TEMPORARY MATES PERMANENT CRAVINGS novel Chapter 112

One hundred and twelve

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One hundred and twelve

Cameron POV

The clinic doors slid open behind us and the morning air hit my face. Lisa walked on my left. Evangeline walked on my right. The distance between them stretched wider than the space on the sidewalk.

Lisa kept her eyes ahead and walked in silence.

“I still can’t believe I’m going to be a mom,” Evangeline said. She looked at me with the same excitement she had carried out of the scan room.

“It does,” I said. 1

Evangeline smiled and looked back at the images.

“That tiny blur is ours. I’m going to frame the first one.”

We reached the row of cars. Lisa slowed near the black sedan waiting for her. The guard stepped out and opened the back door. Evangeline stopped and lifted a finger toward Lisa.

“Wait a moment,” she said while dialing her phone.

She turned away from us and started speaking before the call even connected.

“Hi, yes, it’s me again.”

Her voice lifted into the bright tone she used whenever plans started forming in her head. Lisa stood beside the car with one hand on the door.

Evangeline’s voice carried across the parking lot.

“No, I changed my mind about the nursery light. I want something softer. Also blankets. Light blue ones with white fading through them. Something gentle.”

“Are you okay?” I asked Lisa.

She stared at the asphalt.

“I’m fine.”

She shifted her weight and braced herself against the car. Her balance gave way. I caught her before she dropped.

Evangeline kept talking, unaware.

“Yes, the crib should be closer to the window,” she said into the phone. “Morning light is good for babies.”

Lisa leaned into the car and steadied herself.

“You’re dizzy.”

She drew in a breath and straightened.

“It’s nothing. I didn’t eat much this morning.”

“That’s not good enough.”

Her gaze met mine.

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“I’m okay. I’m just pregnant.”

“Let me drive you home.”

She glanced toward Evangeline, who was still pacing and discussing nursery fabric.

“You should take care of her,” Lisa said. “I already have a ride.”

“That doesn’t mean you should leave like this.”

She opened the car door halfway. Her gaze held mine.

“I’m fine.”

Arguing would turn this into a scene. I stepped back.

Evangeline ended her call and walked toward us with renewed energy.

“You should come home with us,” she said to Lisa. “I don’t understand why you moved out in the first place.”

She gestured toward Lisa’s stomach. “Seeing you more would help me bond with the baby. The doctor would probably agree.”

Lisa offered a polite smile. “I appreciate the offer, but I’m comfortable where I am.”

Evangeline laughed and looked at me. “See? She doesn’t trust me. And it’s sad. I was emotional that day and behaved badly. That isn’t how I usually handle things.”She folded her arms and faced Lisa again. “You shouldn’t judge me based on one encounter.”

Lisa met her gaze. She adjusted the strap of her bag on her shoulder. “I’m not judging you. I just don’t want to become a source of inconvenience.”

Evangeline reached out and touched Lisa’s arm.

“If you need anything, please tell us.”

Lisa nodded.

“Thank you.”

She slid into the back seat without looking at me. The guard closed the door and returned to the driver’s seat. The sedan pulled away from the curb and merged into traffic outside the clinic.

Beside me, Evangeline released a satisfied breath. She talked about the baby during the entire drive home. She sat beside me holding the ultrasound photos and kept checking them again, as if the image might disappear if she looked away.

“I’m going to start treatment again,” she said.

Her voice carried less excitement now and more resolve.

“I know what the doctors will say. I know where this usually ends. But at least I’ll know I tried. I don’t want to give up yet.” 2

I kept my eyes on the road.

“That’s good.”

The car passed through the compound gates. “I already told the decorator to finish the nursery this week. I want

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everything ready before I start feeling worse again.”She turned toward me with a bright smile. “You have to see it when we get home. It’s beautiful.”

I nodded while she described every detail, and while she spoke, one quiet thought stayed in the back of my mind. She never asked Lisa anything. Not how she felt, not whether she needed help, not whether she was even comfortable after the appointment.

But why would she? 1

Lisa would have the baby and leave. That was the agreement from the beginning.

I reminded myself of that as the car rolled toward the house. Still, the thought refused to settle. No matter what crossed my mind today, Lisa was not part of the future.

The car stopped outside the house. Evangeline opened the door before I shut off the engine.

“Come,” she said. “You have to see it.”

I followed her inside. She moved through the hall and led me upstairs to the eastern wing. The nursery door stood open. Fresh paint filled the air. The entire room had been painted blue. I stopped near the doorway. 1

“Shouldn’t we wait to know the gender first?”

Evangeline waved the question away.

“Oh please. I don’t believe in that nonsense.”

