Chapter 0447

"Do you ever wonder if they'd feel ashamed?" I ask Alexander.

"Your ancestors?"

"Not just my parents. Generations back. Seeing what became of our bloodline. This book shows there were once so many Harrisons. Now it's just me. And I suppose Evelyn too."

"And our twins."

"No."

"No?" He raises an eyebrow.

I shake my head. "We haven't discussed it, but they're Blacks. Not Harrisons. They may be Lycans but they're just as much yours as mine. The Harrison name doesn't carry the weight it once did."

His lips find mine in a fierce, possessive kiss. He pulls back with a smile. "Whatever you want."

We walk through the house until we reach the basement door. I try to focus on the memory of Alexander making me part of the contract. Back then I panicked, but it became my escape route.

"I can't go down there." I groan.

"You're strong enough."

"It's different now. This isn't about what they did to me."

Nyx remains silent too.

"Brianna?" Alexander asks softly.

"Brianna and I have moved past it. She's home watching our boys. I can't let what she did resurface in my mind again. I forgave her. If I go down there where my blood probably still stains the walls because I wasn't allowed to clean it... I don't want to relive that memory. That's not who she is anymore."

"Then I'll go alone."

He opens the door. The rancid smell of decay hits us like a physical blow. It's a hundred times worse than when we first opened the front door. Alexander had opened windows earlier, airing out the main level. But this... My stomach clenches violently. The milkshake I had earlier threatens to come back up.

My legs carry me through the house automatically. I barely make it outside before emptying my stomach.

"Morning sickness hitting already?"

I look up to see Zachary offering a water bottle.

"Alexander opened the basement. We found the source of the smell."

He glances past me into the house before returning his attention to me as I take the bottle.

"Right."

"I thought you and Theodore were doing a perimeter sweep." I mutter.

"We were. I needed a drink when you came charging out here."

I swish water in my mouth and spit it out, trying to clear the vomit taste. It only makes my stomach clench again.

"Wait." I look up at him sharply. "You asked if morning sickness was hitting already."

"I did."

"You didn't ask why I was sick."

"I didn't."

"Do you know something?" I point my finger accusingly.

"I recall only one other time you drank milkshakes obsessively. The same drink you demanded five minutes into our journey because you were suddenly hungry."

"Are you saying I'm pregnant?"

"It's early, but yes. There's a very subtle change in your scent."

'Nyx?' I mentally reach out.

'I didn't want to freak you out.' she whispers before humming to avoid further conversation.

"Plus, whenever you and Alexander stand together, he always has his hand on your stomach." Zachary grins.

"He does not."

He simply keeps smiling.

"Does he know?" I ask.

"He hasn't said anything to me."

"This is not good. I'll have three under two. What if these are twins too? That's four under two. What if they can shift? The diapers alone..."

"You have time to prepare." His smile widens.

"I'm glad you find this amusing."

"What's amusing?" Alexander asks as he joins us outside. He carries several Harrison books from the office.

"I just... Did you find anything?"

"The smell was from a badly decayed body. Probably Marcus. It was dumped at the bottom of the stairs. Nothing else down there. Some boxes of junk. A mattress. But I thought these might be useful." He taps the books. "We can add our own family to them. However many children we have."

"You knew?" I demand.

"Of course I knew." He presses his lips to mine through our bond. "You should have started your period over a week ago."

"Okay, now that's out in the open." Zachary winks at me. "How come Luc couldn't tell you're pregnant?"