Queen of the Lycan - Karina Espinosa (bill gates book recommendations .TXT) 📗

Emma’s face flushed and she looked down at her feet guiltily. I pulled her in for a hug and kissed the top of her head. “I missed you, kiddo.”

She wrapped her arms tightly around me. “I missed you too,” she sniffled.

“You grew up to be an amazing young lady,” I whispered into her hair. “You’re going to do great things. But make sure you do well in school, okay?”

She nodded. “I will. I’ll do good so I can become an alpha.”

I gave a wide smile and squeezed her tighter. “Damn right.”

After making the rounds and saying hello to all my friends, I tried to slip away and find a secluded area so I could have a breather. A moment or two where I wasn’t being followed by guards or the Summit. Just a few blissful minutes to myself.

I snuck out of the ballroom and tiptoed toward the grand staircase, adjusting my dress so I could sit on the lower steps. I eased my feet out of my heels and cracked my toes in the most unladylike fashion. If anyone was around, they would probably think I was gross and uncouth. The thought made me chuckle.

“Out here all alone?”

I looked up to see Ophelia. I hadn’t heard her approach, but she stood just a few feet away from me in a conservative black dress and flats, her gray hair pulled back in a bun. I stared into her milky white eyes as if she could see me.

“What are you doing here?” I glanced around the foyer to see if we were alone … surprised to see we were.

“Looking for ye, of course.” She stepped closer to me. “It’s nae easy to catch ye without yer guards.”

I frowned. “And why would you need to talk to me alone?”

She pursed her lips, the wrinkles around them deepening. “Because what I have to tell ye can only be for yer ears.”

I sighed and stretched out my bare feet, leaning back on the stairs. “You knew more than you were telling, didn’t you?”

“Aye.” She held her head up high. “I know many things, Mackenzie Grey.”

Mackenzie Grey? I hadn’t been called that in a while. It felt nice. Comfortable.

Placing my heels to the side, I stood up and walked closer to the oracle so we were mere inches from each other. “All right then, tell me. What did you see?”

“Ye must protect the future leader of the Lycan at all costs. It is yer responsibility—”

“Are you kidding me?” I nearly shouted. “You actually want me to help the asshole who’s going to steal my crown?” I scoffed. “That’s some bullshit!”

Ophelia’s hands shifted to my abdomen and I felt the heat from her skin. “Ye will need to protect him, child!”

Instinctively, I placed my hands over hers. “W-What?” I stuttered, wide eyed and disbelieving.

She blinked a few times before rubbing my belly. “He will be known as the greatest ruler the Lycan have ever known, but even before he is born, he will have a host of enemies. The demon has awoken and smells yer blood. Ye must protect him at all costs!”

My mouth went dry and I had to swallow a few times before I had the presence of mind to smack her hands away from me. “I’m not pregnant!” I yelled.

“Shhh child!” She stepped closer to me and placed her crooked finger over my lips. “Ye must be careful with this information. Ye may nae want to believe it, but ye are with child. I’ve seen it. By Summer solstice, ye will give birth.”

I licked my dry lips and tasted the saltiness of my tears. This was not what I wanted. Ever. How could this have happened? Well, admittedly that was a stupid fuckin’ question. Of course I knew how it happened, but I also knew how vigilant I’d been about birth control.

I looked down at my stomach through teary eyes and clutched my abdomen angrily. The one thing I didn’t want to happen, happened. He wasn’t even born yet and the kid already had enemies! This was the dangerous life I hadn’t wanted for any child. Why? Why was this happening?

“Mackenzie?” Bash’s voice filtered down the hall and I startled, releasing my mid-section guiltily.

I cleared my throat and wiped my face free of tears. “Yeah?” I smiled a little too brightly.

“What are you doing out here?” He looked between me and Ophelia, then looked at my tear stained face and frowned. “What’s wrong?”

I tried to laugh it off. “Nothing. It’s nothing. I’m, uh, I’m actually a bit tired. I think I’m going to head up to our room—”

“I’ll go with you.” He started to walk with me, but I stopped him.

“No! Stay. You haven’t seen the pack in months. Enjoy your time with them. I’m just going to turn in early.” He hadn’t seen his friends since we left New York City. I didn’t want him to miss out on tonight. At least one of us should enjoy our mating ceremony.

His brows furrowed. “Okay, but at least get some of the guards to escort you to our chambers.”

As if on cue, William and Liam emerged from the ballroom and peered down the corridor, looking for me.

“Ah, there you are.” Bash turned around and saw them. “The Queen is turning in early. Can you escort her to her chambers?”

“Aye,” they both answered.

Bash gave me a kiss before I grabbed my heels and started to follow. I took one last look at Ophelia before following William and Liam up the stairs.

They talked animatedly about the ceremony and reception, but I was completely spaced out. I didn’t even remember the walk to the royal wing. My thoughts raced as I pondered what Ophelia had just revealed. It couldn’t be true … could it? I mean, I hadn’t been feeling well … could that be the reason why? If so, I needed to see Dr. Harris as soon as possible.

“Yer Majesty?” Liam stopped me as I walked past the common room and into my