“He’s right,” Christopher says.
Everything is happening so fast, I feel lightheaded. “Is the baby alright?” I ask, putting a hand against my stomach.
“The baby shouldn’t exist,” James says firmly, cutting me deeper with his words than he seems to have any idea. “If having both vampire and mage DNA isn’t enough to kill it, it’s certainly a danger to you.”
“Stop it!” I cry. “It’s our baby, and you’re making it sound like a disease.”
James’ gaze softens. “I’m sorry,” he mutters. “You know how I feel, Danica. I’ve always wanted a child with you, but not if it endangers you.”
“Endangers me? If what you’re saying is true, this baby saved my life,” I insist.
He doesn’t respond at first and none of the others seem to know what to say, either. Finally, Rowan breaks the silence.
“Whatever is going on, Dani needs to see a doctor,” he says. “There’s no point in getting all worked up until we have the facts.”
“You’re right,” James concedes. I can tell from the look in his eyes that this discussion is far from over. It’s just not going anywhere I approve of if we keep having it tonight.
A few hours ago, all I wanted was to see Christopher and return to my own bed for about a week. Now, all I can think of is this baby, and all the possibilities—including the tragic ones—that lie before us.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
After being subjected to every battery of tests the royal hospital has in its arsenal, the kindly doctor comes into the room to confirm that I am, in fact, pregnant. My heart leaps with relief at the news, but it’s short-lived when I see the dread on James’ face.
We haven’t told the doctor the truth, or his expression would probably be the same. Magic is still forbidden, even if Albien is more lax about enforcing the law than his predecessors, and the revelation that an already controversial princess is carrying a descendant of both vampire and mage lineage will only shake things up when we need peace more than ever.
I take a deep breath and resign myself to the fact that for now, I’m going to have to be happy for all of us. Christopher is waiting outside, and I can tell he doesn’t know where he belongs, but Rowan and James are both at my side.
“Good news. We’ve run every test and you’re all perfectly healthy,” the doctor says, giving me a warm smile. He hesitates, looking between Rowan and James. “And the father would be…?”
James clears his throat, pointing at Rowan. It’s impossible, given how far along I am, but we all know that’s the safest answer. James is my consort, not my intended, and there’s going to be enough of a fiasco about the princess getting pregnant “out of wedlock,” I’m sure.
“Of course,” the doctor says, clearly embarrassed on my behalf, whether I want him to be or not.
“What do you mean ‘all’?” James asks suddenly, frowning.
“Surprise,” the doctor chuckles. “Although, it can’t be too much of one. As we all know, twins do run in the family.”
“Twins?” I croak. Of all the surprises this day has thrown at me, this is the one that I’m not sure I’ll recover from.
“That’s what the ultrasound report tells me,” he says, glancing at my chart. “Congratulations, Your Majesty. And Sir Rowan,” he says, giving the alpha a respectful nod. “I’ll give you all a moment.”
The room remains silent long after he’s gone. I look at James, more afraid of his reaction than anything else. His face doesn’t give so much as a hint as to what’s going on in his head, but I’m sure it’s not good.
“I was with Christopher,” I say suddenly. It’s not something I thought I’d bring up in front of either of them, since it’s an awkward subject, but I don’t have a choice. I already know what James is thinking. What they’re both thinking, going off Rowan’s newly somber demeanor. “One of them might be his.”
James frowns. “Danica…”
“I’m serious. It’s not unheard of for omegas to get pregnant by two males,” I say quickly. “It happens.”
“One of them would still be mine,” says James. “You wouldn’t crave blood otherwise.”
“No, but twins present a variable we don’t understand. And you heard the doctor, I’m healthy. We’re all healthy,” I say, touching my stomach. “There’s no reason to think this is a bad thing.”
“Except all the other times it’s gone horribly wrong before,” James growls.
“Alright, that’s enough,” Rowan says, making himself the referee. For once, I’m grateful for it. “Nobody knows what’s really going on here, and until she’s further along, we won’t. So there’s no point in stressing her out even more now, which definitely isn’t good for anyone.”
James falls silent, but I can tell he’s considering Rowan’s words. “We need to do more research,” he mutters.
“Christopher can help,” I say quickly. “He needs to know, one way or another.”
I can tell James doesn’t like it, but he nods. “I’ll go get him.”
He leaves the room and I wait in anxious anticipation for a few moments that feel like weeks until he comes back again. The confusion on his face makes my heart sink even before he utters the words I’ve learned to fear.
“He’s gone.”
The end.
The Throne of Wolves saga continues soon with Book 3, Crown of Fang!
Free Book
Want a free Reverse Harem romance? Join my newsletter HERE!
Connect
Want to know as soon as book 2 excerpts are available? Have questions about the series or just want to chat with the author and other readers? Join the River Ramsey Reader Group on Facebook!
Join my ARC Team here to be the first to score free reads as soon as they’re available!
About the Author
River Ramsey is a queer fantasy and paranormal author living with their partner and cats. They enjoy penning tales of adventure, magical mayhem and happily ever afters!
Court of Alphas: A WhyChoose Shifter Romance Page 17
