Page 66 of Mike's Assistant

“Your pairing is the first true-mated pair in a long time. And knowledge about the pairings has been lost. But it’s important that you know.” She took a deep breath and locked gazes with each of us before saying, “I wasn’t born a shifter.”

“What? Nana, how’s that possible? I’ve seen you shift. You turn into a rabbit just like the entire family.”

“I was born human. It was only after I bonded with your grandfather that I inherited some of his abilities.”

“That’s impossible,” Edward exclaimed. “You can’t become a shifter or be made one. The only paranormal that can make others are vampires.”

“It’s not impossible, and vampires are not the only ones. It doesn’t always happen to my extreme with the ability to transform. It’s usually just gaining advanced hearing or becoming stronger. I was one of the lucky ones that was able to shift,” Nana explained.

“So, that’s what’s wrong with me? Am I changing? I’m going to shift into a lion?” Owen asked, his eyes wide.

It was Owen’s expression that caused me to gasp. Did this mean I was going to be able to shift, too?

“It’s part of it,” Nana said.

“There’s more?” I couldn’t help but blurt out.

Mike squeezed my hand. “It’s going to be okay, Jake. It will be.”

Nana nodded. “There’s more.” She focused back on Owen. “Owen, you’re sick because you’re pregnant.”

“What!” Hayden and Mike jumped to their feet.

I was stunned. Was I…. I couldn’t even think of the words, let alone say them.

“Nana, you can’t be serious. Owen’s a man. A biological man,” Brian said. “There’s no way that’s possible.”

“Yes, he is. But it’s part of Fate’s plan. You see, in the past, there were many different pairings, men with men, men and women, women and women; Fate made a way for them to continue the line. It’s part of the reason we stopped seeing fated mates,” she explained.

“What do you mean?” Mike asked, his voice was rough.

“It had to do with two leaders of different packs. They were men and fated. But their packs hated one another. The men were also prideful, and neither wanted to bear a child. So, they denied their bond, and they ended up killing each other. Fate got mad at them for dismissing her gift. That’s when things changed.”

“How do we even have a baby? Is it exclusive to the human mates, or will Brian also be able to?” I asked.

Brian jerked his gaze to me before looking at his Nana with wild, wide eyes. “Yeah, Nana. Am I going to be able to give birth and how…. where does it come out of?”

I gulped. My mind raced at the possible ways the baby could come out.

“It’s not only humans affected. Yes, Brian, you can get pregnant. As far as how they’re delivered….” She shook her head. “I don’t know. I planned to reach out to some friends to learn more, but I’m unsure if they know.”

Mike sighed and flopped onto the seat beside me before looking at me. “I-I didn’t know. I-Please don’t leave me.”

His words broke my heart. I wouldn’t, no, I couldn’t leave him. It’d be like leaving my own heart. Yes, it was a shock, but I’d get through it. Leaning forward, I said. “I’m not going anywhere. We’re in this together. I love you, Mike.”

“I love you, too,” Mike said.

I wrapped my arms around his neck and kissed his lips. Kissing him, I knew everything would be okay. We’d make it through anything—even pregnancy.

The Melody of Eternity

Mike

The notes flowed seamlessly from my fingers, each pluck and strum a reflection of the emotions churning deep within me. The soft hum of my voice resonated with the gentle rhythm of the guitar, creating a melancholic ambiance in the dimly lit bedroom. Music filled me. It was an escape from this crazy day. Day? I thought. A crazy week, more like.

I’d thought for sure that Jake would run when Nana revealed her little secrets, but he proudly sat by me. Jake. I smiled at his name. Every thought, everything centered on my mate. I loved him so much, and it was incredible to feel the love reflected back.

“New song?”

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