A Mate for Kai (The Program Book 6) (13 page)

Becky shook her head, drawing his attention away from where they were joined. “I will discuss the matter with our local veterinarian. Hopefully they have some experience with reptiles. If not I’ll have to call around. I know it isn’t much to go on but it’s at least something. We found with the vampire/wolf shifter mix, there were characteristics from both species present. This was true for the pregnancy, and the birth, as well as in the offspring.” She took a breath as she paused. “For example, the pregnancy was longer than what was typical of a wolf pregnancy and much shorter than that of a vampire. The young were much smaller than vampire young, as is typical of a wolf shifter pregnancy.”

“Interesting. It gives me hope.” Ruby still sounded worried.

“It should. I believe the same will be true for this pregnancy. Another example is that Stephany excreted milk instead of blood for the first three months after the twins were born. Then one day she started producing a mixture of the two.” Becky’s face lit into a huge grin. “She called me up, sure she was dying. Just for the record…” Becky turned serious. She glanced at Eleanor. “Stephany gave me full permission to discuss this with you. She even offered to come and talk with you if you need some support.”

Ruby nodded but didn’t say anything. There was a puzzled look on her face.

“So…” Becky huffed. “I am respecting doctor patient privilege.” Kai wasn’t sure what she was talking about.

Ruby frowned. “What did you mean by excrete milk? Is it the same as humans when they use their mammary glands to feed their young?” She wrinkled up her nose like the idea was weird to her.

Becky nodded. “That’s exactly what I mean.” She narrowed her eyes at Ruby. “Vampire and wolf shifter females feed their young from their breasts. Is this not the case with dragon shifters?”

Ruby’s eyes widened. “No. They are born with teeth. Our babies eat food. We chop it up finely at first, of course.”

Becky pulled her gaping mouth closed. “O-of course.” She stuttered. “Lactose intolerant. I forgot.”

Ruby let go of his hand. “You don’t think that…” She looked down at her breasts which were encased in the thin, cotton robe. Then she palmed them using both her hands.

Kai had to bite back a groan. He was going straight to hell. Her mounds were full and so damned soft looking. Kai bit back a groan and tried not to look. Hell was too good for him.

Ruby gave another light squeeze. Kai’s dick gave a twitch.

“They have been feeling a bit more sensitive.” She frowned. “I’m not sure but they might also be a bit bigger.” She gave them a third squeeze.

“They are bigger,” he blurted. Kai wished that he could bite off his own tongue. There was no point though since it would just regenerate.

Becky threw him an amused grin. Damnit.

“You think so?” Ruby asked, she looked at him expectantly. She was waiting for an answer.

He rocked on his heels. “Definitely.” It came out sounding strangled. “I mean, they were full before but they’re…um…fuller now.” Why couldn’t he keep his mouth closed?

Ruby pushed out a solid breath. “I never thought I would ever feed a child with my mammary glands. I don’t know why we even have them since we don’t really need them.” She shrugged.

Kai could think of a few reasons but he grit his teeth instead of voicing them. Not a single fucking word would pass his lips again during this particular conversation. Certainly not anything concerning her mammary fucking glands.

“You’ll get used to it. Have your nipples darkened?” Becky asked.

Oh god! Or her nipples. He was keeping his lips zipped.

“It is another sign your breasts are preparing for milk or blood production. Depending on the species,” Becky added.

Both Ruby and Becky looked at him but he decided to check his boots and then the far wall.
Not answering.

“I think so.” Ruby was frowning, big time. “I’m not sure…I haven’t paid much attention. They have been bouncing more. They’ve been in the way more.”

Kill me now. Fuck.

“Let’s take a look,” Becky said. “I think it would be good sign if there were changes. It would show us that your child carries vampire traits. It would certainly put my mind at ease about this pregnancy even though I am almost certain, although different from a normal dragon shifter pregnancy, it is perfectly normal for a mixed child.” She paused. “Let’s undo the tie on your robe and take a look.”

