“I swear, Cora,” I groan, burying my head in my hands. “I’m so far over my head, it’s ridiculous.”

“You’re doing fine!” Cora insists, though she has no idea how things are actually going. “I mean, a month ago you didn’t even know this world existed.”

“How did you keep it quiet for so long?” I ask.

“I didn’t have a choice,” Cora admits. “I didn’t even believe it at first. It took me much longer to come to terms with it than it took you, believe me. I mean, I could see it through my microscope, I could see the molecular evidence, but…” She trails off, shaking her head. “I just couldn’t wrap my head around it. I always thought magic was nonsense—it actually shook my belief in science for a minute there.”

I appreciate her consolation more than I can say. I’ve felt so alone in all this; it’s wonderful to know I’m not the only one who struggled. “I think it helps that I’ve been completely immersed in it,” I reason. “You have no idea how much better I feel just being out with you—away from all that. Honestly, it feels as though I’ve been living underwater. Like I’m learning to survive without air because there’s no other option, and I don’t even realize how odd it is until I surface and remember what breathing is.” I explain. “Not to mention Sinclair. He’s so confusing. It’s like I’m a teenager again, and he’s my first crush.”

“Maybe it’s just the baby,” Cora suggests. “It wants to be near him.”

“I suppose,” I concede, “but I still don’t understand how any of this is possible. I mean, the shifters are one thing—but how can I be pregnant by one?”

“I don’t know,” Cora sighs. “Their society has always been hidden for its own protection. A few humans like me are allowed to know, and I expect a few have fallen in love, but I’ve never heard of anyone cross-breeding. It shouldn’t be possible.” She shakes her head. “Your baby really is a miracle, Ella.”

“Don’t I know it,” I grin. “I have to focus on that. I have to focus on the baby, rather than him.”

“Is it really that bad?” Cora asks.

“Yeah, I feel like I’m losing it, and I can’t figure out if he reciprocates my feelings, or if it’s all in my head. And then there’s all this stuff with his former mate. It’s all such a mess.”

“Do you trust him?” Cora asks gently, squeezing my hand.

A rock settles in my stomach as I consider this. “I made the mistake of trusting one man—after everything that happened to us growing up, I actually fell for Mike’s lies. I knew better, and I let my guard down. I’ll never forgive myself for putting myself in that situation, and it’s not a mistake I plan on repeating.”

Cora looks at me with so much pity that I pull my hand away. “Please don’t look at me like that.”

“Mike wasn’t your fault, Ella,” she says firmly. “Mike was Mike’s fault.”

“It takes two to pull off a con,” I remind her. “It can’t succeed without an easy mark—and that’s obviously what I was. I’m at least partly responsible for not seeing through his lies. There were red flags, and I buried my head in the sand rather than confront them.”

She shakes her head. “You know, the older we get, the more I realize how much you shielded me when we were kids. You let yourself be hurt so that I and the other little ones wouldn’t be, and now you carry the weight of that trauma while we get off scot-free. It isn’t fair. And I hate to see you blaming yourself when none of it has been your fault.”

I stare at my sister, feeling warmth. “You know I wouldn’t change that for the world, Cora. I’d much rather suffer myself than let you be harmed.”

“That’s why you’re going to make such a wonderful mother.” She smiles.

“I just hope this baby is safe,” I say. “The campaign ends just before I’m due, and once Sinclair is King I’ll be able to relax. But I’m terrified of him losing. If the Prince wins, I really think he might come after my baby… maybe Sinclair, too.”

“I can’t imagine anyone being strong enough to lay a hand on Sinclair,” Cora says doubtfully.

“On their own, maybe not,” I agree, “but with an army behind him?”

“Then you’ll just have to make sure he wins,” Cora encourages. “Word around the office is that you’ve already made an incredible splash.”

“Yeah, so much of one that I can barely go anywhere without camera crews following me,” I complain.

“Well, it definitely sounds like you need a night off,” Cora says mischievously. “We should go out! Just the two of us—before your whole life gets consumed by the holidays.”

“I’d love to,” I sigh, “but if we want to go out without an entourage, we’ll have to be sneaky.”

She arches her brows. “Sinclair is being that overprotective?”

“Yes, and it’s driving me crazy. Eleven different people have explained male wolves and breeding mates to me. I guess the pup is enough, and I understand the Prince might want to take him out of the running—but nothing has happened to make him worry!” I exclaim.

“I suppose it’s better to be safe than sorry,” Cora replies.

“True—so we’ll just have to be extra safe when we go out,” I decide. “In fact, we won’t go anywhere near the shifter neighborhoods—human world only. I need some more time with my head above water.”

The next afternoon, I patiently let Sinclair take my blood pressure, even though I’m perfectly capable of doing it myself. I try to keep my thoughts neutral as the cuff inflates, but it’s hard to ignore his laser focus on my features.

“I know what you’re thinking,” he smirks.

“Do you?” I quip.

“I know you can do this yourself,” he grins, “but I like doing it for you, and I’ve been so busy these last few days that this is one of the only times I get to spend with you and the pup.”

Sure, I think wryly, other than when he’s scent marking me every morning and night. “Why have you been so busy?”

“Just the campaign and the holidays. It’s the craziest time of year,” Sinclair explains, frowning at the reading. “Your pressure is still too high.”

“Have you ever considered that you might be what’s stressing me out?” I ask, the words slipping out before I can stop them.

Sinclair gives me an appraising look before stroking my cheek. “Hmm, your heart does speed up when I touch you. Why might that be?”

“As I said, stress,” I reply, instantly regretting this conversation.

“Uh-huh,” he rumbles, still petting me.

“Not to mention all this festival business,” I admit, eager to change the subject.

“What worries you about it?” he asks, taking the bait.

“It’s seven days straight in the public eye, under intense scrutiny, when I don’t know the first thing about the Solstice—beyond what Aileen told me,” I share.

“Ella, look at me,” he says, waiting for my compliance. “I promise you, I’ll help you through it.”

“You said that about the campaign dinner,” I remind him.

“I know, but I won’t let you down again. I’ll stay with you the whole time.”

“Okay, but if you don’t—” I begin.

“If I don’t, I will grovel at your feet and grant you anything your little heart desires,” Sinclair vows, cutting me off.

“Anything?” I repeat, intrigued.

“Yes, but don’t even think about sneaking away so that I’ll owe you,” he forbids, grinning.

“Now there’s an idea!” I say deviously.

Sinclair throws his head back and laughs. “Good Goddess, I’m not going to have to chain you to my wrist, am I?”

I shrug, batting my lashes. “I can pick a lock.”

He laughs again, and I’m filled with warmth. Shaking his head, he kisses my forehead before standing. “No plotting. Focus on relaxing. I’ll be home very late tonight, so don’t wait up,” he says, putting away the machine. “I’ll see you in the morning.”

I wait until he leaves before calling Cora. We’d agreed to go out the next time Sinclair stayed out late, and I’m not going to miss this chance. She answers promptly, and I smile widely as I tell her, “Cora—we’re on.”