The Struggle(85)

But—and it was a huge but—I’d also been virtually starved while being held by Hyperion. I knew that could affect a cycle. I also didn’t think I’d have symptoms of—oh gods—a pregnancy so soon after unprotected sex. I mean, it wasn’t that long ago, even though it felt like an eternity. It had only been three weeks, give or take a couple of days. I didn’t think women had symptoms that quickly, but I also wasn’t exactly normal.

And how in the world could a pregnancy last after what I’d been through?

My stomach dipped and rolled every time I seriously thought about the probability of actually being impregnated. I couldn’t even process it or what that would really mean.

So, like any normal twenty-year-old, I decided to ride the river of denial and pushed it aside for the time being.

After pulling on a pair of jeans Basil had gotten from somewhere and tugging my hair up in a ponytail, we were ready to go. Seth did the cool god thing, taking Aiden to the Covenant first.

“That is so bizarre,” Alex said, shaking her head. “I mean, I thought I’d be used to it by now, but I’m not. It’s just so bizarre.”

I looked over at her. “But awesome.”

“I’m so entirely jealous.”

A grin tugged at my lips and then Seth reappeared in front of us, causing me to jump. He smiled as he took my hand. “I’m going to take you next. You ready?”

“Not really.” I looked over at Alex, hoping it didn’t make me puke. My stomach felt fine today, but then again, I hadn’t been poofed anywhere. “It feels really weird.”

“Yes, it does,” she said with wide eyes.

Wrapping my arm around Seth’s waist, I took a deep breath and prepared myself as best I could, which was to close my eyes. “I’m ready.”

Seth chuckled. “You look like you’re about to jump out of an airplane.”

“Shut up,” I grumbled, keeping my eyes closed.

He laughed again, and then I felt his breath on my cheek. A heartbeat later, his lips brushed over mine. I gasped in surprise, and he took complete advantage of that, kissing me deeply.

“I’m glad that’s not how I got here,” I heard Aiden say.

My eyes flew open, and at first all I saw were glowing tawny eyes, and then I stepped back, looking around. I wasn’t in Seth’s house anymore. We were standing in a large office. I immediately recognized the older man standing by the desk. Marcus—Alex’s uncle and the Dean of the University. We were at the Covenant.

“Did you forget how I excel at distraction?” Seth murmured in my ear.

I flushed hotly.

Dammit.

He was good.

Kissing my cheek, Seth let go. “I’ll be right back.”

Before I could say a word, he vanished and then suddenly Deacon was in front of me, all blond curls and silver eyes. “Deacon!” I barely got his name out before I was swept up in his lanky arms and hugged until I squeaked. Laughing, I held him just as tightly. “It’s so good to see you.”

“You have no idea.” He rocked me from side to side, and I swore for a second my feet dangled. “Shit. It’s good to see you.”

The moment Deacon let go, I was enveloped in another hug, and this time it was Luke. “We missed you,” he said, then stepped back, still clasping my upper arms. A half-smile formed on his handsome face. “Chicken tenders and fries haven’t been the same without you.”

“Neither has been watching Supernatural,” Deacon chimed in. “Luke is all about Sam. I need my Team Dean cohort.”

Blinking back sudden tears, I laughed again. These two—I’d only just met them a few months ago, but they were my friends, and I’d missed them. “Well, we need to get some tenders and fries and watch Supernatural—oh, and bacon.”

The university had amazing bacon. I don’t know how they made it differently, but they did.

Deacon nodded empathetically. “We cannot forget about the bacon.”

I barely pulled it together as Marcus smiled in my direction. “It’s good to see you again, Ms. Bethel.”

“Thank you.” I swallowed hard as Seth reappeared, this time with a dazed-looking Alex.

She stumbled a step and then shook her head. “Holy crapola, I will never get used to that. Never.”

“Try having him randomly pop into your office,” Marcus commented dryly.

Seth walked over to where I stood. “But what fun would it be if I announced my arrival first?”

“Indeed.” Marcus lifted his brows as he leaned back against the desk. “Now that we are all here—”

“The Army of Awesome reunited at last.” Deacon grinned while his brother sighed heavily. “It’s been a long time coming.”