My Hunted Mate

Corinn

The moon even though only half full, glows brightly through the slightly opened curtains in Kai's room. It had only been a few weeks since we returned from Jack and Gia's pack, but my stomach had already formed a cute round bump, which I was able to keep hidden with baggy hoodies and shirts.

Although there wasn't much of a point in trying to hide it, not only because my scent had changed and could anyone hear the baby's heartbeat if they listened for it but also because Olive and Dahlia couldn't keep their mouths shut long enough for us to begin to make plans for a family dinner, let alone make our announcement at one. Dahlia couldn't help but tell a newly turned Lila, who was struggling with her transition into a vampire and the bloodlust that came with it and needed some good news, and of course she just had to tell Phoenix that he was a soon to be uncle.

It was very cute and awfully amusing seeing the giant man that is Phoenix, light up and call himself * Uncle Phoe * at the news of the baby, but it was the volume of his voice while doing so that earned the attention of a couple of nearby vampires and a death glare from me. Olive on the other hand, literally just couldn't help herself when it came to gossip and apparently me being with child was a tea pot she couldn't wait to spill. Scoffing at the thought, I crawl out of bed pulling on a deep blue t-shirt that was three sizes too big for me along with a pair of leggings.

" Everything okay my darling? " Kai calls from the bed, his eyes are still closed but I know he's fully awake by his voice.

" Yeah I'm going to start gathering personal items from everyone today so I can make them protection jewellery. " I announce, making him immediately sit up in the bed.

" You can not do that much magic without exhausting yourself Cori, I thought you agreed to take it easy for the baby's sake? " He frowns, worry flooding his stunning blue eyes.

"You heard the threat that my pack made, they are going to come and we need to be ready for when they do. If you were planning on attacking a clan of vampires, when would be the best time to do that? * I say, raising my eyebrow.

"When they're all in one place, with nowhere else to go because the sun is out. " He sighs, nodding his head, then adds. " But the baby. "

" The baby is safer with a whole clan of vampires to protect her in- utero, Kai. Besides, I'm not planning on doing them all today, just as many as I can before I start to feel even the slightest bit drained. " I explain.

" Her? You think it's a girl? " He grins, reaching over to pull me back down onto the bed with him gently.

Giggling, I straddle his lap carefully. " I don't know, a girl would be cute though right? " I shrug with a smile, playing with the chain hanging down onto his bare chest.

" Very cute. " He grins. " Maybe after she’s born we can give her a little brother for company? " His hands settle on my thighs as he speaks, running up and down until he snaking them to softly take hold of my ass.

I let out a loud snort, pushing at his chest lightly. " Slow your roll, I haven't even pushed this one out yet. "

"When's your appointment with Jen? * He asks.

" Not for another couple of weeks, she said something about supernaturals not needing to check in as much as humans would, because everything about our bodies is stronger and our children are too, even when they're unborn. * I mumble, moving my hands into his hair.

" Do you.. Do you think the baby is gonna be like you? " He asks, pulling me closer to him.

" You mean a hybrid? " I clarify, chewing my bottom lip when he nods. " She probably will be, yeah. "

As I finish speaking I think back to Helena's baby Dyna, my heart clenches, thinking about my friend and worrying about her child. Kai reaches up, using his thumb to smooth out the deep worry lines between my eyebrows and on my forehead.

" What's wrong? " He whispers.

" Well.. " I sigh, looking him dead in the eyes. " I was just thinking about Helena's daughter. "

" She had a child? " He questions with a frown.

" Yeah, I don't know what happened to her after Helena... " I trail off, forcing myself to brush away the images pushing to the front of my brain.

"1 can send someone out to her home, if you'd like? " He mumbles, rubbing my sides soothingly.

I nod. " Send Phoenix and Sabine? Please? *

Kai sucks in a breath. " I think I need to ask Dahlia instead of Sabine, my sister was pretty annoyed she was left out when we went to visit the pack. "

" Okay well I trust both Dahlia and Sabine, so either of them can go, you know Dahlia might not want to leave Lila right now. " I point out, to which he nods.

"I have to ask either way. " He informs. " I'll go talk to them while you're doing your witch things. * He grins, lifting me up and carrying me out of the bed with him.

He sets me down, wandering off to get ready, while I exit the room. As I make my way through the house, I get many stares, people obviously listening for another heartbeat to see if the rumours are true, but some others send me smiles while congratulating me.

Entering the living room, I notice Sabine, her brother Darius, Olive and Mateo standing around the pool table, I walk over to them

" Hey everyone. " I greet. " Do you guys mind doing me a favour? * "What is it? * Sabine glances at me, before leaning over the pool table to line up her next shot.

" Excuse my sisters bluntness, she means yes of course, what can we do for you? " Darius interrupts, shooting his sister a look.

" Don't worry, I'm used to it. " I smile between the two siblings. " I was wondering if you could gather personal items from everyone in the clan so I can make protection talismans, so that everyone can walk in the sun."

Darius’ eyebrows shoot up at this. " You're going to make them for every vampire in the clan? *

" Yeah, pretty much. " I reply simply, shrugging my shoulders.

" So there's no need for you to be jealous anymore, brother. " Sabine calls out, a small smirk on her lips. " We will do this for you Corinna. "

" Thank you, the quicker you can get them, the better. " I say, raising my eyebrows in surprise when they all immediately stop what they're doing and wander off to gather what I need

" Hey uh, Cori? " Olive speaks before I can walk away to get myself some food. " I may have kind of lost my bracelet, could you make me a new one while you're doing everyone else's? *

" You lost your protection bracelet? " I question, tilting my head

" Yeah it was stupid of me, I went out to feed and it got messy and I lost it somewhere in the woods. " She explains.

" Okay, well don't lose this new one I make. " I frown, she thanks me then runs off to the others.