King Cave (Forever Evermore, #2)(114)

And I wanted him to be mine, since the damn man held my heart in his hands.

All. Fucking. Mine.

I was growling softly when I felt a hand shake my shoulder quickly. Clyde growled. The hand just as quickly disappeared. My head snapped up.

“What?” My wolf was riding my voice, both my wolf and I feeling astronomically possessive.

I wasn’t sure who had shaken my shoulder, but Antonio leaned forward, his eyes close to mine, his expression worried. “Lil, are you alright? King Kincaid’s been saying your name for a while now.” He brushed hair out of my face, getting swiped by Clyde’s claws but not even seeming to notice that he bled for a millisecond before he healed. “Are you feeling unwell?”

“Lily?” Ezra’s voice came gently from the other side of the table.

Before I could say anything, Elder Jacobs cursed, asking, “She’s not pregnant again, is she?”

And, like clockwork, everyone at the table froze.

Stared at me.

I could imagine what was going through their minds, since almost every individual in here knew about Ezra and me. Our sexual relations were the most widely known affair with these people, but somehow they still managed to be kept a secret. There was humor in Elder Jacobs’ comment somewhere, but my wolf was riding me too hard to give that thought the proper time it deserved, wanting to pounce on Ezra and hold him down until he wanted me, too.

“Honey, are you pregnant again?” King Kincaid bent, staring me in the face. His eyes widened, horror overtaking his features. “Christ, we just fought.” His gaze slammed to Antonio. “Get the f*cking medic back in here.”

Absurdly, a chuckle escaped, sounding growly because of my wolf. “I’m not pregnant.” I fluttered my hand. “Only a little distracted.” I peered around the table, evading Ezra’s gaze. “Sorry, everyone.”

And still, they stared.

Sighing heavily, I reiterated, “I. Am. Not. Pregnant.”

King Kincaid eyed me. “No chance for pregnancy?” His nostrils flared.

Well, now, hell. Bindi had told me the procedure wasn’t one hundred percent effective. It was better than a condom, but there was still that less than one percent chance. So, how to phrase it? I petted Clyde absently, thinking quickly. “The man I’m sleeping with didn’t go bat shit crazy when he smelled me, and I was able to shift into my wolf today.”

His eyebrows puckered. “I don’t know how much you know about conception, honey, but sperm can live inside you for up to five days. You may have ovulated today and the egg fertilized after he scented you and your shift.” Okay, my face was flaming by now, my wolf receding. “Have you had sex in the last five days?”

My lips pinched, not looking at anyone. “I’m not pregnant.”

King Fergus stated, “Our women often become absent-minded when pregnant…and you most definitely were a moment ago. And you did just get into a fight. With you miscarrying recently, it’s better to be safe than sorry.” And he meant it kindly, too, by his tone. Damn him.

King Kincaid stated, “Just answer the question.”

Rubbing my forehead, cheeks flaming brightly, I muttered, “Yes, I’ve had sex in the past five days.”

King Kincaid murmured, “Truth.” A pause. “Was it protected?”

Oh, for the love of God! Instantly, I thrust my finger across the table in Ezra’s general direction, stating heatedly, “Just bite me and tell these people I’m not pregnant.”

King Kincaid sighed. “Honey, you really should have your partner wear a condom.”

The table was looking better and better to bang my head against. I waggled my pointed index finger and stole a quick glance at Ezra, who was sitting frozen, his heartbeat thumping so loudly in my ears I was surprised everyone in here couldn’t hear it. “Come on, Ezra. I’m not pregnant and this is getting to be a bit much.” I paused. “Or I can prove I’m not pregnant by stripping down right here and now to shift.”

Ezra swallowed, then his boots fell heavily to the floor from the table. He nodded. “Alright, I’ll do the blood test.” Yeah, he didn’t want me getting naked in front of Elder Merrick. Bending over the table, he used his free hand not holding Bonnie to hold my extended hand. He lowered his head, fangs descended, and his lips closed over my finger. His fang pierced my skin, and when he pulled I felt a wave of light comfort wash over me, my shoulders drooping and nerves relaxing with the gentle mind hold. As before, he grazed the tip of my finger with his tongue before pulling it from his mouth. And like before, he kept his head down as he swirled my blood in his mouth, slowly swallowing.

I heard the answer first in his heartbeat, which immediately slowed, before he sighed, shaking his head as he sat back in his chair. “She’s not pregnant.”

“Truth,” Elder Merrick stated, sounding bewildered.

King Kincaid pointed a finger at me. “Condoms, Lily.” His eyebrows rose. “Understand?”

I bit my lip because it was so damn hard not to bust up from the absurdity. “I understand.”

He shook his head. “Say you will.”

“I will.” To what, wasn’t said.

King Kincaid nodded. “Truth.” I could have sworn I heard King Venclaire chuckle, a few heads even turning his way, but King Kincaid either chose to ignore him or didn’t hear it. “Now, shall we get on with this?”