She turned in the center of the room, taking everything in.

“This color feels calm. I love it.”

Then she moved closer and leaned against my side. She walked to the crib and ran her hand along the railing.

“Our baby will grow up peacefully here. In a few weeks everything will be ready. By then we’ll probably know the gender.”

She pointed toward the corner. A chair stood beside a narrow shelf filled with children’s books. “Look. I added a reading space. I’ll read to the baby every night.”

She smiled wistfully, then tears gathered in her eyes.

“I just want to be healthy enough to see this happen.”

I pulled her into my arms. “You’re going to follow the doctors this time. If you want to raise this baby, you have to fight for your health.”

She pressed her face into my shoulder.

“You’ll do the tests. No more refusing specialists. And we’ll visit the oracle for prayers.”

She pulled back.

“That again?”

“Yes.”

She released a long breath.

“Fine. I’ll think about it.”

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“No, Eva. You’ll do it. Look how excited you are to be a mother. Put that same effort into getting better.”

She looked at the crib again and nodded.

“Alright.”

Then she glanced at me.

“Did Nadia tell you Desmond is coming for dinner tonight?”

I searched my memory. Nothing surfaced.

“It must be an informal visit,” Evangeline continued. “He wants to announce the wedding date.”

“Of course he does. You should talk to Nadia,” I said. “Tell her not to rush this.”

Evangeline laughed. “She likes him.”

“That isn’t a reason to marry him immediately.”

“People grow into love. Look at us. We stayed together through everything.”

She squeezed my arm and I managed a smile.

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415B5u8

I left the nursery and headed downstairs. Near the training yard I heard the heavy thud of repeated blows. Franklin stood in front of a sandbag and drove his fists into it hard enough to make the chain above it creak.

The bag swung wildly. A tear near the bottom had opened and sand spilled onto the ground. He kept hitting it as if he didn’t notice.

“You’re hitting that thing like you want blood. Who are you thinking about?”

He stopped.

His breathing stayed heavy as sweat ran down his face. He wiped it away and looked past me.

“Desmond is coming tonight. I expect you at the table.”

Franklin hit the bag again.

“I can’t.”

“Why not?”

“I volunteered for night patrol.”

“That patrol runs fine without you.”

He shrugged.

“Not tonight.”

I crossed my arms.

“You’re dodging dinner because it’s Desmond.”

Franklin met my gaze. He grabbed his jacket then he walked past me.

“Enjoy your celebration.”

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I watched Franklin leave, then returned to work. By evening the house was already set for dinner. When I stepped out of the car, Nadia stood near the entrance with a phone pressed to her ear. She ended the call when she saw me.

“You look thrilled,” I said.

She gave me a flat look.

“I’m hosting dinner for the man I’m about to marry. That requires enthusiasm.”

The words sounded right. Her tone didn’t.

“Why the rush, Nadia? No one’s forcing you into this.”

She stared at me like I had lost my mind.

“Don’t start.”

“I’m serious.”

“I’m an adult. I know what I’m doing.”

She lifted her hand, showing the ring. “And Desmond loves me.”

I looked at the ring, then back at her. “Love shouldn’t need a deadline. I want you to be sure.”

“I am”

hope the food is worth it.”

She stepped aside and gestured toward the house.

“Go see for yourself.”

Inside, the table had already been set. Evangeline joined us shortly after. Desmond arrived exactly on time. We exchanged greetings and sat down.

Dinner started smoothly. Nadia smiled when someone looked her way. She answered questions when she had to. Halfway through the meal, Desmond set his fork down.

“Alpha Cameron, Nadia and I have chosen a date,” he said. “The wedding will be at the end of the season.”

I looked up.

“That’s soon.”

He smiled. “When you know what you want, waiting becomes pointless.”

I took a sip of wine.

“And Nadia?”

Nadia lifted her glass. “I agreed, didn’t I?”

Desmond’s smile widened. “There’s no reason to delay something inevitable. Opportunity rarely waits,” he replied.

Then he leaned back in his chair. “There is another matter we should discuss. Since we’ll soon be family, our

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packs should cooperate more closely.”

Nadia and Evangeline both turned toward me.

“What matter?” I asked.

“Trade access,” he said. “Specifically the northern route your pack controls.”

That route was restricted for a reason.

“The council doesn’t allow outside packs on that route.”

“I’m aware of the rule.”

“Then you already know the answer.”

His smile stayed in place and he picked up his glass.

“I thought it was worth raising.”

The conversation moved on after that. But one thought stayed with me through the rest of the meal.

Desmond looked at Nadia like a man claiming a bride. He looked at me like a man studying a lock, and he had already started testing the door.

P

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