Naya covered her eyes and groaned. “Me either. Apparently, I had a moment of insanity. I can already hear my mother telling me, A princess is always proper in public.”
Vaughn pulled on her hands until she let them drop. His mouth was set in a straight line. “You don’t always have to be perfect, you know? You are entitled to have bad days just like everyone else. Just because you are the vampire princess doesn’t mean you have to put on a show all the time.”
“I don’t think my parents or the Vampire Council would agree.”
“Naya, you worry about them too much. Look at how they’ve treated you. They should be worrying about how you’re going to react, not the other way around.”
He did have some good points, but it was hard to ignore her upbringing.
“Hello, Naya,” Dr. Montgomery said from the doorway.
Naya swung around. “Dr. Montgomery.” Still uneasy from her previous visit, Naya wasn’t ready to trust the doctor yet. She had seemed nice and nonjudgmental earlier, but then she had passed all of Naya’s medical information on to her parents instead of her, leaving her clueless about her own condition.
“Please come back to my office. I’m sure you have some questions. Your gentleman friend is welcome to join us.”
When Naya hesitated, Vaughn touched the small of her back, urging her on. Naya followed Dr. Montgomery to an office with her name outside the door. Once they were inside, the doctor closed the door and gestured for them to have a seat in the two chairs across from her side of the desk. Then, she took her own seat.
“Naya, first off, I want to sincerely apologize,” Dr. Montgomery started. “When your parents called ahead and made your appointment, they suspected you were pregnant and by what”—her eyes darted to Vaughn and back to Naya—“I mean, whom, and they ordered me not to say anything to you.” She smiled. “But they never set any restrictions if you came back a second time. I’m glad you’re here, so we can talk.” She looked at Vaughn and held out her hand. “I’m Dr. Montgomery by the way.”
Vaughn shook her hand. “Vaughn Llewelyn.”
“Where to start?” the doctor said more to herself than to them. “First, you’re about twelve weeks along.”
Twelve weeks? Naya couldn’t believe she was that far in her pregnancy. That meant she’d conceived the first night they were together.
“Second, would you like to see your ultrasound pictures?”
Eager, Naya leaned forward in her chair. “Oh, yes, please. That’s possible?”
“Yes,” Dr. Montgomery said with a smile. Opening a folder, she pulled out some black-and-white pictures, and she placed them in front of Naya and Vaughn.
Naya had no idea what she was looking at in the images. All she saw was a lot of gray. In two of them, there was a big black circle with a gray shape in the middle, which she assumed was the baby. In another picture, there were two smaller black circles with a gray shape in them.
Naya looked up at the doctor. “Can you explain these, please?”
“Of course,” the doctor said with a big smile. “This is one of my favorite parts of being a doctor.” She put her pen on the first picture. “Most of the gray on the outside is your uterus. The black you see is fluid in the gestational sac,” she said, circling the black oval. “Then, this little gray guy floating is the baby. You can see the same thing in this picture.” She pointed to the second picture before moving on to the third. “Since you’re twelve weeks along, the tech couldn’t get both gestational sacs and babies in one picture, so she did the best she could to show them. It really is remarkable, isn’t it?”
“Say what?” Vaughn said at the same time Naya said, “Excuse me?” before the blood drained from her face.
The doctor looked up at the two of them, and when she saw their faces, her smile fell. “Oh dear, you didn’t know that you’re having twins, did you?”
Naya could only let out a small squeak in response.
“No, ma’am, we didn’t. We weren’t told anything before coming here,” Vaughn said.
Naya sat up in her chair and turned to Vaughn. “I am so sorry. I don’t even know how this happened.” She rotated back to the doctor. “How did this happen? I thought it was really hard for vampires to have babies. That’s why I’m an only child and why Arianna’s an only child. I don’t understand.”
Vaughn put his hand on her arm, probably to stop her from rambling on, and she slumped back in her seat.
