The Lion’s Mate

“Trials are costly and can be embarrassing in these types of cases. Reporters love stories of discrimination,” Mark said with a grin.

“Good. They deserve to be embarrassed. Did you hear how that butthole spoke to me?” Annie grumbled. Mark nodded. “But I stood up for myself. Anyway, Leah, I made plans with some friends tonight, so I won’t be home for dinner.”

Leah smiled gratefully at Annie. “That’s fine. I really only made enough for Mark and me anyway.”

“I am so unloved,” Annie cried dramatically.

“Whatever. Now get your crap and get out of the house.”

“Do you see how she treats me? After all I do for her,” Annie said to Mark. “Ah well, a martyr’s life is never easy.” She turned and slumped out of the room as if she were the most dejected creature.

Leah looked at Mark. “Teenagers. Jesus,” he said.

“You don’t know the half of it,” she replied with a chuckle. “You left some clothes here last time and I washed them if you want to change.”

“Oh, thank God. I thought I would have to wear this all night,” Mark commented as he left the room.

Before or after dinner, Leah wondered as she stirred the pasta and the marinara and meat sauce she’d whipped up. She’d been craving pasta every day for a week, she’d realized, and now she knew why. As she contemplated the best moment to tell him, it came to her: while they were swimming after dinner. She grinned to herself, thinking how perfect that would be. They would both be relaxed; they’d had their best discussion to date while swimming.

Annie walked into the kitchen with a bag slung over her shoulder. She glanced around and asked, “Where’s Mark?”

“He’s changing,” Leah answered.

“Good luck,” Annie said, wrapping an arm around her and squeezing her shoulders. “I think he’s going to take it way better than you think.”

“Yeah, that’s what I’m afraid of,” Leah murmured.

Annie sighed. “Just do what feels right for you and the baby. Marriage, not marriage, whatever, it doesn’t matter. But Mark will want to be a part of the baby’s life. You know that, right?”

“I know.”

“He’s a good man, Leah.”

“Yeah he is, dammit.” They laughed together as Mark walked into the room pulling his tee shirt on.

“What’s so funny?”

“Nothing,” they said at the same time. They looked at each other and laughed again.

“Are you sure the two of you aren’t related?” Mark asked skeptically.

“Positive. We just spend way too much time together,” Leah said.

“That’s right, which is why I’m out of here tonight!” Annie lifted a hand in a wave and paused to love on Jenny before leaving. “Have a good night.”

“You too. Be careful,” Leah called after her as she scooped pasta and sauce onto two plates. She’d already put the salad in two bowls, so they were ready to eat.

Mark glanced at his watch. “It’s kind of early for dinner.”

Leah looked at the clock; it was only five. She giggled and made up and excuse which was really a lie. “I skipped lunch. Are you not hungry?”

“After smelling that, I have to eat. Are you kidding?” Mark grabbed the salads and headed to the table, Leah following close behind. “Besides, I’m a shifter. We’re always hungry.”

“Yes. Despite her size, Annie eats as much as a bodybuilder. Always fascinated me,” Leah claimed. She wondered if he would notice the small changes in her body, like her belly, which wasn’t exactly flat anymore, or her bre*sts, which had grown almost a cup size in a week if she didn’t tell him about the pregnancy. She kind of thought he would.

Mark looked at her. “What are you grinning about?” He kissed her hand and returned to the kitchen.

“Annie. She’s such a character.”

Mark returned with two wine glasses and a bottle, and Leah’s eyes widened. How was she going to explain her abstinence from wine tonight? She had no plausible excuse. She watched as he poured the wine and sat down. He lifted his glass and smiled at her.

“Annie’s success deserves a small toast, don’t you think?” Leah smiled a small smile. She lifted her glass and clinked it to his but didn’t drink. He noticed right away. “No wine? Are you feeling ok?”

Leah sighed. Now was the time for this conversation; she had really wanted to enjoy dinner first. She mentally shrugged; they could eat as they discussed. She put a large bite of pasta into her mouth to prolong her answering his question.

Mark stared at her, confused by her behavior. She’d been acting strangely since he’d gotten here. “Leah, what’s going on?”

She finished chewing her bite and reached for the water she’d made for herself before sitting down. She swallowed a gulp, took a deep breath, and plunged in.

“Mark, I have something to tell you, and I don’t want you getting upset. I’d planned to do it while we were swimming, but this time feels right.”

Mark frowned in confusion. His first thought was she had decided to break up with him, which terrified him. The second thought brought a small smile to his face. He leaned toward her and sniffed. The garlic and basil in the sauce was the first scent he drew in, but underneath it, he smelled himself.

“You’re pregnant!” he exclaimed.

Leah stared at him in shock. “How did you know that?”

“First the wine, then the serious tone. And now that I’m paying attention, I can smell it.” He clapped his hands in delight, whether because he was right or because he was happy she was pregnant, she wasn’t sure.

Leah rolled her eyes. “Dammit, I forgot about the smell.”

“You know about the smell?”

“Annie told me I was pregnant before I had even thought about that being the reason I was sick the last couple of mornings.”

“How long have you known?”

“Since this morning. Annie told me I’d gained weight and that I smelled like I was pregnant, so I went to the doctor. She did a test and a sonogram. I’m pregnant,” Leah said, lifting her hands in an I-don’t-know gesture.