Page 218 of The Heart of Winter

He grinned. "Abso-fucking-lutely!"

Sariel’s hand found mine, and I squeezed it hard.

Staring into his eyes, I had to ask:

"Now tell me one thing, how the hell are you pregnant? I’m not fertile. I’ve been tested…"

Sariel let out a soft, rueful sigh. "Apparently there was… an extra factor involved. One we both kind of ignored. Continuously. Stubbornly."

"What are you talking about?" I asked, even though I already knew, I just needed him to say it.

"We’ll get there soon. But the only thing that matters now is that you’re the only person I’ve ever slept with, so I’m completely sure. You’re the father."

My mouth opened, then closed again. Finally, I asked, "Does your father know?"

"Not yet. I’ve been using strong scent-masking deodorant around him."

"His reaction… might not be great. Not after what I heard today."

Sariel shrugged slightly.

"Whatever he says doesn’t matter. But Blue thinks he might surprise us. That once he knows the truth, he’ll come around."

Then he leaned in closer and very deliberately breathed in my scent.

I felt embarrassment brewing in me, and sat up quickly, finally pulling myself out of his body.

"But what about you, Winter?" he asked, raising an eyebrow. "Do you have something to tell me? Your scent has changed too. It’s very… distinct."

Frowning, I swallowed. "I don’t know what you’re talking about."

"You smell like you’re pregnant too," he said softly, sitting up beside me.

I let out a short, nervous laugh. "I’m a beta."

Sariel pulled his T-shirt over his head and crossed his arms. He said nothing.

Eyeing him, I rubbed my chin. "What?"

"Because betas never get pregnant? Hm? There’s actually one at the company, carrying your own nephew inside his belly: Soren."

I stiffened. "But he’s a beta with omega characteristics! I’m just a beta."

Sariel tilted his head slightly, lips pressed together.

"I have an excellent sense of smell, Winter. Really excellent. And I know what I’m picking up."

I stared at him, trying to reach into my own body for answers, but all I found was confusion. Finn had said the same thing… I brushed him off. My dad—he’d sniffed the air more than once, but never pushed.

And me? I just kept denying it.

"How could I be pregnant? I’m really just a beta, Sariel…"

"You keep saying that, over and over. And yet, on the island… what you had, that was heat, Winter."

A flush rose to my cheeks, and I quickly looked away. But Sariel didn’t let me. He leaned in, tilted his head, and caught my gaze.

With a low, sensual tone, he said, "And I loved it so much. I hope you’ll have many more heats, it was pure heaven! But… we’re missing the point here."

---