Skye

I watched them drive away, then made my way back into the house. Most of Antonio’s coven had gone with them to provide protection, and Conner had left Ryan in charge of the pack. 

I stuck my hand in my pocket and wrapped my fingers around the pregnancy test I had been planning to show them the day prior. As long as they made it back in the time they said they would, everything would be okay. Human omega pregnancies were usually seven months, but as I was pregnant with either a wolf or a vampire child, I was more likely looking at closer to five months. I wanted to try and get a nursery put together to surprise them.

With that happy thought, I went in search of Ryan to enlist his help.

***

“Of course!” Ryan exclaimed. He wrapped me in a hug. “I can’t believe it! Conner and Antonio will be so excited when they find out. I’m honored you would ask me to help.” He set me down and opened his laptop. “What do you think you want for the nursery?” 

“Um…” I took a seat next to him. “Well, I’m working under the assumption that we don’t have anything, so maybe we can start with a crib?”

“Alright, let’s take a look and see what we can find.”

I bounced nervously beside him as he navigated to a website full of cribs. My eyes opened wider and wider as we went through page after page of cribs loaded.

“Anything stand out to you so far?” Ryan asked, clicking the next button again. 

“Uh, well I guess it would probably be a good idea to get a bassinet for the bedroom? For when they’re just barely born, I mean. Maybe we could start there?” I shook my head. “This is going to be a bigger project than I thought.”

Ryan chuckled. “Babies are a big deal and they need quite a bit of stuff.” My fear must have shown, because he continued quickly. “But they’re so worth it! Don’t worry. And you’ll have an entire pack and coven here to help you.” He smiled softly at me. “You are going to make an amazing daddy.”

I felt my face heat, but I hugged him. “Thanks Ry. I’m glad you’re still here.”

He hugged me back. “Me too, kid, me too. Now,” He pushed back excitedly, “let’s find you the absolute best bassinet that we can.”

***

“Skye! Conner and Antonio are on the phone!”

I dashed to the office at Ryan’s call, excitement racing through me to be able to talk to them. It had been almost a month since they’d been gone and had only been able to call a handful of times.

“I’m here, I’m here!” I panted, reaching out for the phone. “Gimme, gimme!” I was practically jumping up and down, reaching for the phone.

“Okay, okay!” Ryan laughed, “Calm down a bit. Conner, here’s your omega and he’s very excited to talk to you.”

He handed it over and I caught Conner and Tonio laughing. “Hey!” I stuck my lip out in an exaggerated pout. “You’re laughing at me again.”

“Hey, little one, don’t pout.” I could still hear the mirth in Tonio’s voice and I smiled. “How are you doing, little one?” He asked softly.

“I miss you.” I sighed. “Do you still think you’ll be back in a month?” 

The silence on the other end was all the answer I needed and I tried not to let my disappointment show, since Ryan was still in the room.

“About that. Sweetheart, this is taking longer than we thought it would. It looks like it’ll be at least another month longer than we planned.” Conner’s voice came across the line.

I held in a whimper. “Oh.”

Ryan came over and wrapped his arm around my shoulders. I knew he could hear our conversation and was grateful for it this time. 

“There’s something else.” Conner said. He seemed to hesitate before he continued. “I’ve asked Ryan to come and meet us out here. I’ve asked Jefferson to stand in until we all get back.”

I deflated even more. I didn’t like Jefferson; he always looked at me like he thought I was a piece of meat or something.

“Why?” I whined. “What’s so important that you all have to be gone? I don’t like Jefferson; he’s weird and makes me uncomfortable.”

“Skye, he’s a trusted member of my pack. This thing turned out bigger than we thought it would. We need Ryan’s help to be able to come home.” The reproach in his voice caused me to shrink back instinctively, even though I knew he couldn’t hurt me through the phone. 

Ryan’s eyes held concern at my move, but I just shrugged out from under his arm and stepped away. 

“I’m sorry, Conner. I didn’t mean to make you upset. I just miss you both.” I whispered, tears filling my eyes.

When he didn’t acknowledge my apology, my heart cracked. I’d felt a distance growing since they left and it made me sick. I guess complaining about one of his pack had pushed him too far.

“Give the phone back to Ryan.” When he finally spoke, his voice sounded rough and slightly cold.

This time, the whimper escaped, but I did as I was told, then ran from the room without waiting to hear more.

It wasn’t long before Ryan came in search of me. He found me in the nursery, kneeling next to the crib pieces. I had finally decided to just have it custom made and it had arrived yesterday; Ryan had planned on putting it together, but now it looked like I would be doing it.

“Hey, Antonio wants to talk to you. Conner isn’t with him anymore.” He said softly.

I wiped my cheeks and shook my head. “I don’t want to talk to him when he’s mad at me.” I whimpered.

“I’m not mad at you, little one. Conner was out of line with how he spoke to you.” Antonio’s voice came over the speaker, clear and sweet. “He isn’t mad at you either; we’re just under a lot of stress right now.” His sigh came across the line and I instinctively reached for the phone, which Ryan readily gave me. “Skye, I know this has been really difficult for you, but I promise, Jefferson will listen to the orders Conner gives him. And we’ll be back as soon as we can.”

I scoffed, anger overtaking the hurt. “Right, as soon as you can. Which at this rate will be five or six months from now.”

“Skye, it’s not like that.” Antonio said quickly. “I promise, you just need to believe me.”

“Then why won’t you tell me what this whole thing is about?” I cried harshly. Once again, I was met with silence. “Forget it. Keep your secrets. Take all the time you want. I don’t care anymore. I must not be that important to you. Don’t worry about calling me anymore; I would hate to pull you away from the people who need you.”

I hit the end button before he could respond, then screamed in pain and threw the phone as hard as I could at the wall. Ryan flinched as it shattered, but wrapped his arms around me as I sobbed. 

I cradled the small baby bump. “It’s okay, little bean,” I whispered brokenly. “I’m here for you, even if they won’t be.”

Ryan didn’t say a word, just kept holding me.