Percy's POV
A pup. The words echo in my mind, bouncing off the walls of my consciousness like a ricocheting bullet. I'm going to be a father.
The revelation should fill me with joy, but instead, my stomach churns with a sickening mixture of elation and terror. Why didn't Henderson tell me? The question claws at my insides, each possibility more devastating than the last. Is she so disgusted with my failures as a mate that she couldn't bear to share this news? Does she think I'm unworthy of knowing about our child?
The thought that she might want to leave me, to raise our pup without me, makes bile rise in my throat.
'Calm yourself. Our mate has endured tremendous trauma. She and Kain aren't just healing from their injuries - they're nurturing new life. Our pup. The pregnancy is likely making their recovery more difficult. Kain would sacrifice every ounce of her strength to protect our unborn child,' Usher's voice cuts through my spiraling thoughts, steady and rational.
