Page 26 of Valentine's with the Cartel

"Indeed," he rumbled. "The thought of fatherhood fills me with a sense of purpose and anticipation unlike anything I've ever known."

Chapter 16

Rafael

And so we were sitting down again with his bitch of an aunt, pretending like nothing was wrong even as I could feel my instincts screaming that something was very wrong indeed. I couldn't put my finger on it, but the way Anan had taken ill and bolted from the table—I knew this wasn't a case of mere indigestion. Something more was going on here. However, he didn't want to tell me. Later, I would make him.

But before I could dig into it further, Mara leaned forward with a shark-like smile spreading across her face as she fixed us both with that predatory gleam that never failed to set my teeth on edge.

"I hope you have saved room for dessert,"she purred even as her eyes flicked between our joined hands atop the table."Because I do believe the chef has prepared something rather special in honor of the newlyweds."There was a heavy emphasis on that last word that made me want to smash my fist into her perfectly sculpted face. Not to mention that we got married weeks ago. Hardly still 'newlyweds.'

I didn't like where this was going, but before I could protest, a waiter materialized beside our table and began laying out an assortment of decadent treats—rich chocolate tortes dripping with ganache, flaky croissants layered high with whipped cream, and delicate pastries dusted in powdered sugar. She'd made the order when we were in the restroom.

It all looked divine, I had to admit. But the sight made my stomach churn uneasily as I recalled how violently Anan had rejected his earlier meal. No way would he be able to handle such indulgence now, not when his body was already so clearly rebelling.

As if on cue, Anan shifted slightly beside me, a soft groan escaping him as he pressed a hand to his midsection with a grimace of discomfort.

My hackles rose at the sound and I turned my full attention to him, reaching out to cup his chin in my hand and tilt his face up so I could gauge his expression.

"Baby,"I murmured,"We don't have to stay if you're not feeling well. We can go back to the mansion and continue this conversation there."

I was trying hard not to alarm Anan, but internally I was screaming that we needed to get him out of here RIGHT NOW before Mara realized what was actually happening and tried to interfere somehow.

But as I searched his face for any hints of reassurance or denial, my heart nearly stopped as the truth hit me like a sledgehammer.

His pupils were blown wide with more than just simple queasiness—his entire demeanor screamed exhaustion and trepidation as he stared up at me with those guileless grey eyes.

And beneath his skin, I could scent the subtle change in his pheromones that could only mean one thing...

Anan was pregnant, no doubt about it. It was too soon for the changes to become so evident that they couldn't be denied anymore, but they were already there—the retching, the lightheadedness, even the clamminess of his skin.

He must have been carrying my child for weeks already, which begged the question: how long had he known? And why had he said nothing to me about it?

I wanted to roar with triumph and caveman pride at the thought of breeding my perfect omega, but I restrained myself—this was not the place for such a display. Instead, I simply tightened my grip on his chin and gave him a meaningful look.

"We're going,"I rumbled enough that only Anan could hear me."And you are going to explain why you didn't tell me about this earlier. Now."

I didn't wait for his response before rising from my seat and tugging him up with me, ignoring Mara's sputter of indignation at our sudden departure. She could go fuck herself sideways for all I cared right now.

I had an omega to take care of, one who was apparently already growing my cub, and she wasn't going to interfere in that sacred bond no matter what her objections were. I wouldn't let her.

As we strode toward the exit with Anan tucked beneath my arm, I caught sight of my driver lingering near my car. Soon, the interrogation would start.

We were going home where he would give me the straight facts about his condition and why he thought hiding it from me was a good idea in the first place.

If I had been anyone else, I would have flipped shit and yelled at him until I got my answers. But I loved Anan too much for that. I would get what I needed out of him as calmly as possible so he wouldn't be more upset than he already was.

I could never be too angry at him. I would never forgive myself if I let something like that happen.

I couldn't wait to get him home in my bed where I could worship his pregnant body properly and remind him who he belonged to.

And his aunt had no choice but to accept that. His pregnancy was the real reason behind her insistence on staying to talk for so long at dinner. She must have figured out something was wrong with Anan when she saw his face earlier. Fucking bitch.

Anan, on the other hand, just looked miserable and guilty as I all but hauled him into my car. He couldn't look me in the eye now that I had realized what he had been hiding from me. And it was more than the fact that he hadn't told me about the pregnancy. This went deeper than that. There was something else going on with him, and I would find out exactly what it was later tonight.

"Drive,"I growled at the waiting driver as I shoved Anan into the backseat, ignoring his soft cry of surprise."And if you so much as breathe a word of this to anyone, I will end your life. I promise you that."

The poor bastard nodded in terror as he scrambled behind the wheel and started the engine. I could smell his fear, which was good for him.

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