TEMPORARY MATES PERMANENT CRAVINGS novel Chapter 83

Eighty-Three

Lisa

The evening my mother was discharged, James came to Cameron’s estate for the first time. He stepped into the entrance hall and stopped. He took in the ceiling and the staircase that curved above us.

His mouth stayed slightly open before he caught himself and cleared his throat.

“Are people even allowed to own this much space?” he muttered.

I laughed. “Try not to sound envious.”

“I’m not. I’m concerned for society.”

He dragged his palm along the railing and glanced at his hand after, as if expecting dust. I led him through the sections I was allowed to access. Each time we reached a locked corridor, I turned away from it. He kept nodding as if none of it surprised him.

A maid stopped a few steps behind me.

“Alpha Cameron would like to see you in the west wing,” she said.

I looked at James. “Call Mom. It’s time to break the news to Evangeline.’

I wiped my palms on my dress before we walked. This was the contract. I reminded myself of that as we headed down the corridor. We walked toward the west wing. The floors there reflected our steps.

When we entered, Cameron was already seated at the head of the table. Evangeline sat beside him. Nadia leaned back in her chair. Franklin stood near the wall, Alpha Kieran remained quiet, watching.

My mother lowered herself carefully into the chair James pulled out for her. Cameron spoke.

“There’s an update.”

He kept his eyes on the table.

“Lisa is pregnant.”

No one spoke.

Cameron’s eyes flickered to Evangeline. She smiled. It appeared like an afterthought. Her fingers laced together with Cameron’s.

“That’s wonderful news! I knew it would happen soon.”

She turned to Cameron. “Sweetheart, we’re about to be parents! We should start planning the nursery. The room next to ours would be perfect. It gets the best morning light. Our child will be beautiful and strong.”

Her eyes stayed on Cameron. She did not look at me.

“When did you find out?” she asked him.

“Two days ago.”

She gasped, then her gaze narrowed on me.

“i wanted to be sure before conveying the news,” I said carefully. Her gaze flicked toward me for a moment, then returned to him.

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I sat there while she discussed cribs, paint, and names she had clearly considered before tonight. She did not ask if I had been sick or tired. She did not thank me. They spoke around me, not to me.

Why was I worked up over her reaction? This was an agreement. She held the title. I carried the weight.

Nadia spoke to me. “Well. That settles a lot of rumors.”

Franklin adjusted his stance against the wall. Alpha Kieran’s gaze drifted toward my mother more than once. Evangeline kept discussing dates and furniture. My mother reached for my wrist and squeezed gently.

After a while, I stood. “I need to give my mom her medication.”

No one objected. We left the west wing. Our steps echoed louder on the way back. When we reached our rooms, my mother sat slowly on the edge of the bed.

“Are you alright?”

I shrugged.

She studied my face.

“I felt like livestock,” I admitted.

“That is why I keep asking if you are fine,” she said. “This is not a joke. You have no legal claim to that child.”

I looked down at my stomach.

“The sooner you separate your emotions from this, the better. Carry the baby. Deliver. Walk away. You can have your own children later. Ones no one can take from you.”

I sat beside her and pressed my hand against my abdomen.

She was right. This was a transaction. 1

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