It felt like a huge weight had been lifted from me. The vampires were keeping a close eye on Monica as we traveled back to the pack house. Stephan said we would get home around 4pm.

Monica didn’t make any noises while we traveled. She was unconscious from all the drugs the vampires were pumping into her. The rogues were all dead. I may not have delivered any final blows, but I didn’t allow any of them to leave.

Stephan only kept Monica alive so the werewolves could have some proof that she was behind it all.

I didn’t remember falling asleep, but some time during the drive I dozed off.

“Casey.” Stephan’s voice startled me.

I nearly jumped out of my seat.

I stretched and rubbed my eyes. “What?”

“We’re here. You need to open the garage for us to get the car in.”

I nodded and opened the car door.

The sun wouldn’t instantly burn them to a crisp, but it would still hurt them.

No one was in the house. It was completely empty. I dismissed it. The longer it stayed empty, the more sleep I could get in.

It felt nice to be home. I pressed the garage opener and let the vampires into the pack house.

“You know you can’t stay.”

Stephan nodded. “We’re leaving as soon as we get the wolf downstairs.”

I led them to the basement and opened a cell for Monica. Once she was securely in there, we left her there. Coming off the drugs would be painful. She’d go through withdrawal. I didn’t care. She deserved to suffer.

Stephan went back into the garage to his car, “I’ll call in a few days. They would not like to find me here when they all come back.”

I nodded gave him then Ashley a hug. I missed Ashley. I was so glad that she came to see me.

Once they were gone, I went right up to my room. I took a steaming hot shower then fell asleep in my nice, comfortable bed.

---

When I woke up, I nearly had a heart attack. I almost popped up and started screaming like a little girl, but I didn’t. I did flinch and let out a tiny sound, but it wasn’t something I’d get teased for later.

“Casey?” It was Chris who was standing at the side of my bed, staring at me like some serial killer. “I didn’t think you were coming back.”

I put my hand on my chest, hoping that it would slow down a little. “Do you have to be so stalker-ish?”

He sat down on the side of the bed. “You were gone for so long. It’s been almost three months.”

I propped myself up on my elbow. “I know. I’m sorry I was gone for so long.”

He nodded and looked down. “I really thought you just ran away from us, that this whole time you were just waiting for an opportunity to run away from us.” He looked like a little boy who was told his favorite puppy had died.

“I’m sorry.” He just sighed and stared at me. “Where’s everyone else? I’m sure they’d like to get their two cents in.”

He smiled slightly. “They’ll be back tomorrow evening. Grayson sent me ahead to make sure it was all clear to come back.”

“And do you have to report in?”

It was like I lit a fire under his ass. He quickly pulled out his phone. “I saw you and I completely forgot.” He muttered as he looked for Grayson’s number in his contacts.

“How long were you standing there?”

“About an hour.”

I smiled. “Creeper.” I teased.

“Shut up.” He hit the send button.

“Don’t tell anyone I’m home yet. I want it to be a surprise.”

Chris rolled his eyes, but nodded.

He got off the bed and walked towards the hallway so that I wouldn’t be able to hear the conversation, but he’d still be able to keep an eye on me.

I had to hide my belly for as long as he was on the phone. I’m sure he’d be super surprised.

When he ended the call, he slid the phone into his pants before carefully coming back into the room.

“So..?” I was already sitting up with my knees bent, creating a tent affect over my body. Chris wouldn’t be able to tell I was hiding a baby under the sheets. “Did you spill the beans?”

He shook his head. “I think Grayson knows something’s up.”

“Which means?”

“He’ll probably be getting in his car in the next few minutes.”

I groaned, “How long does it take to get here from wherever you guys were?”

“8 or so hours.”

“Which means Grayson will be here in 4.”

He nodded. “Probably.” He looked awfully guilty. “I didn’t mean to make him think something was up.”

“You were probably doing your nervous thing.”

His brows scrunched. “What nervous thing?”

“Your voice gets a little higher and you stutter a little.”

“I do not.”

“Do too.”

He gave me a dirty look before walking away, “You getting up? Or are you staying in bed all day?”

“It’s only…” I looked over at my end table and I groaned “11.” I had slept for over 16 hours.

It was time to get up. I couldn’t be on vampire time any more.

“What are you making for lunch?” I hollered at him.

He laughed at me. “You really want me to make lunch? I can barely boil water.”

