Page 17 of Kings
“It has taken longer than expected,” said Nathan. “I had my doubts.”
“There’s nothing to it,” Bishop said, passing off his empty glass to the other male. “And there’s nothing more for you to worry about.”
“It’ll be a while now before Ella is on the throne,” Nathan warned, watching him closely. “Unless there’s something else you’re not telling me...”
Bishop could hear his own heartbeat through the silence that followed his question. He’d known he should tell Nathan about what had happened in the cabin from the moment he’d first heard the word “feral” cross Sterling’s lips, but he hadn’t. It had been so long now that a confession would not be without consequence, but if he was being honest with himself, that was hardly what kept him from coming clean.
“Of course not,” Bishop said, turning to leave before he could dig his claws in any deeper. “You hold up your end of the deal, and I’ll hold up mine.”
Chapter 11
Ella
Ella had been curled up in bed for the better part of the morning, and while Avery had promised to cover for her and take notes of what she’d missed, she knew she had to go back sooner or later. The idea of facing Axel and Bishop, let alone the chance of running into Sterling, while she was still trying to process the fact that she was pregnant was just too much.
She’d taken three tests she’d bought at the store since returning from the clinic, and every one of them confirmed what the one she’d taken at the doctor’s had to say.
She was pregnant. What if it was Sterling’s? Would he even want to know? The idea filled her with dread and made her heart ache in ways she was sure she’d long since gotten over.
If it was Axel’s or Bishop’s, there were other complications to contend with. Namely, the likelihood that they’d kill each other the moment they found out. They hardly needed another reason to fight.
The morning sickness was going to make it difficult to keep under wraps. She’d thought the suppressants were bad enough, but they had nothing on the sickness that seemed to have grown with her anxiety.
As Ella dressed for her morning classes, she stood in front of her mirror, studying her reflection. Now she knew why her uniform skirts were beginning to get too tight. She’d have to let out the waist later, but she had a full day to get caught up on after her extended absence. Then there was still the matter of how she was going to get into the medical office.
She finished dressing and gathered her hair back in a ponytail in preparation for when she inevitably had to run to the sink again.
Before she’d even made it out of the dorm, she was greeted by the sight of Axel and Bishop both waiting in the lobby. The latter was leaning against one of the stone columns, while the former was already glowering at him as if they’d just had an argument. They couldn’t even give it a moment’s rest.
“What are you two doing here?” Ella asked, immediately afraid something had gone wrong.
“Good morning to you, too,” Axel said, walking over to put an arm around Ella’s waist. He pulled her roughly against his chest so he could crush his lips to hers. Ella stumbled, her head spinning, but she soon found herself returning it. As filthy as his mouth was, he was a damn good kisser.
When he finally pulled away, he looked down at her, smug and smirking. Ella could tell from the triumph in his blue eyes and the irritation in Bishop’s gray ones that it was as much of a possessive gesture as it was a romantic one.
She was annoyed, but for once, she didn’t have the energy to argue with him. Keeping her proverbial lunch down was enough of a chore.
“I wanted to walk you to class, and this asshole decided to tag along,” said Bishop.
“No,thisasshole decided he was gonna get here early so he could hog you and he’s pissed I beat him to the punch,” Axel argued.
Ella just sighed, walking past them toward the dormitory door. “I’m going to be late to class. Can you both bicker over your toy on the way?”
“Someone woke up on the wrong side of the bed,” Axel said dryly, snatching her messenger bag before she could protest.
Ella shot him a dirty look. “I’m just not in the mood for it today.”
“Are you sure you’re alright?” Bishop asked worriedly.
She nodded. “I’m fine. Just didn’t sleep very well last night.”
As guilty as she felt for lying to them, she knew now more than ever that she just wasn’t ready to tell them about the baby. She still hadn’t finished fully processing it yet herself.
“About that,” Bishop said in the tone he used whenever he wasn’t sure she was going to like what he was about to say. “There’s something I’ve been wanting to talk to you about.”
Ella glanced over at him warily. “What is it?”
“I know we haven’t talked much about it, but my offer still stands,” he said, as if she had any idea what he was talking about. When he seemed to realize she didn’t, he added, “About moving in with me.”
