I’d managed to book an appointment with my doctor, shower, and eat a meal with time to spare. Now, I sat at the dining room table watching the damn seconds tick down. The past few hours had crawled by as I listened to Reagan’s and Gabriel’s many conversations. From what Gabriel had learned, the police were withholding the vampiric connection from the press. Understandably, they didn’t want to upset the public. But I could tell from Jerrik’s and Reagan’s shared glances that this was a monumental issue.

I should have been mourning Marie’s death, but right now, I couldn’t think of anything other than my upcoming conversation with Leif. I knew he’d ask why I never called. How could I tell him that I never called a guy after getting sweaty with him? A personal rule of mine after watching my mother’s endless parade of failed relationships.

Five minutes to eight, I began to pace through the kitchen. Every inch of me buzzed. Would he arrive on time? Come a bit late? And why did that even matter? My damn head kept spinning with questions. I hadn’t even had a chance to absorb this whole situation myself, and every time I started focusing on my own issues, guilt swept over me. There were far more important matters to handle right now, and here I was, latching onto Reagan for support when she clearly had a million other things on her mind.

Like vampires.

I still couldn’t believe it. After centuries, why return now? And what the hell were they doing here? Why target our pack? A power play, perhaps? To make Gabriel aware of their presence? To challenge him?

On my sixth lap around the kitchen, the doorbell rang.

My heart practically burst from my chest. I sucked in a rickety breath and wiped my slick palms on my jeans. Holy hell. This was happening. Right now.

“Shh. Take a deep breath.” Reagan cupped my shoulders and held my gaze, slowly nodding her head. “Good. Now, let it out. You’ve done nothing wrong. Accidents happen. And he’s just as responsible for this one as you are. Like you said earlier—he can either be a part of this or not. You aren’t going to pressure him into doing something he doesn’t want to do.”

When she said it like that, it almost sounded logical. “What are you and Jerrik going to do?”

“We’ll wait in here to give you guys a few minutes,” she said. “And remember, you did nothing wrong. Be upfront and honest with him.”

“Everything is so easy for you…”

She chuckled, then leaned in and brushed a light kiss against my cheek. “Only because I’m not the one in this situation.”

The doorbell chimed again.

With a nod, I straightened my top, then marched through the entryway. This wouldn’t be a pleasant conversation, but Leif had every right to know about his child. I reached for the doorknob, then hesitated the moment my fingers grazed the polished brass. What if he demanded I terminate the pregnancy? A chill shivered down my spine and lifted the hairs on the back of my neck. No. I shook my head and sucked in another deep breath. He couldn’t make that demand of me. And if he suggested it, I’d kick him square in the balls. It was that simple.

More determined than ever, I swung open the door.

There he stood, all six-four of him, and more gorgeous than I remembered—if that was possible. Over the past few months, I’d convinced myself that no one could look that good. But he proved me wrong. My gaze climbed every inch of him, taking the time to remind me of his massive chest, rigid jaw, and dark gaze.

Seemed I wasn’t the only one taking a moment to refresh my memory. Leif leaned against the porch wall, his denim-clad legs crossed at the ankles, perusing me as openly as I had him. I hadn’t dressed up for this, but from the smoldering heat in his eyes, it appeared my faded jeans and hoodie didn’t bother him.

“Hi,” I murmured.

“Hi, back,” he teased. With a light chuckle, he pushed off the wall, then leaned in and brushed his lips against mine. It was little more than a soft caress, and yet I melted into him, my legs suddenly incapable of holding my weight. Somehow, I’d forgotten how potent his kisses were, how intoxicating his scent, how thrilling his touch…

He cocked his head and regarded me with a curious light in his eyes. Reagan’s words came back to me, reminding me that I smelled different. I only hoped he didn’t notice until I had a chance to explain.

“You gonna invite me inside, elskan mín?” he whispered against my mouth.