“Well, Naya, that is a good question.” Dr. Montgomery cleared her throat. “However, I’m not exactly sure about the answer. You aren’t wrong. It is difficult for vampires to have babies. I know this is uncomfortable, but is there any chance you know when you got pregnant?”
“We were only together two times.” That wasn’t exactly true. “Well, two nights.”
Naya blushed, and Vaughn laughed. She scowled at him, but he only laughed harder.
She looked back to the doctor. “It was the first time we were together back in July. The second time was only two-and-a-half weeks ago.”
“The first time? This certainly is interesting, isn’t it?” the doctor said. “From what I understand, it’s difficult for shifters to conceive, too. Is that correct?” she asked Vaughn.
Vaughn nodded. “Yes.”
“During my studies to become a doctor, I learned some information on shifters and humans since we share similar biology,” the doctor said. “So, my thought is, maybe it’s hard for vampires to get pregnant with vampires and shifters to get pregnant with shifters. Of course, you two are the only vampire-shifter couple I know of, so until there are more, we’ll have a lot of unanswered questions.”
It was an interesting theory. The vampires, who prided themselves on being purebred, might have to go outside their species to have more babies.
“What about vampires and humans? Isn’t that rare?” Naya asked.
“There are rare occasions where a vampire and human have a baby. I have to wonder though, is the rarity because it’s hard for vampires to have a baby or because many vampires don’t have sexual relationships with humans? Or if they do, they might use some sort of birth control. I don’t have the answers to all those variables, and I don’t know if it’s the combination of vampire-shifter or vampire and non-vampire. Maybe it’s just the two of you together.” The doctor directed her next question to Vaughn. “What do you know of shifter-human pregnancies?”
“They’re uncommon, but that’s mostly because we can smell when humans are fertile, so we can prevent pregnancy.”
“Yes, that could be another reason there aren’t vampire-human pregnancies because vampires can smell humans ovulating, too,” Dr. Montgomery said. “Hmm…” Her eyebrows drew together, and she pursed her lips. “And you couldn’t sense that Naya was ovulating?”
“Well, I knew she wasn’t fertile before we had sex. As for after, when I was close to her stomach, I remember the smell being almost like ovulation and conception all rolled into one, yet it was different, so I dismissed it.” He snorted. “It sounds stupid now.” He looked at Naya and smiled. “Although, at that point, I guess it didn’t matter what I smelled.” Vaughn turned his attention back to Dr. Montgomery and sat up straighter in his chair. “I think I should talk to my healer, our doctor, and see if he has any info that might be helpful.”
“If you find out more, I would appreciate you passing the information along to me.”
“Sure. Doc, what does Naya need to do to have a healthy pregnancy?”
“I can only answer from the vampire side. First, your blood is the only blood Naya can drink until she delivers the babies.” She looked at Naya. “This is why you have only craved Vaughn’s blood since you conceived. I do worry though about the frequency with which you will need to feed since his blood is not of a vampire.”
Vaughn sat forward in his chair. “Can you explain, please?”
Dr. Montgomery looked at Vaughn. “Normally, vampires only drink from other vampires. Feeding from humans is a myth. Human
blood is not strong enough to sustain vampires.” She paused. “I should rephrase that. A vampire could survive on human blood if they needed to, but they would have to take more blood at a time and feed more often. They would have to feed from more than one human because humans can’t replenish their blood fast enough. A vampire usually feeds about once a month, and with a human, it might have to be twice that or even more.”
As the doctor spoke, Vaughn looked back and forth between Naya and the doctor. Naya slid down into her chair as if she could hide. Vaughn still didn’t know she’d fed from him—three times, no less. She didn’t want him to feel violated because she had taken his blood without his permission. She would never feed from another vampire without asking. At the time, it had seemed harmless, and he’d liked it every time she fed, but now, she felt ashamed, like she had been caught stealing. Then, there was the blood bond thing. She really was a thief.
“So, Doctor,” Vaughn asked Dr. Montgomery, but he stared at Naya, unsmiling, “what happens if my blood isn’t strong enough to sustain her while she’s pregnant? Or what if something happens to me?”
