Page 76 of The Wolf's Bullied Pregnant Mate
“I am not convinced,” she said, shaking her head. “I only want what’s best for you, Adalyn. I watched you cry over that man, and now you’re ready to give up your coven for him?”
“I’m not giving up anything for him,” I insisted. “We want a future where there are no divides between shifters and witches. We want to make Azure Cove safer—together. He doesn’t want me to give up my coven. I have forgiven him for his past behavior as he has forgiven mine. Why can’t you do the same?”
Silence settled for a moment.
“What if he hurts you again?” Gramma asked, her expression softening. “What if history repeats itself and your love returns to hatred?”
I shook my head resolutely. “I don’t want to think like that.”
I cradled my stomach, already swelling with what should be a two-month bump after a week. Thanks to Zephyr’s shifter DNA, it had been confirmed that my pregnancy time would be halved. I was terrified, but if Harper could do it, then so could I.
“Is this really what you want?” Gramma asked.
“It is all I want,” I told her. “I want a life here with Zephyr. I want our child to grow up loved by both parents, knowing all the history of the island, and to be safe. I want you as part of our lives.”
Her mouth pressed into a line. “He destroyed the sanctuary.”
“And has been working with the other shifters to rebuild it.”
Gramma narrowed her eyes. “And the military? What happens when they call for him?”
“He is already making new arrangements,” I told her. “His future is still up in the air with his work, but he doesn’t want to be parted from me. He loves me, Gramma.”
She took a few moments to think about it. She walked around the cottage’s living room before coming to a stop behind the sofa, looking at me.
“Then I give you my blessing, Adalyn,” she said, lifting her chin. “But it is a tentative one. He gets no strikes. No warnings. If he hurts you, then I will ensure he knowsexactlywho the Matron of the Lindell clan is. Understood?”
“Very much,” I said, unable to contain my grin.
And then my grandmother’s stoic composure broke as I rushed to hug her. “When did my little girl grow up?” she sighed.
“Right before your eyes, Gramma,” I told her softly, smiling.
***
“Your grandmother is fearless, but I have something else for you,” Zephyr said later that day. White paint streaked down his tanned arms, marring the blackout tattoo. “My own grandparents. They practically worship the shifter who came to Azure Cove. They’re quite fond of witches, so they’llloveyou.”
He shot me a grin. “Thanksgiving will be amazing.”
I couldn’t help but laugh as we continued painting our baby’s nursery. Zephyr was talking more openly now about his past and where he had come from. I found out his grandparents still lived in Pennsylvania, about half an hour away from his mom, and although he hadn’t seen them in years, he wanted to visit soon so we could all be introduced.
He pondered the concept of bringing the Lindell Matron along.
“We’re old enough to choose our own lives,” I muttered. “I love my grandmother, but I shouldn’t have needed toaskto love you. The feuds have caused too much trouble. We’re going to raise our child without the feuds.”
“Well, all their uncles are shifters, as well as their dad,” Zephyr said. “So, obviously.”
I snorted, flicking paint in his direction. “Smart ass.”
“But I fear the only hatred they might have will be aimed at us if I can’t get this damn crib up,” he muttered. He had given up on painting and tried to fix up the crib but ended up sitting in a pile of wood.
“You can be the best sharpshooter in the military, but you can’t build a crib?” I teased.
He rolled his eyes. “Hammers and nails aren’t my forte. You want to come over here and try?”
“Actually,” I said slowly, “I know someone who’d find this task more difficult than you do.”
***
