Blaidd
I grabbed my shoulder as the dull pain began to throb.
Why was she always beating me?
Didn't all women like flowers?
The internet said they did.
Okay, I was surprised that she even took them, but just for a second it gave me hope.
I heard a shuffling sound, and I swivelled around to stare down the hallway. It was empty. I released my shoulder and stared at everything I’d brought back with me.
I scooped up the pregnancy book and flicked to the back index page. My finger trailed down until I found the correct word and pages—hormones.
I hope you're happy, I muttered to Fenrir.
Exceedingly.
With my book and suitcase in hand, I went upstairs to my office, pausing a beat before locking the door behind me.
?
?
?
The words glared at me.
Family and friends.
The support group I’d taken away from her.
With a heavy sigh, I tossed the book onto my desk and spun my chair around to reach the decanter. I eyed the book in disgust as I absently poured myself a drink. The moment I tasted it, I sprayed it back out and sniffed the glass.
Dishwashing detergent.
I could end my misery and take her back. Make her sign an NDA.
I stood and walked to the window.
The garden was in full bloom. I could have picked fresh flowers from there.
You know why you won’t let her go, Fenrir murmured.
She’d hate me. Leave—and take my child with her.
She already hates you.
My jaw clenched at his harsh words.
I always gravitated back to her, even when I believed she was a threat to us.
The memory of her furious scream made me sigh.
What now? I asked him.
You do what anyone does before a queen. You kneel.
I pressed my lips together.
Never. Would you? I snapped back.
Without hesitation. Did you not smell her?
I covered my eyes, rubbing my temples.
There was the first scent—when I saw her for the first time.
Then the irresistible one during her heat.
This was different.
I could smell the child.
And her.
Pup, Fenrir corrected.
?
?
?
The following morning, I woke curled up against her door. I stared down at my paws, and just as I was about to lay into Fenrir, I caught the scent.
Ours.
And hers.
Together—inside her belly.
The door opened, and she yelped.
“Out of my way, you mutt,” she snapped.
Fenrir whined and shuffled back, staying low to the floor.
I caught a flicker of guilt in her eyes before she stepped past us.
Hmm.
This might work.
Fenrir raced after her, keeping just out of her reach, while I stood there and inhaled deeply.
The scent of our child was indescribable—sweet and spicy, without bitterness. It folded into her floral, musky notes until they were inseparable.
There was no point in being angry with Fenrir. He’d made the right call. I was just along for the ride—close to her and, for once, not being assaulted.
We followed her into the kitchen, but Fenrir remained in the doorway. He sat and watched her move around while she muttered about flowers and fractured skulls.
When she opened the fridge, I saw the bottles were all messed up. It made me restless. I could feel Fenrir’s agitation mirror mine.
Hey, I can’t help it, I said in my defence. You know that. You’ve been with me my whole life.
Every so often, Lielit glanced over to see if we were still there. Fenrir lay down, stretching his legs into the kitchen.
Unbelievable. He’d never shown subservience to any being. I kept that thought to myself—she hadn’t thrown anything at him yet. I still remembered that throat punch like it was yesterday.
“I suppose you want me to feed you while you sit there eyeing me up with your weird-ass eyes,” she grumbled.
I felt Fenrir’s ears prick as his head lifted from the floor.
She went to the fridge and ripped open a vacuum-sealed packet. Without hesitation, she tossed it into the air.
Fenrir leapt up, twisting midair—showing off—before snapping the red meat out of the air. He gulped it down without chewing.
Silence.
The fridge door closed.
“Okay, that was pretty impressive,” she murmured.
Fenrir chuffed happily before lying back down.
I watched as she continued making her breakfast, leaving me unsettled and unseen.
She obviously liked him.
As the day progressed, it only became more apparent.