Unveiled: The Cursed Trilogy, Book Three by Betty Legend (i love reading .TXT) 📕

my head. “It’s from a wild boar,” he explains.

“I think it’s great you two are hunting together.”

Phoenix shrugs his shoulder. “He’s a little slow but good with the takedown.”

Killian slugs his shoulder, and Phoenix laughs.

“Bullshit. I’m not slow. We’ll have a race to prove it.”

“I’ll watch that,” Emeric chimes in.

I love every moment of this. Killian laughs and takes a drink of beer, then sets it aside on the counter, so he can hold me in both arms. Lifting my t-shirt, he caresses his fingers along the waistband of my lounge pants, and I melt into his chest as our mate bond vibrates through me.

“What did you make?”

“Baked chicken and roasted vegetables,” Griffin tells me as he opens the oven. Pulling the two large baking sheets out, he sets them on the stove. “Grab some plates,” he tells everyone.

The guys let me fill my plate first, then they all do, except Phoenix. He pours another glass of blood, and I make sure not to react even though it’s making me cringe on the inside. I’ll have to get used to that. Leaving the kitchen, we take seats around the table in the dining room, and I take a moment to appreciate what’s happening. All of my guys are here, and they’re all getting along.

“Cyrus, how did my mom and Rachel like the mirrors?”

After his bite, he smiles from his spot at the end of the table. “They were excited. They loved the mirrors and that they’ll get to communicate with you through them.”

“I knew they would be. Did you get your time off approved?”

“I did. I’ll be able to take my time off, the beginning of next week. They want me to finish out this week and prepare my teaching assistant to fill in for me.”

I frown, but I’m sure that’s as good as it’s going to get.

“I’m relieved you’ll be home soon.”

“Me too,” Griffin adds.

Cyrus nods in agreement. “I will be as well. It’s stressful constantly having to be cautious about my surroundings.”

I glance at Emeric directly across from me, then at Cyrus. Cyrus shakes his head at me, and I huff.

“What’s wrong?” Phoenix asks from diagonally across the table, his inquisitive gaze on me.

“I think it would be helpful if Emeric stayed with Cyrus while he’s at work. He’s really good at security.”

Emeric looks at Cyrus to gauge his reaction.

“Not necessary,” Cyrus tells him.

“All right.” Emeric shrugs.

“But…” Killian places his hand on my thigh and caresses, stopping me from pushing the issue. “Fine.”

“Where is your resort?” Phoenix asks Griffin.

“Florida.”

“We should talk. The Artino family has resorts in Vermont and Massachusetts.”

“Let’s do that.”

“What does Andrea do for the Artino family?” I ask Phoenix.

“Real estate. She has a way with seduction and negotiating deals.”

“I believe that.”

Phoenix and the other guys laugh.

“Has she ever had a vampire partner?”

He shakes his head no. “Kristo feels no vampire will ever be good enough for his daughter.”

“What does she think?”

“She wants her father’s approval.”

“Why does he spoil her yet shows her zero affection or even a kind word?”

Phoenix tilts his head as he lowers his nearly empty glass. “Andrea is his favorite child because of how loyal she is to him and how much she looks like her human mother, but Kristo is not an affectionate man.”

“What happened to their mother?”

“She died of age and illness.”

“Did Kristo love her?”

“Very much. He hasn’t taken a companion since her death.”

My curiosity comes to an end when my stomach grows nauseous. Setting down my fork, I rub my stomach.

Killian caresses my leg. “Are you all right?”

“I’m not sure. My stomach’s upset.”

Concern fills all of their expressions. My stomach churns again and knowing the feeling, I push back the chair and rush to the closest bathroom.

Killian comes into the bathroom door with a glass of cold water. When he sees me bent over the toilet, he sets it on the sink counter and squats down next to me.

“It’s okay. I’m done.”

“How are you feeling?” He hands me the water, and I sip it.

“Not as nauseous, but I don’t feel good. I’d like to go upstairs and lie down. Can you let them know I’m sorry? I’m not feeling up to—”

“Sweetheart, it’s fine.” His expression is soft and empathetic. “If you’re not feeling well, we’ll wait until you’re feeling better. How about I carry you upstairs?”

“Yes, please.”

Scooping his arms under my legs and around my back, he lifts me off the bathroom floor and carries me to my room. I climb under the blanket, and Killian sits on the edge of the bed. “I’ll get you more water. Do you need anything else?”

“Some aspirin. I have a headache and some muscle aches.” He stands from the bed, and I snag his hand. “Will you sleep with me tonight?”

Lips pulled back, he nods. “Yeah.”

A short time later, Killian returns with water and aspirin. “The guys understand you’re not feeling well.”

Relief fills me as he sets the water on my nightstand, then hands me the aspirin. As I take it, he removes his jeans and briefs. Climbing into the bed naked, he puts his chest to my back and curls an arm around me. With his fingers, he massages circles around my stomach. It lessens the stomach pains, and soon, I fall asleep.

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

KILLIAN

Cyrus enters the dining room after checking on Selene, his expression downturned with worry.

“She’s been sick for two weeks. It’s time she sees a doctor in the states or visits Ancor.”

Sitting at the dining table, I set down my four-of-a-kind poker hand. “She’s not sick with a virus,” I tell the rest of the guys. “She’s pregnant.”

It takes a moment for my words to sink in, their expressions transitioning between their emotions.

“Pregnant?” Cyrus asks to confirm.

“Yes. As wolf shifters, we can sense when our mate is pregnant. Her pheromones have changed.”

Phoenix drops his straight on the table. “She does smell different. I’ve noticed the change as well.”

Griffin tosses his cards into the center, indicating he didn’t have a hand. “Pregnant,” he says aloud to himself