“You don’t know that, Pet,” Lucian whispered. “You are the ultimate protector. If anyone can protect that child, it’s you.”
A single tear slid down my face and I wiped it away roughly. “I can barely protect myself.”
Lucian pursed his lips. “Does Sebastian know?”
I shook my head. “I found out tonight, but I’m pretty sure he knows something.”
He frowned. “Why do you say that?”
“When I ate the nightshade at our ceremony, my vision was of a teenager … He looked so much like Bash, except … he had gray eyes. I didn’t put it together until I found out I was pregnant. I’m sure Bash had a similar vision.”
“You can’t hide this from him, Pet. You must tell him!” Lucian leaned forward. “You’re not alone. Sebastian will protect you and that child with his life,” he whispered.
I covered my face with my hands and took deep breaths as I processed his words and the implications this decision would have on our future. Lucian was right; I didn’t have to do this alone. I had Bash, but Bash was biased. No matter how much danger there was, he’d still want this baby. His dream was to have a large, boisterous family. With this child, he would get everything he ever wanted.
Except, this was my nightmare come true. In my life, a child would be nothing but a weakness. They were vulnerable, and I would be destroyed if I couldn’t protect them. I had to put the Lycan first, and with a child I wouldn’t be able to do that.
“Pet …” Lucian reached for my trembling hand across the table. I peered up at him. “Don’t make any rash decisions. Talk to him before you do anything. I’ll help you; you know I’d do anything for you, Pet, but be smart about this. This is the heir to the MacCoinnich line. It must be protected at all costs … even if it’s from you.”
I jerked back and snatched my hand away from him, furrowing my brows at his ominous tone. “You would really go against me?”
“If it means protecting that baby … yes. Some things are bigger than you, Pet.”
I narrowed my eyes and swallowed as I processed his words. Was this bigger than me? Ophelia sure thought it was. Now Lucian. No matter where I turned, there was someone there to protect this unborn child.
I tried to look at the positives, at how I could keep this baby safe, but the enemies in the dark kept clouding my vision. It just seemed utterly and completely impossible.
“There’s something else I haven’t told you,” I muttered. “And it might just change your tune.”
“What is it, Pet?” he asked carefully.
I looked at my hands and then up at Lucian with glassy eyes. “We’re not the only ones who know about the baby. Abaddon knows. That’s what he’s after. He’s after the baby.”
Slowly, Lucian’s eyes widened until he fell back in his chair. An unsettling quiet descended over the room. That was a complete game changer and he knew it.
“He sent me a wedding gift,” I continued. “It was a rattle with a little note that basically said he’s coming for me and the baby. Knowing that, do you still think I can protect it?” I raised a challenging brow.
Lucian calmly took a sip of his tea and frowned. “That doesn’t make sense, Pet. What would a demon want with a baby?”
I was about to answer, but my voice caught in my throat when I realized it must be because of the fae magic in my blood. What was going on inside me because of the baby? I couldn’t tell Lucian about that part. Not now, at least. I needed to speak with Ophelia. She must have more information.
“I – I don’t know,” I mumbled.
“Listen to me, Pet. First thing in the morning, you must tell Sebastian and Alexander. You need medical attention. A lycan pregnancy is not easy, and you will need help that I cannot give you—”
I shook my head adamantly, my eyes wild. “No! If I do that, people will find out!”
Lucian snapped back, “You’ll eventually start to show! Even if you try to hide it, they’ll find out in a couple of months!”
“Fuck.”
Lucian got up from his chair and came around the table to squat beside me, grabbing my hands. “Everything will be fine, Pet. Trust me. This happened for a reason. We may not know why just yet, but I am convinced there is a reason. You are meant to be a mother and you will be an amazing one, but you need to have some confidence in yourself and trust that you can protect this child. You’re Mackenzie Grey! There’s nothing you cannot do.”
I snorted. “I’m not invincible, Luce. A baby might just be the one thing that can defeat me.”
Lucian smirked. “I think this baby will make you stronger than ever. There’s nothing a mother won’t do for her child. You’ll move mountains.”
I looked down at my abdomen that was covered by a damp hoodie and placed my hand over it. Whomever was in there was special, so much so, he had a damn demon chasing it before he was even born. Even Ophelia said he would be the greatest leader the Lycan would ever know. He already had his own prophecy. His destiny was huge, and it was my responsibility to protect him. Could I live up to the task?
Lucian patted my hand reassuringly. “Go back to the castle. The forest is not safe, Pet, especially for you,” Lucian said. “Go home. Rest. And speak with Sebastian in the morning.”
I clutched my abdomen and bit my lip as I nodded. We stood at the same time and Lucian walked me to the door. I flipped my hood over my head and prepared to leave.
“Don’t fret, Pet. Everything will be okay.”
“Thank
