My hands flew to my mouth, but it wasn't enough to hide my shock. Cora saw my every emotion—my eyes and still body betrayed me. As she looked at me, I realized my thoughts mirrored her worst fears: that Roger wouldn't easily accept this, that it could end their new relationship, especially since he hadn't yet given her his mark. She burst into tears, burying her face in her hands.

"Oh no!" I breathed, dropping my hands and throwing my arms around her. "I'm so sorry, Cora! I didn't mean it! It's not that bad!"

"Yes, it is!" she sobbed. "He's the only thing I want, and he'll never accept this—"

"Sure he will!" I assured her, desperately hoping I was right. I frowned toward the door, imagining Roger on the other side, and narrowed my eyes, wondering if I could somehow force him to be gentle with her—maybe even to accept the baby as his own.

Inwardly, my wolf paced anxiously. "Not his baby, not for Roger," she said. "He can't feel that way about another man's baby—his wolf will never accept it."

I scowled, knowing my wolf was right. She knew Roger well; he was the kind of wolf who would feel paternity viscerally, who would need the blood link to connect with the child.

My situation was different. Adoption was a real possibility for me, especially as an orphan. I understood and could welcome a child who wasn't biologically mine. But Roger

I briefly wondered where Sinclair stood on this—he treasured his biological connection to Rafe, but would he?

Quickly dismissing the thought, I focused on my sister. I pulled away, rubbed her back as she sobbed, then gently pulled her hands from her face, making her look at me.

"Cora," I whispered, shaking my head. "No matter what happens, I support you. I've got your back. Yes?"

Trembling, Cora nodded. I held her gaze, conveying my determination to find a way through this. I decided I needed to get her talking—out of her grief and onto a plan. Anger and determination would be best, but we'd see.

"Cora," I said, taking her face in my hands. "How did this happen?"

She began to tell me everything—how Roger stopped calling after we came home (I could kill him for that!), about the night she spent with Hank after the baptism, about his kindness and patience, and how, despite her intense feelings for Roger

"You thought he'd never love you," I murmured, then dropped my head, cursing myself. I had hammered that idea into her head—that they should be apart if they couldn't agree on children. I had driven her into Hank's arms, resulting in this.

"Shit, Cora," I murmured. "This is all my fault."

"No, Ella!" Cora disagreed, putting her arms on my shoulders. "It's not. You were just trying to help. And," she laughed, low and ironic, "if anyone's to blame, it's me. What was I thinking, not using contraception? I'm a fertility doctor, for heaven's sake!"

I whipped my head up. "Seriously, Cora," I said, eyes wide. "What were you thinking?"

We stared at each other, then burst out laughing—a desperate, humorless laughter clinging to the edges of sanity.

"Oh my god," Cora said, bent over, clutching her stomach and wiping a tear. "It's so not funny, Ella"

"I know," I replied, still giggling. "I feel horrible. It's just incredibly bad luck—"

Slowly, we regained composure. The laughter had brought a little peace. I saw in her face that she knew I was there for her. Even at the worst, we'd find something to laugh at.

"God, Cora," I murmured, taking her hand and giving her a sad smile. "What are you going to do?"

"I don't know, Ella," she sighed, her eyes a little lost.

"Are you going tokeep it?" I asked, watching her hand drift to her stomach.

"I don't know," she repeated, shrugging and looking away. "Honestly, being a mom was never on the table. And since Roger and I got together it was even more of a non-issue."

"Okay," I said, not wanting to push her. "Have you told Hank?"

Slowly, looking at the floor, she shook her head. "I can't be with him, Ella. We broke up—I did it the day I went back to the clinic, after being at your house with Roger." Her expression grieved anew. "It was horrible. You know how stoic Hank is—he was so upset, but trying to hold it together I don't know how I tell him I'm having his child."

"I get it," I said, squeezing her hand. We were silent for a moment before I broached the topic she wanted to avoid. "Cora," I started, hesitating, "Roger has been completely freaking out since you've been gone."

"I know," she groaned, putting her face in her hand. "He's been blowing up my phone. But once I found out I was pregnant—honestly, I just took a test on a whim because I missed my period—I just I couldn't"

I squeezed her hand. I would have run to Sinclair, needing his comfort and help, even if it felt like a knife in his chest. Cora didn't mean for this to happen—and it happened before she and Roger were together. So it wasn't a betrayal

But still. I imagined Sinclair's face if I told him I was pregnant with someone else's child, even by mistake

The pain I felt was immense. I put a hand on Cora's shoulder, understanding anew.

Rafe let out a little cry. I stared at my sister; he wasn't unhappy, just suddenly aware.

The door opened. Cora and I spun around, eyes wide.

"Shit, shit," I thought as I looked—

But I breathed a sigh of relief when I saw it was Sinclair, carrying a tray of food.

He smiled at Cora, crossing the room to greet her, but stopped abruptly as if hitting an invisible wall.

Sinclair's face fell; his eyes widened as he focused on her, his gaze darting over her. He could smell her.

"Oh my god," he said, his voice shaking.

"The door!" I shouted, knowing Roger wasn't far behind.

Sinclair went pale, spinning to slam the door shut—almost succeeding—

But Roger shoved his shoulder against it before it clicked.

"Hey!" he shouted cheerfully, not yet realizing Cora was there, thinking Sinclair was playing a game.

Tense, Cora grabbed my hand.

Sinclair frantically tried to shut the door, but Roger, sensing something was wrong, growled, slamming his weight against it, sending Sinclair stumbling back into the room.

Roger stormed in, worried, sensing we were hiding something, but his face brightened immediately upon seeing Cora.

"Cora!" he cried, relief and delight chasing across his expression.

Then he smelled her.

He crouched, his face confused, worried, and defensive.

"Roger!" Sinclair snapped. "Calm down! Stop!"

But Roger ignored him, slowly prowling toward Cora, who jumped to her feet, going pale. I stood between them, but Roger continued to approach.

"How" he growled, his eyes sweeping over her. He wasn't mad. He was terrified.

"How?" he asked again. "How, Cora? How did you get my pup?"