The Worst News

We hadn’t even noticed he’d joined us. He was leaning against the doorframe, arms crossed over his chest, making his biceps look even more pronounced. He wore a black V-neck t-shirt and blue jeans. His hair was still wet, and he was barefoot.

“You mean like animals? Like our wolves do?” Leo asked, his gaze shifting from me to Phoenix then to his father. Phoenix lay contentedly in my arms, burping, completely oblivious to our discussion about her feeding habits.

“Yes, exactly like that,” I smiled.

His gaze momentarily unfocused, then his face scrunched up in disgust.

“That’s gross,” he said, taking a step back as if I’d suddenly grown two heads. “I think she’d prefer milk from a bottle.” His gaze constantly shifted between my chest and Phoenix.

“What if you’re not around? What happens then? Can we use formula like I saw the nurses doing?”

“No more formula; breast milk is good for her. If I’m not around, I’ll pump some milk so whoever’s with her can feed her.”

He stared at me in horror, like I’d just set fire to his gaming console.

“I’m out. I don’t want to hear any more,” he shook his head and walked out the door.

“I think I just traumatized our pup,” I said to Sebastian, grinning. “He probably never wants to hear the word ‘breast’ again.”

Sebastian chuckled. His voice was deep and sexy. “Give him a few years, and he’ll be singing a different tune.”

I stood up and stared at him. “Did you just imply what I think you did?”

This time he laughed. The sound did things to me. He rarely laughed around me, so I just let the sound wash over me.

“He’s a boy, and we both know what boys are like as teenagers. He’ll be hiding in his closet jerking off to pictures of half-naked she-wolves soon enough.”

“Now I’m the one who’s traumatized.” I cringed, trying to get that image out of my head. “I really didn’t need that.”

I shook my head, facing him. “Makes me wonder if that’s what you did when you were young.”

“No comment,” he smirked, taking Phoenix from my arms.

Yeah, he definitely did that as a teenager.

“Ready to see them?” he asked, then reached for my hand. I tried to pull away, but his grip was firm. Eventually, I gave up.

We left the room and headed downstairs. We found everyone seated in the living room.

“I’m sorry we scared you like that. I just really wanted to see you,” Mom said, tears shining in her eyes.

I was stunned by the emotion in their eyes—everyone’s except Aurora’s. She just glared at Sebastian’s and my joined hands with disgust in her eyes.

I should have been happy. I should have been glad. Roman and Mom were showing concern for me for the first time, but I couldn’t bring myself to be happy. It was like all my feelings for them had died. Even though I’d asked about them at the hospital, seeing them didn’t make me happy at all.

I ignored her words and noticed someone was missing.

“Where’s Dad? Is he still upset about what I did to Aurora? Did he bring her back or does he just hate me that much?” I asked bitterly.

They exchanged glances, communicating something with their eyes. I immediately felt something was wrong. From the pain radiating from them, it was big.

“Your father is dead, sweetheart,” Mom answered in a broken whisper.

I stared at them in shock. That couldn’t be right. I was sure I’d heard wrong. Dad couldn’t be dead. It was impossible.