Reba’s POV
I stood before the full–length mirror in our bedroom, turning sideways to examine my silhouette. The flowing lines of the pale blue linen dress I’d chosen fell gracefully over my frame, cleverly disguising the slight swell of my abdomen. At just <b>over </b>a month pregnant, most people wouldn’t notice anything different about me, but in a world of werewolves <b>with </b>heightened senses, I needed to be careful.
“This should work,” I murmured to myself, smoothing the fabric over my stomach. My fingers lingered there briefly, a habit I’d developed since learning about the tiny life growing inside me.
I reached for the small crystal bottle on the dresser–a special blend Dr. Winters had created to mask the hormonal changes in my scent. Dominic had exined that pregnant females in <b>the </b>pack carried a distinctive aroma that any werewolf would immediately recognize. The blend wouldn’t fool Dominic–nothing could hide my condition from my mate–but it would keep my <b>secret </b>safe from other wolves until we were ready to announce it.
“Little one, mommy’s going back to work today,” I whispered, lightly stroking my abdomen.
“Two weeks is plenty of rest,‘ I told my reflection firmly. After Jason’s funeral and the subsequent emotional fallout, Dominic had insisted I take time off from the Sterling Group. Between grieving my brother and adjusting to the pregnancy, I’d been grateful for the break. But now I needed routine again–needed to feel useful and productive.
I heard <b>Dominic’s </b>footsteps before he appeared in the doorway, his <b>tall </b>frame filling the <b>space </b>as he leaned against the jamb, watching <b>me </b>with those intense blue eyes.
“You look beautiful,” he said, his voice low and warm.
“Do you think anyone will notice?” I asked, gesturing vaguely at my midsection.
He <b>crossed </b>the room and stood behind me, his <b>hands </b>settling possessively <b>on </b>my hips as he met my eyes in the mirror. “The scent masker will work for now. And the <b>dress </b>is perfect.”
I leaned back against his chest, drawing strength from his solid presence. I need to go back, Dominic. I can’t stay hidden away <b>forever</b>.”
His jaw tightened almost imperceptibly. “I know. But promise me you’ll be careful. No heavy lifting, no stress.” His hands slid around to rest protectively over my stomach. “Both of <b>you </b>matter too much to me.”
I turned in his arms, rising on tiptoes to kiss him softly. “We’ll be fine. It’s just a normal day at the office. What could possibly happen?”
He raised an eyebrow. “With you? Anything.”
Iughed and yfully swatted his arm. “I’ll take the <b>subway</b>, work my shift, ande straight home, Boring and predictable.”
“Take Raymond,” he countered.
1 <b>shook </b>my <b>head </b>firmly. “No drivers, no bodyguards. I need normal, Dominie.
He sighed, clearly unhappy but unwilling to push the issue. “Fine. But you’ll call if anything-
“If anything happens, you’ll be my first call, I promised, grabbing my purse from the bed. “Now I need to go, or ME
bete.”
The subway was crowded, as it always was during morning rush hour. I positioned myself near the <b>door</b>, one hand gripping the rail above, the other instinctively shielding my abdomen as the train swayed and jostled. Each time someone bumped against me, I tensed slightly, aware of the precious cargo I carried.
A heavyset man with a briefcase pushed past, knocking into my side. I winced and shifted away, finding a small pocket of space near the corner. The pregnancy had made me more aware of my body than ever before–more protective, more cautious.
By the time I reached my stop<b>, </b>I was relieved to escape the packed car. The fresh air felt wonderful after the stuffy confines of the subway. I walked the short distance to the Sterling Group headquarters, enjoying the morning sunshine and the <b>simple </b>pleasure of being out in the world again.
I <b>took </b>a deep breath and pushed through the revolving doors into the grand lobby. Several employees nodded. respectfully as I crossed to the executive elevators, my security badge allowing me ess to the top floors where Dominic’s office was located.
When the elevator doors opened on the executive floor, I was greeted by Vivian, who <b>looked </b>up from the reception desk with obvious relief. <b>She’d </b>been filling in as Dominic’s temporary secretary during my absence.
“Reba<b>!</b>” she eximed, hurrying around to embrace me. “You’re finally back! How are you feeling?”
I returned her hug carefully. As a werewolf, Vivian <b>had </b>enhanced senses, but Dr. Winters had assured me the scent masker would be effective with casual contact. “Much better, thanks. It’s good to be back.”
She stepped back, studying me with concern. “We were <b>all </b>so sorry to hear about your brother. And then with you being in the hospital<b>…</b>” She shook her head. “It’s been a rough few weeks for you.”
“It has,” I admitted, following her to my desk outside Dominic’s office and setting my purse in its usual drawer. “But I’m doing better now. I needed the <b>time </b><b>away</b>, but I also needed toe back.”
Vivian smiled, handing me a stack of files. “Well, we <b>missed </b>you. I’ve been trying to keep up with everything, but Mr. Sterling has been… let’s just say more demanding than usual without you here.” She lowered her voice conspiratorially. “I think he’s been counting the days until you returned. He’s hopeless with the filing system you set
up.”
273
Iughed, cing the files neatly on my desk. Tll sort through everything today. What’s his schedule look like?
in a conference call until ten, then has back–to–back meetings until noon.” Vivian’s eyes sparkled with sity. But enough about that. How are things with you and Mr. Sterling?”
I felt my cheeks warm. “Things are<b>… </b>good. Really good, actually.”
“I knew it!” Vivian pped her hands together. “The way he looks at you–I’ve never seen him like that with anyone. Anding from me, <b>that’s </b>saying something. I’ve worked for Sterling Group for three years.”
I busied myself organizing my desk to hide my blush. “He’s very protective. Sometimes too protective, but his heart’s in the right ce.”
“That’s an Alpha for you,” Vivian said with a knowing smile. “Once they decide you’re theirs, that’s it.”
the desk.
“And how do you feel about being his?” she asked, leaning against the desk.
I paused, considering my answer. “At first it was overwhelming. Everything happened so fast, and there was so much I didn’t understand about… about your world.” I met her eyes. “But now, I can’t <b>imagine </b>being anywhere else. He makes me feel safe, but also strong. Like I can be myself,pletely.”
Vivian’s expression softened. “You’re lucky, Reba. Some wolves search their whole lives and never find that.”
ht myself a
I nodded, my hand unconsciously drifting to my stomach before I caught myself <b>and </b>reached for a stack of <b>messages </b>instead. “We’re still figuring things out, but I think <b>we’re </b>getting there.”
“Well, he certainly seems happier these days, Vivian observed. “Less brooding, more smiling. The whole pack <b>has </b>noticed.”
Before I could respond, the elevator doors opened, and a tall, elegantly dressed woman stepped onto our floor. My body tensed immediately as I recognized her–Elizabeth Collins, heiress to the Collins Group and the woman who had pushed me down a flight of stairs barely a month ago, resulting in a concussion that had sent me to the hospital.
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