Page 28 of Pregnant Kidnapped Mate

“You can smell me being pregnant?” she asked. Her face was blank, and I couldn’t determine if she was unnerved or fascinated.

“Yeah.”

“That explains why the woman at the counter winked at me when I bought the test,” she muttered, more to herself than anyone else.

“You’re pregnant,” I repeated.

Now that the initial shock had passed, the reality of the situation had hit. Iris was pregnant. I was happier than I could have imagined, and my wolf seemed just as content about it. I was going to be a dad. It was incredible.

But then, my muscles stiffened. Iris was human. I didn’t know how a human would handle a shifter baby.

I crouched beside her. “How are you feeling?” My hand went to her face, cupping it gently. “Any pain? Anything abnormal?”

“I don’t know. I don’t think so? Queasy, but that’s a given. But it isn’t like I’ve been pregnant before.” She leaned into my touch, closing her eyes and taking a deep breath. When she opened her eyes again, worry flickered there as she searched my face. “Is it going to be all right? You being a shifter, and me being a human?”

“I don’t know,” I admitted, chewing on my lip. The fact that I was going to be a dad was incredible. I couldn’t believe it, and I couldn’t believe how overwhelmingly happy I was about it. But it was marred over worry for Iris. I wasn’t going to be able to rest, much less celebrate, until I got answers. I stood.

“I’m going to call Klyte,” I said, already going for my phone.

Iris looked startled. “Do you have to?” she asked, her voice slightly more high-pitched than normal.

“They’ll find out eventually,” I told her. “And I trust Klyte. More importantly, he’s the best healer I know. I want him to take a look at you to make sure everything’s all right.”

“Alek, that’s not—”

“I’m not arguing on this one,” I said firmly.

She sighed, then nodded. “I guess everyone will find out, anyway. At least as soon as they can smell me.”

“It’ll be all right,” I promised. I stepped outside, looking at the stunning mountain view from my balcony as I waited for Klyte to pick up.

“What’s up?” Klyte was never one to mince words, though he sounded mildly out of breath.

“Are you busy?”

“Malcolm and I are finishing up a sparring match, so I’m in desperate need of a shower. But beyond that, no busier than normal. Why?”

“I need your help,” I said.

“Always happy to help you bury a body,” Klyte said cheerily. “Who’d you kill this time?”

“No one. It’s kind of the opposite.” I took a deep breath. There was really no way of getting around it. “Iris is pregnant.”

There was a long pause on the other side of the line. “Are you sure?”

“Positive. Do you know anything about human/shifter babies?”

“Not a whole lot. It’s not something I’ve had much experience with,” he said thoughtfully. “I’m grabbing my med bag now. I’ll be there soon.”

***

A knock sounded on the door, and I opened it, blinking when I saw Malcolm standing next to Klyte.

“He was listening in on the conversation and insisted on coming,” Klyte said, rolling his eyes. “In-laws. Can’t seem to shake them.”

Malcolm swatted him on the back of the head, but not without affection. “I figured I might be able to help,” Malcolm said. “I know a bit about shifter/human relationships.”

“So, it’s happened before?” I stepped aside to let them in and guided them into the living room.

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