19. Chapter Eighteen

Chapter Eighteen

Amelia knocked on the drab door. She didn’t know why or how, but inside of her was the knowledge that this was where the boy lived. A woman answered the door; she was beautiful, with bronze skin and eyes that looked otherworldly. Amelia could scent the human coming from her, mixed with something she’d never scented before. Once again, she cursed her sheltered upbringing.

“Run, they found you.” The woman’s chin hit her neck. There was a shine of tears in her eyes.

“You saved my son’s life.”

“I’ll never stand by and watch the innocent hurt. She can’t hurt him anymore, but that doesn’t mean others won’t come here looking for him.”

“Mom?” The little boy peeked his head out of the room. His mother held out her hand, and he ran to her.

Amelia wanted to know everything. Their names and what they were. She didn’t ask. The more they talked about themselves, the greater the danger, and she didn’t need to know the details to help them out.

His mother picked him up, holding him against her side.

“Can I give this to the pretty lady that saved me?” He showed his mother the white stuffed wolf in his hands.

“It’s for your baby.”

“Bambino, what did I tell you?”

“Never ruin the surprise.”

“They’ll,” the mother said, and he nodded his head.

“They’ll like it. I promise.” The boy handed her the stuffed animal and then reached out to hug her in his mother’s arms.

When had she gotten close to both? Who were they? Those were answers she was destined to live without.

“Start packing.” She put him down.

“Yes, Mama,” he screamed as he ran to his room.

“Inside voice,” she scolded. Her son’s laughter drifted from the room. “Thank you, if one day I can do something for you, it’s yours.” The woman held Amelia’s hands for a minute before she stepped back, nodding her gratitude as Amelia left.

It wasn’t only time for the woman and her son to leave, Amelia needed to leave too. Trouble was coming. It wasn’t here, but she could feel it getting closer. She’d have to talk to Rome; it would be better if the pack stayed away from this town. It felt like it was marked with evil.

She slipped through the alleys in her shifter form until she was at the edge of the Farmer’s market. She caught Sheela’s attention. Amelia quickly finished the rest of her haggling and was on her way. Todd trailed behind her, holding plenty of bags.

They silently followed Amelia until she made it back to the SUV they borrowed earlier. She wanted to suggest they take her blue angel, but Rome’s voice was in her ear, asking her not to drive her car until they knew she was safe.

Todd was in the driver’s seat, and she was in the back, lying down. It seemed like a good idea to keep her and her hair from being seen on the highway. Would she ever be safe again? It had felt like that dream would come true when she killed Julie. Having seen that hunter and her desire to kill that child, safety was no longer a guarantee in her life.

A hunter could be looking for someone else and stumble upon her. They wouldn’t think twice about ending her life. This hunter could have killed her. She wasn’t immortal yet. That never dawned on her as she watched the boy being snatched. The hunter was dead by her hands. It was a lot to take in, like reality had twisted, and she didn’t know who she was any longer. The little boy was important. When she looked at him, she saw a little crown on his head. Seeing that was messing with her head. In the past, she’d see things that were about her or her family. To see a stranger and see a vision and the real world at the same time was enough to make her head hurt. Another good reason to lay down. Her eyes closed, and she eventually drifted to sleep to the light music coming from the radio.

“Alpha mate, we’re home.” Sheela shook her awake. Todd was already gone, probably taking the food they bought to the kitchen.

“Thanks, I must have needed that nap.” She looked around, surprised that Rome wasn’t there.

“He got called to town on business. He’ll be back as soon as possible.”

She really needed him, but this would give her time to take the pregnancy test without worrying about him catching her. The stuffed wolf was in her oversized purse. There was no doubt that Sheela and Todd had seen the stuffie, but neither asked about it.

“Is there anything you want to talk about?” Sheela asked.

Did the she-wolf know her secret? Amelia felt a moment of panic before she made herself breathe.

“Maybe, later. Right now, I’m fine.”

“You can talk to me about anything at any time.”

Amelia gave her a spontaneous hug. “Thank you.” They walked into the pack house together. Sheela broke off to head for the kitchen and Amelia went to Rome’s private section.

She took the white wolf out of her purse, placing it on Rome’s pillow. It was time. She took her pregnancy test out and went into the bathroom. After reading the instructions, she peed on a stick before laying it down on the box it came in and flushing the toilet, then washing her hands. She paced the bathroom until the time was up.

Her hand went to her mouth when she saw the results. Was she happy or scared? Either way, she was going to have a pup. Just the thought tired her. She walked back into the bedroom, throwing her clothes off along the way. Naked, she got into bed and decided to try to sleep a little more.

She howled at the moon, feeling alone in the forest. Her wolf ran, calling for her mate. When he didn’t answer, they went to the bench to wait, knowing he would show up.

