Page 80 of Sinful Mates

“I might go check the emails just in case,” Theo says, taking off up the stairs next to the elevator.

“I could have checked when we got upstairs, what’s so important about these documents, anyway?” I ask Tobias.

“Nothing that concerns you, but they are supposed to have been dropped off at the house by now.” I wonder what the documents are but mentioning them did remind me that tomorrow I was supposed to go to the council and have some tests run and meet the people who were going to decide my future. The nerves I'd forgotten about attack me tenfold. A nest of rats chewing at my guts, making my stomach clench. Tobias presses the button in the elevator for our floor before peering down at me. “What’s wrong, love?” he asks while I chew my nails. It is a terrible nervous habit. Tobias pulls my thumb away from my lips. “What’s wrong?” he asks again.

“Nothing, I just realized I have to meet the council tomorrow.”

He pulls me against him, wrapping his arms around my shoulder. “You will be fine, no one will hurt you. I promise.”

When we step out of the elevator, I’m shocked to see Theo’s mother, Caroline, waiting in the foyer talking to Theo. Is this more bad news? Despite his earlier words of comfort, I can't get over my nerves.

“What are you doing here, Ma?” Tobias asks as he steps out of the elevator.

“Good morning, Imogen, son. We have a slight problem; the council wants to meet today. We need to leave after lunch.”

“Where’s Dad?” Tobias asks, glancing around. Josiah isn’t here, only Caroline.

“He is sorting out your other issues, they are being quite difficult.”

Both Theo and Tobias growl, Theo’s eyes darkening to the demon I was becoming too accustomed to. “When time do we leave?” Tobias demands.

“We have to meet them at two.”

Tobias nods, while I stand there shaking, fear consuming me and something else. I’m not sure what it is, but I feel like something is slightly amiss. I just have a feeling something is going to happen, and I’m not going to like it. Then again, I’m getting used to this feeling since these men cause it daily.

Chapter Twenty-Three

Caroline waits at the office constantly on edge, pacing back and forth. I can’t understand her nervousness; she isn’t the one about to march into this so-called mythical council and beg for her life. She keeps checking her phone constantly. When I ask what’s wrong, she just says she is waiting for her husband to come back. I wonder what her husband is doing that has her so on edge. When Josiah finally does show up, she all but runs to the elevator, watching the numbers above the stainless-steel doors till it dings on our floor.

Josiah steps out of the elevator, an annoyed look on his face like he is bringing bad news. I feel my stomach drop instantly, thinking it is the council as he speaks to his wife in a hushed voice before realizing I’m standing watching them.

“Tobias isn’t going to like this; I can’t believe that evil wretch.” I hear his mother say. Tobias comes out and motions for his parents to step into his office.

“Did you get it?” he asks.

His father shakes his head. “Not yet, they want to meet you in person tomorrow.” He steps through the door, closing it behind him. Theo comes out of his office staring at the door before glancing toward me. I hear him growl before walking over, obviously listening in on the conversation behind the closed door that I can’t hear.

“What’s going on? Why is everyone being so secretive?”

“It’s nothing you need to worry about, just having issues with a client from the council,” he tells me. I can feel through the bond he isn’t lying that whoever it is they need these documents from is from the council, yet I can also feel something else, like he is omitting something.

Stepping out from behind my desk, I head over to the bathroom, wanting to wash my face and freshen up before we have to leave in an hour. It is nearly 11:30 AM and apparently the drive takes an hour. We would have to leave no later than 12:30.

Snatching my handbag, I stride into the bathroom and rummage through my bag searching for my lipstick and eyeliner. I become annoyed before tipping the contents into the sink and hunting for them. I find my lip balm but not my lipstick. I sigh, picking it up thinking it will have to do, before digging in the sink looking for the rest of my things, I pick up my phone and started dumping stuff back inside my bag. I really need to clean it out one day, I have so much junk in it I can barely find anything. Picking up the handkerchief, I hear a foil packet drop out of it and into the sink. My heart skips a beat when I realize what it is.

I picked up the foil package. It’s my birth control unused. I completely forgot all about taking it. In fact, I haven’t taken it in months, not really needing to. Although I should have but with everything going on with my mother and Tobias and Theo keeping me hostage it isn’t exactly the first thing on my mind.

Picking it up, my hands are shaking. I try to remember the last time I had my period, but no matter the amount of times I recount in my head it comes back the same thing—before my mother died. I’m late. Grabbing my phone out, I check the app on my phone that usually sends me an alert to tell me when they are due. My heart is bumping frantically in my chest when I realize it never alerted me because of the lack of cell service at the property. I check the last date and nearly pass out from holding my breath. It’s a month and seventeen days late.

Grabbing everything and tossing it back in my bag, I wet the back of my neck, trying to cool down, suddenly extremely hot. This can’t be happening, right? I was in heat not long ago so I can’t be pregnant, werewolves only fall pregnant when in heat. Now the sarcastic voice in my head is taunting me that I’m not a werewolf, so it doesn’t work that way for me. No, I’m human, so vampire and werewolf shit doesn’t affect me. Glancing at the clock, I still have time; I could duck down to the convenience store and grab a test, but will they let me leave? I have to try. Dumping everything back in my bag, I regain my bearings and walk out. Theo is leaning against my desk with a worried look on his face as I come out.

“You okay, Hun?”

“Yep, never better. Can I go to the shop down on the corner? I am starving,” I lie. My appetite is completely gone with worry. I hate that I have to ask permission but if I just left, they would panic and send out a search party. Theo thought for a second.

“I will come with you.”

“No, I won’t be long. Promise.” My voice comes out nearly a squeak. He seems taken aback. He moves closer. I can feel him looking through the bond, wondering why I suddenly want to leave. I make sure to clear my head and started rambling about seeing Tom so he won’t catch on to what is actually on my mind. He cocks his head to the side.