Pregnant After One Night With The Lycan By Kellie Brown
Chapter 16 He Finally Comes
Marco’s POV:
She looks so small sitting on the sidewalk. At first, all I can feel is relief that she’s safe, and the wolf within me calms at the sight of her. Her black hair, which she’s pined into an ornate style, drips onto her glistening pale skin. The red dress is slick and clings to her figure, accentuating every soft curve. She shivers against the cold where she’s huddled under a tree, and I can’t help but wonder if she would have stayed there all night, waiting for me.
I can’t help the curiosity that fills me when I think of her. We came into each other’s life by pure accident, but I’ve never quite met anyone like her. No one has ever waited for me like that, with such loyalty and patience. It’s foolish and reckless but… sweet, and I’m annoyed by the odd sense of affection that fills me as I walk toward her.
Tanya’s POV:
I brace myself from the cold to be best of my ability, but water trickles between the leaves of the tree I’m crouched under, soaking my gown in spite of my best efforts. But suddenly, the water stops, and I look up in surprise to see Marco holding a black umbrella over my head.
My heart skips a beat at the sight of him, and he wordlessly takes off his jacket, draping it over my shoulders and shielding me from the rain. He examines my shivering form with displeasure before speaking.
“You shouldn’t be out in this weather. How long have you been out here, foolishly waiting for me? You look like a sad little w*et flower.”
Honestly? I’m not sure how long it’s been. I lost track of time a while ago, and right now, all I can think about is the fact that he’s actually here.
“I don’t know… but I couldn’t leave. I was afraid you’d show up, and I’d be gone. I couldn’t do that to you.”
He shakes his head with disapproval, and perhaps I have behaved like a petulant child. But he came, and he found me.
“And look,” I say softly. “Here you are now.”
He’s silent for a moment, considering my words as I look up at him, little droplets clinging to my lashes. Finally, he sighs, running a hand through his soaking hair.
“Tanya, I didn’t invite you to this restaurant tonight. Someone else sent the flowers. I don’t really celebrate Valentine’s Day.”
My shoulders sag slightly in defeat as his words sink in. The roses, the restaurant… he really didn’t want to celebrate with me.
“Oh… that’s okay.”
Marco sighs, unconvinced. He kneels in front of me so he can look into my eyes.
“I had no idea it was so important to you. I’ve just never cared about the holiday that much, but if I’d known that you did, I would have spent it with you.”
Despite the cold, warmth starts to spread within me as he reaches for something, and my eyes go wide as he pulls out a small bouquet of wildflowers. The stems are slightly crushed, but the dainty petals are intact, and the droplets on them look like little diamonds, glittering in the night.
“It’s late, so all the shops are closed now, but I came across these a short while ago,” he says, his voice softening. “They made me think of you, little flower. I’ll get you a formal Valentine’s Day gift later, but for now, this will have to do.”
Little flower. I blush at the pet name. When I first came here, I wanted to look like an elegant rose for him, but these wild, colorful delicate flowers are so much more beautiful. I would much rather be Marco’s little flower than a luxurious rose. I take the small bouquet from his hands, touched by the gesture.
“They’re perfect,” I whisper. “Thank you.”
Something makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end, and the strange sensation of being watched makes me tear my gaze away from Marco. Between the rain and the shadows, I swear I saw Ayana’s eyes watching us from across the street, full of contempt and indignation. But when I blink and look again, there’s nothing there. Maybe I imagined it.
“Come on, let’s get you home,” Marco says, standing up.
I turn my attention back to him, happy to obey, but when I try to get up, my legs are shaky. I’ve been curled up and trembling in the cold for so long that my feet have gone completely numb, and I get dizzy when I try to move. I stumble into Marco’s arms, his large hands catching me before I stagger to the ground.
For a moment, I’m frozen in his arms, my heart racing in my chest as my head spins. Marco’s arms are strong around me, but I quickly struggle to regain my footing.
Whether he calls me a little flower or not, I know he doesn’t love me. Our marriage is an arrangement, and he probably doesn’t want this kind of closeness between us.
Marco frowns after I pull away, appraising my movements. To my surprise, he kneels in front of me, gesturing for me to climb onto his back.
“I’ll carry you,” he says, his tone commanding.
I almost protest, saying that I don’t want to inconvenience him, but I can barely stand, let alone walk home through the rain.
Hesitantly, I wrap my arms around his broad shoulders. His muscles are hard and taught against my skin, and I pray he can’t feel my racing heart as I gently take the umbrella from him, holding it to free his hands.
He stands up, his hands grasping my thighs. His touch is hot and firm, even through the damp fabric of my dress. Even though we’re both drenched, I hold the umbrella to shield our heads as he starts walking back toward the townhouse. The street lamps are reflected on the rain- covered pavement. Against the glittering lights of the night, I can make out our silhouette between the shadows. I smile at the image.
There, reflected in the rain, we look almost like a painting or a postcard. We look like a real couple. If anyone looked, they’d see a husband and wife sharing an intimate moment in the rain. It’s so sweet and simple that it fills me with a cozy sort of courage. I hesitate for a while, but then slowly, I gently rest my head on his shoulder, soaking in the comfort of our proximity.
Marco notices my gesture, and he tugs slightly over his shoulder, pulling the coat that’s dr*a*p*ed around me tightly. I bite my lower lip softly, failing to hold back a little smile. He must think I’m only leaning against him because of the cold, but that’s okay. He doesn’t mind; he doesn’t push me away. I know he’s not in love with me, and we’re not a real couple, but for now, he holds me closely, making me feel safe and warm. I know I will treasure the memory of tonight long after it ends, and in this moment where it’s just the two of us and the rain, that is enough.
When we get to the townhouse, Marco sets me down gently. Arriving here with him really makes it feel like coming home. Once I’ve found my footing, Marco steps back to examine me, ensuring that I’m okay and I can stand on my own. However, it’s not my own well-being that worries me but his.
There’s a strange expression on his face, and he’s gritting his teeth together as if trying to suppress it. But it’s not just the look on his face; there’s something else I can’t really describe that makes me shiver anxiously. There’s a sort of feral aura around him like some otherworldly beast is taking hold of him, and Marco is struggling to hold it back.
“Marco… are you okay?”
“I’m fine!” he growls.
He takes a few shaky breaths, fighting to calm himself as fear courses through my veins. What’s happening to him?
“Go to your room, Tanya.”
I can tell it’s an order, not a request, but I’m hesitant to leave his side when he’s in such a state. Concern urges me towards him, and I take a small step towards him in hopes of comforting him, but he pulls away sharply as if trying to maintain a safe distance between the two of us.
“I don’t want to leave you like this. What’s wrong?” “I said I’m fine!” he barks at me, his tone fierce and commanding.
I shrink back slightly, startled by the aggression. I can see him fighting to remain calm.
“Just go to your room,” he grunts as if it’s difficult to get the words out. “I won’t ask again. Lock the door, and don’t come out until the sun rises, no matter what.”
I don’t dare refuse him, so I quickly rush to my room and do as he says. I try to get ready for bed, but I can’t stop worrying about Marco. I pat my hair dry with a towel and slip onto a nightgown, leaving on my wedding ring and ruby necklace like I always do.
I’m starting to wonder how I will be able to sleep when I’m so concerned about Marco when a horrible howl tears through the night. I whirl around in a panic at the sound, my gaze landing on the bedroom window as the roar echoes around me. Outside amidst the blackness, the full moon shines in the sky.