Total pages in book: 182
Estimated words: 171176 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 856(@200wpm)___ 685(@250wpm)___ 571(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 171176 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 856(@200wpm)___ 685(@250wpm)___ 571(@300wpm)
For some reason, though, it didn’t stop the nagging feeling that I was missing something. That this was not forever.
I took a shaky breath as I braced my hands against the sink in the washroom, feeling a little lightheaded. My face dripped from my having just washed it, and I looked myself over in the mirror. Despite the glowing health of my skin, I looked awfully pale. I was probably doing a bit too much. Training with the pack was great, but it was hard work. I was tired a lot more lately.
I glanced at my body for a moment, lingering on my belly. It looked the same as it ever had.
I straightened up and trailed my fingers across my skin, dragging my lip through my teeth as I donned my work attire—still drab. There was no point in wearing something flashy that was just going to get dirty. This one had a pattern, and hidden within the pattern were dicks with wings. Cecil apparently thought it should be my banner or something. He attributed Weston’s sexual prowess and performance at the claiming to the dick sash. He also shook his fist at me whenever he saw me and said, “Yaaaasssss!”
The whole situation was very odd. I chose to ignore it.
Back in the bedroom, I leaned over Weston and kissed his forehead. His eyes drifted open and he reached out for me. I took his hand as I kissed his lips.
“Bye,” I whispered. “Come and see me if you’re passing by.”
“Love you,” he murmured.
I kissed him again and said it back before I left. The royals were putting the finishing touches on the new apartment we’d be moving into, so Weston and I still had our separate apartments, though I spent most of my time in his room. Vemar waited for me just outside the back door of the castle these days, sitting on a stone bench and sipping his tea. The agreement was that he’d wait for me long enough to drink his morning tea, and then he would head to the work shed. If I didn’t show—usually because Weston had been naughty and banged me, thus locking me in bed with him—I’d meet Vemar there later.
“Hey.” I sat next to him so he could finish without being rushed.
“Hello, Captive Lady. How do you feel today?”
I dragged my lip through my teeth again, trying not to feel anything. Trying not to get ahead of myself.
“My boobs are sore.”
He tilted the cup back to drain the contents and stood. “Well, that’s not good. Did the beta get a little too wild this morning?”
I pulled my lips to the side, trying to squish down the joy. I told myself I’d wait a few days longer. That I wouldn’t jump to any conclusions yet. I didn’t want to be wrong, and I definitely didn’t want to say something, be wrong, and then have Weston disappointed.
But then I just blurted it out anyway.
“My period is almost a week late.”
A blast of absolute joy gushed through me. I wrestled with the smile.
Confusion leaked through the bond from Weston, who was surely wondering about the feeling. I tried to calm it all down.
I stood as Vemar set the empty cup on the bench. Someone would come by shortly and collect it. He started walking, looking down at me with his brow furrowed. “Are you insinuating that you are pregnant, Captive Lady?”
“I don’t know.” There was that joy again. “I didn’t tell Weston about my period because I didn’t want to get his hopes up. But yesterday my boobs started to feel sensitive, and today they ache when I touch them.” I tried to breathe through the threatening excitement. “I think that means something.”
“I definitely think that means something. Did you tell Weston about the boob issue?”
“No. You’re the first person I’ve told. I couldn’t help it. But I’m trying to stay super chill and not get my hopes up too high. It’s only been two months of trying.”
He put his hand on his chest. “I am honored you would tell me. In the spirit of the situation, I am also trying to remain chill and not get excited.” He stopped. “I think we should go wake the queen and get her to make you that brew that tells you for certain if you are or aren’t.”
“Gods no.” I pulled his arm to get him walking again. “It’s the crack of dawn. Very few people like waking up as early as we do. This is not an emergency.” I tugged him in the direction of the work shed. “Come on, it can wait.”
He grudgingly started moving. “Let’s at least poke our heads into the other work sheds and see if anyone knows the recipe.”
“No one starts work this early, Vemar, you know that.”
He sucked his teeth, looking back toward the castle. “I really don’t think the queen would mind . . .”