The Shadows in the Hills: Triple Threat

Chapter One

It had been eight weeks since we left the camp. Life had settled into a calmness, which was just what I needed. I had gotten huge. Jackson said it was normal for werewolf pregnancies and that I needed to be aware the baby would come much faster than I would expect. It was a good job, really. If it went on much longer, I would have popped. The downside was that it gave so little time to get used to the idea. I felt so unprepared.

The whole time we had been at the farmhouse, I had stayed hidden. Jackson came and went regularly, mainly to avoid drawing attention to us. When people asked about me, he told them that I was expecting and that it had been a difficult pregnancy. It was enough to evade suspicion. I was still drinking the awful witch's brew each morning. I didn't really know how long it would be necessary or if Brodie was even looking for me. Frankly, I avoided thinking about him as much as I could, burying my feelings for him deep inside. It was hard, but I had no choice. It was the only way to survive without him.

Despite my large size, I was still gardening as much as I could. I found solace in it, being connected with nature in that way. I was hunched over with my hands deep in the soil when I heard voices. They were too muffled for me to hear what was being said. As soon as I heard them, I stiffened. I always did. It was a fear response every time, automatically thinking someone had found out where we were. I wasn't sure that feeling would ever vanish.

A few minutes later, Jackson strolled around the corner of the house with a large smile spread across his face. "What are you so happy about?"

"Nothing really. Mikkel popped round, that's all. It's nice to have a conversation with someone."

"What am I, chopped liver?"

"Someone other than you."

"Mikkel seems to pop around a lot recently."

"He gets bored easily. He's working for old man Jones and living with him and his wife. I imagine they aren't the best conversationalists for a man of his age."

"I would imagine you're right. I sneaked a peek the other day out of the kitchen window. He's very attractive."

"Esme, don't."

"Don't what?"

"I know what you are getting at and even if you were right, it's an impossibility. We're meant to be staying under the radar, not getting the whole village talking. I don't even know if he is gay and he can never know what I really am."

"I know, I'm sorry."

"Just keep your craziness to yourself."

"That's not why I'm sorry. I'm sorry you've had to put your life on hold for us."

"Well, I'm not and never will be. Me being here with you isn't some grand sacrifice. I might not be in love with you, but you are my soulmate, you always have been. Come on, you need to rest at least a little." He was constantly fussing over me and I did love him for it, but it wasn't necessary. He was forever telling me that my body was doing more than it was designed to do and that I needed to give it a helping hand. What he didn't seem to understand was that it was hard enough not being able to go out without sitting on my ass all day.

"Think yourself lucky that my back is hurting. It's the only reason I'm giving in without a fight." I tried to stand, but I had no chance. It was getting ridiculous. I hated not being able to do things for myself. It had been days since I had been able to tie my own shoes.

"I shall send my thanks into the universe for making you less stubborn." He linked his arm through mine and lifted me off the floor with no help from me at all. I really lucked out being shacked up with someone so strong. I started to walk back to the house, but with each step, it felt like the bones at the base of my back were grinding together. Managing to keep going, but struggling to hide the pain. Without another word, Jackson scooped me up into his arms. "You are still way too stubborn for your own good, though."

"I'm capable of walking into the house."

"Tell your face that." I wanted to argue with him, but I couldn't. Just because I wanted to be independent didn't mean I wasn't thankful that he stepped in. "You really do need to rest more. If you can't do it for yourself, can you do it for me? It will stop me from worrying about you so much."

"I'll try to take it steady, I promise."

He laid me down on the bed and disappeared straight away. I tried to reach for the TV remote, but I had no chance. I started to consider shouting Jackson, when he returned carrying a hot water bottle. It hadn't even occurred to me, but then he seemed to think about everything for me. Nothing was ever too much. Despite his care, I was desperate for the pregnancy to be over with. It might have only been a couple of months, but it felt like a lifetime.

He grabbed the TV remote and bounced onto the bed beside me a little too hard, making me wince. "Sorry, I didn't think."

"It's fine. You can make it up to me by not making me watch anything remotely sci-fi." He gave me a slight huff, but selected a slushy romcom instead. I snuggled into him. I felt much better just having him there beside me.