Page 5 of Rocky Top

I could feel Knox at my back, tense and watchful. Rocky, tall and broad-shouldered, studied me with a guarded expression. They were both worried I might slip up again. I cleared my throat, shooting Knox a quick glance before turning to Birdie.

“I’m… better,” I said. “Sorry about the other day. I was pretty out of it.”

Birdie frowned. “Well, you were talking about all sorts of bizarre things, about Knox being a…a…” Her words drifted off, and I saw her mouth quirk, like she was unsure how to phrase the craziness I’d spouted.

I forced a laugh, pressing a hand to my forehead. “Yeah, I know. I said some wild stuff, didn’t I? I’ve just been feeling so sick lately, nausea, headaches, the works. I was rambling, Birdie. I’m so sorry if I worriedyou.”

Birdie’s skeptical gaze flicked from me to Knox, then to Rocky. “I guess you did sound… I don’t know, delirious.” She tucked a lock of hair behind her ear, clearly uncertain. “Are you sure you’re okay now?”

Rocky stepped forward, slipping an arm protectively around Birdie’s waist. “Eliza’s been under a lot of stress,” he said carefully. “We all have. With everything going on, it’s understandable.”

Knox nodded his agreement, setting a hand lightly on my shoulder. “She’s been pushing herself way too hard,” he explained, his voice calm. “Between raising Emma, the new school term, dealing with Mark’s passing… it’s enough to make anyone say things they don’t mean.”

I breathed out a sigh of relief, seeing both men back me up. Birdie looked torn between concern and lingering doubt.

“So, you’re not… serious about the, uh,‘fox’stuff?” she prompted, eyeing me with a laugh.

My face flamed. I shook my head vigorously. “No, God no. I—I don’t even remember half of what I said, but it was all nonsense. I promise.”

She hesitated, chewing on her bottom lip. Then Rocky gave her a gentle nudge, and her shoulders loosened. “Alright, if you say so. We were just worried you’d really lost it there for a minute.”

“I appreciate it,” I replied, giving her a weak smile. “I’m sorry for scaring you.”

Rocky cleared his throat. “So,” he began, looking from Birdie to me. “I hear you two ladies had a talk about more than just that.Maybe about you needing some time off, or… something else you might need?”

My stomach did a little flip-flop. I had a feeling he was probing to see if I’d admitted anything else. “Just typical friend stuff,” I lied smoothly, hoping to divert Birdie’s attention. “Girl talk and all.”

“Right,” Birdie said, nodding. Her relief was almost palpable. “Eliza and I talk about everything, her weird dreams, nightmares, all that drama with Mark… but I guess not everything, right?” she teased, casting me a playful wink. “Next time, just let me know when you’re about to spin me some wild story. I’ll bring whiskey and chocolate.”

Despite the tension, I couldn’t help a small laugh. “Deal. Promise.”

Knox let out a long breath and shared a subtle look with Rocky. Both men seemed satisfied that Birdie now believed it had all been the product of my exhausted mind. Emma chose that moment to dash over, clutching a coloring page decorated with neon crayons.

“Look!” she announced, holding it up proudly. “Uncle Doug said I did a good job!”

Birdie’s attention diverted, and she cooed over Emma’s artwork, letting out effusive praises. I exhaled, relieved that the worst of it was over for now.

With Birdie occupied, Rocky turned to Knox and me. “We’ve got that officer meeting soon,” he reminded Knox, voice low. “Eliza, you’re welcome to come, but if you’d rather stay out here, we get it.”

My pulse kicked up. I understood this was the club’s hush-hush business, no tellingwhatmight come up. For now, I was content staying with Emma. “I’ll hang with Birdie,” I said. “We’ll keep Emma busy.”

Knox gave my shoulder a reassuring squeeze before heading down the hall with Rocky. The heavy door closed behind them, leaving Birdie, Emma, and me near the bar. After a moment, Birdie reached out and patted my hand, a faint worry line marring her brow.

“You sure you’re okay?” she asked again, a quieter, more personal question this time.

I took a beat before answering. “I’m… trying to be,” I said honestly. “It’s just been a lot, Mark’s death, the stress with the trial that never happened, and now all this wedding stuff.” I patted my stomach lightly, using the excuse I’d grown accustomed to giving. “My body’s not handling it well.”

Her expression softened. “You know I’m here, right?” she murmured. “For anything.”

“I know,” I said, feeling a tiny pang of guilt. Because therewasso much more, so many truths I couldn’t share yet. “Thank you.”

She nodded, then forced a bright smile for Emma. “Come on, kiddo, let’s show your mom what an awesome artist you are.”

As Birdie led Emma away to an open table, I caught sight of Knox peeking around the hallway corner, probably checking to make sure everything was okay. I gave him a small nod. He flashed me a brief, relieved smile. The secret was safe, for now. And I was safe, too, sheltered in this strange web of half-truths and well-meaning lies, knowing full well we’d face more questions downthe road.

But at least, until Birdie became an official wife in the club, or a shifter herself, she would remain oblivious to the supernatural truth swirling around us. And I’d wait until I had an actual positive test to talk to her about me being pregnant.

Chapter 1

---