by Lola Gabriel
Ellery’s stomach cramped and a wave of nausea washed over her. She realized that was what had woken her up. Her mouth flooded with saliva and she swallowed hard, trying to swallow down the nausea. It was no use. It washed over her in waves and she jumped out of bed, running to the bathroom and throwing herself on the ground in front of the toilet just in time.
She stayed on her knees, retching and coughing for a few minutes. She got up when the nausea passed. She flushed the toilet and moved to the sink where she washed her hands and face and brushed her teeth.
I knew that shrimp was a mistake, Ellery thought to herself as she brushed her teeth. I hope that’s the end of the sickness, but if it was the shrimp, it’s likely only the beginning.
She peered at herself in the mirror when she finished brushing her teeth. Her skin was glowing. Being married, mated for life, suited her. Even after getting sick, she looked radiant and happy. She began to wonder if it really was the shrimp. Her period was a couple of days late and now she had thrown up. Were her breasts a little tender too? Gingerly, she ran her hands over them. They were tender, but that could be because of last night. She smiled as she remembered Grey making love to her, nibbling on her breasts, making her beg for more.
She had to know for sure, though. She bent down and opened the cupboard beneath the sink, pulling out a pregnancy test she’d bought the day her period didn’t come. She had decided against using it, telling herself it would come. She had forgotten all about it in the run-up to the mating ceremony as things like catering and floral arrangements took center stage in her brain instead.
She took the test out of the box and sat down on the toilet. She peed on the stick and then looked at the box. Three minutes. They were the longest three minutes of Ellery’s life, and twice she caught herself on the verge of peeking before the time was up. She resisted the urge. When the three minutes were finally up, she reached for the test, her heart beating fast in her chest.
She dared to peek and she squealed with excitement when she saw the word “pregnant” in the display window. She wrapped the test in tissue and put it in the trash can, and then she went back to the bedroom, practically skipping as she made her way to the bed. She jumped on it, shaking Grey.
“Grey? Grey? Wake up,” she laughed.
Grey woke up with a groan and looked at his watch.
“It’s so early,” he said, his voice groggy. “So unless you’ve woken me up because you can’t wait another moment for me to make love to you, I’m not going to be impressed.”
“Well, actually, I thought we could have breakfast and then start decorating,” Ellery smiled.
“Decorating? You woke me this early to talk color schemes?” Grey said.
He tried to keep up the pretense that he was annoyed, but Ellery could see the way his lips curled up in the corners as he tried not to smile.
“Yes. Because we need to prepare the nursery. Grey, I’m pregnant!” she squealed.
Grey’s jaw dropped and then his face split into a beaming smile. He reached out for Ellery, pulling her to him and kissing her.
“Are you happy, then?” she laughed when he pulled back from her lips.
“Just a bit,” Grey laughed. “But we have a good few months to prepare. And right now, the nursery can wait.”
Ellery shrieked with laughter as Grey pulled the duvet over them and kissed her stomach. Her laughter faded, replaced by a flood of desire as Grey’s mouth moved lower, finding her sweet spot and taking her breath away.
She floated away on a wave of euphoria. She was married to her soulmate and now they were going to have a baby. Her life couldn’t get any more perfect than it was in that moment.
* * *
READ MORE ABOUT SANMERE SHIFTERS IN THIS NEW SERIES BY LOLA GABRIEL!
Shifting Fates: Sanmere Shifters 1
Fae Loyalty: Sanmere Shifters 2
Dragon’s Clutch: Sanmere Shifters 3
Shifting Truths: Sanmere Shifters 4
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Thank You
Thank you for reading my book. Readers like you make an author’s world shine. If you’ve enjoyed this book, or any other books by Lola Gabriel or another author, please don’t hesitate to review them on Amazon or Goodreads.
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Lola Gabriel
About the Author
Lola Gabriel loves reading and writing paranormal romances. Growing up in the Pacific Northwest, she has fond memories of retreating to the woods for long hikes. The towering evergreens, natural waterfalls, and soothing rain often set the scenery for her characters’ romantic encounters.
Find out more about Lola Gabriel at SecretWoodsBooks.com