Page 86 of Sinful Mates

“Don’t touch me, your excuses don’t change anything, not anymore.” My voice was level which even I was impressed by the lack of emotion behind my words. Theo doesn’t listen, though, still trying to reach for me even after I walk toward the door, where Tobias is leaning on the door frame.

“You can’t ignore us forever, you know this, Imogen; you can’t ignore a mate bond, we tried already; it will be no different for you,” Tobias says his face moving to mine as he blocks my exit. His breath fanning my face and his lips so close nearly make me forget everything. His close proximity and the heat radiating off his body overwhelms me. I shake my head trying to rid the feeling. He chuckles slightly knowing he is winning and that only angers me.

“Move, Tobias, now” I say, putting my hand on his chest and trying to get him away. I ignore the sparks that are moving up my arm threatening to take over all my rational thoughts. He steps to the side, letting me pass. I grab my handbag and clothes before heading for the door.

“Where do you think you’re going, Imogen?”

“Away from you, I’m sleeping in the guest room,” I say, throwing the door open and stalking out. I quickly get changed before climbing in the bed. I’m exhausted but the bed feels cold and lonely without them and way too big. I’m so used to Tobias’s warmth that I didn’t realize I would actually miss it, miss the feeling of our legs getting tangled and the weight of their arms draped over me. I wriggle around a lot, but I’m not giving in. That’s what they want and after a few hours of rolling around trying to get comfortable, I finally manage to get some sleep.

I’m woken from what feels like only a couple hours later by the feel of cold hands running down my arms, making me shiver before I feel his cool lips on my cheek. I open my eyes to find Theo staring down at me while sitting next to me on the bed. I roll over trying to go back to sleep.

“You can’t be mad at us forever, Hun, so I don’t know why you’re even trying.”

I ignored him and close my eyes.

“We have to go to work,” he says. I can tell he is hoping I want to go with them.

“Then go,” I say, not even trying to hide the anger I feel toward them. He sighs and the bed moves as he gets up. A few minutes later, I hear the front door open, and the sound of Theo’s car being backed out of the garage before speeding along the dirt road. Sitting up, I wander downstairs and turn the kettle on, needing my caffeine fix.

I have just finished making my coffee when I remember the test in my bag. My heart skips a beat. Quickly chugging the coffee, I run upstairs to retrieve my bag. I sit it on the island bench reading over the instructions. Seems simple enough; I just have to pee on the stick and wait. When it comes time to do it, though. I become nervous, so I pick the box up and stare at it before putting it down again. It’s just a test, Imogen, doesn’t mean it will be positive. You’re late because of stress. I keep telling myself that, though, I have a nagging feeling I’m only lying to myself. Glaring at the box, I snatch it up, removing the stick from the wrapper, and I go into the bathroom. I quickly pee then wash my hands leaving the pregnancy test on a hand towel.

I leave out and finish my coffee. My heart is hammering at the three-minute wait. I keep looking at the clock and back toward the bathroom.

Please be negative.

This will be a disaster if I’m pregnant. I only have two more days of living left.

When the time comes, I go over and pick up the test and nearly faint. I feel bile rise in my throat and run for the toilet before being violently sick. My hands become clammy and sweat runs down my neck. I can’t stop the tears from coming as sobs rack my body. I don’t know what to do, as I stare down at the test window which has two lines confirming, I am indeed pregnant. And if the estimation is correct, I’m five weeks along.

I suddenly hear the front door open, Caroline’s singsong voice coming to me. “Imogen?” she calls. I quickly grab everything, dumping it back in the box and throwing it in the trash just as she comes around the corner. I come out of the bathroom.

“You okay, dear? You look a little pale.” I nod, not trusting my voice.

“Tea?” I ask nervously. She nods and I see her eyes dart behind me, before she peers up at me questionably. I go to close the door when she stops me.

“What’s that?” she says pointing to the sink basin. I’m positive I threw everything out in my haste. She walks past me and picked up the pregnancy test that is resting on the basin. I was so busy trying to get rid of the box, I forgot about the test. She picks it up and I hold my breath.

“You’re pregnant,” she gasps looking at me. Her hands are slightly shaking as she examines the test. I don’t know what to say. She has the proof she needs in her hand. I can’t exactly deny it now.

Her next words shock me and make my blood run cold.

“You can’t tell them, Imogen,” she says, her voice sounding sad as she grabs the trash bin out and walks out, dumping the test in the bin.

“I will get rid of this,” she says. And for a second, I think she means the baby.

“What do you mean?” I ask, scared.

“They won’t care that you’re pregnant, Imogen, they won’t risk losing you.”

“You’re not making sense, Caroline. I can’t hide it from them,” I tell her.

“Imogen you have two days before they change you, this won’t stop them,” she says coming to a stop and turning around to face me. I let her words sink in.

“They would still change me even if I’m pregnant with their child?” I ask. She nods. I never wanted to get pregnant, but I also don’t want to kill an innocent baby.

“You need to run; we need to get you out of here. I have lost enough in this life, and so have you. I won’t lose a chance at having a grandchild,” she says, her voice thick with emotion.

I peer back at Caroline, fear consuming every cell in my body, paralyzing me as she gazes back with tears in her eyes. “They must never know, Imogen, not until your baby is due. They find out, they won’t hesitate to change you.”