Surrogate for My Brother-in-law - Chapter 43: Chapter 43

I realized the next morning after my talk with Leo that something had changed. My belly, which for most of my pregnancy had remained mostly flat and unchanged, was suddenly showing a distinct “baby bump.” And it wasn't a little chubby lump, either. It was like I'd swallowed one of the smaller human sports balls. Not a basketball, yet, but bigger than a baseball.
I tore through my wardrobe, desperately. Eva's comment about wearing something loose had struck a nerve. The problem was, my clothing tended to fit pretty close so it wouldn't be in the way while I worked. I didn't have so much as an over-sized t-shirt to my name.
I managed to find a couple of discarded shirts in the laundry that were large enough to do the job. But then some of the other servants commented on how sloppy my appearance was. The head cook sent me back to my room to change when I went to get Leo's breakfast. She insisted that I couldn't serve the Alpha looking like a total slob.
I ended up wearing a loose sundress that I had sewn for myself just so I'd have one pretty thing to wear if I ever got to visit my mother. The skirt hid my bump well enough and I looked neat if not really professional.
“That's different,” Leo said when I finally knocked on his door. “What's the occasion?”
“Laundry,” I lied. “I forgot to do mine.”
“Because you were busy spying for the Rogues?” Leo asked.
“I wasn't, and if you think I'm a spy, why are you letting me stay your maid?” I asked.
Leo shook his head. “I know you're hiding something, Tessa. I wish you'd trust me.”
The worst part was, I really, really wanted to trust him. He was a good alpha, or he was beginning to be. I honestly believed that he would help me if he could.
But he would never believe me over Eva, and if I told him the truth about the Rogue attack and my warning, he'd want to know more. He'd find out about Eva's schemes, too, and my part in them. He'd learn about the pup. And Leo would never forgive me for what I'd done.
“I should get to my shift at the library,” I said. “Enjoy your breakfast, Alpha Leo.”
“Why don't you join me, first?” Leo asked. “There's plenty here for two.”
I was tempted. It would be nice to spend more time with him. But he was just looking for another chance to question me. And it was almost impossible to tell an alpha no when they focused all their attention on you.
“I already ate,” I lied. “And you need more food, to replace the energy you lost in that fight. Holding a half shift takes it out of a person.”
“How do you know that?” Leo asked. “I thought you couldn't shift, being half human and all.”
I shrugged. “I've been part of a pack my whole life. Even if I'm not a shifter, I can watch the other wolves. I can tell it's a strain.”
The truth was, I'd read about that in Dr. Lee's texts. There were strict recommendations for diet and care after holding a half shift for too long. I'd made sure the cooks included everything Leo would need to fully heal.
“You think of yourself as a wolf, then?” Leo asked.
“What else would I be?” I asked.
“Well, human,” Leo said.
I shook my head and turned to leave. “I'm a wolf. I'm a part of this pack,” I said. “I've never even been to the human territories.”
I left before Leo could reply. I guess I was a little harsh. He had no way to know how I felt about my dual nature.
And the truth was, my mother was human. And I was proud to be her daughter. So being part human wasn't a bad thing in my opinion. But I was, first and foremost, a wolf.
Though, if I found my mother and healed her like I planned, where would I go? I used to daydream about traveling the world. There were schools in the human world where I could learn to be a real doctor, as well as a healer. Would I go there, if I had the chance? I was pretty sure Dr. Lee would write me a letter of recommendation if I asked.
The pup did a cartwheel in my stomach as I hurried down the hall. As if I needed the reminder. I couldn't leave the pack. Not when I carried Leo's pup.
I grabbed a quick snack from the kitchen. I had to endure the cook's sneer about my gluttony and laziness, but I had no choice. I couldn't skip meals or I'd be up all night throwing up. Whoever came up with the term “morning sickness” must never have been pregnant themselves. Because it didn't just happen in the morning. It happened all the time.
After my snack, I hurried to the library. As long as I was in there, I was “working” and most of the other servants would leave me alone.
The library didn't prove to be the safe haven it normally was, though. For some reason, Eva decided to spend time there. I didn't know why; reading wasn't really one of her favorite pastimes.
She didn't watch me overtly, but I knew she was monitoring me. She was a lot more subtle than Zane had been. But Eva was, despite everything, my sister and I knew her. I knew she was suspicious of me and my motives and she wanted to be sure I wasn't going to reveal her secrets to Leo.
Eva's presence meant that I lost out on my best chance to study my healing journals. I didn't dare let her see them. She'd destroy them just to hurt me.
Eva could never stand for me to have anything she didn't have. Ever since we were small children, anything I got, a hug, a treat, anything, she had to get double or she'd throw a fit. If she found out I could heal, that I had something she couldn't whine to her father for, I didn't know what she might do. But it would be drastic.
Eva approached me later in the evening.
“I'm throwing a banquet,” she announced. “To celebrate Leo's victory over those Rogue vermin.”
“That sounds, um, nice,” I said.
I didn't think Leo would want to celebrate, considering his brother was involved in the attack. But Eva wouldn't listen to me anyway and disagreeing with her would just earn me another slap. So I just nodded along with her plans.
“I think it's time to start using my leverage with Leo,” Eva said, leaning close to me. Like we were sisters sharing secrets. “That pup will come soon, won't it?”
“I think so,” I said. “It's hard to tell, since I'm part human.”
“Oh, yeah. I hope it's not wolf-less, like you. That'll give away everything,” Eva said.
I shook my head. “The pup won't be wolf-less.”
I was sure. Firstly, because it was Leo's pup and no way would an alpha as strong as him have a pup without a wolf. Secondly, I wasn't wolf-less, I was just a late bloomer. But I couldn't let Eva know that.
She patted my head. “It better not be. You keep doing what you're doing.” She looked me up and down. “I'll buy you some new shirts next time I'm out. We have to hide that bump. I should wear bulkier clothing, too.”
“Okay,” I whispered.
I watched her leave the library, and wondered what she wanted to use leverage for. What was Eva planning?