Page 84 of Blood Red Rage

“You wanted to move Kosta into yours two weeks ago!”

“That was different.”

“How?”

“Bryn had just become pregnant.”

Lucien doubled over. I ignored him as Roman leaned forward. “Do you know why Layla made me sleep outside?”

“Because she's unreasonable?”

“No.” He held my gaze. “Because I made my fear her burden.”

That silenced me as Roman continued. “I thought protecting her meant controlling everything around her.” My jaw tightened. “It doesn't.”

“It should.”

“But it can't.”

I looked away as Volken spoke next. “Bryn needs to trust that you believe she's capable.”

“I know she's capable.”

“Then act like it.”

“She was shot.”

“And survived.”

My eyes flashed but Volken didn't back down. “She survived, Viking.” My hands clenched. “She survived because she's strong. Stop treating what happened as proof that she's fragile.” Fuck him, fuck all of them. Mostly because some part of me knew they were right.

Lucien's voice lost its humour. “You know what Sorcha said to me when she was pregnant?” I didn't answer. “She said, ‘If you make me choose between loving you and being myself, eventually I'm going to hate you for making me choose.’”

That landed harder than I expected. Bryn's words came back. I need to live. I sat down. Nobody commented, smart bastards. I rubbed both hands over my face. “I can feel two heartbeats.”

The room went quiet. My voice roughened. “At night.” I stared at the floor. “Hers is steady and strong. The baby's is tiny and so fucking fast.” I swallowed. “And I lie there listening to both of them thinking about everything outside these walls that wants to take them away.”

Roman's expression softened. “There it is.”

I glared. “Don't fucking psychoanalyse me.”

“I'm not.”

He leaned forward. “I'm telling you we all know that fear.”

Volken nodded. “It never leaves.”

“That's fucking encouraging.”

“It isn't supposed to be.” Volken's eyes held mine. “You learn to live with it.”

Lucien raised his glass. “And occasionally behave like a lunatic.”

Roman glared. “Occasionally. Fine. Frequently.” Even I smiled slightly.

Then Draugr spoke from the window. “You know what I see?” I looked at him. “A brother who's so fucking terrified of losing his family that he's forgetting to enjoy having one.” That one hurt.

Draugr's expression was serious. “You wanted this.” He gestured toward the door. “Your mate. Your child. A future.” His voice lowered. “Don't spend the entire fucking thing waiting for someone to take it.”