I sighed and nodded. “Let me take a shower, then I’ll make lunch.”

He nodded and closed the door behind himself.

Only one thing really bothered me. Shouldn’t he be able to scent the pregnancy? Brian knew something was up when I was only at 9 weeks. Maybe he thought I smelled like Amanda. Maybe the hormones smelled the same.

But if they smelled the same, Brian wouldn’t have known. Maybe something was on his mind and he just didn’t notice. Maybe I’d been gone for so long and he contributed my changed scent to that.

I quickly gathered up clothes to wear. It was hot outside, and I wasn’t going to try to keep the baby a secret. So I pulled out some spandex shorts, since they were the only ones that could work around my belly, and one of the nice, flowy shirt’s Stephan bought me.

Since my hormones decided that I was super giddy, I pranced down the stairs. Luckily Chris wasn’t around to be a witness.

I was in the kitchen straining a pot full of spaghetti noodles when Chris made his appearance.

He breathed in deep. “Mmmm…” he stuck his nose over the spaghetti sauce. “I love it when you cook.”

I put the strainer in the pot and put it back on the stove.

Chris was in a totally different mindset. You’d be convinced that this guy hadn’t eaten in weeks. I even leaned back on the counter; belly completely exposed…and got no reaction.

He filled his plate with food and walked out of the kitchen with a huge smile on his face.

I shook my head in disbelief. How could he not notice? I ran my hands over my belly, checking the size in the reflection of the oven. I was noticeably pregnant.

Feeling a little disappointed, I got my food and joined him in the living room.

We watched Iron-Man, since it was Chris’ favorite movie. Then a craving for chocolate hit me. We had no candy bars since the guys hate chocolate. So I had to bake something.

I threw on one of the guys t-shirts I stole from the laundry (clean of course). I wasn’t going to get my clothes full of flour. I headed off to the kitchen. I turned on the small radio so I didn’t have to bake in complete silence and got on my way to baking the perfect chocolate cake.

I was getting the cake pan out when Chris walked into the kitchen.

“Looking a bit chubby there, Case.” He said teasingly.

Oh, so that’s what he’s going to notice…

I glared at him. “I am not getting chubby.” I was sensitive about my growing belly. I knew I had to put on the weight for the baby, and I was putting on the weight, but that didn’t mean I was happy about it.

“Oooo, someone’s sensitive.” He came within hitting range and received a hit. Then he poked at my belly. “That was weird.” He said confused.

He poked me right in the baby bump. I turned away from him. I had a cake to bake. “Don’t touch my belly.”

I was a little mad. He hadn’t noticed before, why should he care now?

He grabbed me from behind and put his hands on my belly. “You feel like you’re pregnant.” He said gently in my ear before he took a deep breath. “You even smell pregnant.”

“Keep your opinion to yourself.” I pushed him away slightly. If I were a wolf I probably would have growled at him.

He couldn’t stop since his curiosity had always gotten the best of him.

He lifted my shirt to reveal only my protruding stomach.

“Chris!” I yelled at him. “Personal space.”

I pushed him back with my mind. “You’re pregnant!” He cheered too loudly for my liking. “I can’t believe I didn’t notice it before!” He sounded like a teenage girl.

“Shut your pie hole Chris! I don’t want everyone knowing.”

“Why? Werewolves love babies.”

I sighed exasperatedly, “You don’t have to shout it from the rooftops!”

“Oh but I do!” He cheered.

“Shush!” I tried, but I knew he wouldn’t shut up.

“So is it Grayson’s?”

“You going to keep your trap shut?” I’d tell him only if he promised.

“Yes yes yes, now tell me!”

I nodded, “Yes, it’s Grayson’s.”

It was all he could do to not squeal like a little girl. It was actually pretty funny watching him squirm around, trying not to be loud.

Chris was nothing but smiles, now that he was in on my little secret. “Thank god!” He sounded oddly excited.

“You need to keep it a secret. I don’t know how to tell anyone, especially Grayson.”

Chris shrugged and sat on the counter. “All you have to do is tell him. Say: Grayson, I’m pregnant.”

I feigned amazement. “Is it that easy? Wow this should be a piece of cake then.”

Chris nodded, “Exactly.”

I shook my head, “Wouldn’t that cause some problems for Grayson’s little whore--I mean girlfriend.”

Chris smiled, but there was a furrow between his brows that told me I was missing something. “You’re jealous because she got the title of Grayson’s girlfriend and you didn’t?”

