Page 23 of Hidden Pain

“Shit.” Selene placed her hand against her stomach. “It’s all ok, my little one. Lily’s a friend now and won’t hurt us.”

Emma edged closer to Lily, ready to grab Zahara should Selene transform into god knows what. The multi-shifter’s skin turned green and mystical patterns appeared on her body.

All of a sudden, a massive snow leopard and male lion appeared in the doorway to the room. They’d obviously been running, because as they entered the room, they desperately tried to screech to a halt with their claws digging into the wooden floor to avoid smacking into the wall directly next to her.

“You didn’t need to do that,” Selene scolded, looking down at her stomach. The lion and snow leopard shifted to the human forms of Scott, Emma’s partner, and Brayden, Selene’s mate.

“What the hell?” Scott looked around the room. “Selene?”

“Lily.” Emma said by way of explanation, motioning to where the bear shifter was still sitting with Zahara sleeping silently in her arms. Both of the men turned toward her.

“I see.” Brayden rubbed at his head and went to his mate who was still green.

Scott remained standing frozen to the spot.

“Zahara’s asleep?” He looked at his partner in amazement, his mouth dropping open.

“Yes, she is,” Emma replied and wrapped her arm around her husband’s naked waist.

Brayden placed his hand over Selene’s pregnant stomach. “See, Zahara isn’t worried about Lily anymore. She’s sleeping, and you know she hasn’t done that most of the night, because her stomach has been hurting.” He was talking to the baby like it could understand everything he said. Gradually, the color of Selene’s skin changed again. This time back to her human form.

“When your kid gets out, Zahara is so going to have him wrapped around her finger. He’s doomed.” Scott laughed.

“He or she,” Selene retorted.

“That baby is so a boy!” Scott countered back. Selene looked at Brayden for back up.

“Sorry. I have to agree. It’s a boy.”

Selene threw her hands up in the air.

“Men.”

Lily let out a little chuckle, and everyone looked at her. They all fell silent. Lily was suddenly feeling the need to apologize and get out of the room.

“I’m sorry, Selene. I know what I did to you was a terrible mistake. I trusted Nuka. I thought his principals were right, but I know now they are wrong. I’m going to do everything I can to help you all fight for what is best for both humans and shifters.”

Emma and Selene came to her while Scott and Brayden grabbed some clean clothes and dressed. The lioness and multi shifter sat either side of her on the chair and wrapped their arms around her.

“We know. Don’t worry. You have our protection. You’re part of the family now.” Emma smiled.

“I think you have my baby’s approval as well…given I’m not going all snarly or turning you into a frog,” Selene added with a laugh.

“Thank you.” Lily felt warmth swelling in her heart. They genuinely meant what they were saying.

“Nuka is an enigma. He does have kindness in him. He helped me and gave me a home when I needed it. He’s blinded by his ambitions, though,” Lily explained.

Emma looked sad, “He tried to have me executed for a murder I didn’t commit and then planned to force me into marriage—all for his own gain. Those are not the actions of a man who’s embracing the goodness within.”

“I’ll never forget him torturing Brayden,” Selene added with a tear in her eye.

Lily looked down at the innocent baby in her arms, who was being hidden out here for her safety rather than being back home with the other members of her Glacial Blood family. It wasn’t fair, and Lily knew she had the power within her to help them.

“Nuka’s done so many malevolent things, and he has plans for even more. I’m going to talk to Kas and give him as much information as I can…in case any of it will help,” Lily announced. Part of her felt sick at betraying the man who’d saved her when she’d fled the circus, but another part knew it was the right thing to do. “He’s working on something big. I don’t know the full details, but I think Kas will want to know that it involves his grandfather.”

Brayden sucked in air, and the others gasped.

“His grandfather?”

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