VIVIANNA
Going from the mild weather of Florida to Montana that was still in the middle of winter with snow drifting in the air was a bit shocking as we got off the plane.
We hustled into the cars waiting for us that were all warmed and ready to go.
The ranch was a two-hour drive, but the one thing we loved about it was the fact it was so remote, giving us the privacy we needed.
After sleeping the whole flight, I was alert and ready, using the time to look over the plans that everyone put together for our next move.
A team would need to head out to set things up for blocking the river and scouting the area around the hidden base of operations.
All we had to go off of was a fuzzy Google Earth image, seeing as the area was protected.
Darius went to use the satellite we’d connected to before, but something in the programming wouldn’t let us zero in on that area.
Goes to show that money really does give you power where it counts.
Meanwhile, those of us back at the ranch would work with who we had in battle tactics and fighting. Of course we were looking to attack in the next week or so, not giving any of us much time, but I wanted to do what we could.
I wanted to work with them, learning what skills we had, adding to the database that Darius was putting together so that we knew everyone’s name, where they were from, and if there was any family they left behind.
It was the reality of going to war, and death was part of that, as cold as that might sound.
Thinking that we would get out of this without losing some people wasn’t realistic.
In an effort to help with that, I wanted to make sure we had a medical area set up for those who might need it upon return.
Bentley and I would both work with Chad to get what we needed to take with us into the fight, so we could deal with things right away if need be.
Neveah’s list of people she had pulled to our side right under Jason’s nose was impressive.
I agreed with her that we needed to keep them busy looking in all the wrong directions while we slipped in the back door, so to speak.
“Viv, do we need to take that tablet away from you, so you stop getting lost in your own head?” Rik asked, frustration in his voice.
Looking up at him sitting in the row ahead of me, I blinked. “I’m sorry, were you trying to tell me something?”
“You haven’t eaten hardly at all,” he pointed out. “We are passing through the biggest town before heading into no man’s land and thought it might be nice to stop at a restaurant.”
That idea sounded lovely. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d done that, but I think it was before I’d become a werewolf. “I think that sounds wonderful.” My stomach agreed with me and grumbled, making all the guys in the car turn their attention to me.
“How hungry are you? I knew we should have woken you up to eat something on the plane,” Bentley growled. “Does anyone have something on them that she can eat?”
I couldn’t help but laugh as they all looked in their bags and checked their pockets, like something might have magically appeared. “You guys, it’s fine. I won’t waste away before we get somewhere to eat. My wolf might crab at me, but I’ll manage.”
You do know that we are growing a life right now and that takes extra work. Extra work equals more food, ma’am. I can’t believe we have to have this talk again.
Please, I skip a snack and you think it’s the end of the world. Trust me, if anyone knows the details of creating life, it’s a doctor.
Well, all right then Doctor Beck, tell me what you would say to someone who is under a lot of stress and not eating enough?
I let out a sigh, closing the case over the tablet and relaxing into my seat.
Yeah—that’s what I thought. We are packing snacks any time we leave the house from now on, you hear me?
Yes, Mother. My wolf rolled her eyes at me but was mollified by my agreement to her terms.
It didn’t take long before we pulled into the parking lot of a cozy looking restaurant named the Wild Flower. I was surprised when it was just the eight of us that decided to stop.
“Christian and the others thought it might be a good idea for us to have some time before we got sucked into things at the ranch,” Tav offered when I gave him a questioning look. “It’s been an emotional day and we agreed it would be nice.”
The place was warm and welcoming. The hostess sat us right away in a corner booth, but I was happy with that since it was out of the way. The guys put me in the middle and part of me wondered if they had something they wanted to talk to me about and were worried I was going to run away.
I’d decided that I had to tell them about the possibility that I was pregnant, and this seemed like the right place to do it.
If they wanted to get upset, I’d much rather have this happen outside of what we are heading into.
Nothing will destroy an army faster than the leaders fighting among themselves.
The waitress came over, greeted us, and took our orders, leaving us free to talk while we waited for food.