Naya tried to gauge his mood, but he was holding back. Even his blood inside her gave nothing away. He was smart enough to pick up on the fact that she was three months pregnant and needed his blood. Had he figured out that I must have fed from him?
Dr. Montgomery failed to notice the tension in the air. “The next best thing would be the father’s closest relative, like a sibling. A parent might do in a pinch. However, if the mother doesn’t feed from the father, there is a strong possibility that she could lose the baby—or in this case, babies. Blood is a vital part of how we survive. Since the babies are half of the father, the father’s blood is best. This is why our bodies crave it when we are pregnant. It’s Mother Nature at her best.”
Vaughn’s gaze bored into her. “So, Naya, if you are three months pregnant, does that mean you fed from me?”
Busted.
“Or someone else?”
Before Naya could respond, the doctor said, “Naya must have fed from you, Vaughn. A female vampire cannot conceive without drinking the father’s blood within twelve hours before or after sex. Female vampires don’t have periods, so they don’t build up a lining each month to hold the baby. Instead, they form the lining in their uterus around conception, which is why they need the extra blood from feeding. But the body only makes this lining if the female has conceived.”
Vaughn turned back to Naya. “Okay, how many times did you feed from me?”
She lowered her voice as if it would make the truth less real and avoided his gaze. “Three times—once the first night and then two times on the second night.” She winced. “So, it was about once a month, like I normally would.”
“Good,” Dr. Montgomery said. “You should be fine feeding from Vaughn then. That’s one less thing to worry about. However, your need to feed will increase as the babies get bigger because they will need more blood for themselves. If Vaughn starts to feel weak from blood loss, you let me know, and we’ll explore other options.” She sat back in her chair. “Knowing shifter blood is possibly as strong as vampire blood sure does open up questions though.”
Naya glanced at Vaughn and did a quick study of him. He didn’t look mad, but he didn’t look happy either.
“Is there anything else, Doctor?” Naya asked, hoping Vaughn would forget the feeding topic.
“Blood is the biggest concern. You’re entering into your second trimester, Naya, and your energy along with your appetite should pick up. The other wonderful thing Mother Nature gifted us with is the blood bond between mother and child. Around your third trimester, you’ll probably begin to sense the babies’ feelings since you’re sharing blood with them.”
Naya stared down at her stomach in awe.
The doctor turned around and grabbed something from the table behind her. “I know this is all new and frightening. Here is a packet of information. Read it, and then we can discuss any questions you might have on your next visit.”
“How long will her pregnancy last?” Vaughn asked.
“Forty weeks is full term, but it’s around thirty-seven weeks for twins. It’s the same as shifters and humans. Please return in four weeks to continue your prenatal care,” she told Naya. She looked at Vaughn and handed him a pen and paper. “Actually, do you have the name of someone I could call to ask about shifter pregnancies, so I can better prepare for what we’re dealing with? As I said, I learned some information, but it was years ago and not enough to fully understand.”
“Sure.” He wrote a name and number on the paper and handed it to her.
“Okay.” The doctor stood.
Naya and Vaughn also rose from their seats. She noticed he was watching her out of the corner of his eye, and she knew he hadn’t forgotten about her feeding from him.
“I guess I will see you two soon. Good luck. Naya, call me with any questions you might have before I see you again.”
“Can I keep the pictures?” she asked.
“Of course. They’re yours after all.”
Naya took the pictures and walked slowly toward the door. Dr. Montgomery told her good-bye, but she barely noticed due to the big cat breathing down the back of her neck.
How mad was he?
Vaughn was quiet as he walked behind her while they exited the clinic. When they reached the car, she couldn’t stand the silence any longer.
She swung around. “Look, Vaughn, I’m really sorry I didn’t—”
She didn’t get to finish because Vaughn pulled her into his arms and kissed her. The kiss was hot and full of passion, leaving her breathless.