“I’m going to step out of the room.” He was a colossal pussy but he didn’t give a fuck. There was no way…

“I would prefer it if you stayed, that’s if Ruby doesn’t mind.” Becky’s gaze held him in place. For a tiny human she was quite something.

“I don’t think that Ruby”—He stammered and spluttered— “would be comfortable…”

“I don’t mind at all.” Ruby shook her head. “I’m not ashamed of my body and besides, you’ve already seen me naked.”

“Exactly.” Becky raised her brows. “It is sometimes difficult to pick up subtle changes on your own body. We don’t always notice them. You saw Ruby before. You will be able to assess better than anyone else. I’m looking for changes in size…”

“I already told you that they’re bigger,” he snapped. Kai pinched the bridge of his nose and prayed for calm. “Sorry…that’s fine. I’m happy to help out.”
Don’t act like a dick just because yours can’t behave.

Becky nodded once and helped Ruby with the tie at the back of her neck. Ruby held her hair up. “As I was saying…” Becky gave him a hard stare. “We’re looking for definite changes in size as well as any changes to the nipple shape, size and color.”

Kai nodded. He could do this. Ruby was the mother of his child. His unborn baby. He wasn’t going to react in any way. His body was going to behave itself…for once.

Becky pulled down the garment.

Dear lord in heaven.

Kai hadn’t been lying when he’d said her breasts had been full before but they were much fuller now. Her nipples were plumper, darker. His mouth watered and his dick throbbed. He dropped his gaze to her belly. To the beautiful golden tattoos at the top of the curve. “Yeah.” His voice was gruff. “Definitely fuller and Ruby’s nipples are darker too.” Just as pretty. He was sure they would taste magni…no. Not going there.

“That’s great.” Becky smiled.

“The unborn child must have vampire traits.” Eleanor was smiling too. “It’s a good sign.”

“It still doesn’t tell us if I am carrying an egg or not.” Ruby leaned back on the bed. She made no attempt to cover herself.

Kai’s jeans felt distinctly tight. He felt like the biggest jerk alive.

“I think we need to trust nature to do what needs to be done. It has before and I’m sure that it will again.” Becky gave Ruby a reassuring smile. “I will do a bit of research. You are a strong female. A non-human. You’ll be okay.”

“I’m not worried about myself,” Ruby all but whispered. She pulled her lip between her teeth. “My worry is for him.”

Becky didn’t say anything. It was easy to read between the lines, she didn’t want to make any promises she couldn’t keep.

“I’d like to feel your belly.” Eleanor moved to the side of the bed. “It is our only way of getting a picture of what’s going on in the womb. It is something I am used to doing since we can’t use human equipment.”

Ruby nodded. Thank fuck, she finally pulled her gown over her breasts only to pull it up over her belly.

Kai kept his gaze on Ruby’s face. She was looking at Eleanor with such expectation, such hope.

The healer began to palpitate her belly. Using firm but gentle strokes. “Do dragon shifters have water inside the womb surrounding the egg?”

Ruby nodded. “Yes, it surrounds the egg as a protection.”

Eleanor made a sound of acknowledgement. “You said the shell is soft?”

Ruby nodded again. “Yes.” Her eyes were still firmly on the healer.

“You feel similar to a vampire at about four months of pregnancy. Your belly is more compact but that differs from female to female. I can feel something there but I can’t tell whether you are carrying an egg or not.” She gave a small shake of the head. “I’m sorry, child. I agree with Becky. This pregnancy will progress as it should. We need to take it day by day. You must inform us of the first signs of labor though. This is even more important with a short labor. You need to stay close to the female.” She glanced at Kai.

He nodded. “I will request that our rooms be on the same floor or next to one another. He would draw the line at having her in his space. Maybe in an emergency or if they could have separate rooms in a suite. They still needed to talk. He really needed to try and understand why she had done this. Kai hoped he could understand. He would need to if they were to have any chance of moving forward and finding some sort of even ground as friends. For the good of the child.

