The next day…

“Everything looks great,” her doctor announced, placing the scanning device in its holder. “I’m happy with his progress and growth. All the measurements look fine.” She handed Kerry some paper towel.

Kerry breathed a sigh. “I’m so glad to hear that.” At least one thing was still going well for her.

“You look down today?” Doctor Jenkins narrowed her eyes, analyzing Kerry. “Is everything okay?” She put the blood pressure cuff around her arm and began to inflate it.

“Cadon is away on business. He left yesterday unexpectedly and I miss him. I don’t like it when he’s away.” Kerry paused. “He really wanted to be here today.”

“I could tell he did and it makes sense that you would be feeling that way. What does he do for a living?” The beep sounded and her gynecologist made a note of her blood pressure.

“He runs a security company.”

“Interesting. How long have you guys been together?”

Her doctor gestured to the scales. “I need to weigh you.”

“I got pregnant quite quickly after we met. It wasn’t exactly planned or anything.” Kerry got off the bed and stepped onto the scales.

“I thought I saw an engagement ring on your first one or two appointments?” She frowned.

Of flip! “Yeah,” Kerry said. “It was a bad idea to jump into that. We called it off.”

Her doctor made a note of her weight. “Oh! It looked like you guys really get along. He looks at you like he’s a man in love.”

“Really?” Kerry couldn’t believe that. They weren’t even sleeping together at the last appointment. She stepped off the scale.

“Absolutely, and for the record,” her doctor paused, “I was beginning to think he was one of those absent father types, but he isn’t.” She shook her head. “Not at all, I could see by his reactions to the baby. To both seeing the baby and hearing his heartbeat. That was one excited dad.”

Kerry couldn’t help but smile, even though it hurt inside. He wasn’t the father. They were still going their separate ways. Even if she secretly didn’t want that anymore. Cadon was just coming back to say goodbye to her. She needed to try to remember that. “Yes, he is excited.”

“Have you guys prepared the nursery yet?”

“Not yet, it’s still early days, we don’t want to jinx anything.” What else could she say?

Doctor Jenkins laughed. “So you’re superstitious?”

Kerry shrugged. “Not exactly superstitious. It makes sense though, doesn’t it? We’ll give it a few more weeks and then we’ll start looking at wallpaper.”

“The good news is that despite the chance of a major disability, your baby would be viable if born now. Neonatologists prefer twenty-six weeks, so you don’t have long to go.” She winked at Kerry.

“Good to know.”

“Right, go and see Maud to set up an appointment in four weeks.” She sat back. “I’m happy, as long as you’re happy?”

“Yes,” she nodded. “Happy.”

“Good. I’ll let you go then. I’m sure you have somewhere to be.”

Kerry nodded. Somewhere to be. Not hardly. She and Worth were holed up in the penthouse suite at one of the hotels in town. They said their goodbyes and she headed out.

Worth was having a chat with some or other woman. The lady didn’t look pregnant. She did look completely taken with Worth though, hanging on his every word.

“Shall I put you down for next month?” Maud asked, smiling.

“Yes, please.”

Maud typed the appointment into the computer and told Kerry the date. “Don’t worry,” Maud assured her. “I’ll call you the day before to remind you.”

“I won’t forget.” Kerry thanked Maud and they said their goodbyes.

Kerry stood by the door, she wanted to call to Worth, but he seemed quite interested in this lady. It must be great for him to be out of that house after all these weeks. What could they possibly be talking about? She really didn’t want to interrupt.

A breeze alerted her to the door being opened behind her.

Maybe they could go and visit her sister and the family. If Worth went with, she would be safe. Kerry sucked in a breath to call Worth’s name but someone clamped a hand over her mouth. Her eyes were wide in her head. The receptionist was busy with something on her desk. She looked to the right. Worth and the lady were laughing. The one other person in the waiting room had her nose buried in a kindle. No-one saw as she was dragged into the hallway.

“You bitch!”

Her blood ran cold. It was Jeff. It was him. Oh no! She squirmed and kicked and squirmed some more, but he kept his hand clamped over her mouth. Jeff pulled her more firmly against him. He stank of sweat and booze. “You’ve ruined my life. It was either you or that cunt ex of mine who splashed this whole thing across social media. I’m being charged with assault. Assault!” He was breathing heavily. “Our little spat was hardly assault.”

