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“I’m still very afraid about what might happen at the birth,” she said. “I worry that I won’t know what to do or that the baby won’t be strong.” She shook her head, so full of doubt that she was literally heartsick.
“I think we should come back to the city, somewhere nearby but not necessarily in either pack’s territory. Then we could send for Holo.”
“Would she come?” Owen asked. “She may be ordered not to. Uldof would not let her interfere.”
“She might still come,” Reika said, so softly that her voice barely made any sound. She knew that Owen could hear her. He could feel her doubt, her fear, all the horrible emotions that were strangling her voice.
Owen wrapped his big, strong hand around hers, smiling for her and touching her belly. Reika’s heart soared with love for him. No matter how bad things got, he was always right there by her side, trying to make her feel better.
As they headed into the busier streets of the city toward the dock, Reika felt her anxiety rise. She tried to keep calm, but she couldn’t help watching the shadows in nearby alleyways. Once they reached the dock, she was somewhat calmer, but she didn’t truly relax until they were on the ferry.
Owen found them a seat in the shelter of an alcove where they could stay out of the wind yet enjoy the tossing blue waves of the sea as they passed by the nearby headlands. Finally, Reika felt a sense of peace and contentment.
She had loved those days they shared on the island, and now that she knew how to take care of herself properly, they shouldn’t have to leave … at least until she was almost ready to deliver.
Reika felt the baby move inside her and changed position, putting one hand on her belly and grunting with pain. Owen paled, tension running through his body as if he’d just been jolted with electricity.
“Are you okay?” he asked, his voice husky with fear.
She smiled. “I’m okay. Your kid is just turning over in bed and giving me hell.”
Owen’s eyes opened wide. His face seemed to pale even more as his jaw slowly dropped open.
Reika realized he had not spent any time with his unborn child. He hadn’t had a chance to talk to his baby through her belly or feel it move. Smiling, she reached for his hand and placed it on the side of her belly where the kid was kicking out a short drum solo.
She pressed his hand flat against her firm belly, and the child’s tapping impressed upon his hand. Reika had thought Owen couldn’t look any more shocked, but apparently, he could. His beautiful copper eyes opened so wide that she could see the whites around the pupils.
His face went slack as he stared at her belly, keeping his hand gently against her side. When he looked up at her and blinked, she could see a shimmer in his eyes as he was overtaken by emotion.
“That’s … my baby,” he whispered in awe. “Reika, you are amazing. Do you know that? You are completely fucking amazing!”
She giggled, feeling the good humor chasing through her like warmth in her bones. She relaxed into the feeling, letting herself feel it. She hadn’t felt anything like pleasure for such a long time.
“I am pretty impressed with myself,” she giggled. “But it’s nice to hear you say that.”
Owen looked up into her eyes once more, then at her belly. Gently, with complete and utter reverence, he bent his cheek to her belly and pressed his face against her.
“Hey, kid,” he said softly. “You in there? Can you hear me? This is your dad talking. We’ve been through some heavy stuff, your mom and me. You must be the toughest little baby alive to stay sassy and kicking through this whole deal. But let me tell you, you are so very loved and so wanted. I love you, kid. I love you with my whole heart, and I am never, ever letting you go.”
Owen snuggled her belly, suddenly drawing back as he drew in a sharp gasp. “He kicked me in the cheek!”
Reika giggled. “It could be a she.”
Owen shook his head. “A girl. A beautiful girl like her mom.”
“Or a gorgeous boy like his father.”
Owen sat up, taking Reika’s face in his hands to kiss her gently. Reika felt her love for her mate and her unborn baby flowing through her, and she knew all she needed, now and forever, was his love and the promise of their future.
TWENTY-NINE
OWEN
When they arrived at the island, their lighthouse was waiting for them. No one had moved in while they were away, and the proprietor was happy to have them back. Now that they knew what measures to take, Reika did not suffer so much nausea or weakness.
They resumed their routines of long lie-ins, leisurely breakfasts, and slow afternoon walks. Reika began to glow, really glow, as the pregnancy advanced. Her hair glittered in the sunlight when the harsh sea wind grabbed it and tossed it around her face, and her skin took on a healthy, golden glow. Even her eyes were brighter, the deep green pools reflecting back pinpoints of light that always looked to him like falling stars.
Owen did not tell Reika, but he had noticed more sailing vessels than usual stopping at the island. Every evening after their walk and right before he made dinner, Owen shifted into wolf form and stalked the island. It was a good time for Reika to take a nap, so she never noticed his pensive face as he left or his restless energy when he returned full of doubt, but with no clues as to why.
