Chapter 48: Chapter Forty-Eight

Genesis

“Mason!” I covered my mouth with my hands—my very sharp mouth. “I’m so sorry! I don’t know what came over me!”

His mouth was still open, maybe in shock, possibly a bit of horror as he looked from the raw steak back to me. “Blood.”

I shook my head. “It just—I didn’t—”

Mason roared with laughter then carefully set the knife down and made his way around the table. “Fangs look good on you.”

I covered my mouth again. “But I’m human.”

“Vampires get very protective when they feel threatened.” He held up his hands then tilted his head. “May I?”

“What?”

He winked and leaned down, pressing his head against my stomach. Was he insane?

“Mason, please, tell me why the hell you have your head pressed against my mate before I rip your tongue out.”

“Such violence,” Alex said in an amused voice. “You’ll have to learn to guard what you say when you have a little person running around.”

“Little person?” Ethan repeated.

“Shh…” Alex held his finger to his lips. “…listen.”

Ethan stared at me, then at Mason, then at Alex. “Three heartbeats, but—”

“But…” Alex nodded. “Do you hear that fourth one? Kind of sounds like a horse taking off, its hooves hitting the race track in rapid succession.”

Mason grinned and looked up at me. “Healthy.”

“Wh-what?” I was still covering my mouth.

“Vampire blood…” Mason laughed and slapped his knee as he sat down. “For one reason or another, the mixture of the bloody steak and me holding a knife set your heart racing.

“Protective vampire blood took over, compliments of your mate and newfound immortality, and here we are…”

“I attacked you!” I wanted to crawl under the table and hide.

“To protect your little one.” Mason winked. “It won’t be the last time.”

“Little one,” Ethan repeated, still as a statue.

Alex grinned between all of us. “I’d like to point out I knew first.”

“How?” Ethan growled.

“I counted.” Alex rolled his eyes. “The heartbeat was so faint at first. I thought it was because we were losing Cassius, and then when Genesis walked in, it was stronger.

“And we all know what happens when a mate is made immortal. They take on different… gifts… from their immortal partner.

“She’s still human, but mama bear will most definitely fang a bitch or…” He smirked. “…a werewolf—my apologies—if she feels threatened.”

Mason let out a low growl while Ethan moved around the table and gathered me into his arms. “You’re pregnant.”

“Um…” I gulped. “Apparently.”

“Immortals move fast and all that.” Alex yawned. “Oh, and here’s some good news. Six months—not nine. Immortal blood develops faster.”

I nodded my head, unsure if what I was hearing was actually happening. “I think… I think I need to sit.”

“Yes, well, just keep your fangs in.” Ethan grinned.

Horrified, I touched my mouth again only to find the fangs gone. “What happened?”

“Retracted,” Alex winked. “Cool trick, right?”

“Alex, don’t you have somewhere to be?” Ethan hissed.

“No,” Alex pulled out a chair. “I really don’t, and it’s ~Uncle Alex~.”

Mason grinned.

“Does that make me a grandfather?” Cassius stumbled into the room.

“Because as much as a new life excites me, I’m the oldest here, and the thought doesn’t sit well with me,” he winced and pulled out a seat.

“Hip bothering you again?” Alex joked.

Cassius tilted his head, white filling his eyes, while Alex jumped out of his chair and started scratching his arms violently. “Make it stop.”

Cassius smirked. “I have no idea what you’re talking about, siren.”

Ethan rolled his eyes. “Cassius…”

“Fine,” Cassius snapped, his eyes flashed, and Alex stopped itching.

“You know I hate ants,” Alex grumbled, crossing his arms. “Making me see one of my fears isn’t a good way to make friends.”

“I have friends.” Cassius shrugged.

I smiled and reached for him. Ethan’s eyes were leery, but I knew it would be okay, knew that touching Cassius would do nothing to me.

He must have realized it too because the minute my hand snaked out, Cassius clenched it with his and kissed me on the knuckles. “I’m glad you’re feeling better.”

“Me too.” I squeezed his hand back and then kissed his cheek.

Ethan growled.

“Settle.” Cassius rolled his eyes. “She feels nothing for me. Her heart is pure green.”

“Funny,” Ethan hissed.

“Like her eyes.” Cassius smiled.

“I only have four steaks.” Mason interjected. “So, if you guys need more food, someone has to go to the store, and I vote Alex, since he’s the most irritating of the group.”

“I don’t eat.” Cassius frowned. “But…”

I laughed and pointed to the meat. “Maybe you should try to be more human.”

“She has a point.” Ethan pulled me into his lap. “It may help things along.”

“Things?” Alex squinted. “What things?”

Cassius growled.

Alex’s eyes narrowed. “Oh no. Hell, no.”

Mason chuckled. “So, we get more steak.”

“Am I the only one who thinks this is a really bad idea?” Alex shouted.

“What idea?” I played dumb, knowing exactly what was going to happen. Cassius was going to pursue Stephanie… as he should.

“I’ll murder you,” Alex said in a low voice.

“Any more fears, Alex?” Cassius taunted.

“Bastard.”

“King.” His eyes flashed. “And don’t you forget it.”