She struggled to bring enough air into her lungs. Her nostrils flared. She tried hard to stay calm. Any second now, Worth would notice she was gone. He’d come to her rescue. Any second…her eyes were trained on the door. Willing it to open.

Please.

“My life is over. Even when I beat this charge…and I will beat it…I won’t be able to shake what this has done to my image. I cannot believe how fucking selfish you are.”

Typical Jeff, blaming this all on her.

His hand tightened on her mouth. His tone became more clipped. “Your lies are going to backfire on you, Kerry, mark my words. I’m so disappointed in you.” His voice turned into a soft, almost soothing murmur. It scared her way more than the anger.

Kerry kept her eyes trained on the closed door. Still willing it to open. Please! Please, Worth!

“I saw you with that guy. Who the hell is he? You looked chummy chummy! Today you’re with a different guy? Are you a slut? Is that it? Are you fucking around on me?” he spoke directly into her ear. Back to using harsh tones, she could feel a spray of spittle against her skin. Could smell his breath. Sour with alcohol fumes. “I think you are. He’s the father, isn’t he? Or, maybe you don’t even know who the father is.”

Oh, how she wished Cadon was the father. Kerry tried hard to hold back the tears. To suck in air through her nostrils. Any second now he was going to explode. She could feel it. His grip kept tightening. His words were becoming more and more clipped. “You’re leaving me for him? For one of them?”

Jeff had to be delusional. He sounded crazy. Maybe it was more than just alcohol, maybe he was high as well.

“I’m going to take my hand off your mouth, if you scream, you’ll regret it. Do you understand me?” He’d gone back to sounding like he was in control.

Kerry knew better. She gave the tiniest of nods. Not able to move much in his grip.

“Good.” He slid his hand from her mouth. “Are you leaving me for him?” He spoke to her like she was a child.

He was definitely crazy. She had already left him. It had been weeks since she’d packed her bags. What did he want to hear? How could she buy time? Please, Worth! Please.

“Answer the question,” he spoke softly.

“No.” She shook her head. “I’m not leaving you for him.” Her voice shook. Fear and adrenaline coursed through her.

“No?” He sounded confused at her answer. “How do I know you’re not lying?”

“I’m not.” She tried not to sound desperate. “I’m ready to come home. To—”

“Stop lying! You’re a cunt just like my ex!” He shoved her. Kerry hit her head on the wall. She bounced, landing hard on the floor. Pain exploded behind her eyes. For a second or two, she was sure she was going to lose consciousness.

The first kick caught her on her shoulder. Something cracked inside her. The blinding pain brought her back from the brink of unconsciousness. Kerry pulled her knees up to shield her belly. To protect her baby. It was the only thing she could do in that moment.

He kicked her again, this time on her chest. The third blow landed on her thigh. Hold on! Have to hold on!

He grabbed her by her hair and dragged her a few feet; the final blow caught her on her side. He muttered something about her not being worth it. She couldn’t quite make out what he was saying. The pain was unbearable.

Kerry realized that she had been holding her breath. She lifted her head, catching Jeff’s retreating back. She bit back waves of nausea as she tried to stand. Sucking in deep breaths, she tried again, this time making it to her feet. Kerry put a hand to the wall for support and almost doubled over as a wave of pain rushed through her. She gripped her belly with the other hand and yelled.

The door burst open. Worth’s eyes widened as he caught sight of her. “Oh fuck!” he growled. “Healer!” he shouted. “We need a healer!” Louder this time. His eyes were trained on her...they were…

She looked down. Blood. There! From between her legs. Another cramping pain had her gritting her teeth. Worth rushed forward and grabbed her so that she didn’t fall. “Hold on. Help is coming.”

His king turned abruptly. “What?” Leukos shouted. “How did this happen? Weeks you say? Magnar and his males have been with you for weeks? That is unacceptable. Why didn’t you even attempt an escape?” His king was smeared with dirt. Only just back from a hunting trip.

“The human, she was—”

“That blasted human again!” he shouted. “Why didn’t you send her away like I instructed you to do?”

“They were already there upon my return. Magnar used her to keep us in line.” To keep him in line. “He threatened to—”

“One human in the greater scheme of things. Not such a great sacrifice.” Magnar shook his head.

“What are you saying, my lord? We have more honor than that. How could I allow—”

“You should have left her to her fate. What did you expect to happen? Of course this information was going to leak. Throw a whole lot of males in a nest for weeks and they talk.” Leukos narrowed his eyes. “You told them that Talon was a one-time thing? That…” he narrowed his eyes some more. “You did tell them that, right? Because it’s true. Just because one male reawakened does not mean—”

“I did tell them, but Magnar struggled to believe it especially considering it happened to me too.” Best to just get it out.