Inside. Where Jerrik and Reagan awaited us. Maybe it was stupid, but I wanted a few minutes to ourselves before turning his world upside down. So, I lifted my chin and shook my head. “Let’s talk outside. It’s a beautiful night.”

Curiosity widened his eyes. “It’s freezing out.”

We were werewolves—we could handle it. A few minutes wouldn’t kill us. I gestured toward a pair of snow-covered patio chairs. “Have a seat.”

Laughter rumbled deep in Leif’s chest. “All right. I’ll play along.”

I grabbed the broom leaning haphazardly against the railing and swept the chairs clean, then sat. Honestly, I had no idea where to start. I couldn’t just blurt it out. I needed to work up to it.

“You look good,” I offered.

Good didn’t begin to describe him. If I ever thought Jerrik looked great in a leather jacket, it was nothing compared to Leif. The man filled out the supple material so spectacularly, it made my damn mouth water.

“Small talk? Really?”

I blew out a frosty breath and stared over my front yard. Shit. This was quite a bit harder than I’d expected. The words hovered on the tip of my tongue, but I froze whenever I tried to tell him. A few more minutes—that was all I needed. A different topic of conversation.

And I knew just the one.

“I didn’t invite you inside because I have guests,” I told him.

Leif leaned back in his chair, the chilled leather crinkling as he folded his arms over his chest. “All right. Why call me over then?”

“Because I think you might know these guests of mine.”

His brows furrowed.

“Jerrik and Reagan,” I finally admitted.

Leif sat stone still. If I hadn’t been watching for it, I might have missed the flash of anger that lit up his eyes or the sudden tightening of his muscles. He shot up from the chair and reached for the door, but didn’t enter. Instead, he balled his hands into fists and turned back to me with an accusatory glare. “You planned this?”

I shook my head. “Before today, I had no idea who you actually were. We met, we clicked, we had our fun—I never expected anything more. Then something happened today. Something changed. I mentioned your name to Jerrik and Reagan, and when I did…”

“What?” he demanded in a hoarse voice.

“Jerrik put everything together.”

“Do you have any idea what you’ve done?”

I shot him a deadly glare. “Excuse me? What I’ve done? The only reason you attended that event was to see him. Don’t deny it. But when he didn’t show, you settled for me. The girl who could get you close to him. I didn’t know who you were, but you sure knew who I was, so don’t play the injured party card with me, pal.”

Leif whipped a hand through his hair with a low growl. “Lucy…it wasn’t like that.”

“Sure it wasn’t.” I lifted my chin a notch. I was such a fool. Here I’d thought there’d been something between us, but he’d orchestrated everything. I wouldn’t fall for that again.

“Let me explain—”

“No need. I get it. Reagan and Jerrik were the ones who were supposed to be there. That was your chance to confront him finally, wasn’t it? Only, they backed out and sent me, instead. Not that you’d let that stop you. Why not take Reagan’s best friend out for a spin, right? Make a connection.” My inner wolf seethed at the idea of being used so thoroughly. “Tell me something, Leif. What was your plan? Ask for an introduction afterward? Force your way into my life until you finally made your way to Jerrik?”

A tic leapt at his jaw.

Hearing it all laid out downright pissed me off. I didn’t appreciate being used. And now we had a much bigger problem at hand.

“That isn’t why I slept with you. I’m not the sort of man who beds a woman just to get what he wants.”

Bitter laughter slipped past my lips. “That’s exactly why someone people fall into bed with each other.”

His exasperated sigh fogged the wintry air. “You know what I mean. Yes, I went to the charity event to confront Jerrik. But when I saw you… I knew who you were, I won’t lie about that. But I didn’t con my way into your bed with the hopes of getting closer to Jerrik or Reagan.”

I wasn’t sure I could believe that. “Why did you sleep with me, then?”

“Do you remember what I said in the elevator?”

