Thirty

I was sitting in my shelter with Aspen when Loki knocked. Smiling, I let him in, say goodbye to Aspen as he goes to see my sister, then offer Loki some stew. He shakes his head and begins pacing. I sit back, watching him. "Either Zahra is mad at you or something is terribly wrong," I say carefully.

"Something is wrong," he says, halting to look at me. "Did Zahra ever say anything about the male she was with and what all He might've done to her?"

I raise a brow. "Besides what we already know?"

Loki glances out my window to watch something, then quietly, in a strangled voice, says, "She's pregnant."

It takes a long moment for me to process his statement, but when I do, I narrow my eyes and sit forward. "How do you know?"

Loki sighs. "We can smell it. After a certain amount of time, the females begin to have a different scent, one that is both innocent and beautiful. But in this case, Zahra smells of darkness. It is more potent for some reason. My mother had a different scent, but it was faint. Zahra is surrounded by it."

I don't say anything, hardly able to believe him, yet, there was such a look of worry on Loki's face that I couldn't doubt him. I sensed no change in my sister, no growths or unnatural behaviors. Then, a wolf's senses are keener than mine, no matter my extraordinary ability to hunt.

Loki said, "Do you know if he did?"

I shake my head. "I don't know. I don't know everything she went through. I try to let her come to me." I pause, thinking about Zahra's tortured face as she described the horrors she has to face. "I also would have thought she'd have told me if he had. It is likely one of the few things she wouldn't understand about the world."

Loki shook his head solemnly. "Just keep an eye on her. Explain the act and what happens. Tell her there's nothing to be afraid of by telling you."

I nod. "I will."

The wolf nods, stand, then says, "As I told her, she is welcome at the den no matter what. We will help her, guard her, and advise her if necessary. All I ask is that she chooses it herself."

Loki leaves my shelter and walks up to Zahra one more time, giving her a hug and saying his goodbyes. Before he disappears, he glances at my sister one last time wih a worried expression.

June walks up to me with a smile. "Are you ready for tomorrow?"

I blink and look at her in confusion. "Tomorrow?"

She laughs. "Roan, what's wrong? You never forget your sister's birthday!"

Now i grin. "Yes, i'm ready!"