Chapter Fifteen
“Are you sure?” Darby asked.
Gideon nodded. “It’s definitely twins. Congratulations.”
“As I said before, we’ll want to monitor you closely for the next three months. I’m not sure if shifter pregnancies with multiples have the same issues as human ones or not. Do you?” Diane glanced at all of them.
Calloway tensed beside Darby. She knew he was already worried about her, and nothing she said would make him stop. Until she delivered and she and the babies were healthy, his fears wouldn’t ease. She doubted he’d ever stop worrying about her or their children though.
“I haven’t read anything about pregnancies,” she said. “The watchers never went into detail about those. There were just brief statements saying a child had been born to a particular shifter.” Or saying a child and mate had been lost, but she wasn’t sharing that with Calloway in the room. Besides, the pride had successfully seen two pregnancies from start to finish, so Darby felt as if the odds were in her favor.
“There can be complications,” Gideon admitted. “I won’t lie about that. However, I think as long as we keep a close eye on you and the babies, we’ll be able to stay on top of everything. We’ll want you in here twice a week to start with, Darby. I’m afraid it will be daily as the pregnancy progresses.”
“She’ll be here,” Calloway confirmed. She wondered if he realized his hand trembled where it rested against her back.
“And everything will be fine,” she said. “I’m young and healthy. I have the advantage of having all of you, who will be watching me like hawks. Plus, I’ll voice any concern I have immediately.”
Diane nodded. “We have rooms downstairs. We suggest the two of you move in there once you get closer to delivery.”
“Perfect,” Darby agreed, clapping her hands. “Sounds like we have a plan. I’ve never been much of an athlete, so I’m not sure if I should say ‘Go, team’ or slap everyone on the ass.”
Gideon laughed. Calloway growled, his hand dipping to cup one of her buttocks and give it a squeeze.
“So eat healthy, don’t overdo it, get plenty of sleep, and take the prenatal vitamins though you’re not sure if they’ll really help during a shifter pregnancy.” Darby rattled off the list of information Diane had given her.
“They won’t hurt,” Diane told her.
“Just one more thing then,” Darby said, bracing herself for Calloway’s reaction. “Sex.”
“It’s too soon to tell if you’re having boys or girls,” Diane said. “Most likely we’ll be able to tell around the six or seven week mark.”
“Oh,” Darby gushed. “That’s exciting, but what I meant was Calloway and I continuing to have sex during the pregnancy.”
Gideon flushed, turning his head but not quick enough to hide his grin. Diane smiled, her gaze softening. Calloway growled again. This time, his whole chest seemed to expand with the sound.
“Darby,” he warned.
“I just want confirmation that it won’t hurt the babies if we continue having sex, because I have a feeling my mate will decide otherwise.”
“You can have sex right up to delivery as long as there’s no discomfort,” Diane assured them both. “Sex actually works really well to keep your mate relaxed, Calloway. Feel free to speak with either my mate or Tah if you have any questions you’re not comfortable asking me. You might have to get a bit creative with positions as her belly grows, especially with two fetuses developing—”
“Uh, that’s enough. Thanks,” Calloway growled, and Darby tried to bite off her laughter. He was going to kill her for bringing this up in front of Diane and Gideon, but she’d already foreseen him trying to tell her they needed to take it easy or stop all together. That wasn’t happening. She needed him too much.
“Well, I’m here if you have any other questions,” Diane offered.
“Thank you. I—” Darby’s eyes widened as she cut off what she’d been saying. “That’s my phone! Excuse me!” She jerked it out of her pocket and walked a few steps away as she answered.
“Hello?” The number was displaying as a blocked call which could mean another watcher, her dad, or a response to the call she’d placed into the network.
“The location you were given wasn’t found. The lab has been moved or closed. MQJ has not been located.”
“Not found,” Darby repeated. “Are you still looking? Do you know who MQJ is?”
“We’re searching. I can’t give you any further information at this time.” The voice was almost robotic, and it clicked in her mind that the person was using something to disguise his or her voice, even from Darby.
