Chapter 26

He suddenly embraced me tightly and I was startled stiff. He whispered into my ear those silly human words, "I love you,El." As he let go of me slightly, I look to him in surprise. I was even further startled when he passionately kissed me and pulled me closer against him. I felt my instincts taking over and was relieved when he finally let go a moment later. "I will wait

for your call," he said before walking away.

I quietly made my way up to our room in the hotel. I went to the door on the right side of the hall and knocked. I was confused when no one responded. I knocked again but turned around when the other door opened.

Luther gave me a sweet smile, "you're finally back!" He sang as I smiled before following him inside the room. I came in and saw the other 5 men were sitting on the floor near the small table.

There were multiple pieces of paper in between them and near them. As all of them looked up to me I smiled again. I took a closer look at the papers and notice that they included multiple of the contacts Ivan had given us. There were multiple papers with information related to our back stories and our possible jobs.

I came over and sat next to Ty before leaning over on his shoulder. He kissed the crown of my head before smiling to me. "Hey there stranger," he said with a smirk, "you worried us a bit this morning."

"I didn't mean to," I stated. "I was just thrown off guard when Angie called me with such a helpful idea that I rushed out without thinking." I sat up, "so

what is all of this?"

"We have decided a lot of stuff for our backstories and have been discussing jobs."

Chris passed some of the papers to me. "We were thinking you could do consulting of some kind. Then you wouldn't need to be in the public very often. We also looked into the home Ivan bought. It seems it's in a good neighborhood."

Collin scoffed, "I don't think we should associate with that man. He lied about himself from the beginning, so I don't trust him."

"Did you finish that background check?" Cade asked as we all looked to Ty.

"He actually seems very remarkable. He left the pack about 200 years after El, has only passed on his soul three times, and has always had upstanding roles wherever he has lived."

Collin threw a paper into the center of the circle. "It doesn't matter what he has done! He's the brother of El's mate! He has the same blood as that damned man coursing through his veins!"

Luther sat up slightly, "I know I don't have as much knowledge and experience with this stuff, but I think there is only one opinion that matters here." He looked to me with a kind smile, "what do you think of him, El? You have interacted with him and now know his past."

Everyone looked to me as I felt nervous and unsure. I took a deep breath, "I need to come clean with you guys," I said as everyone froze.

"What do you mean?" Cade said with concern.

I fought back tears as I knew the truth would kill them and it could not be said. So this false reality was the best choice. "I lied about my relationship with Ivan." I looked to the floor, "the entire fight we had was just for show as I didn't know how to tell you all." As everyone stared, I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. I have to sell this lie in order to protect them. "I have known Ivan since I was human," Isaid as I looked to each of their eyes. "We have been in and out of contact for the entire time I have been gone because we have a past that has been kept secret, even from the pack." I looked to them all again, "I fell in love before I was reborn." Everyone seemed to stiffen when I met their gaze. "Ivan and I were seeing each other when we were still human. When his brother forcefully turned me, we lost contact.

Other than through letters and email, we have not seen each other since I was reborn." I took a deep breath again as I fought tears. "I didn't want to lie, but I had no choice. He was the reason I have wanted to come to Australia and why he found me so suddenly." I looked to the carpet as I gave everyone a moment to process my story.

"Do you still have feelings for him?" Luther asked as Collin scoffed.

"Of course not! El has said time and time again that she doesn't believe in such a thing!"

My heart ached as I knew this would wound Collin the most. But I knew it would hurt less than finding out that, when he left me for a few hours, I was impregnated by that monster.

"I still love him," I whispered but did not look up. "I also lied about this morning. I did not hunt with Angie." I looked to Ty as his hand touched my arm. "I have begun rejecting my meals."

"But that means..."

I looked away from Ty, "it's not as horrible as you think." I said with a sad look to him, "I am carrying the child of the man I love."

"You are pregnant with Ivan's child?!" Chris asked with sadness.

I nodded but looked at the ground, "we confirmed it. He is the only one who can lessen my sickness and curb my appetite."

"What do you mean?"

Everyone looked to Ty as he signed, "for full blooded

pregnancies, the mother's life changes very quickly. For the six months of carrying the child, they begin rejecting meals and can only be kept healthy and comfortable by the father of the child." He looked to me sadly, "El can only get nutrients by consuming Ivan's blood and the pains of the pregnancy can only be subdued by physical intimacy between the parents."

I felt Cade crumble mentally as he heard he could not help me and I had to be with another man.