I didn’t even know where to start with this conversation or if I should wait to see what they wanted to tell me instead.
Rik took it upon himself to make that choice for me, as he took my hand in his, meeting my gaze before he spoke. “Viv, are you pregnant?”
My jaw dropped. “How did you know?”
“Maria,” Bentley stated, not bothering to sugarcoat it. “You went outside with Neveah, and she told us it was probably because she blindsided you with the information about being with child.”
“Were you going to tell us?” Tav asked, his brow creased with disappointment.
Taking a breath, I settled a hand over my stomach protectively.
“Yes, I was about to bring it up. I won’t lie to you and say I almost didn’t because of what I thought you guys would do when you found out.
Then, as I came to terms with the news, and did some research into what they did to me back at the lab, I knew being upfront was the best choice. ”
“Explain that,” Bentley demanded, worry shadowing his gaze.
“To get the twins to grow faster, they pumped me full of drugs and other supportive medications. It changed my DNA. I now have a much faster cell turn over—as in four times the normal.”
“What the hell does that mean?” Koit asked as he rubbed the back of his neck.
“It means a few things,” Bentley said. “Her pregnancy will be shorter, for one thing, but the other ramifications could present in many ways, one being faster healing or a much longer life span.”
This had Koit sitting up straight in his seat. “Wait, are you saying she’s immortal?”
“Not necessarily, just harder to kill. Although, it doesn’t seem to help with damage done with silver,” Bentley mused.
Picking at the napkin on my lap, I looked at my mates, waiting for the other shoe to drop as they told me I couldn’t join in the fight. Interestingly enough, it didn’t, because our food arrived and they were more focused on making sure I ate, setting that conversation aside for now.
“Does that mean our whole group knows that I’m pregnant?” I asked after a bit.
They all nodded, their mouths full of food. Oddly this set me at ease, freed from the burden of keeping the secret.
“I don’t think anyone else should know about it though,” Darius interjected. “We don’t know any of these people who are at the ranch, and I think it would be na?ve of us to think someone wouldn’t sell us out for the right price.”
Our head of security makes a good point. I would keep this in mind about Hope too. They don’t need to know we’re looking for her.
“Your wolf is right, it’s best to keep some things close to the chest,” Orion said.
“Is there anything else that we should keep on a need-to-know basis?” I questioned.
Tav leaned forward on the table so he could see all our faces.
“Any extra skills we have among us should stay a secret unless it’s absolutely necessary for them to know.
There might come a time when having them might save our lives, especially with Tristan being able to tell intentions and root out lies.
Rik being able to locate those he’s in a pack connection with could be invaluable while we’re out on missions.
Koit is the best tracker out there, but no need to warn people, just in case they try to slip away and sell information to spies. ”
“How many people know you’re a demi-god?” Darius asked Orion.
He shrugged, taking a second to think about that.
“Let’s see, you guys, the rest of our pack, and a few others that I know wouldn’t touch this fight, since they would get pulled into the middle of it with the secrets they hold.
It’s not something I advertise to just anyone unless they’re going to be dead in the near future. ”
“Will Okami be alright keeping a low profile for a little while?” I asked, placing a hand on his arm.
Orion grinned at me as blackness flickered in his eyes. “To keep our family safe, absolutely.”
“Are you guys going to make me sit out on this?” I blurted, unable to wait for them to share their thoughts.
They all looked confused at my question, which gave me a spark of hope.
“Viv, we are your mates, and we will always have your best interests at heart, even if you don’t like how we do it all the time.
That being said, keeping you out of this fight will do more harm than good for you and our future.
If we stopped you from getting your revenge, there’s no way you would forgive us or heal from this whole ordeal,” Koit explained.
“Will we be even more overprotective and smothering when it comes to your health and safety? Absolutely, but we wouldn’t take this from you.
Maria already explained that she’ll be working with you on harnessing your magic now that it’s been fully restored.
You know that shifting isn’t an option right now, correct? ”