“Why?” she demanded. “I could help. Contact—”
“Let it go. MQJ is not the only one at risk. We will be in touch if and when we have further information.”
Silence filled her ear as the call disconnected.
“What did they say?” Gideon asked.
She shared a look with Calloway. He’d been close enough that she knew he’d heard both side of the conversation.
“The lab this person was sent to has either moved location or been closed. They can’t locate the person requesting extraction,” Calloway answered for her. “If there’s nothing else you need to go over with us, we’ll head over to the main house and speak with Tah.”
Diane and Gideon both nodded. Darby saw the concern in their eyes. They both thought MQJ was Dr. Jensen’s daughter. They probably knew Jensen better than anyone since they worked with him. To hear the pride talk, he was a good guy. If this person was his daughter, Darby prayed they’d find her in time.
“They’re going to keep looking,” Darby added. “But they have to be careful. Every inquiry they make puts more than her at risk.”
“Of course,” Diane agreed.
“I’ll keep calling in if I need to,” Darby vowed. “I won’t let this rest.”
Gideon nodded and walked away. Darby had a feeling he was remembering his stay in a hunter’s lab and all that had been done to him. She knew her mate was. His emotions poured off him. She clung to his hand as they walked to the house. She didn’t doubt either Gideon or Diane would call ahead to let Tah know she’d heard back about the call for help. She needed to get in touch with her father, also, but she had no idea where he was, other that somewhere in Ireland. Of course, she had other things to tell him, too.
Hey, Dad! I heard back from our contact, and they can’t find this MQJ person yet. They’ll keep looking though. Oh, and by the way, I’m pregnant. Twins! Can you imagine?
Shit! He’d leave whatever he was doing in Ireland and head home immediately if she told him she was pregnant. She couldn’t do it. She had a feeling he was checking into something to do with the two Dockery brothers who lived with the pride. He hadn’t told her what, but she knew it had to be important for him to fly across the world. She couldn’t pull him away from it. News of her pregnancy would have to wait.
Tah met them at the door.
“What exactly was said?” he demanded as they followed him to the office where Reno, Abby and the professor were already gathered.
“The lab designation that was part of the code has either been relocated or closed.”
“But they’re still searching?” Abby asked.
Darby nodded. “I offered our help, but I was told point blank to drop it.”
“Why?” Tah’s voice was gruff with anger.
“I was told MQJ wasn’t the only one at risk. I’m pretty sure the implication is that we could get others killed if we interfere.”
“Shit!” Reno muttered.
“We say nothing to Miles until we know more,” the professor commanded. “There’s no need to upset him when we aren’t even sure who this MQJ is.”
Tah seemed lost in thought for a moment then blew out a breath and nodded his agreement. “For now, I think that’s best.”
“Did they give you any type of timeline?” he asked Darby.
She shook her head. “Just that they’d be in touch when they had more information.”
“Woman? Man?”
“They didn’t say who MQJ was,” she answered.
“I meant the person who called,” Tah clarified.
“I don’t know,” she admitted. “The voice was altered.”
“So they used something to disguise their voice. Either it’s someone you know,” Tah said.
“Or they’re afraid someone else might be listening,” Reno added.
“Does Amia know of anyone else who might have been helping on the inside like she was?” Tah asked.
Darby spoke before Reno could. “Not that we have on record. I can take a look just to be certain, but we have record of Amia Blane’s rescues. If there is someone else, we don’t know about them.”
Tah nodded. “Have you heard from your father?”
“No,” Darby answered. “And I have a favor to ask in case you hear from him before I do.”
“You think he’ll get in touch with me before he does you?” Tah seemed surprised she’d think that.
“Depends,” she admitted. “He’s on the trail of something. He might call you before he does me if he feels the need to speak to you about something he considers urgent.”
“Okay. What’s your request?” he asked.
“I’d like your word that no one will mention my pregnancy to him. That’s my news to share.”
Tah’s gaze was piercing, as if he were seeing into her mind. “You’re not going to tell him, are you?”
