I contemplated for days before heading to Sheryl's. She held information that I wasn't sure I wanted to know. But I had to. I wasn't going into heat and there was a reason behind it. Convincing Nicholas to let me go to her was harder than I thought. I came up with a quick idea of delivering her some appreciation gifts for letting us create chaos in her house.

He opposed the idea first but was convinced eventually.

So, the same day, before it went dark, I headed into the house with a basket of pastries and wine. One of the girls welcomed me in with a warm smile and lead me straight to Sheryl. The house wasn't empty, it was filled with men and sex.

As I walked through the hallways, I passed by several rooms where encounters were taking place. Unrestrained pleasure. It was only a couple of days ago when everyone celebrated the victory and whenever there was a victory here, there was a celebration in this house.

I kept my intentions straight and followed the girl into Sheryl's private room where she was seated with another woman, who quickly left upon her command.

"I thought you wouldn't return," Sheryl said, placing her drink on the side. "Especially after the way you left from here."

"I got you some pastries and wine, for taking care of us while we were here." I smiled at her before giving the basket away to another girl.

"Sit," Sheryl was unfazed. "I know what you're here for and I've it."

My heart squeezed. I quickly released a breath and sat down on the opposite of her. I didn't know what was going to be the outcome of the test I had done just before the battle. I was certain about Nicholas, what he wanted and earlier today, he confirmed it again. He didn't want a child, he was scared of the idea of a family, of having one, of bringing one up.

"What is it?" I asked her.

To Sheryl's side, there was a small table where her drink remained and beneath, there were two drawers. She reached to open one and grabbed out the envelope before handing it to me.

"There's your answer." She said.

I turned it around and found the name of the clinic and the doctor she had sent my blood to. Within the envelope contained the report of whether I was carrying a child or not. I hadn't felt any special symptoms, not that I was aware of, especially with the whole ordeal of shifting and my wolf coming to surface.

It had been a few hard weeks.

"Don't wait too long, the results aren't going to change." Sheryl said, sipping on her drink.

I took in her advice and opened up the envelope before quickly reaching for the report inside. With trembling hands, I unfolded the report and read it. The words on the page seemed to blur for a moment before coming into focus.

My breath caught in my throat as I finished.

I was carrying a child—a life growing within me.

I placed the report over my lap, scrunching up the papers before glancing at Sheryl. "What should I do? It's almost four weeks. " I asked her.

Sheryl's gaze softened as she heard me. "Ultimately, the decision is yours to make. It's not too late yet, but if that's not what you want, you'll have to tell your mate."

"What if he doesn't—"

She cut me off before I could finish. "You can't assume what others think. There are plenty of girls here that go into unwanted pregnancies and for them, they may not even have the option to keep their pregnancy, but you do. You're in a bond with a man, a sacred bond nonetheless."

I glanced at the papers on my lap and heaved in a breath. It was ironic how I came here and convinced one of Nicholas' men to let me leave from here because I was pregnant. And now this. My lie had turned into a truth and leaving was no longer an option for me.

Several emotions swirled inside me as I left Sheryl's place and headed back. The envelope and the report was still in my hand. Just as I reached the house, I tucked it inside my bag and headed in. My head was light with worry, not for myself, for Nicholas.

I cared for him, more than I thought I would and I didn't want him to see him miserable.

"Did she like it?"

My heart soared when I saw him, taking the flight down the stairs and approaching me. It took me a moment to snap into reality and when I did, I nodded at him. "Yes, she did."

"That's good," Nicholas stood tall in front of me. "I was intending on giving her something more. Part of the land near the house."

My thoughts strayed to the report in my bag. I couldn't keep my mind of it. I had to tell me, whether it was right now or tomorrow, I had to. "Oh. That would be nice, she would like that very much," I said before taking a pausing and collecting my thoughts. "There's something I want to tell you."

He waited for me to continue, but I was at loss of words.

His eyes narrowed slightly when I began hesitating. "What is it?"

I looked up at him, my mouth barely moving. It wasn't too long ago when he told me that he didn't want to mark me or mate with me, solely because that was going to lead to having a child. Eventually, he did mark me and we did mate.

But what if this was going to be different? What if he didn't want this altogether?

"Nicholas," My gaze shifted from him as my heart raced. I reached closer to him and mustered up some courage to tell him. He had to hear it from me. But before I could even, a sudden wave of dizziness overcame me and I slipped unconscious.

I stayed in the void of unconsciousness for some time. When I finally regained awareness, I found myself lying in the room, a sheet draped over me and Nicholas sitting near to me on the corner of the bed, waiting for me to wake up. He clasped my hand gently and I took a few deep breaths.

"Do you feel alright?" He asked, nearing closer.

I nodded quickly while my hand reached for my head. I was still light-headed. "I'll be fine."

For a moment, I thought of diverting my own mind by not telling him, but then my gaze flickered over the night stand next to the bed, where there was a cup of water and the envelope resting on it.

"I was already suspecting something. Though, I didn't expect for this to be so sudden. Is that why you wanted to go to Sheryl?" He asked me, appearing a little surprised.

I gave him another nod.

"Why didn't you tell me?"

My breaths came out short, paced, but my heart was still thudding in my chest. He had seen the report, he knew I was pregnant. "I wasn't sure and I didn't want to burden you with uncertainty." I said in a shaky voice.

He placed his hand over to the side of my leg before leaning closer. "I'm in this with you, April. Together." He assured with a small smile.

I looked into his eyes, finding no misery within them. Did I assume wrong? He was happy about it, about knowing that I was having a child.

My hand went over his and I sat up straight before questioning him, "Aren't you scared?"

Nicholas looked at me with tenderness in his eyes. I could see the emotions swirling within them but I couldn't comprehend what he was thinking. There was a long moment of silence between us before he answered me. And when he did, his gaze narrowed to my hands.

"I was scared, for long. Very long. I never had a family, nor a parent and the sole thought of having one myself terrified me. I had no clue what would come with it, or what kind of man I'd become if I had a family. But with you, my heart knows no fear, because in your embrace, I'm home."

Tears welled up in my eyes as I reached out to caress his cheek. "You're home?"

He placed his hand on my cheek and said, "I'm home."

The End