Page 106 of Labor of Love

Hurrying back into the shop, I dig through the wall ofthingsuntil I can find the little glass jar. With a heart racing, I head to the front and purchase it. Then stuff it in my pocket along with the change. He gave me far more than eighty.

Luken is on his way into the store as I reach the door. He takes my hand in his as we head down the road.

I love visiting my family, but I’m so damn anxious to get home. I want to try this. I know I’m putting far too much faith into it, but I’ll try anything at this point.

I think Luken knows I’m in a hurry to get home, so we only stay for a few minutes. I leave him in the entry as soon as I kick off my shoes and race into our bathroom, shutting the door and locking it. My heart is pounding.

What if this doesn’t work?

What if itdoes?

I read the words on the label over and over. Just in case. I don’t want to miss a single detail. Then I twist the lid off, peel away the security wrap, and pull out a pill. There are a dozen inside. That means I have twelve chances. That’s it.

Setting the little pill on my tongue, I turn the water on and then stick my face under the faucet to drink directly from it. It’s a small pill so I have no problems getting it down. Then I strip out of my clothes and let myself out.

Luken is standing outside the door with his arms crossed. His eyes widen a little when he sees me naked and, of course, my dick hard. It’s pretty much always hard when we’re together.

“Breed me,” I say, breathless.

His eyes hood, and I instantly smell his arousal.

“Come here,” he says, reaching for me and wrapping his arms around my waist. His free hand picks up a glass of water and hands it to me. “Drink it all. You need to stay hydrated for what I have in mind.”

A chill of anticipation runs down my spine, and I chug the water.

4

LUKEN

Is the weather as perfect elsewhere in the world as it is in Alyra? It feels as though everything is in perfect harmony. Then again, that could just be me feeling nostalgic for a place I haven’t left yet. But I swear, the grass is green and lush, the flowers are always in bloom, and the sun is always warm but not hot. If someone could make a utopian atmospheric environment, I think it’s here.

I look down at the text I haven’t sent yet.

He hasn’t taken a test in three weeks.

The sick feeling percolates inside me at the knowledge. Maybe he’s given up. Maybe he knows it’s not going to happen, so he’s stopped trying.

I hit send, and as always happens, the three circles of our soon-to-be pack instantly drop under my message to tell me they read it. And then there are three bouncing dots as they respond.

Rhydian

Is he okay?

Daunt

Maybe he’s stressed. Have you taken him to talk to someone yet?

Hakan

That might be a good thing. Did you try the pollen nectar?

I’ve tried nectar. Nearly every single time for the past three weeks. And no, I haven’t brought him to talk to anyone yet. It’s getting far too close to our year mark, and I’m afraid they won’t try to reassure him, but automatically begin working with him to separate him from me.

Hakan

The fuck?!

Daunt

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