Chapter 24 Sienna
SIENNA
My bedroom did have walls, but barely. Drywall covered the studs, but it had yet to be mudded or taped. A plain queen-sized mattress sat directly on the bespoke plywood subfloor.
I’d been so tired yesterday that after Sveta brought me to my room, I’d changed into the pjs I’d packed in my small suitcase—the ones with an illustration of Queenie chasing a ball of yarn—eaten two more slices of apple cake, and passed out.
But in the light of the morning, it was clear this room was not going to cut it for me.
At least this disaster of a house gave me something to fill my time. I did love a project.
The house had been empty this morning. Like…
totally empty. After I’d gotten dressed, I headed down to the kitchen and got myself a cup of coffee and the last slice of apple cake.
After poking around the downstairs and finding nothing interesting inside besides construction supplies, I stepped out on the back patio.
It was a beautiful day—sunny and surprisingly warm for the end of October.
After spending my entire life in the city, stepping out of the door onto expansive grounds was a little disorienting… and thrilling.
Dimitri’s mansion butted up against a forest, and I meandered through the gardens towards the tree line.
The lawn was springy under my feet but soon gave way from grass to dirt paths weaving through the woods.
The constant activity of the city and the chaos that came with living in our apartment building ensured I never had to be alone with my thoughts at home.
There was no such reprieve here, especially without my ADHD meds and a steady diet of caffeine.
Twelve ounces of coffee.
Twelve measly ounces.
According to my OGBYN, that was the safe limit during pregnancy. When I’d jokingly asked what the limit was for energy drinks, she hadn’t laughed.
Tough crowd.
How had I functioned before being medicated? I snorted. Oh yeah, I’d gone through life like a messy tornado. Well, at least now I could use pregnancy as my excuse for being a disaster.
I thought I might have heard from Dimitri this morning—a note, a text, or the man himself sitting in the dining room—but my new husband was nowhere to be found.
Not that I cared. We had plenty of time before the baby came to figure out our future plan.
It was fine. Maybe I could use this time to adopt a Zen attitude.
Go into motherhood as an enlightened being.
I supposed that meant I had to stop whining about minor inconveniences.
Hmm. That might be a challenge, but I would try my best.
Things I definitely wouldn’t throw a tantrum over:
1. My perpetual caffeine-deprived state
2. Being parted from my gaming set up with only a single laptop to use
3. My extreme horniness that a vibrator couldn’t seem to satisfy
Okay, maybe that last one deserved a tantrum. Seriously, how unfair was it that I knew exactly what Dimitri could do with my body but wouldn’t because he hated me? Not that I would want to have sex with him again, anyway, since I also hated him.
Liar.
Shhh, vagina. Shut up.
Surely there was a half-finished room I could claim for my office.
Sofiya was having all of my things packed up and mailed over since my packing efforts had been less than fruitful.
The part of me who still clung to the tiny hope that I’d be able to return to living in my apartment someday wanted to tell her not to pack a single thing.
But I had to face reality. Dimitri would not allow his heir to live in New York, and I would not be separated from my child.
I took a shuddering breath. That’s enough self-pity for the day.
Shopping would make me feel better, especially if I got access to Dimitri’s credit card. Paying for things with other people’s money was always more fun.
Birds chirped in the canopy above, and I lifted my face to the sun.
I’d never understood the appeal of birdwatching, but maybe now that I was practically living in the wilderness, I should take it up.
That seemed like an adult hobby a mom would have, right?
I wrinkled my nose. “How about I just teach you how to be a hacker instead?”
No response from my little Apple, but my mind conjured images of a chubby toddler sitting on my lap, wearing my big pink headphones and slapping at the keyboard. My heart swelled, and I regained the bounce in my step as I wandered into the woods.
Dappled light flitted through the trees, dancing across my skin as I imagined I was an explorer charting a new course through undiscovered lands…even though I strictly stuck to the path to avoid getting lost. The sound of water drew me deeper into the woods until I found myself by a small creek.
Besides being too quiet, it was nice out here. Next time, I’d bring my headphones, a blanket, and snacks.
My stomach growled.
Lots of snacks. Baby Apple demanded them.
I followed the river bank until my eyelids were heavy with exhaustion. I sat down in the shade of a large tree, resting my back against the tree trunk with my arms wrapped around my little bump.
