A Mate for Lazarus(37)

Lazarus folded his arms. Brant was making a half-assed attempt at apologizing to him. He would let him finish and ask him to leave. It wasn’t Brant’s fucking fault, or the fault of The Program. Lazarus had been stupid to allow himself to fall so quickly. There had been plenty of alarm bells which he’d conveniently chosen to ignore and now he was paying the price. Alexandra had done this, she was the one that was to blame.

Brant rose to his feet. “We can only hope that the human is not pregnant.”

Lazarus’ whole body tensed. He couldn’t stand the thought of there being no child, yet the thought of her pregnant scared him half to fucking death as well. He nodded.

“The problem is that she probably will become pregnant.”

Lazarus nodded again unable to talk. His throat was so clogged, his mind spinning.

“I have told her that she will need to remain on vampire territory until we know for sure, if she is not with child then she will be free to go…Hell, I’ll escort her out my-fucking-self.”

Lazarus grit his teeth. The thought of Alexandra leaving was unacceptable to him, yet he didn’t want anything to do with her. Not a damned thing. Only, that wasn’t true. She was a liar and had selfishly used him yet he still wanted her, still loved her. He was a fucking idiot.

Lazarus nodded a third time, praying that Brant would leave. He didn’t want or need any company.

His king must have sensed his frame of mind because he rose from the sofa. “Let us know if you need anything. Zane has relieved you of your duties for the coming period—”

“No!” Lazarus growled. “I am perfectly capable of doing my duties.”

Brant held his gaze for a long time before finally nodding. “Fine. If there are any problems then come and talk to either Zane or myself.”

He nodded. Like fuck that was going to happen. Lazarus would carry on, he would find a way to live with a piece missing from his soul. There was no other way.





Chapter 17




Two days later…

There was a knock at the door. Alexandra pulled a pillow over her head. Another knock. “I know you’re in there.” It was Sarah. Another knock, harder this time. “Let me in. I have food.”

Alexandra sighed. “On my way.” She turned the lock and opened the door.

Her friend looked her up and down and wrinkled her nose. “You look terrible. You smell even worse.” She pushed her way in. “Your room is disgusting. We have a maid’s service, you know? You should use it some time. You should really try showering as well.”

“Why? I’m not expecting company.”

“What do you think I am…chopped liver?” She placed the tray on the desk and opened the lid. There was a tub of ice cream and two spoons. “I thought you could use some cheering up.”

“How are things going with Griffin? Are you guys…doing the dirty yet?”

Sarah pursed her lips and as usual she shook her head. “No…I mean, none of your business.” She smiled. “I don’t want to talk about it. You talk to me. What’s going on with you, besides wallowing in self-pity that is?”

“Nothing has changed. Lazarus still won’t talk to me.” Alexandra had told Sarah everything. Although the other woman had initially been taken aback, she quickly came around and seemed to understand. Sarah had been exceptionally sweet and supportive even though she didn’t deserve it. Her only wish was that Lazarus would give her a chance to talk, they could discuss this like two adults. It was something that he had to work through though. She knew that. She would keep trying. Even if she wasn’t pregnant there was no way she was leaving without seeing him first.

“Not craving anything yet?” Sarah opened the tub and they both went and sat on the bed.

“If by anything you mean blood”—she shook her head—“it’s still too soon for that.”

“What are you going to do?” Sarah scooped up a big spoonful of ice cream and deposited it in her mouth. She made a sound of utter joy and contentment, she even closed her eyes. “Double chocolate fudge…You have to try some.”

Even though her stomach clenched at the thought, Sarah had made an effort and therefore she was going to force it down if she had to. She scooped up a much smaller spoonful and put it in her mouth. Damn, it was good. She didn’t want it to taste good.

“Just what the doctor ordered, isn’t it?”

Alexandra nodded, she smiled at Sarah. “To think I didn’t even know I wanted any. Thank you for this, and for being here for me.”