I smacked him. “I am not.”

“Are too.” He teased. “You’ve loved him since you were like 10. We all know it. Your scent gets so pleasant when he’s around.”

“What does that mean?!” I felt my cheeks heating up from the blush creeping up to my cheeks.

Chris smirked. “People in love give off hormones that smell very sweet.” I smacked him. “Plus, if he’s not properly covered, your arousal fills the room too.”

I gasped and threw my batter covered spoon at him. He had the gall to catch it before it hit him. He wouldn’t stop laughing.

He licked the batter off the spoon before eyeing me. I saw the idea come to life in his eyes. He was going to get me with that spoon.

“Don’t you dare!” I warned.

“What are you going to do?” He asked playfully.

He didn’t give me time to respond. I screamed and laughed when he was pressed up against me, trying to smear the spoon all over my face.

I knew he was being very careful with his force. Chris wouldn’t hurt me. He’d probably be even gentler since he knew about the baby now. He’d always been like a brother to me. Plus, if he did get too rough, I could just push him from me.

The truth was I didn’t want to stop him. It was fun to mess around with him. It was fun I desperately needed. Lately I’ve needed a good dose of good clean fun, and this is what it was.

I gasped when he pressed the batter onto my cheek. He smeared it across my lips and to my other cheek.

“Beautiful.” He teased. “You need some more.”

I licked my lips. “That’s sooo good.” He leaned over and put the wooden spoon in the cake batter. “Don’t get your germs in there!” I yelled.

“Oh, it’s fine!”

With lightning quickness, he brought the spoon to my forehead. I felt the batter splatter and drip between my eyes.

“That’s not fair. You’re too fast.”

He just kept smiling. “Oh its fun and you know it.”

“Nah uh!” I whined with a smile on my face.

He brought his hand to my face and smeared around the batter.

“Chris!” I squealed. “Help!” I yelled in a giggle. I didn’t really expect someone to come to my rescue.

My face was covered in chocolate cake batter by the time he was finished.

“There I’m finished.” He licked the batter off my forehead. “It’s good.”

He turned to the sink, which was right next to the batter.

With a curl of my finger, the bowl with the remaining batter hurled at his face.

He only had a second to scream before the rest of the cake batter smothered his face. His mouth was even full of the stuff.

I couldn’t help the silly laugh that escaped from me.

He leaned forward. The batter fell off of him like water, all over the floor. I didn’t even mind the mess, it was worth the sight.

“Geez. Did you have to get all of it?”

I couldn’t even stop laughing to breathe, let alone talk to him.

“Ha. Ha.” He said with sarcasm as he walked to the sink and turned the water on. There was more than enough space for his head to fit.

“I have to make that cake now.” Then a brilliant idea made my cravings go into overdrive.
“Strawberry cheesecake sounds so good now.” I said wiping my eyes of the tears that collected. “That was so funny.” I mumbled as I got out the stand mixer. I didn’t want to sit there and stir it together this time.

“What are we eating for dinner tonight?”

I shrugged, “No idea. I just want cheesecake, lots and lots of cheesecake.”

He dried his hair with a dish towel. “Your face is dirty.” Of course it was, it was smothered in chocolate cake batter.

He threw the towel at my face as I was setting everything on the counter again.

I sighed and started wiping my face with the wetted towel. “Did I get it all?”

He shook his head and finished cleaning my face off. “You’re still a little brown.”

Then he threw the towel in the sink. “I feel sticky. I’m going to take a shower.”

Chris crouched down to my belly level. I was going to have to get used to the boys grabbing my belly until this baby comes out…when they all find out that is.

He tightened my shirt around the bump. “That’s so cool.” His big hands covered most of the bump. “Does it move yet?”

I shrugged, “It comes and it goes. It’ll get more active when I try to go to sleep.”

He looked disappointed. He must have really wanted to feel it move.

“Grab an icepack from the freezer.”

He looked at me like I had three eyes, but he listened. I put the freezing icepack on my belly and instantly received a kick. I quickly grabbed his wrist and put his hand right where the kicking was happening.

The smile on his face was worth the frozen spot, thought I’m sure the baby didn’t agree.

When he crouched down and kissed the bump, the doorway darkened.

I looked over with a smile and was stunned at what I saw.

Grayson stood there, in shock, in a nice tailored suit.