Douglas' belongings, but it occurred to her that, whatever it was, someone had dropped it and she could leave it on the counter awaiting their return. In a movement already made slightly unwieldy by the small swell of her rounded stomach, she bent to tug the object free. When she straightened, her eyes widened.
She was holding a pregnancy test.
Not only that; the window clearly displayed a positive result.
Almost immediately, Yuna's mind went to Viola. So, she'd assumed correctly. The strong-willed, gorgeous, fearsome woman was, in fact, with child; even if the prospect had disturbed the normal calm of Viola's visage the last time she'd seen her.
Though the family was already slightly on edge under the threat of hunters, Yuna hadn't sensed any additional tension that might have accompanied an announcement as momentous as Viola's pregnancy.
Of course, Liam’s mate was keeping the information to herself.
The young woman could certainly respect that. Viola's conception was almost as much of an anathema as her own.
What would Liam say when he found out?
Yuna winced at the thought, resolving to keep her mouth shut. If Viola had told no one, she had good reason.
“Where were you, woman?” Once back outside beneath a rapidly darkening sky, Yuna jumped at Liam's sudden addressal. The secret she was hiding made her even more nervous than usual in his presence.
“I was- ah- in the bathroom. Forgot some... things.”
“Nothing you can't buy once we're off this continent,” he returned scathingly, his look none too kind. When Yuna shrank back slightly at his words, he eyed her suspiciously. Usually, the young woman prided herself on holding up under Liam's scrutiny. Her sudden timidity, she realized, must be telling. “What's wrong with you?”
“Nothing,” Yuna replied a little too quickly for her own tastes. Inwardly reprimanding herself, she tried again. “Nothing.”
Liam continued to eye her, distrust in his eyes, even as Yuna slipped past him and over to Luther's side. Her mate was putting a last bag into one of the cars, and despite the severity of their situation, the young woman could still appreciate the strong lines of his body as his muscles worked.
“That's everything.” Turning to her, he gestured chivalrously. “In you go.”
With a small smile, Yuna stood on her toes to press her mouth briefly to his. It was one of the few shows of affection she allowed herself among his family. His lips were soft and warm on hers for a split second before she ducked into the car-
And found herself seated right next to Nita.
The ancient woman growled at her– actually growled- before turning away, and Yuna sighed in a long-suffering way. As much apprehension swirled through her gut at the thought of being in the middle of a nest of the moon-ripened, she was a little more anxious about the thought of traveling for over twelve hours in the company of people who were none too fond of her.
As the cars pulled out of the cobbled plaza in front of the manor, Yuna watched the huge expanse of the Douglas residence disappear into the distance. Outside, rain that had held off all evening finally broke the skies, splattering plentifully over the windshield. As thunder rumbled somewhere far off, Yuna's stomach cramped slightly and she winced.
The memory of being blood-soaked and in agony assaulted her for a split second; but that second alone was enough to take
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