“I don’t regret it, you know.” The forest seemed to grow quiet at my soft words, like all the trees were listening to me.
“Those nights in Paris, getting pregnant. I never wanted a Mafia man, but that doesn’t mean I don’t want you.
It’s very important to me that you know that.
” I closed my eyes and leaned my head against the tree trunk.
“And I promise to take you birdwatching if you want. You’ll always come first for me, okay? ”
My fingers rubbed my chest, like I could massage away the tightness there. That was all I’d ever wanted—to be someone’s priority. I hadn’t had that since Mamma was taken from me, but I could give that to my baby.
A rustle of leaves and a snap of twigs had me jolting. I rubbed my eyes, realizing I’d fallen asleep. I stretched with a groan, muscles creaking as I tried to muster up the energy to get up, before I froze.
In front of me, just a few feet away, was a wolf.
Like, AN ACTUAL WOLF.
Yellow eyes stared me down. Its fur was a mix of light brown and black, with white fur on its chest and face. Its pointed ears flicked forward.
It took a step towards me, huge paws landing silently on the ground.
My heart pounded, and I shielded my belly with my hands. What do I do???
“Hello,” I whispered. “Please don’t eat me.”
Its tail started wagging. Was that a good sign?
“Are you just being friendly? I’d be curious, too, if I saw a new person in my woods.”
I let out a squeak as it took another step forward. My body tensed, and I fought the urge to shut my eyes.
And then—
The nudge of a cold nose against my hand, a high-pitched whine, and suddenly, I had a wolf in my lap.
My hands went to the top of its head, ready to push it away, but it just continued nudging happily against my stomach.
It wasn’t long before my fingers were buried in its thick fur.
The wolf rolled over, showing me his belly.
Because yep, he was definitely a boy. I gave him a tentative rub on the stomach.
He let out what I could only imagine was a satisfied grumble, and I laughed.
“Oh, you’re in the mood for cuddles.”
More tail wagging and nudging my belly.
“Do you know I have a baby in there? Is that why you’re being so sweet?” Or maybe you’re just lulling me into a false sense of security before you eat me.
Right on cue, my stomach rumbled. My wolf paused, staring at my stomach with a befuddled expression. I scratched his ears. “Baby Apple is demanding food, so I should probably head back.”
He grumbled as I gently pushed him off of my lap and slowly got to my feet. I took a few tentative steps towards the house and he stayed where he was. “It was really nice to meet you. Maybe we’ll see each other again.”
I hoped so, at least. It would be nice to have at least one person—err, wolf—here who actually liked me.
I gave my new friend a little wave and turned away, feeling like a woodland fairy princess as I headed down the path the way I’d come. We truly were living in the wilderness. Was it normal for there to be wild wolves in Chicago? I clearly needed to do some research.
I was thinking about what I wanted to eat for lunch when a puff of air on my hand made me shriek. I jumped in the air, my hand on my chest as I locked eyes with the wolf.
He peered up at me as if to say, “What are you shouting about?”
“Oh my gosh, you scared me.” He bumped my hand with his head, and I automatically scratched his ears while my heart rate returned to normal. “I wish I could move around as quietly as you. Do you want to walk with me? That’s very gentlemanly, wanting to escort me home.”
Having a companion, someone who actually wanted to be around me, soothed my loneliness.
Wolfy trotted in front of me, tail wagging as he checked everything out, before looping back around to check on me.
He kept up the steady rhythm, taking every opportunity to give my stomach a little nudge until we came to the end of the path.
When the house came into view, I slowed my steps. A sick realization rocked through me. I hadn’t seen them, but I knew there were guards that patrolled the surrounding area of the house. What if someone saw Wolfy and shot at him?
“You need to go back home now. I don’t want you to get hurt.” I spoke sternly and held out both of my hands. “Don’t go any farther.”
Wolfy sat down, tongue lolling, and I slowly backed away. He stayed put. I let out a relieved breath and turned to the house, weaving through the gardens until the back patio came into view.
A low panting sound made me freeze. I looked down.
Wolfy was next to me.
Again.
“Well, so much for that plan.”
The backdoor slammed open, and Dimitri stalked towards me.
“Oh, shit. Stay behind me.” I stepped in front of the wolf, putting my body between him and my furious husband.