“Does it hurt?” she asked.
Not the question he’d expected. “Yes and no. It’s painful euphoria. There is something almost orgasmic with setting the wolf free.”
“And you’re aware when the change happens?”
“Yes. But at the same time, I’m not the one in charge. The wolf is.”
“Isn’t the wolf you?”
“It’s complicated.” The best answer.
“Would you have ever told me if I hadn’t gotten pregnant?”
“Honestly, I don’t know. Some couples can survive the revelation. Not to mention revealing our secret is a pretty big deal.”
“Which puts me in danger if I don’t keep my mouth shut.”
“Yes.” He wouldn’t lie. His love for her wouldn’t save her if she exposed them.
“My parents will be worried sick about me.”
“Your parents think I whisked you on an impromptu cruise with bad cell reception.”
She stared at him until he admitted, “I know a guy who’s good with hacking and deepfakes. He sent them some convincing images, messages, and even a staticky voicemail.”
“A werewolf buddy?”
“Yeah.”
“So there’s more than just you obviously. How many?”
He shrugged. “I don’t know. Our numbers vary from Pack to Pack.”
She sighed. “This is a lot to absorb.”
“I know.”
She squeezed his hand. “Thanks for being patient with me.”
“Thank you for listening and not running away screaming.”
Her lips quirked. “Pretty sure you’re faster than me.”
“I’d rather you didn’t bolt from me at all.”
“Have I totally messed up things between us?”
“Never. I meant it when I told you there was a special connection between us.”
“The baby.”
He shook his head as he reached to stroke her cheek. “It existed before we even had sex. You’re the one for me, Honeybee.”
She reached out to trail her fingers across his jaw. “Can we rewind to the part where you made me ridiculously happy?”
“Yes.”
“Even if I keep the baby?”
“I’m yours, no matter what.”
“I want to talk to the doctor again.”
Ulric thought of fetching Dr. Silver, but with Honey reaching out to mend the rift, he chose instead to say, “She’s probably down in the kitchen. The dining room is her lab currently.”
“Mmm. Kitchen means food. I could use a snack.”
He grinned. “Bacon, eggs, and toast?”
“Pancakes, too, please?”
He outright laughed.
Maybe everything would be all right.
18
Honey didn’t know if she’d be all right, but as she chewed on a hashbrown that Ulric scrounged from the freezer and deep fried to perfection, she had to admit at least she’d be well fed.
She sat at the large kitchen island with a plate laden with the promised eggs, bacon, and toast. A side plate held three fluffy pancakes drizzled with melted butter then syrup. Oh god, she just about drooled.
Thankfully, no one talked, meaning she could stuff her super hungry face. Like she’d never been this ravenous, not even those times she got high. She was so intent on eating everything in sight, she begrudged the tiny piece of bacon given to Terror.
Ulric sat across from her and kept her supplied with food. His buddy, Quinn—good-looking guy, wearing tactical gear that included a pistol in a holster tucked under his arm—ate standing up. Dr. Silver chewed absently while working on a laptop.
Only as she reached the end of her pile did Honey feel ready to converse. She did so less than subtly. “I’m keeping the baby.”
Ulric never paused in his eating, but Quinn did. Dr. Silver didn’t turn her head as she muttered, “I already figured that.”
“Given that’s the case, the more information I have the better. Starting with, are there any other triggers I should know about other than moonlight?” Honey asked, taking a sip of orange juice.
“Maybe.” Dr. Silver half turned to eye her instead of her screen. “Keep in mind you’re the first actual Lycan pregnancy I’ve been able to follow from almost conception. I’m going on hypothesis here.”
“Not reassuring.”
“Would you prefer I lie?” Dr. Silver offered.
She pursed her lips. “No, but a little bit of encouragement would be nice.”
“I’m here, aren’t I? I wouldn’t bother if I thought I wasted my time.”
“Your bedside manner sucks.”
“I’m good at what I do. My personality shouldn’t matter.”
“Do you use that line on your dating profile?” Quinn quipped.
Dr. Silver shot him a glare. “Don’t you have a job to do?”
“A job that involves watching over her.” Quinn pointed at Honey.
“To make sure I don’t run away?” she retorted.
“Actually, it’s to protect you. Looks like the threat is all about you, Dr. Honey Iris.” Quinn held out his phone. “I just got word the vet clinic was vandalized last night, as was your house.”
Honey couldn’t help the gasp. “Oh my god. No.” At least they didn’t have any overnight pets. But her practice…destroyed. Her home. Her things…
Ulric somehow managed to slide over the island to catch her before she fell off her stool. He swept her up and brought her to a couch but kept her in his lap, secure in his arms.
She could have protested, but she rather liked the spot. He held her up as she processed the news.
“Was anyone hurt?” she whispered.
Quinn shook his head. “No, but other than that, I have little info. Declan just sent me the notification. I’ll give them a call and see if they have any extra info.” The man left, and Dr. Silver rounded the couch to stand in front of her.
“If you’re going to faint all the time, maybe you shouldn’t go any further.”
Honey glared at the doctor. “I’m allowed a moment to process.”
“You’ve had it. Time to get to work.”
“I thought you just wanted to examine me,” grumbled Honey, not wanting to leave Ulric’s lap quite yet. She’d pretty much forgotten why she’d been so angry. He’d had good reason for his actions, although she remained unimpressed he’d accused her of cheating. Yes, from his point of view, she could see why, but from hers, he should have trusted her. Meaning they weren’t good yet, but maybe they could be.
“I do want to examine you, but on a more thorough level given how closely we need to monitor you.”
“And what if I do go into some kind of distress?” Honey asked.
“Depending on the kind, I’ll act.”
“That doesn’t sound ominous at all,” Honey opined with a roll of her eyes. “How about I avoid triggers, starting with moonlight. How much is too much? Is it only the full moon that affects the baby or a partial?”
“No clue.” Dr. Silver couldn’t give her a definite answer. “Could be only the full moon. Maybe it takes just a ray. Testing it would require you stand in it and see if it causes pain.”