want to leave you, but you aren’t ready to do battle yet. You haven’t trained.”
Zara knew his words were true and not meant to hurt her, but she hated being helpless. She didn’t want to be protected inside while those she cared for were fighting for their lives. She wanted to be next to her mate, fighting alongside him. She wasn’t weak.
“I don’t think you’re weak, Z,” he said, answering her unspoken thoughts. “You’re the strongest woman I know, but you aren’t a battle-tested warrior yet. Trust me, please.” His gaze was earnest as he stared down into her eyes. His hands cupped her face, and his thumbs ran gently across her cheeks. She had grown to love his touch, but only his.
Finally, she nodded. “I do. I’ll wait. But if you die, I’ll be pissed.”
His lips twitched up in a crooked smile, and his eyes smoldered at her. “You’re kind of hot when you’re pissed.”
“Then do something besides dying to piss me off,” she said dryly.
He leaned down and bit her lip gently before kissing her. “As much as it pains me to say it, if I die, you will join me. We’re a bonded pair. Even if the bond isn’t entirely complete, we’ve performed the Blood Rites.”
“I wouldn’t want to be here without you,” Zara said, completely serious.
“I don’t deserve you, my sweet Zara, but I wouldn’t give you up even to save the world.”
Before Zara could respond, Wadim and the fae, who’d stood there silently while they’d had their private moment, flashed from the room, and she was left to wait. Wait and wonder and worry. The three W’s every female hated.
Bethany stood in the farthest corner of the armory. Alina had just flashed with one of the fae warriors, and the room was steadily emptying as more fae warriors took the fighters out to confront the enemy who had gathered at their door. She could see the room around her, but that wasn’t her focus. Her mind was centered inward, on the voice speaking to her.
“Are you safe?” Drake’s voice rumbled through the bond and filled her head. She trembled as she felt his touch on her face and wished he were right there in front of her.
“I’m in the weapons room with those in the pack who aren’t fighting.” She looked around and noticed Zara on the other side of the room. “Zara is here.” When the other woman glanced her way, as if she’d heard her name, Bethany motioned her over.
“I’ll be with you soon. I’m outside fighting with the others. I need you and our child safe.”
“I love you.” Bethany needed him to hear the words even though he already knew.
“And I love you. See you soon.” Then he was gone, and the bond closed.
“You okay?” Zara asked as she took a seat next to her on the bench.
Bethany started to answer, but the other female held up a hand to stop her.
“And I’m asking because I really want to know. I’m not looking for the sweet, simple answer that keeps me from actually needing to care about someone besides myself,” Zara continued.
The stern words of the girl, who looked to be a little younger than Bethany, made her smile. “Thank you, Zara. I appreciate your honesty, and yes, I am okay. I mean, as okay as any pregnant, dormant, newly mated werewolf can be.”
Zara laughed. “You sound like someone who needs to be on one of those outrageous talk shows. Imagine bringing out one of the pack members on stage. ‘I’m sorry, Mr. Werewolf, but you are not the father!’”
“We could keep one of those shows running for several seasons.” Bethany sighed and rested one arm on the table in front of her while her other hand laid on her flat stomach.
“Are you excited?” Zara asked as she nodded toward the resting hand.
“I’m not sure if excited is the right word.” Bethany narrowed her eyes a little as she realized that the woman she was talking to was the only other person on earth who could possibly understand what she was feeling. She sat forward, leaning closer to Zara as she basically word vomited everything that had been building inside of her since the moment Sally had told her she was having a child. “You thought you would die with them, didn’t you?”
“The vampires?” Zara asked and then quickly nodded. “Absolutely. I was trying to figure out a way to kill myself.” Bethany noticed the girl’s eyes widened as though realizing she’d