Chapter 115

Selene

When we step into the packhouse, Luther's secretary is sitting on the couch, watching some trashy reality show on the TV. A smoothie and a box of Chinese takeout sits on the coffee table in front of her.

Wow, she made herself comfortable fast.

She's tall and lean, bronze-skinned, with piercing green eyes that could glass. Dressed in a black blouse and skirt, she looks like a model straight out of a magazine. Something off-putting about her stirs a dark edge in my chest. I tell myself it's just my wolf reacting to her as an enemy, but I think it's really the way she's currently looking at my mate like she hates him, like she wants to hurt him.

I shouldn't blame her...he did practically kidnap her, but for good reason. That's probably not how it looks in her eyes, but still. It was the only way to get in contact with the Devils' leaders, and I'm sure she's aware of that too.

Suddenly, Luke walks into the living room with a bowl of strawberries and whipped cream. "Sorry, it took so long. I picked off the stems for-"

He freezes, eyes widening as he realizes we're all standing there. His goes all red, looking embarrassed, like he just got caught with his hand in a cookie jar. I mean, maybe he was trying to stick his hand in hers.

Makayla raises a brow, grinning. "Do you offer this VIP service to all your hostages, Dad?"

Luke chuckles nervously. "Hey, she's still a guest, and we should be hospitable."

The secretary glances up at him, a glimmer of interest sparking in her gaze. "Oh, you have a daughter?" she asks.

"Yes, this is my daughter, Makayla." He gestures towards my best friend. "Makayla, this is Narissa."

"I have a feeling you're meeting your future stepmom," I tease through our mind-link.

She shoots me a look, replying in a sharp tone. "Over my dead body. She works for our enemy."

"Maybe he forgot that."

It definitely looks like he did.

"Is your boss usually this late?" Phoenix asks Narissa, sounding bored. "We have shit to do that doesn't involve babysitting you all day until he gets here."

"He's probably getting backup." When she glares at Phoenix again, I can't stop the growl from slipping past my lips.

Amusement flickers across my mate's face as he grabs my hand, his thumb brushing softly over my knuckles. In a low voice, he says, "It's okay, baby. She's no real threat to any of us."

I take a deep breath, trying to calm my wolf. I hope Luther comes to get her soon so she can get the hell out of our house. My wolf would love to see her get torn to shreds and I'm trying to prevent that as much as I can.

Narissa rolls her eyes at me. "You know, it has always annoyed me how possessive fated mates are over each other," she says, leaning back and taking a sip of her smoothie. "Nice place, by the way."

I raise a brow, my patience wearing thin. "Glad you're comfortable," I reply dryly. "Enjoy it while it lasts."

Makayla stifles a laugh, leaning closer. "Remind me never to glare at Phoenix again in front of you. I might get on your bad side too."

I know she's joking, but right now, my wolf would probably take her as a threat too. It must be the damn baby hormones.

Loki gives me a sympathetic look, while Luke's eyebrows furrow in confusion. I know that probably looked insane to him, but it's not like I could control it. It's my wolf, wanting to protect both our mate and our pup.

Ugh, I just found out I was pregnant like five minutes ago. Can all of this please slow down? I'm going to give everything away if I keep acting like this.

"Just hurry up and get rid of her," I grumble under my breath as I push my way past everyone and head upstairs, not even sparing a glance back. Phoenix calls after me, but I don't listen, already pulling our bedroom door open and collapsing face-down on the bed.

I feel like a mess right now, my mind and emotions all over the place, and I can't seem to get them back under control. What good can I be as my mate's Luna acting like an unstable lunatic?

"Do you want me to come up there, baby?" Phoenix's voice fills my head, making my entire body hum with want and need. Yet, I know I can't have him right now. He has to deal with this Devils' situation, and I need to get myself under control.

"No. I'm okay, I just need to take a nap," I lie, quickly ending our mind-link before I say anything else. Something that could give away my secret.

After a few minutes, the silence confirms that he's not coming up, but somehow that realization stings. Even though I told him not to, I'd hope he come anyway. Frustration heats behind my eyes, but I force back the urge to cry, to fall apart.

After about thirty minutes of tossing back and forth in the bed, I give in to my instincts that tell me that I don't want to sleep in the bed. Dragging the blankets and sheets down, I arrange them in a circle and then add the pillows on top of them. One by one, they come together into something cozier, something...safe. My own little corner of protection, and for some reason, it feels perfect.

As I smooth down the the last pillow, I glance around, almost laughing to myself. I've basically made a nest. I lay down in it, breathing in the faint scent of Phoenix that clings to the sheets, and a calm washes over me. A feeling that actually allows me to relax for the first time since I found out I was pregnant.

Exhaling loudly, I snuggle deeper into the pile of bedding and drift off to sleep.