Page 53 of Shifting Years
"But?" asked Kim.
"It was war, and I wasn't in my right mind. The look of my fellow soldier… I get that he was scared, but he reflected the monster I became."
Mike rested his hand on my shoulder, sending mental ice deep into my soul. It was necessary to go over there and not because of my earlier politics. If I didn't, Mike would have had more pain. The witches were right, and we had to pay the price.
"Might be best to go back a bit and tell my part," said Mike. "Todd says he turned into a monster, but I created one."
"Like me," I said.
"No," shouted Mike. "You tried to fight the beast in you. Henry didn't."
***
Chapter Nineteen
January 30th, 1972
(Much Earlier)
Mike
The military took my husband—my everything—two weeks ago. I rested a hand over my stomach. Just one month along, but Omegas showed faster. Three times faster.
You're not Todd's by blood, but we'll love you. I'll love you. I just hope we're not alone…
I couldn't finish the thought. Being a single parent meant Todd would be dead in Vietnam, lying in a jungle. We'd be alone, forever.
Shame raced over my face. I wasn't dodging gunfire, and I had people looking out for me. The sheriff drove by randomly, and the townsfolk checked by to see if I needed anything. I had to remember my blessings.
A soft knock came as did a whiff of familiar floral perfume under the door crack. Tiny ceramic clicks came as I approached. Penny stood outside in a blue, flowered dress with her blonde, feathered hair blowing slightly in the March breeze. Resting in her hands was a white casserole dish covered in tin foil.
It was a sweet gesture. We got along, but I was closer to her Alpha. She worked hard to keep jealousy from creeping in, and I did too. Mary and I would never sleep together—we just had more in common. Common sense said there was nothingto worry about, but wolves and humans don't always think with logic.
Her slight Southern twang drew out. "I made that recipe you suggested. The chicken turned out real nice." She held the smile a bit longer than normal. I tried hard not to feel sorry for myself, but the town had its struggle. Pregnancy is a special time for every Omega and a time for their Alpha to take care of them. Everyone worked to make sure I wasn't down, and sometimes it meant a smiling mask.
I invited her in and offered her the casserole. After a bite, I nodded in approval, then my cheeks puffed out. You didn't need shifter ears to notice my stomach gurgle.
"Oh gosh, stupid me. I should have remembered!" Her Olympic-level reflexes quickly put the lid back on the dish, wrapped everything in a paper bag, and then set it outside in under ten seconds. "Oh, I'm so sorry."
I clamped my mouth shut, forcing the nausea down, and grabbed a cold seltzer from the fridge. Todd bought it before he left. His scent lingered on the handle, faint but there.Can't think about him right now.With shaky hands, I stood over the sink and took slow, careful sips.
I'm a guy who knew he wouldn't have a wife and had no sisters. I never had to think about pregnancy. I knew about morning sickness and that was true, but worse than expected. Throwing up was terrible, but the dry heaves made me feel like I was about to die.
After I stopped drinking, Penny wrapped her slender arms around my bigger stomach. Her breaths slowed as her breasts pressed tight into my back. "You're welcome to stay with us. I don'treallymind."
It was a kind gesture, but her Alpha-Omega connection didn't need a third. It would wear on the women, and I couldn't pass on my problems.
I politely refused, telling her I had to be my own man.
"I don't get you men. Why suffer when there's a helping hand?"
I smiled knowingly since I was in the same situation, just in reverse. Even with pregnancy, no insight into women came. A few days earlier, I didn't get why they wouldn't want my advice. I mean, they spent anhourtelling me their problems.
"Well, let's get a piping hot casserole and we'll know each other a bit more."
The look said she wasn't sure, but I couldn't be babied. Only one person here needed that, and he grew in me.
Bending over to get the dish was possible, but I appreciated her getting it. With practiced moves, she laid out plates, and glasses like I assumed she did with her Alpha. Taking care of a mate, even a grumpy one like Todd, sounded great.
