Page 22 of The Wolf Slayer

“I don’t know. I never missed taking a pill, I swear.” More tears started running down her cheeks. “Blake, I’m so sorry. I don’t know what happened.”

“Are you sure?”

“I took the first test a few days ago and then again each day after. They were all positive.”

He nodded and seemed as if he was still trying to wrap his head around what was happening.

“I know you need time to process all of this, so do I. Just know that I won’t force you to do anything. It’s up to you how you want to deal with this.”

He reached up and wiped her tears. “I’ll never leave you.” Even while saying that his face was emotionless.

“Please just tell me that you’re angry with me. I messed up. You don’t have to pretend.”

He took a deep breath, seemingly to keep his emotions in check. “I’m not angry with you. I could never be angry with you. It’s just unexpected, and it changes everything.”

“I didn’t mean for this to happen.”

“I know you didn’t.” He let out a soft sigh and looked back down at the test in his hand. “I also know I’ve done you wrong, and I owe you an explanation.” He looked back up, their eyes interlocking. “But to do so you’ll need to meet my family.”

Suddenly, she felt lightheaded. The thought of meeting his family scared her to death. “When?” Her voice was trembling.

“Today.”

Her whole body started shaking. “Today? I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

Blake set the test aside and took her hands in his, his touch much sweeter than she’d anticipated. “Don’t worry it’s going to be fine.”

“They’ll be angry with me.”

He got up and sat next to her, wrapping his arms tightly around her shoulders. “Don’t be afraid. You did nothing wrong.” He laid a hand gently on her belly. “You both are part of me, and they’ll have to accept that you belong to me now.”

His touch calmed her and even though she was still scared, her body slowly relaxed. “I’m afraid.” It wasn’t an easy confession to make, after all they were his family.

“You don’t need to be. I’ll be by your side at all times.”

She’d expected every kind of reaction from him walking out, yelling, and screaming or him even asking her to terminate. She’d expected everything but this. She was unsure about meeting his family. It was very sudden. On the other hand, her pregnancy was too.

“Are you sure I have to meet them?”

“Are you that afraid of them?” he asked, his eyes full of worry.

“A little. They don’t seem to like outsiders very much.”

“They might seem a little harsh to you at first, but as soon as you get to know them, you’ll understand.”

“If I go with you, will I be able to come back home if I wish to do so?”

He seemed a little confused, but nodded. “Of course.”

She took her time thinking about her options. She wanted to understand Blake better and know why he’d been so secretive. Meeting his parents would hopefully answer all her questions. On the other hand, she was afraid of them, she was afraid if she left with him now, she wouldn’t be able to return home. Her suspicions of him and his family being in a cult terrified her. As she weighed out her options, she felt a tugging deep within her, the same tugging feeling she’d felt over the past few weeks every time she’d been unsure of what to do. The feeling got stronger, and she eventually caved in.

“I’ll go with you, only if you promise you’ll take me back home whenever I want.”

“I promise you I’ll take you home whenever you like.” He pulled her into a tighter hug and gave her a kiss on the forehead.

Somehow, his lips touching her skin repaired her trust toward him.

She sighed and stood up. “I guess, I should take a shower and change. I’d prefer if your family’s first impression of me isn’t a homeless woman.”

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