Page 55 of Claimed By Shadows

CHAPTER THIRTY

“ISLAND” BY SVRCINA

IRIS

Hunter makes the most delicious spread of food I’ve ever eaten; succulent meat dressed in herbs and spices, gorgeous wild rice with vegetables and almonds, and the most sublime Peach shortcake with Sindyanna cream that has me moaning and three heated gazes locked on me.

I drop my stare, unable to hold theirs as a feeling of faintness rolls over me. I know where this leads, and while at Serene Haven I could keep my secret hidden, here, they will want to see all of me and won’t be able to miss my rounded stomach.

“I’m going to get ready for bed,” I say in a rush, getting to my feet and hurrying to the bedroom, grabbing my silk robe and going into the beautiful bathroom, shutting the door behind me and locking it.

With trembling hands, I strip off, looking at my body in the large mirror on the wall. My soft lace bra can’t hide that my boobs are bigger, which are so fucking tender at the moment. Myknickers also sit under the swell of my stomach, highlighting the slight roundness even more.

“You knew you had to tell them at some point, Iris,” I whisper to my reflection, trailing my fingertips over my stomach. There’s a small flutter inside, and my lips twitch. “I know, little one. I’m not ashamed. Just…scared. I can’t lose them.”

“Everything okay, Peaches?” I jump as Hunt’s voice sounds from outside the door, his tone tinged with worry.

“Y–yes. I’m fine,” I rush out, throwing the robe over me, tying the belt, and flushing the toilet as if that’s why I was in here. “Be out in a minute.”

I try to calm my breathing as I unlock the door, opening it to find all three of them in the room, matching looks of concern furrowing their brows as they stare at me.

“Hey,” Hunt murmurs softly, stepping close and brushing his fingers down my arm, leaving tingles in his wake. “We don’t have to do anything you’re uncomfortable with. We just want to worship you, in whatever way you are happy with.”

His fingers tangle with the tie around my waist, and he starts to pull one end, but my hands fly to the edges of the silk, keeping it closed.

“I… I can’t,” I stutter, clutching my robe tighter as a wave of panic rushes over me, leaving me almost dizzy.

Hunt’s eyes narrow, his gaze darting to where I hold my robe closed, and my mouth goes dry. “What do you mean you can’t, Peaches?”

The twins exchange confused glances before they settle back on me, and it feels as though the walls are closing in, the secret that I’ve kept for these past four months clamouring to be set free, threatening to burst out of me. They step towards me, and usually being surrounded by my guys makes me feel safe, but tonight I just feel like I can’t take in enough air.

“Hey, it’s okay,” Roman says softly, reaching for my hand, and it’s the look of understanding, of sorrow in his usually laughing brown eyes that is my undoing. “Whatever it is?—”

“I’m pregnant!” The words explode from me, hanging in the suddenly silent air. My tight body sags, like finally telling them has released me from a burden that I never wanted but had all the same. It’s a relief, even as barbed-winged butterflies threaten to tear my insides apart as I look at each of their faces.

Three pairs of eyes are wide in shock, three mouths slightly agape as they stare at me. I watch as understanding dawns on their faces, their eyes clearing. Then it’s followed swiftly by a storm of emotions I can’t begin to untangle, regardless of how desperate I am to learn how they feel. To beg them not to hate me for keeping my rapist’s baby.

“You’re... what?” Roman whispers, his voice barely audible, but as his eyes dart down to my stomach, then back up to my face, I know he heard me loud and clear.

I swallow hard, my hand instinctively moving to my stomach as I take a deep inhale. “I’m pregnant,” I repeat, softer this time, my fingers stroking across the silk covering my small bump. As if my baby knows I need the support, there’s a flutter and my lips tremble. “And it’s... it’s Sergi’s.”

Roman stumbles, taking a few steps back and sitting heavily on the bed as if he’s been knocked over. His gaze stares out at nothing, his hands raking through his long hair, his lips parted but unmoving. Hunt growls, stepping away with sharp, jerky movements, the sound sending shivers up my spine as his fists clench and unclench at his sides, his jaw tight as his gaze bores into mine.

“I won’t get rid of it, Hunt. This baby is innocent and I won’t take its life just because of the sins of its father.” My voice is unwavering, uncompromising as I speak my truth.

I’ve had months to accept it, to make my decision, and nothing will shift me from it. A pang makes my heart twinge, thinking that it may cost me the loyalty and love of these men, my soulmates, but if they were truly the other parts of me, they wouldn’t make me choose.

Rowan shifts, having been silent the whole time, his gaze intense as he stares at the ground before my bare feet. I can’t read what’s going on in his amber eyes, and sweat drips down my spine as I wait for his judgement. His gaze finally meets mine, and I freeze when he closes the distance between us, his presence like an incoming snowstorm, all swirling violence and freezing winds. I can’t move, can’t do a damn thing as he gets closer, his eyes never leaving mine.

He suddenly drops to his knees, a gasp leaving my lips as he parts the robe that I was clutching so closely to me only moments before. The silk slips between my fingers, tears stinging my eyes as he brings out one of his favourite blades, the twin of the one he gave me that Sergi stole all those weeks ago.

My heartbeat thrashes in my ears, my palms slick even as I’m frozen, waiting to see what he plans to do with the knife.

Then my mouth drops open when he slices the metal across his palm, bringing his steady hand to the small swell of my stomach, and placing his palm flat across my skin. It’s warm, almost burning, and I can feel the wetness of the blood branding me.

“I swear on the blood that runs through my cursed veins to love and protect our baby with every fucked up part of me.” I can barely see his beautiful face through my tears, his words tearing into me and stitching up a part of me I didn’t even know was torn. “I’m so fucking sorry you’ve been alone in this, Lamb, but we will look after you both, every day for the rest of our lives because they are nothing without you.”

“Oh, Roo,” I sob, looking up as Roman comes up beside his brother, and my hand flies to my mouth when he drops to his knees too.

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