Page 56 of The Silent Mate

On instinct, I sent tendrils of awareness through our bond. Though countless miles separated us, I could sense she was safe. Her side of the bond felt rather peaceful, no doubt because she was currently sleeping, but I willed a wave of warmth to sweep over her through the bridge connecting our minds, like a physical caress.

Roman ducked to avoid a low-hanging vine.You possess knowledge of the most sacred bond possible between two shifters. I’m just curious about how it works.

My jaw tightened, but I sensed no deceit in his explanation. With another huff, I offered an answer.It’s beginning to grow dimmer, though it lasted far longer than any pack bond. By the time we reach Mendosia, I’d guess we’ll barely be able to feel one another.

I’m sorry, brother,Roman murmured.I know how devoted you are to her. Rest assured, she’ll be well taken care of in your absence.

Kindness veiled his ominous words.

26

ARIA

It had been sixty hours since Malik left, and I stopped being able to sense him through our bond an entire day ago.

The bond still existed, but only an empty void waited on the other side. I’d felt it dimming as the miles between us increased, but I never expected it to go completely silent. It was the worst feeling in the world.

Nausea lingered at the base of my throat, though I hadn’t eaten enough breakfast this morning to actually lose my stomach. In fact, I hadn’t eaten much at all since Malik departed for the quarterly patrol three days prior. While the rest of the pack focused on the War Trials, every fiber in my being screamed to be reunited with its mate.

“Aria, love,” Estelle cooed from the other side of the clinic where she was patching up a female warrior with a nasty cut on her arm. “Maybe you should go home and rest. I can handle the clinic for the rest of the evening.”

I blinked, willing my hazy vision to focus on the seniorhealer. “I’m alright.” The words came out in an unconvincing husk. “There’s only a few more hours until the final match ends, right?”

“That’s right,” she confirmed, though worry still plagued her features. “It’s natural to feel withdrawn with your fated mate so far away, but you look unwell. Are you certain you’re not sick?”

Honestly, I’d felt downright ill for the past two days, but I figured it was due to Malik’s absence. I lifted a single shoulder in a shrug. “Just not eating very well. Or sleeping very well.”

Estelle’s brows knit together, and she narrowed her eyes at me while she wrapped the warrior’s arm. “Nausea?”

I dipped my chin. “A little.”A lot.

“What about your breasts? Are they sore?”

Heat flushed to my cheeks at the personal question, and my eyes darted to the other patients and nurses filling the clinic. If any of them were listening to our conversation, they didn’t show it.

I cleared my throat, wrapping my arms around my chest and taking note of the dull ache in my breast tissue.Goddess,I hadn’t even noticed. “Yes.”

The analyzing gleam in Estelle’s eyes softened, and she finished wrapping the patient’s arm before rounding the examination table. She crossed the room to rummage through a cabinet, then pulled out a single blue box. When she approached, my eyes widened at the label adorning the cardboard in her hand.Pregnancy test.

“Go to the bathroom,” Estelle instructed, a small smile gracing her lips. “Take all the time you need.”

“I- I don’t think I could already be...” I faltered, mouth opening and closing as I searched for an explanation. All the while, something like hope flickered in my chest for the first time in days. “It’s only been a few weeks. Would it even show up so early?”

“The gestational age for shifters is only seven months.” Estelle’s eyes flickered to my stomach. “You’d be surprised how quickly a pup takes root.”

The whites of my eyes flared, and I took the pregnancy test from her hand. Anticipation and nerves heightened my heart rate as I sought refuge in the restroom, locking the door behind me. I read and re-read the instruction pamphlet inside the box, then tore through the foil protecting the test stick.

When I’d finished, I set the test face-down on a tissue, unable to bear the thought of watching it for the three-minute processing window. I counted to sixty in my head, then again and again, pacing back and forth on the tile floor.

I could feel my heartbeat in my fingertips as I finished the final countdown and approached the pregnancy test stick. Taking a deep breath, I reached for the plastic and turned it over. Two windows displayed little red lines. The first window—thetestwindow—held only a single line, but the second window…

Two lines. Positive.

One hand flew over my mouth as I stared at the test, tears prickling my eyes. I was pregnant. “Thank you, Moon Goddess,” I whispered, eyes rising to the ceiling as if I could see through it to the sky.

The pregnancy test wavered in my fingers, a result of my trembling hands, and I clamped my eyes shut to focus on the bond connecting my soul to Malik’s. I wanted to speak to him—to feel him. To allowhimto feel my sheer joy at the news. I wanted to share the moment with him.

And yet, on the other side of the bond, nothingness gaped back at me.

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