Chapter 272 - Caught in the moment (1/2)

Shelly's breath caught as she walked into her new bedroom for the first time since everyone had left the house. Poseidon had said he'd left her a surprise, but never in her wildest dreams had she imagined anything so amazing. The uncomfortable upscale hotel room vibe was gone. Sheer curtains hung over the bed, eliminated by thousands of tiny flickering lights behind the white fabric. The crisp white bedding was now replaced by pink sheets, a cute tribal patterned blanket, and a matching woven throw. Several pillows of various sizes and textures lined the cushioned headboard. A low, wooden bench ran the width of the bed, giving her a perfect place to climb onto the cushy mattress. A soft furry rug spread out in the opposite corner of the room rested under a full-length dressing mirror while an adorable hanging bassinet hung in the other corner. Her eyes became misty as she trailed the taupe canopy all the way up to the ceiling where a baby's crib mobile hung inside. She let her body shift into human form as she reached up and turned the dial causing the tiny plush stars to begin to spin as the tune of twinkle, twinkle little star played softly. Tears streamed freely down her cheeks. There was no denying, she had grown to love the crazy sea god and his family so much. He had become somewhat of a father figure to her over the past months... but deep down she'd feared he only saw her as a pet... would only ever see her as one... Her teary eyes moved around the room once more. The room was set up for the easy use of a pregnant wolf... but planned out to also be convenient for a new human mother. He had thought of her, the person, rather than only a wolf... Her eyes landed on her own reflection in the full-length mirror. Her stomach was as round as a beach ball, a little lump sticking out where a tiny head pressed against its confined space. She smiled down as she rubbed her baby bump, more tears running down her face. ”If only-”

Her words were cut off by the opening of her door. ”I was-” Arei's eyes widened as he met her equally shocked eyes. He quickly turned away, squeezing his eyes tightly shut. ”I'm sooo sorry! I didn't expect- it doesn't matter what I expected, I shouldn't have walked in on you like that I'm sooo sorry!” He ran his free hand through his hair as he stepped out of the room, leaving the door only cracked enough to finish what he'd come to say. ”Jos asked me to find you and see if you were ready for dinner... She's in the kitchen... just whenever you're ready... Again, I'm sorry to intrude!”​​

Shelly watched in stunned curiosity as the giant man squeezed his eyes shut tighter before turning and nodding in parting to her. She let out a long sigh as she forced her body to shift back into the wolf form. Would this be her life once the baby was born? Everyone she'd gotten close to in recent weeks feeling awkward around her?

Arei didn't open his eyes until he was halfway through the living room. He called out as he bumped his toe on one of the dining room chairs. He looked up to catch Jos's curious eyes on him.

”Are you alright?”

Arei huffed out an embarrassed sigh as he rounded the bar and circled his arms around her waist, resting his forehead on her shoulder. ”I didn't knock before I opened Shelly's door...”

Jos shrugged as she turned in his arms, studying the massive man. ”So? I mean I'm sure she will understand...”

His face turned red. ”She was n.a.k.e.d... in human form...”

Jos's eyes widened as she took in his obvious discomfort. She couldn't help the giggle that slipped from her lips. ”I'm sure it was awkward for the both of you, but still, I'm sure she will understand and not hold it against you. I'm sure you didn't mean to walk in on her like that.”

Arei quickly shook his head in agreement. ”I keep forgetting she's capable of that form whenever she wants... I've gotten so used to the wolf form...”

Jos raised a hand to stroke his beard. ”You'll adjust once the baby is born, I would assume she plans on returning to her normal form by then... which reminds me, I should probably get with Raven and have Shelly's things sent here.” Jos tugged her phone from her back pocket and rested against his strong frame as she waited for Raven to answer.

Knock, knock, knock

Fern snarled as he continued working on the doc.u.ments in fount of him. There were no words for his current level of irritation. After seeing the surveillance footage of a week ago, the night he'd been forced to drink his own poison, he'd worked tirelessly to shift his plans. Only these last small tasks remained...

Knock, knock, knock

An animalistic growl escaped from between Fern's gritted teeth as he pushed away from the desk and flung the pen across it. Who could it be now? Surely not his errant nephew. That little bastard would just barge in without knocking. He adjusted his suit as walked over and he unlocked the door, then pulled it open. ”What do you want?” He growled. His eyes widened momentarily as he took in the new head of the Mediterranean Vampires. ”Ah, you... Come in and have a seat.” He stepped aside and nodded to the boy as he gave a slight bow and walked in. A snarl curved his lips once again as he watched the young vampire move confidently through the room to the comfortable leather armchair opposite his own. ”What brings you in today?” He forced his usual mask of an elegant businessman as he sat back down behind his desk.

Drake adjusted his tight designer slacks. ”As you know Matt and I have been here nearly two weeks. If there is nothing else you have to offer, then we shall be returning home in the morning.”

Fern arched a brow as he brought his hands together and pressed his index fingers into peaks against his chin. ”I assumed you were the one forgoing our arrangements... seeing as to how much you've taken up with the prince lately...”

Drake shrugged. ”It's smart business, after all, he will be taking over sooner or later. Whether it will be as beneficial as the current arrangement or not, it will still be beneficial.”

Fern nodded as he pushed up from his seat once again and walked around the desk, leaning against it as he studied the young vampire. ”I would be careful who I tried to play if I were you. I'm sure your mother has told you how we became associated before pushing you into this new role?”

Drake nodded forging indifference. ”I do, but I don't see the relevance of bringing it up here.”

Fern smiled as he crossed his arms over his c.h.e.s.t and stared the young vampire down. ”You must understand the strategy and raw devotion that goes into such extreme measure, yes?” He tilted his head. ”I only wonder if your mother would mourn you any more than she did your father.”