Page 132 of Feral King

Ethan frowns in confusion. "What did you just do?”

"I texted Anya."

Ethan's eyes go wide. "Anya’s here?"

"Anya has been here since you were brought in. She refuses to go home until someone gives her an update on you and Misha. And… she informed me about certain things."

The door opens, and Anya steps into the room. She's in jeans and a sweater, her hair in a messy bun, makeup smeared, a fatigued and worried look on her face. When she sees Misha awake, she freezes in the doorway. Then her eyes flick to Ethan, tears springing.

"Ethan."

"Anya." His voice breaks on her name. "You look terrible."

"Youlook terrible."

"Fair."

I catch Anya's eye as she crosses the room toward the bed. She kisses Misha on the forehead, then turns and smiles shyly at me. It’s the smile of a woman who has been in love with a man for some time but has been keeping it hidden.

She crosses over to Ethan. He places his good arm around her waist, and with one final glance, they leave the room.

Julian laces his fingers through mine.

"Coffee?" he asks.

"Please. Decaf."

The doctor comes in. We say our goodbyes to Misha, making him promise that he’ll get some rest—both physically and mentally.

Then we leave, my hand in his, my kidney bean printout in my pocket.

And a big, happy smile on my face.

My heart is full.

CHAPTER 47

LYRA

“Tell me honestly—does this dress work, or am I kidding myself?”

“It works. And you’re crazy if you think otherwise.”

“Elena.”

“You lookradiant, Lyra, truly.” She leans in, a mischievous twinkle in her eye. “You’ll have to forgive me—I’ve been drinking champagne since four o’clock this afternoon, so my usual eloquence might not be as it should. But you look like a dream.”

She takes a step back, cocking her head a bit as she glances at my belly.

“Is that…”

“Don’t say it.”

“A bump?”

“It can’t be. Thissoon?”

“You’re eight weeks along. I was showing at eight weeks with both of mine. That’s how I know you’re meant to be a Volkov—you bloom early, just like us.” She smiles brightly, overwhelmed by happiness in the moment, then kisses my cheek.