When he broke the kiss, he said, “So, that’s what you do to my neck? I suspected, but I knew vampires fed from other vampires, so I didn’t think you had actually fed from me. But now that I know, babe, I’d better be the only one you’re feeding from—pregnancy or no pregnancy.” He dropped another kiss on her lips and walked around to the driver’s side.
“So, you’re not mad?”
“Nah.”
“Then, why did you look like you were?”
“I admit, I was jealous at first, thinking of you feeding from someone else. Then, when I figured out it was me, I decided I needed to keep you on your toes,” he said before he opened his door and got in.
She chuckled. “Jerk,” she said in a low voice so that he couldn’t hear.
She jumped when she heard him laugh out loud from inside the vehicle. She’d forgotten he had cat hearing.
“Serves you right for feeding from a man without his permission,” he called out.
Naya just shook her head and smiled as she got into the car.
DISORIENTATED, KENZIE AWOKE from a deep sleep. The room was completely dark, except for her alarm clock telling her it was the middle of the night. Still half-asleep, she figured it was Crabby Abby that had roused her. She was about to slip back into a deep slumber when she felt someone shake her shoulder.
Now scared and fully awake, she flung her eyes open, knowing she had gone to bed alone. A big figure loomed over her, and her thoughts flew to kidnapping, rape, and murder. I’m too young to die. Taking a deep breath, she opened her mouth to scream, hoping her neighbors would hear her, when she heard his voice.
“Kenzie, it’s me.”
Sawyer.
She exhaled the breath she was holding, and her shoulders sagged with relief. He might be an asshole, but he wasn’t a murderer.
“What the hell are you doing here? Are you trying to give me a heart attack?” She placed her hand on her chest and tried to calm her racing heart. No longer scared, she was now mad. “How the hell did you get in here anyway?”
He backed away from her bed, giving her space. “You wouldn’t answer your door. I had no choice but to break in.”
She sat up in bed. “Um,” she said, popping her lips for emphasis, “I don’t really remember inviting you, so maybe that’s why you couldn’t get in.”
She suddenly felt
uncomfortable with his big, imposing body in her bedroom, so she made a beeline out of bed to leave the room. From the doorway, she watched as he bent to pick up her traitorous feline, who had been rubbing herself on his legs, before he followed her.
Once in the kitchen, she turned on the oven light and stood behind the breakfast bar. It was tall and big enough to seat two. More importantly, it placed some much-needed space between Sawyer and herself. He gave her cat another friendly pat before setting her on the floor.
“I know you didn’t invite me, but I needed to talk to you,” Sawyer said.
“Why didn’t you just call me?”
“I don’t have your phone number,” he said through clenched teeth.
She’d known that, but it was fun to goad him. She sighed and rolled her eyes. “Okay, fine. What’s so imperative that you have to break into my apartment in the middle of the night?”
“Have you talked to Naya recently?”
“She sent me a text earlier, saying she was getting checked out at the doctor’s office, but I haven’t heard from her after that. Why? Is something wrong?”
“Shit. I can’t find Vaughn. You were my last option.”
“Vaughn? They’re together? What? Why? What’s going on?”
Sawyer either hadn’t heard her, or he was ignoring her because he began to pace back and forth without saying a word. With him lost in thought, she had a moment to study him. This was the first time she’d seen him since—what she’d dubbed—the club incident.
A few weeks had passed, and she was hoping she could forget it had ever happened, but it was as if the memory had been etched into her brain. No one had ever given her such a powerful orgasm, especially from his hand alone. She could only imagine how good it would feel if they actually had sex. He was always so intense and commanding, so he’d probably be the same when he moved inside her. A shiver ran down her back from just thinking about it.
Sawyer paused in his pacing and glared at her. “Stop looking at me like that,” he bit out.
She pretended like she hadn’t been thinking about him fucking her or the club incident. She still felt embarrassed by the whole thing. She hadn’t been completely sober, and she’d let some guy she didn’t even like pull her into the restroom, stick his hand down her pants, and get her off like they were trying to set some world record for fastest time to orgasm. How humiliating. Her only relief was the hope that he didn’t remember much of the episode since he’d been drinking, too.
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