across the surface of the water and a great stone statue of a beautiful woman pouring out water from a vase in her arms.
Alexander’s mansion was the kind of place that seemed too perfect to belong on earth. The kind of place that seemed like it belonged in the realm of the fae.
The realm of my ancestors, apparently.
I was still reeling from the revelation that I was one of them, at least partly. And that my mother had kept it all from me.
In a way, I understood. But that didn’t make it hurt any less, just knowing she was trying to protect me.”Penny for your thoughts?”
I spun around to find Alexander watching me from the door of the balcony and almost choked on a strawberry. “Damn it, Alexander. How many times do I have to tell you not to sneak up on me?””Maybe I’m just trying to keep you on your toes,” he replied with a soft smile.
I snorted, setting aside my plate on the balcony railing. “Well, I think you’ve done enough of a good job with that. You can pack it in.”
He reached out, tucking a dark blue strand of hair behind my ear. “Why are you up so late? The coyote and the hunter aren’t doing their jobs?”
I gave him a half-hearted exasperated look. “I was hungry. FYI, you need more junk food.””I’ll be sure to inform the chef,” he said with a chuckle. “Since you’re awake, would it be a good time for us to talk?”
I shrugged. “I guess so.”
The truth was, I wasn’t sure I wanted to have this conversation, but I knew we had to at some point.”I know you think I left because of the announcement,” he began, never one to dance around a point.”You didn’t?” I challenged. “Because one moment, you were there, and the next, you weren’t. It seems like a pretty obvious sequence of events to me.””I know what it looks like,” he said, his tone softening. “And I’m sorry. I never should have left. I can’t say I wasn’t surprised, but I swear it’s not the reason.””You know all that about Liam was BS, right?” I pressed. “He was just saying that to cover our asses. I’ve only ever been with you, Marcus, and Cole.””I know that,” he sighed. “I know you… and I trust you. I’m asking you to do the same for me.”