Page 46 of The Billionaire Alpha Surrogate

“Ugh. That woman,” Micah groaned. “I’ve told her point blank that I have absolutely no interest in her.”

“Some people aren’t able to understand or handle being rejected. In Caroline’s case, she likely just thinks that you are blind and that you will change your mind once Lucy is out of the picture.”

“I wonder if Caroline would leave if she suddenly won an all-expense paid vacation to Europe.”

“I honestly doubt if she would go. She has a mission here and she’s not about to abort it. Caroline is determined to have you. Lucy needs to watch her back.”

“She’s aware,” Micah said. “Although Caroline told Lucy that she and I were promised to each other and going to go through the mating ceremony, Lucy knows the truth. She also knows that Caroline is a formidable enemy.”

Rose looked at Micah speculatively and a slight smile curved her lips. “I saw the two of you dancing together. I saw the way that Lucy looked at you and how you looked at her. The chemistry between the two of you was obvious to anyone with eyes. Is there something you want to tell me?”

“We have feelings for each other, but we haven’t talked about them,” Micah said. “I like to take things slow and make sure that it isn’t just the heat of the moment type of thing.”

“You don’t believe that,” Rose said. “You’re just scared of jumping into a commitment.”

“Maybe a little. If we don’t work out, things could get a little sticky, especially with the baby involved. I don’t think that Lucy would be vindictive or anything, but I just want to make sure that everything is good,” Micah said. “Although I have a feeling that a conversation between Lucy and me about our relationship is going to happen sooner rather than later. She’s pregnant.”

“Woohoo,” Rose yelled, clapping her hands.

“We’re keeping it quiet for now, and I really don’t want Dad to know. I don’t want to deal with his crap, and I certainly don’t want Lucy having to deal with it. She has enough to contend with regarding Caroline, who has confronted Lucy at least twice.”

“You know, people disappear all the time,” Rose said, wiggling her eyebrows.

“Mom, I can’t believe you said that.”

“You know that I protect mine. Lucy and that baby are a part of us. If Caroline does anything, I’ll yank her by the hair of the head and twirl her around like a shot-put.”

“Mom.” Micah laughed.

Micah was smiling when his mother left. She was right. Lucy was a part of the family and she was a part of him.

15

Lucy

“Hi, Lucy,” Rose said, smiling brightly.

“I was wondering if you were available for lunch today?” she asked.

“Sure,” Lucy said. “I don’t think that Vera has started making anything for me yet.”

“I would love to take you to eat someplace,” Rose said.

“Um, would you mind if I drove?” Lucy asked, tentatively. She didn’t want to hurt Rose’s feelings, but she didn’t want to die, either.

Rose looked shocked for a second and then said, “You can drive.” She smiled as though she read Lucy’s mind.

Once they ordered, Rose whispered, “Micah told me you were pregnant. I’m so excited.”

Lucy smiled. “We are, too.”

“Don’t worry, I won’t say anything to anyone, although I think that you are starting to get a little bump. Women who are pregnant with shifter babies tend to show a lot sooner than women do with mundane human babies.”

“The doctor explained that when he told me what to expect,” Lucy said. “In some ways, a shifter pregnancy is harder because the baby grows so fast. It is a shorter gestation period, which can be nice.”

“I enjoyed being pregnant, although I was happy when Micah finally arrived.”

“If I can ask, why didn’t you have more kids?”

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