It took a couple of long seconds for what he had just said to register. Leukos looked shocked. “But how? But…?” Then his features twisted in rage and he snarled. “That human. You mounted that human, putting everything at risk? How could you do that?”

Cadon set his jaw. He could say that he had done it to protect her from Magnar. He could say that he had no choice, but neither of those explanations would be true. He took Kerry to his bed because he wanted to. Because yes, in this, he had been a selfish bastard. “Yes, my lord. Magnar had forgotten about my mate. I didn’t think that—”

“You are right!” Leukos shouted. “You didn’t think, at least not with the head on your shoulders, and now Ekon will be scrambling to find a female of his own. If he succeeds before me, he will be able to take back the throne.”

“Our males are loyal to you, my king. Ekon could try but he would fail.”

Leukos laughed. “And you don’t think they were loyal to my brother once upon a time?” He didn’t wait for a response. “Of course they were and they all still turned on him, as is tradition. I can’t take that chance.” Leukos turned, striding away.

“Where are you going, sire?”

“After I bathe and eat, I’m headed for human territory. I will bring back a mate.”

“You’re going to kidnap a human female?” Cadon frowned.

“You’ve forced my hand.”

“It won’t work. We’ve tried that route and it didn’t work.”

“It will work this time,” Leukos growled. “My crown depends on it.”

“It is still yet to be seen if a human can even bear a clutch and survive.”

“Again, I have been forced into a corner. I have no choice. We will soon have an answer to that question as well.” Leukos was mid-shift when a screech came from above. They both looked up.

Was that…?

Still a speck, growing larger. Yes! It was Worth. Ice shards splintered in his veins. Why was Worth there?

The male landed and shifted. His chest heaved and his body glistened with sweat.

No!

“What happened?” Cadon shouted. “Where is she?”

“I’m sorry!” Worth pushed out between ragged breaths. “It’s all my fault. I took my eyes off her for a few seconds. We were in the hospital. Amongst so many humans. I never—”

“What in feather happened? Tell me now!”

“That male got to her. He beat her.”

Cadon roared, wanting to charge Worth. Wanting to hurt the male. “How is she?” he shouted.

Worth shook his head. His face grave.

His feathers rubbed. His fur did too. “If she dies. If…”

“Kerry will be fine. It is the baby.”

Cadon grit his teeth to keep himself from talking. To keep the anger and rage that boiled inside, at bay. A few beats went by.

“Is he? Is…?” Cadon couldn’t say the words.

“He still lives, but it looks like she might have started the birthing process. I couldn’t understand exactly what was wrong. They are giving her human medi-…medi-cines to try to stop the birthing.”

“It’s too early.” Kerry was only just over the halfway mark.

“It is not our concern,” Leukos snapped.

Cadon ignored Leukos. “Take me to her,” he instructed Worth.

“No.” Leukos shook his head. “Enough of this madness. Our focus needs to be on preserving the crown. On helping me find a mate. Do you want Ekon as a leader? It has been many years since he ruled, since he chose to leave. Who knows what his frame of mind is like. Do you want a leader such as that?”

“I serve only you, but I’m sorry, sire, I have to go. Show me where she is.” He locked eyes with Worth.

“What is this female to you?” Leukos yelled. “She is expecting a human child, by another male. It is not your concern.”

“You don’t understand,” Cadon tried. “It is the father of her child who beat her. I—”

“You are not responsible. You mounted her a couple of times. It doesn’t mean—”

“It does. I’m afraid it means just that.” Cadon touched the side of Leukos’ arm. The male was in full regal mode. All business. He needed to instill something into the friend in him. The male in him. Right now, the king was fully present.

Thankfully, something did soften in him. “You have feelings for her?” It didn’t last long. “You would go against me for a human?”

“She means everything to me.” Cadon tried not to choke on his words. “The child too.”

They held gazes for what felt like an age. Leukos finally nodded. “I can see you have made up your mind. You may go, but Worth will stay. I need every male here. We have no idea what Ekon will do next.”

“Thank you,” Cadon said.

“She is at the Alex Peters Memorial Hospital in—” Worth began.

Cadon didn’t wait for him to finish. He shifted and took to the sky, a sense of urgency and dread gripped him like never before.