“You made a stupid mistake. Don’t get me wrong, I can understand why Lazarus is pissed…” Sarah licked her spoon. “I’m sure he’ll come around though.” They both scooped up some more ice cream and for a few minutes they ate in silence. “He’s crazy about you and would be nuts to throw the towel in, especially if you’re pregnant with his child.”

Alexandra put her spoon down. The last thing she wanted was for Lazarus to take her back because she turned out to be pregnant. Hopefully they would find a way back to each other before they found out either way. That meant she needed to shower and to get her ass to his suite.

“You can’t be done.” Sarah pointed at the ice-cream with her spoon.

She smiled. “Just taking a break. I don’t know what I’m going to do. One thing is for sure though; I’m not leaving until he speaks to me. I’ll chain myself to this bed if I have to.”

“Kinky…” Sarah laughed. “I’m sure he would fold like a deck of vampire cards if you did that.” She bobbed her eyebrows.

Alexandra had to smile. “If I thought it would help I would do it in a heartbeat.” She felt emotion well up in her and had to bite her lip for a few seconds.

“And if you are pregnant? Will you stay here?”

Alexandra shrugged. “If Lazarus won’t forgive me, I have nothing here. I’m seen as an outsider on their territory. An outcast. A deceptive human. I don’t know if I can live like that.” It was the last thing she wanted but did she have a choice? Brant was right, there were evil people out there. Both her, and the life of her child would be in danger if she chose to leave. She was damned either way.

Sarah huffed out a breath. “I don’t blame you. Just so you know, although the others know that there is a problem between you guys, they have no idea what it’s all about. They know that something is seriously wrong with the way Lazarus has been acting and that you guys are no longer together but that’s it.”

“What’s wrong with Lazarus? How has he been acting?” She could hear the worry in her voice.

“Griffin said that he is withdrawn and like a bear with a sore tooth. When he’s not at the gym he snaps at everyone. He beats the guys up in training, more so than usual, that is.” She shrugged. “I’m telling you this verbatim. The point is, he hasn’t told anyone anything. Griffin keeps asking me about it, but I promised you that I wouldn’t say anything and I’m keeping my word.”

The thought of Lazarus so upset tore at her. “You didn’t happen to bring any juice, soda…neat whiskey?” Alexandra had never been much of a drinker but could use a stiff one right about now.

Sarah raised her brows. “You can’t drink any alcohol. It wouldn’t be good for the baby.”

Alexandra gave her a pointed look. “We don’t even know if I’m pregnant. I’ll have my whiskey on the rocks please.” It was a warm day after all. Her mouth practically watered at the thought of…

“Chances are good that you are preggers and until we know for sure, we are going to assume that you are.”

Alexandra picked up her spoon and scooped it full of ice cream. Even with her mouth full of the frozen dairy she still felt like she wanted more so she scooped up another spoonful and shoveled it into her mouth.

“Good.” Sarah giggled. “Eat up. Nothing like a gallon of ice-cream to drown the old sorrows. I’m sure you’re feeling much better already.”

As if. She was thirsty and hungry and sad and angry and she…she…she…was going mad.

“Although, you don’t look like you’re feeling better.” Sarah leaned forward. “Is everything okay?”

“Just peachy.” Alexandra added sounding a little too joyful. “Never been better.” She swallowed hard. Her gaze dropped to the pulse at the base of Sarah’s neck. Shit! She could hear her friend’s heartbeat. It was loud. Like so loud that Alexandra had to stop herself from covering her ears.

Her fangs throbbed and her mouth felt dry. Alexandra was forced to breathe through her mouth because she could smell Sarah’s blood. It made her feel sick but it also made her feel…hungry and thirsty.

Fangs!!!

She ran her tongue over her teeth, feeling them catch. Sharp, tiny and throbbing.

“You don’t look all that great.” Sarah shook her head. She put her hand on Alex’s arm.

Alex sucked in a deep breath and smiled, sure to keep her mouth closed this time. She didn’t want the other woman to see her…fangs. Fangs!! Oh god. She was pregnant.

It was too soon. It had only been two days. Eleanor had said that it would be a couple of days. A couple implied three or more. She was pregnant. What was she going to do? What the hell was she going to do?