My daughter will carry the future of the Primal race on her shoulders.
I get cleaned up before Vlad’s father leads us to our quarters. I recognize the building. I recognize Vlad’s room. But there are other rooms just as decadent that are set up for all of us. Beautifully-colored walls and sprawling mattresses with silken sheets that call to me. I run and jump into my bed as tears of happiness stream down my cheeks. I slip beneath the covers and allow sleep to overcome me as my men stand by my bed.
Protecting me and the daughter I carry inside my body.
I stir a few hours later, my eyes fluttering open. The luxurious smell of meat and vegetables take over my senses. I see a plate thrust underneath my nose, and I become ravenous. I sit up in bed and reach for a fork, then begin to devour the food placed on my lap. Vlad and Theo and Toshi and Sebastian—they’re all sitting with me. On the edge of the massive bed eating their own plates of food as their eyes dance along my body.
We all eat in silence until our plates have been cleaned, and then I feel myself fill with enough energy to have the conversation we need to have.
“I need to make sure,” I say.
“Make sure of what?” Vlad asks.
I look over at the handmaiden standing at the door, and I nod toward her. She shuts the door, leaving us all alone in my bedroom, and I reach my hands out for my men.
The men I’ve fallen desperately in love with.
“I love you all. Every single one of you. And I want us to be together. To create a life together. So much has happened. So much good and so much bad. And I—”
My voice catches in my throat as my emotions begin to overwhelm me.
“Take your time,” Sebastian says. “Gather yourself.”
“I want you guys to be okay with this,” I say. “I don’t want you getting into something that doesn’t make you happy. In a few months, I’m going to be a mother. My body’s going to change, and this little girl is going to become my greatest priority. Things are going to change, and if you don’t want to be here, I need you guys to know that I won’t judge you if you leave.”
“I’m not going anywhere,” Sebastian growls. “You know that.”
“Neither am I,” Theo says. “You’re going to need support. Help. Because if that little girl is anything like you, she’s going to run you ragged.”
I giggle as a tear slips down my cheek.
“I love you,” Toshi says. “You know this. Though I have to say, one day I would enjoy the chance to have a child with you as well.”
“Me too,” Theo says.
“Vlad?”
My eyes pan over to the Wolf sitting on the edge of the bed. His arms are crossed over his chest, and his eyes are hooked to mine. The small grin on his cheeks grows into a massive smile, and I watch as he slips his hand into his pocket.
“I guess I’ll get this started then,” he says.
“Get what started?” I ask.
He pulls out a small ring box. My eyes widen. He scoots up the bed until my legs are in his lap, then he opens the box and shows me the delicate ring within the velvety confines. All at once, the rest of the men move, placing their hands in their pockets and pulling out small ring boxes. Tears flood my cheeks as my hands cover my mouth and glittering in all of the beautiful boxes are rings of every color.
Then, Vlad begins.
“From the moment you first entered this village, I knew you were mine. I wasn’t sure why Sebastian was with you or why the two of you were trying to con me, but I knew you were mine. I felt it. In my bones, Clarissa. An Alpha Wolf only feels that way when looking at his one true mate. And when you left Russia, your scent stayed with me. The guilt of what happened between us weighed heavily on me for days, and I knew I had to go after you.”
Vlad takes the sparkling silver ring that matches his eyes and hovers it over my left ring finger.
“I love you, Clarissa. And just like everyone else in this room, one day I hope to have a child with you. I’m not leaving, and I’m not compromising myself to be here with you. I want you. Forever. No matter what that means. Clarissa, will you marry me?”
My eyes whip over to Sebastian, and all he does is grin.
“I can’t believe I’m saying this, but yes,” I say breathlessly.
Vlad slips the ring on my finger before he passes my hand to Toshi. The ring in his box is swirling with colors. Just like his eyes. Greens and blues and purples and reds, all mirrored depending on how it tilts in the light. He poises it just beyond my left ring finger, then his eyes come up to meet mine.