“Okay. Come back in three days.” Becky smiled at them both. “Like Eleanor said, call immediately if anything changes. It’s a waiting game right now.”

“I’ll change back into my clothes.” Ruby glanced at him.

“I’ll wait here and carry you back.”

Her mouth dropped open. “There is no way you would manage.”

“Want to bet?”

“Don’t be a hero,” Ruby said. “I weigh far too much.” She smiled. “You can carry me if it…becomes necessary.”

“Get dressed,” he growled. “I’m carrying you and that’s fucking final.” A need to protect rose up in him. Energy surged through him. Adrenaline pumped. Good, he was going to need all the help he could get.

“One more thing.” Becky had her eyebrows raised. She looked a little uncomfortable. “One last thing we need to discuss. Sex.”

It felt like the floor dropped out from under him. “What about…it?” He couldn’t bring himself to even say the word.

“The two of you had it once and might want to have it again.”

“Not going to fucking happen.” Kai growled and instantly regretted it.

Ruby visibly paled. She put a hand to her chest. A hurt look passed over her face. Had she been expecting for them to become a happy fucking couple? Maybe carrying her wasn’t the best idea. It had given her the wrong impression.

“It’s not like that between us.” He tried to keep his voice even.

Becky folded her arms. “Oh really, because Zane informed me that there is a very good chance of the two of you becoming mates.”

He felt his jaw tighten. Everything in him tightened. “It’s not happening,” he growled.

“There is a very good chance my brother will force us to mate but it will be in title only. We will lead separate lives…I would never expect Kai to…” She turned her beautiful eyes on him and for a second he couldn’t breathe.

“We’ll think of something.” He spoke more softly. “I will talk with Blaze. I’m sure that…”

“He won’t listen. He has made up his mind.” She made a small noise of frustration. “I’m afraid that when he makes up his mind about something, there’s no changing it. Ask me. I know. I won’t expect you to be anything other than a father to this child. I am glad you will be in his life. We can try and find a way around this. Maybe.”

Despite everything. He believed her. He didn’t know how to respond.

“Let’s just say hypothetically that you decide to have sex,” Becky blurted.

“Why hypothesize something if it’s never going to happen?” This whole line of conversation irritated him. He was still attracted to Ruby but there was no way in hell they were having sex. Not a chance.

“Humor me,” she growled loudly. Impressive for such a small human. Then she gave a small chuckle. “The thing is…if you were a couple…I would recommend plenty of sex. Sex is known to speed up ripening of the cervix. It could bring on labor.”

“It’s true.” Eleanor nodded. “I have recommended it in the past, unless of course there is a reason why dragon shifters would avoid rutting.”

Both Eleanor and Becky turned towards Ruby who was looking at the ground. Her cheeks were a bright red. “Um…” She looked up when she realized the attention was on her. “Sex is fine. Our healers would prescribe the same. They tried to get me to accept a male to my bed to…”

Kai growled loudly. The thought of another male with Ruby was unacceptable. It wasn’t jealousy. That was laughable. He was worried about the baby. That was all. He couldn’t care if another male touched Ruby.

“Go on…” Becky said.

“They would prescribe sex to bring on labor, only they warned me against…it’s silly…” She chewed her lower lip.

“What is?” Both Eleanor and Becky said simultaneously.

“No hard rutting is permitted. It’s an old dragon’s tale, but it is believed the egg could become scrambled.” She was talking quickly and looked nervous. “It’s never happened before. That an egg became scrambled because of sex…or any other reason…but…I’ll stop talking now.”

“Okay…good. Thanks.” Becky was trying to hold back a laugh. He could see it. “It would be fine if the two of you decided to have sex. I’m just saying…just in case.”

He bit back a couple of choice words.

The little human continued. “Make sure you take it nice and easy…gentle sex is prescribed.”

Neither of them said anything.

“Hypothetically of course,” Becky added. “Go and get changed.” She smiled at Ruby.