Page 240 of Labor of Love

His heart felt soft.

A dart of panic zinged through Lothian’s belly.

He was absolutely not falling for Ryland. It was impossible. It was just the rush of hormones in his blood, that was all. Exhaling, he let Ryland draw him back into his arms. His muscles were a little sore, but he was once again slick and ready. As Ryland slid into him, he chanted the alpha’s name, unable to say anything else. He stared up at the other male, watching sensation and emotion cross his face. He wished he could read him better.

Just another reminder that he didn’t know Ryland.

For all his kindness, Ryland didn’t know him, either. Lothian tried to push the thoughts away and let himself get lost in the pleasure of Ryland’s kiss, but a single thought kept echoing through his head.

After tonight, there would be nothing between them but memories.

3

2 Months Later

“I’m pregnant.” Lothian bit his lip and waited for a response. It came in the form of laughter. He kicked Dante’s shin, though the other omega’s skirts protected him. His best friend waved him off, still laughing.

“Just figured that out, have you?”

Lothian sat in the chair opposite Dante, his hand hovering over his belly. His cheeks burned, then cooled. His head swam. The truth was, he’d suspected it since the morning after his incredible day with Ryland but had refused to believe it would happen.

He had woken up alone.

As amazing as their time together had been, Ryland had left without so much as a note. The only way he knew the knight was still alive was that Dante occasionally mentioned hisfriendoffhand. Their easy relationship set Lothian’s teeth on edge. Ryland hadn’t even written to see if Lothian was all right.

Lothian knew he hadn’t imagined the kindness and care Ryland had taken with him, but the more he thought aboutit, the more practiced it seemed. Why was Ryland so good at controlling himself in a rut? His nights were tormented with dreams of all the other omegas Ryland had bedded and abandoned.

Anger burned in his gut. He kicked Dante again. “No, I’m notjustfiguring it out. I’ve just seen the physician, and he’s confirmed it.”

Dante pressed his fingers to his lips to stop the laughter. His eyes were still twinkling with mirth, but his mouth firmed into a line. “You must follow my advice and reach out to?—”

“No.”

“Be reasonable, Lo. He’s the father of your child.”

Lothian’s stomach twisted. “I’m well aware. But I’m not going to go running to him now. He hasn’t so much as sent a note!”

“You haven’t, either.”

That was true. He had wanted to, but his pride was wounded. However, now there was a child to consider. Still. “He didn’t bond with me. He was gone the next morning. That’s a pretty clear indication he didn’t want to see or hear from me.”

Dante sighed. “So you say. But what are you going to do? Who is going to take care of you?”

Lothian stiffened. He reached for his tea and took a sip despite its scalding temperature. “I can take care of myself. I have money. What do I need an alpha for?”

“You’re not even going to tell him?”

He shook his head. “And neither are you, Dante! Promise me.”

His best friend stared at him for a long moment. “Lo!”

“Promise. Me.”

Dante chewed his lip and glanced toward the door of the drawing room. “Okay.”

Lothian leaned back in his chair and let the assertion soothe him, though he knew it was a reluctant promise. The truth was, when he had realized he carried Ryland’s child, he had been excited. His heart had leapt. He had nearly run out the door to go find the alpha at that very moment. But then, he remembered the pain of waking cold and alone in Prince Richard’s castle and it had stilled his feet.

For all that they had shared, Lothian still knew precious little about the other male. What he could imagine drove him crazy. What did he do with his days? Who was Ryland feeding on? Did he just bed any omega that needed it without bonding with them so he could be free? Didn’t he want a family?

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