Chapter 29
LETICIA
FUCK UTERUSES
“Wait, are you telling me that wolf shifters don’t have periods?” I groan, rolling to my side in bed, the hot water bottle clutched to my abdomen and phone in hand so I can keep video calling with Royal. Per usual, my cramps have completely halted all work that needs to be done.
“Yeah, they go through what we call heat instead. It’s kinda just like in canines.” I think I can see his cheeks turning pink.
He’s sitting at his computer, the camera showing me a full view of his bedroom and a lot of his desk area, rather than just the camera from his phone.
Fair is fair since apparently he watches me through the camera in my bedroom. I still can’t believe I have a stalker, a hot stalker, and I’m okay with it. Maybe it’s because Royal seems so well-intentioned. But it’s hardly the weirdest thing that’s happened to me today.
“So, what you’re saying is . . . ?” I try to prompt more.
He shakes his head. “You don’t want to hear about it.”
“Let me be the judge of that.” I argue back. “I’m bleeding and in pain.”
Royal murmurs, and the microphone just barely picks it up. “Ditto.”
“You’re in pain?” I push and roll over to lie on my stomach. The heat of the hot water bottle presses into my pelvis, and I sigh, feeling some relief from the terrible cramping.
“Yeah, so shifters also have super-fast healing, but that bullet wound is not cooperating.” He runs a hand down his face. “Do you want me to tell you about my wound or wolves in heat? Equally embarrassing topics, so you only get to pick one.”
“Wolves in heat. I’m weighing my options as to which is better.”
My back starts to ache from lying in such an odd position. I try to adjust by shoving my leg up a little bit to support my pelvis. It does nothing, and I go back to lying on my side.
“Weighing your options, sounds like you want to be a wolf. I think you should wait to see Antonella before you make that decision.” Royal clicks on something, furiously tapping the mouse with a lot of force.
“It doesn’t click better if you hit it harder.” I scold him.
“It makes me feel better to click it angrily. It’s like I’m telling the other person to fuck off.” He narrows his gaze at the computer screen. “I mean, seriously? Who tries to hold a meeting at five p.m.? Absolutely not.”
“Okay, so wolves in heat?” I hedge.
Royal leans back in his chair and looks up at the camera.
“It’s like one big two-person orgy. It’s sex, sex, and more sex.
It’s the only thing that gives the female partner relief, and it’s also the only time they’re fertile.
So it’s either wear a condom or welcome a little ball of joy or two nine months later. ”
He’s so callous about it that it takes me a second to realize my mouth is hanging open. “Oh. That’s . . .”
“Mmhmm.” Royal looks away from the camera, and this time, I’m positive his cheeks are bright pink with a full flush.
“But it’s only twice a year that it happens? Because I could see that being not so bad in the scheme of things.” I roll onto my back and instantly regret it, turning back to my side.
“Compared to the circles you’re rolling in bed, I’d say so.” Royal leans forward, resting his head on his hand, supported by his elbow on his desk. “There isn’t an inch of that bed you haven’t tried to lie on yet.”
“So you are watching me right now.” I accuse him.
“I’m always watching.” He doesn’t even sound a little remorseful.
My phone vibrates, and a message notification pops up over the top of the video call.
“Berto just texted me.”
Royal picks up a phone off his desk and looks at it while I click into the notification.
Berto:
I convinced Dad that the best thing is for you to stay at the Cavanaghs’ and really get immersed in their operation. It’s the only time we’ve had this sort of opportunity since Toni has clearly forgotten who her family is. We expect twice daily updates.
“Holy shit, they said yes!” I spring up out of bed, heading for my suitcase.
Royal doesn’t answer, and I go back to the video call. He’s still watching what must be my room feed.
“Unless you don’t want me to come.” Vulnerability crashes into me. No, this was his idea, not mine. He wants me.
Instead of answering right away, he looks up at the camera. “More than anything, I want you out here so we can spend time together. I’ve kinda forgotten what it’s like to have someone I get along with so well in my life. I want to soak up every second.”
“Well, then I guess I better pack. If I leave here early enough, we could get breakfast tomorrow morning.”
“Better yet, I’ll pick you up tomorrow. We can grab breakfast in the city before heading out this way. I need to pick up a couple parts, and we can use it as a report back to your dad.” He beams at me.
“Deal,” I answer and ignore the pain in my uterus to start packing.