Page 44 of Destined Paranormals: Volume One

I blinked a few times, shook my head, then set the sewing back in the basket that was beside the chair. I stood, then grabbed my back and stretched.

“I am sorry. I guess I was lost in thought. I was thinking about sewing for the twins. We spent weeks preparing for them.”

Aleric reached for me, wrapping his hand around my neck and gently pulling me to him. He kissed my forehead, then pulled my face into his neck. I placed my hands on his waist and breathed deeply. He knew his scent calmed me—brought me back to the now.

“I know you miss them terribly. I cannot bring them back for you though. I would if I could.”

“I love you, Aleric. I know you would. You and your fathers have given me a new start, and for that, I am blessed.” We joined Ferdinand and Egon at the table and enjoyed another meal of stew and sweet bread.

After we retired to our room for the night, I lay in bed with Aleric curled up behind me. “Aleric?”

“Hmm?”

I smiled when he kissed my shoulder. It had only been four months since we’d claimed one another, but my alpha showed me his love in so many ways every chance he got.

“Do you know why your fathers never had any more children?” I whispered. I had wondered so many times but did not feel comfortable enough to ask Egon yet.

“They did have one more after me. Well, one that I recall. I remember Da being pregnant when I was little. But the baby came too early and only lived a few days after he was born. Da has had heats since, but for whatever reason, they haven’t had any other children. I am not sure if the heats just don’t take or if they do something to prevent them. I have not ever asked.”

I closed my eyes tightly against the tears that filled them. When I reached down to my stomach, I laced my fingers with Aleric’s that were resting there. I could not imagine carrying my child only to have him die after birth. I was terrified of facing the same outcome. Would fate be so cruel? I’d already lost my entire family. Would I have a chance to have my own with my mate?

“Our baby will be okay. Do not worry about things we have no control over.”

“How can you be so sure?”

“I do not believe that fate would lead me to you only to take our firstborn child from us once I found you.”

I squeezed my eyes as tightly as I could. I hoped what he said was true. I had already known so much loss. I could not go through more.

I lay there in Aleric’s arms, safe from the world that was outside. The wind was howling, the snow pelting the logs. For now, we were safe. We would stay inside until the storm passed, and then Aleric and Ferdinand would go outside and clear a path before they went hunting.

I missed my dragon, but he was quite content to remain curled up and resting. I had never asked my own omega father what it was like being pregnant because I never imagined him being taken from me so soon.

I became lost in thought while staring at the flames in the fireplace. They had died down some but would still burn for hours yet. Aleric would wake in the middle of the night and place more wood in the hearth, and that would take us through to morning. Neither of us would freeze, our inner dragon’s fire keeping us more than warm enough, but with me carrying our first child, Aleric was being overly cautious.

“Sleep, my mate. Your mind needs to relax so you can.” Aleric ran his fingers through my hair, something he’d quickly learned worked wonders to relax me.

“I love you. Thank you for coming for me.”

“I will always come for you, Konrad. Until there is no life left in my body, I will always be there when you need me.”

I reached for Aleric’s hand and pulled it around me. I kissed the back before I held it tightly over my heart and drifted off to sleep.

Chapter 15

Aleric

March 1769

“It could be any day now,” Father said.

I nodded as I placed the beam on the roof with Father’s help. “It could, but my dragon says it’s too soon. I feel for my mate though. He is so very uncomfortable. I would think he was having two if not for the fact that I have only heard one heartbeat, and my dragon agrees.”

“Do not repeat this to your mate or mine,” Father said. When I did not reply right away, he kept quiet. Once I had my end of the log secured, I looked over at Father, giving him my attention.

“I make no promises. I do not keep secrets from my mate, Father.”

“Wise man. I will take a chance anyway.” Father secured his end now that the top was tightened down. “Konrad’s stomach is so much larger than your da’s was. Either time.”