“Luna.” She still felt a little uneasy calling her by her name. When the moon highlighted her, she knew the goddess was near.

“It’s getting easier for you to read the moon. I’m pleased.” Luna sat and silence reigned.

Amelia felt like she was getting stronger the longer she was in Luna’s presence.

“You’re pregnant,” Luna broke the silence. Amelia gulped air. She was pregnant, but she wasn’t used to it.

“I knew it could happen, but I suppose I thought the chances were slim to none. I’ve given past Amelia a long lecture, not that she paid any attention to it.” Past Amelia wanted the pup.

“I want my pup, but that doesn’t stop the fear I feel. My baby will be an omega. The hunters will come for her. I know without asking that Rome will protect her, but will she be immortal?”

“If your child is born to two immortal parents, then they will be immortal. If one parent is and the other isn’t, then it’s a crap shoot,” Amelia giggled. Was a goddess supposed to say crap shoot?

“You’re fretting over something you have no control over.”

“I know.” Amelia’s hand went to her belly, allowing herself the joy she kept pressed down inside of her. She wanted this child, wanted her to be able to not only experience a mother and father’s love, but love from the pack. She wanted her child to have everything she didn’t have.

“Keep the faith.” Luna’s hand went to her shoulder, giving her strength before she was gone.

“Wait here.” The echo of Luna’s voice was on the wind. Amelia lay on the bench, closing her eyes.

It was the howl of a wolf that woke her. She opened her eyes to find Rome’s wolf watching her with a protective look. He let out a howl asking her to come play with him. She changed into her wolf before she got up. He took off running, and she chased him when she was close enough, she nipped his tail, tugging on it before she broke away making him chase her. They went back and forth chasing the other for what felt like hours. They took breaks to howl at the moon worshiping Luna.

Amelia had been waiting for Rome. When he got close enough, she jumped on him. He let out a whine like injured prey and went down under her slight weight. They started rolling in the grass, nipping at the other until she was too tired to move. She lay there with her mate protecting her. There was love in his eyes and desire, but they were in the open and his protectiveness was out in full force. Her eyes closed, seeking the rest she needed.

The knock on the door is what roused her. Rome was tangled around her, and she could feel his love covering her.

“I’m leaving a tray outside the door,” Sheela said. They listened as she walked away.

“You need food and rest.” Rome got off the bed to retrieve the tray, bringing it back to the bed. It looked like the same tray Sheila brought last time.

“I could eat.” She could also throw up, wondering if he’d been in the bathroom.

Rome fixed both plates from the large serving tray Sheela piled high with different options. Amelia’s stomach growled with hunger pains, drawing Rome’s eyes. He knew he had to. She bit her bottom lip. How could he know when she just found out?

“Eat,” Rome said softly.

Rome placed the pillows against the headboard, propping Amelia up. Then, he sat on the other side of the tray, watching her as she ate.

“You need to eat too.” She forced herself to stop shoving food into her mouth to tell Rome to eat. This was the best steak she ever ate. Normally, she liked her steak with a thin pink ribbon. This one was red and there was blood. It didn’t bother her. She wanted another. She ate until she felt like her stomach was a balloon; it felt so full. Rome took the tray and set it outside the door. Sheela or one of his brothers would come for it.

“You know,” she said now that they’d eaten.

“That you’re pregnant?” She nodded her head. “I’ve known for a while. I was waiting for you to figure it out.”

“What!” He knew she was pregnant and didn’t mention it.

He pointed to his nose. “Your scent changed and after that, I could hear the extra heartbeat. You would have known too, but you weren’t in denial about having a pup.”

She went to challenge him but didn’t. He was right; she was in denial. Not because she didn’t want their child. Everything around them was too much, and she couldn’t imagine adding a baby into the mix. Her dream of safety started with no one wanting to kill her. She was the alpha mate of an immortal pack. That dream needed to be packed away with the others that will never happen.

“When the hurricane sweeps up your house, you can’t imagine ever feeling at peace again, but it comes. Peace will come for us too. It will take time, but a day will come when you realize that you’re no longer living on pins and needles waiting for the next thing to happen.

She smiled at the thought of no more hunters making her heart beat faster. Amelia grabbed the stuffie that Rome had tucked securely between their pillows. She picked it up and laid it on his chest.

“This was given to me by a little boy for our baby. I think he knew our baby was going to be a girl, but his mother cautioned him against telling. He couldn’t have been more than six.” She could feel the awe that she refused to feel when talking to them. The little crown sitting on his head still amazed her. Who was this child and how phenomenal must his mother be to breed a future king?

“That brings us to your slipping away from the wolves who were supposed to keep you safe to go after a hunter.”

Shit, he knew.