Chapter 111

Selene

When I wake up, Phoenix isn't in the bed, but I already knew he wouldn't be. I just hope that he's being safe. I would've felt much better tagging along with him and Luke, but he somehow convinced me that whatever plan they had come up with to meet with one of the Devils' leaders was too dangerous for me too.

After taking a shower, I meet Makayla and Loki down for breakfast. Phoenix and Luke decided they didn't need Loki for this first part, and I'm sure Loki was relieved that he didn't have to leave his mate.

I already feel like shit that Phoenix isn't here so when I see them kissing at the table, my mood plummets even more. I'm just glad Phoenix can't feel it. We decided last night that we would both put up blocks around our emotions, so that Phoenix can focus on as much as he can. I didn't want to distract him in any way, and he didn't want me to worry about him.

When I make a low irritated sound in my throat, Loki and Makayla break apart.

Makayla laughs softly when she notices me scowling at them. "Someone's in a mood this morning."

"I don't want to see you guys making out if I can't make out with Phoenix," I mutter, plopping down in a seat across from them.

Evelyn immediately walks over to me. "Good morning...Selene." I can tell she was about to say Luna, but she corrected herself last minute. "What would you like for breakfast."

"I'm honestly not hungry. Maybe just a smoothie or something?"

Her face clouds with concern, but she doesn't argue. "What kind would you like?"

I shrug, giving her a small smile. "Surprise me."

Makayla gives me a pointed look. "Ooh, I'm telling Phoenix that you're not eating right."

I roll my eyes. "What's he gonna do? Whoop me?"

She giggles. "I bet you'd love that, wouldn't you?"

"I'd love never to hear that again," Loki grumbles beside her.

My face heats up. "You know what...that wasn't my fault, Loki. You're the one who growled at me!"

"Because you pinched her on purpose."

"Fair point."

Evelyn places a smoothie in front of me. it's green and smells like strong vegetables. I fight to hide my grimace. "T-Thank you, Evelyn," I say with a forced smile.

She smiles back. "Of course, Selene."

Once Evelyn is out of the room, Makayla bursts into laugher. "You did say 'surprise' you. God, I can smell it from here. I'm going to barf for you."

I take a deep breath, pinching my nose as I bring the glass to my lips. One sip, and I'm trying not to throw it up.

"Evelyn, I changed my mind. I want some pancakes or something!" I call out, knowing she can hear me from wherever she is.

She pops into the room not even a full second later. "Of course, Selene. I'm glad you've decided to put some more on your stomach," she says softly.

She takes the puke-colored smoothie and goes back into the kitchen.

My mouth drops open. Did...did she do that on purpose?

She comes back into the room with a small stack of pancakes, eggs, and bacon. "Here you go. I hope you enjoy."

I'll definitely enjoy it more than I would've that smoothie.

Still not feeling very hungry, I only eat half the plate while I listen to Loki and Makayla talk about things going on around the pack. My thoughts keep going back to Phoenix and what he's doing right now, if he's safe.

Maybe I should check in. That wouldn't hurt him, right?

I'm two seconds from opening a mind-link with him when Makayla seems to sense what I'm about to do. "Selene, he's fine. I know he would alert you and Loki immediately if something was wrong. Plus he's got Luke's...my dad as his backup."

Damn it. She's right.

I sigh, dragging a piece of bacon through the syrup on the plate. Munching on it, I begin to think about what I could do to distract myself so I'm not tempted to mind-link him again.

"What do you guys wanna do today?" I ask, my voice edged with irritation. "Or are you guys going to stay inside and fuck all day."

Makayla snorts while Loki seems to blush. "We're definitely not going to do that when you're in this mood. We promised Phoenix we'd watch over you so you wouldn't do anything crazy...like hunt him down or mind-link him when he's in the middle of a dangerous mission."

I raise an eyebrow. "So, what are we going to do then?"

"How about we go play with the pups? I heard Evelyn will be taking care of a few of them this afternoon."

That doesn't sound like fun exactly, but I guess anything is better than driving myself crazy missing my Phoenix.

After we finish breakfast, I insist on helping Evelyn with the dishes before we go into the house next to the playhouse, meant as a daycare for the pups. Four kids no older than three are already there, playing with the other omegas.

Evelyn introduces us. "Children, this is Beta Loki and his beta female, Makayla. And this is Luna Selene."

One of the toddlers immediately waddle over to me, her little arms wrapping around my leg. I've never really interacted with kids before, so I look at Evelyn for help.

She smiles. "I think she wants you to pick her up."

Oh. That makes sense.

I carefully pick up the toddler, awkwardly holding her in my arms. She snuggles against me.

Soon, the other toddlers gather around me. I feel like I'm in a horror movie where tiny little crotch goblins slowly climb all over me.

I try to remain calm, but I don't know what to do, and I'm afraid if I move, I'm going to end up hurting one of them. I can't imagine having to explain to one of my pack members that I accidentally hurt their kids.

"What should I do?" I whisper to Evelyn, unable to hide the panic in my voice.

Evelyn laughs, walking over to carefully remove some of the kids from my legs. "Sorry, that doesn't usually happen. I guess they just really like their Luna."

They like me?

I gaze down at the toddler in my arms, noting her wide blue eyes and curly blonde hair. She's actually really freaking adorable. What was I so nervous about?

Maribel, one of the older omegas, grins at me. "You know, there's a myth that kids can sense other kids. Maybe they're so attached to you because you have a pup growing inside you."

I laugh. "Yeah, I don't think so."

But after she says that I can't get the thought out of my mind, even after we leave the daycare building. When we return to the packhouse, Makayla puts on Friends reruns, and she and Loki cuddle on the couch, while I snuggle in a blanket.

Could I be pregnant? I ask myself over and over again.

After a while, I can't keep it to myself any longer.

"Did you hear what Maribel said to me?" I ask Makayla, gnawing on my lip.

Her eyes snap to me, widening slightly. "Do you think you could be?"

"I don't know," I answer honestly. "It's not like we don't have sex almost every day."

She hums thoughtfully. "My mom did tell me that she obsessively missed my dad when he was away while she was pregnant. You were extra cranky this morning without him. And all of those pups were clinging to you. I think it's a possibility, and you should take a test. We can go to the store before Phoenix gets home."

I nod, the dread washing over me in a cold wave. "Okay," I mumble, feeling like my head might explode.

Holy shit. I can't believe it.

I might actually be pregnant with Phoenix's baby.