Damon drove his black armored Lexus SUV in silence.
Talia enjoyed the way he held her hand pressed on his chest like he was telling her she was close to his heart.
The lights of the downtown flickered as the car moved smoothly over the highway, and Talia realized that was not the way to the packhouse.
"Where are we going?"
Damon smiled mysteriously. "You will see."
Talia relaxed in her seat and let him have it. She didn't care where they were going, as long as they were together.
Damon and Talia used this peaceful drive to process the news: they will be parents!
Damon couldn't believe how excited he was at the thought of becoming a father. The thought of his seed growing in Talia's belly filled him with pride. Talia was the most amazing female he ever met, and he knew that there will never be another woman like Talia. And she was his. Will he be a good father? Damon was recollecting events with his father, and he decided to create happy memories for his child also.
Talia soaked in Damon's presence which wrapped her in safety and assurance that things will be alright. Motherhood seemed distant and daunting, but something told her that as long as she was with Damon, things will work out. If they had a boy, Damon will teach him how to be a fantastic Alpha, and if it's a girl, she will be their little princess.
Talia craned her neck to look up when Damon stopped the car in front of a massive building that had a sign "Royal Hilton". It was the most exclusive hotel in town, and the grand entrance spoke of luxury.
Damon's original plan was a romantic walk by the river, but considering the news he just received, he decided on something more relaxing.
Talia smiled at the sight of Damon holding his hand for her to take while exiting the car. He would always do that, but this time his expression was more gentle, making her all mushy on the inside.
"Ah!" Talia exclaimed when Damon scooped her into his arms without any warning. She couldn't believe that he carried her princess style into the hotel.
The massive entrance hall had tall pillars and fancy paintings of old-style aristocrats decorating the walls.
It was late in the evening, but there were people in the lobby, most of them staring at the spectacle of Talia being carried.
'You can keep me down,' Talia spoke to Damon through their mind link.
'No,' he responded with finality while tightening his hold on her. He really wanted to hold her.
Damon walked to the reception desk where two females were standing, both staring at Damon and wondering who Talia was. They were dressed up, and women guessed they were celebrities or maybe second-generation heirs.
"Presidential suite for the night," Damon said.
The woman's eyes widened. "Excuse me, sir. That suite is taken."
Damon frowned, and the second receptionist said, "We require reservations…"
She stopped talking when Damon threw his black card on the counter.
The first receptionist cleared her throat while reaching for the black card with her fingers elegantly. "As I was saying, the presidential suite is taken, but our royal suite is available."
Damon nodded in approval. "We will take it."
About a minute later, Damon exited the elevator on the top floor of the hotel.
Talia swiped the card key, and Damon carried her into a one-bedroom suite.
They had a bedroom, a kitchen, a spa-like bathroom, and a living area with a minibar, but the most impressive were wide windows that offered panoramic views of the town from the thirty-first floor.
Damon placed Talia to sit on the sofa in the living area.
Damon removed her shoes while asking, "Are you comfortable? Do you need something?"
"Why are we here, Damon?" Talia asked. She thought they will return to the packhouse.
"I wanted us to be alone tonight. Just the two of us. No distractions."
Talia thought how that was wonderful. She loved being alone with Damon. In the forest or in a luxurious hotel.
Sensing Talia's approval, he gave her a quick kiss on the lips.
"Wait here, while I start the water in the tub. We will start with a bubble bath, and then..." His voice trailed, making Talia's heart flutter.
Talia watched as Damon hurried to the bathroom with a spring in his step. He was happy, and she was happy as well.
Talia placed her palms over her perfectly flat belly. A baby.
Talia read that an increased sense of smell and fluctuating emotions were early signs of pregnancy, but she didn't know if those symptoms were because Damon's mark was becoming more solid, because she was pregnant, or maybe she wished to be pregnant and all that was just in her head.
Talia didn't dare jump to conclusions, so she decided to take a pregnancy test secretly if her symptoms stay the same or worsen. Talia picked next Monday as a test day.
She didn't expect that the scent of charred fruits will make her vomit.
Talia was panicked in the restaurant, and between hurls, she asked Liseli what was going on, and then Liseli responded with, 'a baby,' dispelling Talia's doubts about what was happening.
Now that they got into a hotel and Damon was busy in the bathroom, Talia asked Liseli, 'Why didn't you tell me I'm pregnant?'
Liseli was outraged. 'Hello? Did you forget that you told me to keep quiet about it?'
Talia remembered it. She didn't want to be disappointed if she was not pregnant.
'What if I drank wine or beer? Wouldn't that harm the baby?'
'You were not drinking alcohol,' Liseli responded matter-of-factly. 'But even if you did, a glass here or there won't cause any harm. Your healing will protect the pup.'
'A pup?' Talia asked. 'Does that mean I'm carrying one child?'
'Yes,' Liseli confirmed. 'Do you want to know if it's a boy or a girl?'
'No, no.' Talia was quick to say. 'Don't tell me.'
Liseli rolled her eyes. 'Take a note on this, girl. You told me not to tell. I don't want to hear complaints later.'
Talia giggled nervously. 'It doesn't matter if it's a boy or a girl. He or she will be loved the same.'
Liseli agreed.
'Lis? Is this the time to have a baby?' So many people were after her. And even if she manages to deliver her baby safely… 'What if I'm a horrible mother?'
'It's never the right time for a baby, Talia,' Liseli responded seriously. 'Children are a blessing. If it's not your time to be a mother, the Moon Goddess wouldn't allow it to happen. Trust in her, and trust in yourself. I will be by your side, and so will your mate. You are not alone…'
Liseli was still talking, but Talia was stuck on the 'not alone' part. It meant the world to her.
Damon came out of the bathroom and his expression fell. He dashed to Talia and kneeled by her side to wipe her teary cheeks with his palms.
"What happened, kitten? Are you unwell? Should I take you to a doctor?"
Talia shook her head. "I am fine, Damon."
"Why are you crying?"
"I am happy," she said. "We will have a baby and… I am not alone."
Damon's heart cracked. "Of course, you are not alone, kitten. I will never leave your side."
