Page 87 of Peacock Me Like a Hurricane

No. That wouldn’t be right. I’m big and bad, for sure, but that’s not the dad I plan on being.

I said a few tiny storms; I believe. Back to today. It’s Sunday. It’s been ten days since Beltane and it’s time for the test. I know that it has because I’ve laid awake every day for a week thinking about it. What will change, what will she do about the other mates afterward, how will this work: every question about it has passed through my mind in a loop around three am every night? I don’t tell her that because I don’t want her thinking that I’m having second thoughts.

Nothing could be further from the truth.

I waited until she was asleep and filled the bedroom with flowers. Plus, I have a few surprises tucked away. I wanted this morning to be special for her—for us—from the moment her eyes opened. That’s where it all went wrong.

My phone buzzed, and I chased down that bloody scarf with legs to get it. When I answered, I got an ear chewing from Talia for not answering. I didn’t tell her it took me a bit to answer because a rodent had beaten me. She’d never let me live it down. Besides, I couldn’t get a word in edgewise.

She had an emergency with her family on the other side and didn’t reach through our connection so she didn’t interrupt a private moment. It’s too early for that, but I got the impression that it had more to do with where she was. She didn’t go home and didn’t want to tell me. That’s a conversation for later; the minx might’ve had a point earlier this week.

I got commanded to show up and be presentable in public. I scrambled to the workout room—it’s soundproofed so I wouldn’t wake my mate. Then I cursed a blue streak, pleaded, and whined, but when your primary needs you, there’s no telling her ‘no,’ especially when it’s Talia.

My minx is going to wake up alone—which I know she hates—on this day of all days. I’m so sodding angry that I’d like to take out an entire theme park. I left her a note with the flowers and a promise that I’ll be back as soon as possible.

Hopefully, when she sees where I absconded to, she’ll at least get a giggle.

The Cat Is Left To Amuse Herself

DELILAH

Heart of Mine,

You’ll never believe me if I tell you why, but I’m being dragged off to a sodding church for a couple of hours.

Here I thought the last three days were rough!

Never doubt for one minute that I’ll be thinking about you all day and that I’ll be imagining you there with me, eating parishioners. Say a curse for me, love, and hope that I don’t get ‘saved’.

Do you think I should worry about my eternal soul?

I miss you; I love you, and I feel you inside me always.

Taurus

The faint scent of fresh flowers and rich coffee flooded my senses as I stirred awake. I felt the warmth of the morning sun spilling in through the window, casting a golden glow on my pillow. And there, nestled on the soft fabric, was a note from him.

Being a nocturnal creature by nature, waking up in the morning is always a challenge for me, but this morning is different. The enticing scents of fresh blooms in every corner makes my nose twitch with excitement. This is going to be an amazing day.

At the same time, all these new smells are overwhelming my sensitive feline nose. I shake my head, trying to clear the fog from my brain and focus on the note he left for me. He beat me to our usual wake-up presents, but I have something special planned for today that will change our lives forever. I kept it hidden last night, knowing today will be a day filled with celebration leading up to our appointment.

I have no idea when the appointment actually is, but being Taurus, I trusted that he has everything under control. He probably has someone on call, ready to assist us whenever we’re ready. But right now, he is at church.

Whiskey tango foxtrot, people.

I can’t help but imagine Taurus sitting stiffly in a pew, his frustration growing as he listens to the preacher’s sermon alongside Talia and her family. They must stick out like two dark knights among the floral-dressed southern churchgoers. The thought makes me giggle, but I’m also frustrated their plans put a hold on my surprise.

Now what am I supposed to do while he’s gone? I can’t just sit here and wallow in my annoyance. That won’t solve anything.

As my eyes take in the colorful array of flowers strewn across the room, I feel a surge of panic rising within me. Before I die from sensory overload, I need to find some vases to distributethese beautiful blooms. Hex mentioned that many people sent flowers after Beltane, so I quickly send him a text asking for his help in arranging them before I lose my breakfast.

In the meantime, I need to find something suitable to wear when the doctor arrives—something accessible yet not too revealing that could potentially get someone killed if they look at me wrong. Philomena is my last hope as I frantically search through my closet and send a message to her along with Hex.

I also desperately need to shower as Taurus has kept me confined to this bed for days now. My rumbling stomach reminds me that eating is an absolute must, and I should also squeeze in some training to keep my body sharp for what’s to come. After all, it will be crucial once I start gaining pregnancy weight.

As I make my way to the closet to change into my training garb, I decide that it’s best to work up an appetite first and go hunting before washing up. It saves me from having to repeat the process if I get dirty while searching for food. Glancing over at Aradia, who is lounging on a massive pillow by the fireplace with Twist curled up on her back, I ask, “Are you ready for some action, lady?”

She looks up at me with her piercing blue eyes before nodding her head ever so slightly. “Give me a few minutes to work up a sweat and then we’ll go grab some breakfast, my love.”

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