Chapter 266
Chapter 266
We stood there for a moment, watching them sleep. They looked so peaceful, so innocent. They had no idea what was happening at the border, no idea that their father was in danger.
“Come on,” Sarah said. “Let’s go back to the living room p>
We left the door cracked open so we could hear them if they woke up and made our way back to the couch.
I immediately checked my phone. No messages.
“They won’t be able to text during a fight,” Sarah said gently. “You know that p>
“I know,” I said. “But I keep hoping anyway p>
She picked up her own phone and stared at it for a moment before setting it back down. “Me too. ”
We sat in silence for a while, both of us lost in our own thoughts and worries.
“Do you want to talk about something else?” Sarah asked eventually. “To distract ourselves p>
“Like what?” I asked.
“Like the baby,” she said with a small smile. “We didn’t get to talk about it much before everything happened p>
I placed my hand on my still flat stomach. “What do you want to know p>
“Everything,” she said. “How are you feeling? Are you excited? Scared p>
“Both,” I admitted. “Mostly scared, I think p>
“That’s normal,” she said. “I was terrified when I found out I was pregnant with Lily p>
“Really?” I asked. “You seem like you were made to be a mom p>
She laughed. “I definitely didn’t feel that way at first. I had no idea what I was doing. I still don’t most days. ”
“But you make it look easy,” I said.
“That’s the trick,” she said. “You fake it until you figure it out. And even then, you’re still just doing your best and hoping it’s enough p>
I thought about that. “What if my best isn’t enough p>
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Chapter 266
“It will be,” she said with certainty, “You’re going to be an amazing mother, Athena. I’ve seen the way you are with Lily and Liam. You’re patient and kind and loving. That’s what matters p>
“I lost a baby before,” I said quietly. “With Daxon. What if I can’t carry this one to term p>
Sarah’s expression softened with understanding. “That wasn’t your fault. What Daxon did to you was horrific and wrong. But this is different. You’re with your true mate now. The bond will help protect the pregnancy p>
“That’s what Mara said,” I told her. “But I’m still scared something will go wrong p>
“Of course you are,” she said. “After what you went through, it makes sense to be scared. But you can’t let that fear control you, you have to have faith that everything will be okay p>
I wanted to have that faith, I really did. But it was hard when my mind kept going to worst case scenarios.
My phone buzzed and I grabbed it so fast I nearly dropped it.
But it wasn’t from Tristan, it was from the company’s security system, just a routine notification.
I set the phone down with a sigh.
“I hate this,” I said. “The waiting. The not knowing p>
“I know,” Sarah said. “It’s the worst part p>
We fell back into silence, and I found myself staring at the clock on the wall, watching the minutes tick by with agonizing slowness.
Eight fifteen.
Eight thirty.
Eight forty–five.
Still no word.
“How long do these things usually take?” I asked.
“It depends,” Sarah said. “Sometimes it’s over in minutes. Sometimes it takes hours p>
“That’s not comforting,” I said.
“I know,” she said. “Sorry p>
At nine o’clock, my phone buzzed again. This time it was actually a message.
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Chapter 266
But it wasn’t from Tristan.
It was from a number I didn’t recognize.
I opened it with shaking hands.
“They think they’re so strong,” the message read. “But they’re going to fall just like everyone else who tried to stand against us p>
My blood ran cold.
“Sarah,” I said, my voice barely above a whisper.
“What?” she asked, immediately alert.
I showed her the message and watched as her face paled.
“Who sent that?” she asked.
“I don’t know,” I said. “The number isn’t saved in my phone p>
Another message came through.
“Tell your mate we’re coming for him. Tell your brother we’re coming for all of them p>
“Oh god,” I breathed.
Sarah grabbed her own phone. “I’m calling Orion p>
“He won’t answer if he’s fighting,” I said.
“I don’t care,” she said. “He needs to know about this p>
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