She flushed but lifted her chin. “Not until I know he’s on his way back. Whatever he went to Ireland for is important. He doesn’t travel much anymore, hasn’t for years, but this sent him across the world. I won’t interfere with that as long as I’m safe and healthy. I have all of you to watch over me. Let him do what he needs to.”
Tah’s glance moved to Calloway, which angered her. It wasn’t her mate’s decision. Andrew was her father, so the choice of when to tell him lay solely with her.
“It’s her choice,” Calloway rumbled behind her. “I suggest we all respect it and her.”
She turned to him, wrapping her arms around him and hugging him tightly. God, she loved him. There had been no hesitation in his backing of her, no question of his support.
“I apologize, Darby,” Tah said softly, calling her attention back to him. She turned her head, resting it against her mate’s chest while she met Tah’s gaze. “It is your decision. I wasn’t looking at your mate because your choice required his permission. I was letting him know that we’d all be here to ensure you remain safe and healthy. Whatever is needed.”
“Thank you,” she whispered as Calloway’s arms tightened around her.
“You’re a part of this pride, too,” Tah informed her again. “Don’t forget that.”
She nodded, feeling a little teary and wondering if her hormones were already affecting her moods. Was that possible this early? But then, she was learning nothing was too early when it came to carrying a shifter. Maybe, they should work on a What to Expect While Expecting for women mated to shifters. It was definitely something she’d like to have.
“That’s settled then.” Abby smiled and patted the professor’s knee where he sat beside her on one of the couches. “The professor and I have been discussing your mission in coming here.”
“Teaching me how to give an alpha call,” Tah commented.
“I believe your father wasn’t speaking necessarily of you when he stated to follow your instincts,” the professor qualified. “I believe instead he was telling you how to instruct Tah. To have him follow his instincts, those inherent as alpha. Those would be his best guide to discovering what to do.”
Darby nodded. “That makes sense. What do you think?” She posed her question to Tah.
“I believe I echo your opinion when my wife asked you a similar question. We’re all screwed.”
Darby laughed at the look on Tah’s face. She couldn’t help it. He appeared disgusted with the whole thing.
“I still say we should just wait for people to show up,” he grumbled.
“No,” Darby disagreed.
“No,” Abby said at the same time.
“It’s easier for a person to question what’s asked of them when information is based on the knowledge or opinion of another,” Darby added.
“Exactly,” Abby agreed. “This way, it’s a direct command from you.”
“One that can’t be denied,” Darby added.
“So just follow my instinct, huh,” Tah griped. “Hopefully, it’s not the same instinct that had me relying on four alpha wolves to show me how to shift. I’m not sure where they are at present.”
Darby shook her head. “None of the other shifters utilize the alpha call. Not even the bears who have stayed closer to their beasts than any other breed.”
“So calling Holt is out,” Reno muttered.
“He’s the one from your group who mated with a female, black-bear shifter?” Darby asked.
Tah nodded. “He’ll always be part of this pride. We decided long ago that our doors would remain open to any shifter. Cat or not. All breeds are welcome here.”
Darby grinned. “This is what makes you so different, what makes this time so different from the past. The various breeds have always stayed separated. They don’t work together. But you’ve worked with the bears, the wolves and the coyotes. Your pride has forged strong ties with all these factions. That’s something that’s never been done before.”
“Yet, we still have someone unwilling to work with us, someone telling us to let it go when we get a call for help.”
She flushed at his words, knowing they were directed at her people.
“I’ll wait for now, but I won’t wait long. I don’t want to endanger anyone, and I’ll do my best to make sure we don’t. What I won’t do is sit by and do nothing when someone asks for aid. I’d like you to call back and encourage them to use my number for future messages pertaining to this.”
“I’ll do that,” she promised.
“I know the watchers have been doing this on their own, for the most part, for quite a while. But saying we need to work together requires a show of faith from all of us.”
“It does,” she agreed. “I don’t know who the contact is. I only know the number. But I’ll make sure they get your message.”
“Thank you,” he acknowledged. “Now, let’s see if we can figure out how to kick my instinct into gear.”