I thought back to that moment. I remembered the feel of his lips against mine, of his fingers in my hair…

“I said I knew the moment I saw you. You want to know why I slept with you?” He crouched in front of me and took my hands. “Because the second I laid eyes on you, I knew you were my mate. I felt it deep in my bones. I didn’t tell you then because I didn’t want to scare you. I wanted to give you time to realize it yourself and come to me. I’ve waited a thousand years to find my mate, waiting a little longer wasn’t going to kill me.”

Even though it was minus ridiculous out, I suddenly felt my temperature spike. His mate? He had to be kidding, right? No one knew that quickly. That instantly. Except…Jerrik and Reagan had. The way she told it, she’d known the moment their eyes had met. She’d fought the attraction, denied the possibility, but her wolf had always known. And our wolves were never wrong.

Holy shit.

I couldn’t breathe. I slumped over and placed my head between my knees. Mates. Oh, my God. This couldn’t be happening. My wolf had come alive the second I’d laid eyes on Leif. She’d pranced around in my head like she’d won the jackpot. I hadn’t put it together then. Hadn’t been willing to.

“Hey,” Leif murmured. He brushed his thumbs along my knuckles. “It’s all right. Take a deep breath.”

“No,” I mumbled from between my legs. “It’s not all right. I don’t want a mate. Never had.”

Mates were complicated and messy. Not that our situation was perfect. But the emotions, the dedication…I’d never wanted that.

“It doesn’t matter,” I forced out before he could respond. “Only one thing matters right now.”

“And what’s that?”

I pushed to my feet and stared down at him. It was now or never, and I chose now. “I’m pregnant.”

I wasn’t sure what reaction I’d expected. A dramatic gasp? A sudden panic-induced rage? Him insisting I was lying? Or worst-case scenario, him leaping off the patio and vanishing into the darkness. But I’d never considered humor. So, when his entire body started to shake with laughter, I was the one left blindsided.

He was laughing. What the hell was so funny?

I planted my hands on my hips and glared at the bastard, silently daring him to keep laughing.

“Sorry. I thought you said you were—”

“Pregnant,” I growled. “I did say that. Because I am.”

The laughter slowly died, and his grin slipped from his face. “Wait, what?”

Not so funny now, hey, chuckles?

He studied my face, his eyes slowly widening. “You’re not kidding.”

“No, I’m not. I’m eleven weeks.”

I watched his mental gears kick in. “Eleven weeks…meaning…”

“Meaning, I’m pregnant, and you’re the father. Congratulations.”

“But…we used condoms.”

I gave a haughty shrug. “Guess that didn’t matter.”

A sudden silence crashed over him, his unblinking gaze locked onto me. I gave him a few seconds. Then a few minutes, until finally, a wintry chill began to creep into my bones.

“Say something, would you?” I insisted.

No response. I’d had all day to somewhat adjust to this news, and even I wasn’t quite there yet—I could spare a few minutes for him. But soon, the cold became unbearable. Sure, we were werewolves, but we’d been outside long enough for me to feel Jack Frost nipping at my nose. I lifted my hands to my mouth and blew warm air over my fingers.

Eventually, life slowly returned to Leif. He released a long, shuddering breath, then blinked.

Thank God. A response.

“You all right?” I asked.

“Sorry. You…caught me a bit off guard there.”

“Welcome to my life.”

He shook his head as though to clear the cobwebs, then met my gaze. And right before my eyes, he started…smiling. “You’re pregnant.”

I blinked, stunned by the sight of his grin. My eyes flew wide, shock rendering me useless. What the hell? I’d expected panic, fear, maybe anger. Not…excitement.

Without any warning, Leif wrenched me into his arms and swooped in for a kiss—a reaction I’d never even considered. The second his mouth covered mine, my body went boneless, and I found myself gripping his arms for balance. The feel of his tongue stroking mine awoke my wolf. She rose to the surface with a contented rumble, her eyes all for me, as though gauging my reaction.

Of course, that was the moment fate decided to intervene—the nosy bitch.