His Phoenix Page 9

  “I can’t do that, Thena. You need to give her back to her bloodmate.”

  I grabbed ahold on Brody’s arm for comfort. I could feel that he wanted to protect me.

  Athena glared at the arm I was holding. “So, you two are buddies now? I guess I’ll have to kill you both then.”

  She charged us and was quickly intercepted by someone else.

  Chapter Eighteen

  Benjamin

  It took me and Cidrick two days to pinpoint Athena’s exact location. For someone that had decided to become a kidnapper, she sucked at hiding her location.

  On the second day, we tracked her down and then followed her back to the old college dorms. I guess I could give her a point for finding a place that no one was likely to look.

  “What’s our plan, Benny?” Cid’s voice came over my earpiece. He was on the opposite side of the building trying to find a better way in than the front door.

  “I don’t know yet.” Suddenly I was blasted with a wave of anger. It almost doubled me over. “Charlotte’s in there, Cid. I just felt her.” It was taking everything I had to keep myself from rushing in after her.

  I didn’t know why I felt her so strongly. At least now I knew for sure she was inside. I did my best to send her reassuring vibes. I was getting her out of there soon.

  “Shit, well there’s a broken window back here on the second floor. We can enter that way if we can get up there without being seen.”

  “I’ll take it.” I checked my surroundings, making sure no one was around to see me before I rushed to were Cid was hiding out back. “Okay, so I’ll go first. You play lookout and catch anyone that sees me.”

  Cid grinned. “Roger.” He’d been wanting to say that since we left our office.

  I looked around again before going over and climbing onto the sill of the first story window. Using the sill to stand, I jumped straight to the second story window and pulled myself inside. I scanned the room and turned to tell Cid he could come up. He was already pulling himself in the window.

  I shook my head. “You never follow my directions.”

  He shrugged. “I knew when I didn’t hear any scuffling that the coast was probably clear.”

  “That's fine. Let’s go find my mate.”

  We checked every room on the second and third floors before a weird sensation brought me to my knees.

  Cid was immediately at my side. “Benny, you okay?”

  “I think so. Something's happening to Charlotte. We need to hurry.”

  Cid helped me to my feet and we quietly traveled to the first floor.

  I was feeling Charlotte stronger here. She had to be close by. She wasn't angry anymore, just confused and scared. I needed to find her.

  We had half the downstairs cleared when I heard the screeching of Athena’s voice below us. Cid heard it too and pointed to the floor. We quickly found the basement door and hurried down the stairs. Cid was following me, while I was following the scent of my mate. It was so strong down here.

  I saw an open door on the far wall and rushed to it.

  When I reached the doorway, Athena was charging at Charlotte and a vampire I'd never seen before.

  I didn’t hesitate to intercept her, slamming against the wall.

  She grinned at me. “Oh, hi, Benny. Glad you could come to our little party.”

  “I’m not here for your party, Athena.” I snarled, gripping her neck tighter. “I’m here to kill you for taking my mate!”

  “But, I’m your true mate.” She strained out. “You belong to me.”

  I shook my head. “I don’t. I belong to Charlotte.”

  “She can never have you.” Athena thrust her hand into my chest and gripped my heart.

  “Nooo!” Charlotte screamed as a sharp pain shot through my back.

  I couldn’t figure out why my heart hadn’t been torn from my chest until Athena went limp in my grasp. My brother now stood beside with her bleeding heart in his hand. Athena's hand released my heart and dropped out of my chest. It was then that I realized Charlotte was holding the other side of my heart. Her hand releasing it as she crumpled to the ground.

  “Charlotte!” I had her in my arms before her head could hit the concrete. Even with the agonizing pain in my chest, I could never let her be harmed.

  “Ben.” She whispered, reaching up toward my face with a tired smile before passing out.

  Picking her up, I cradled her against my chest and carried her outside.

  Cid was pulling the strange vampire along with us, explaining to him that he would be held at our security building for questioning. The vampire didn’t try to fight him. He obediently agreed with everything.

  I laid Charlotte on my passenger seat before turning to Cid. “I’m going to get Charlotte to the hospital. You go ahead and take him to our building. I don't know when or if I'll be able to come question him.”

  “I've got it, Benny. Go take care of your bloodmate.”

  “Thanks, little brother.” I got into my car and drove Charlotte to the hospital, doing something I hadn't done in a very long time. I prayed to whatever higher power was listening, begging for her to be okay.

  I don't think I could continue to live without her. More so, I wouldn't want to.

  Chapter Nineteen

  Charlotte

  An annoying beep woke me from a weird dream. At least I hoped it was a dream.

  Opening my eyes, I saw a head of black hair laying on my thigh. Ben.

  “Ben.” I crocked out. My throat was super dry.

  His head turned quickly, and I was greeted with his beautiful dimpled smile. “You’re awake.”

  “I am. And in the hospital. What happened?”

  Ben explained what had happened and it all came flooding back. My hand shot to my lower abdomen.

  Ben’s hand covered mine and he beamed at me. “The baby’s fine, Charlotte. They brought in an obstetrician yesterday when your bloodwork showed you were pregnant. She did an exam and ultrasound.”

  “It’s so early, how can they even see anything?”

  Ben grabbed my hand and brought it to his mouth and kissed my knuckles. “You know how shifter pregnancies can vary in length depending on their animal?”

  I nodded. “Yea. What does that have to do with vampire babies? I didn’t even know that was a thing.”

  “Neither did I. I’d heard stories, but I figured they were just tales to make the vampires that wanted children feel better. Something to give them false hope.”

  I pulled Ben’s hand back to my lower abdomen. “Well, guess it’s a true story.”

  “That it is, my sweet.” He leaned over and gave me a gentle kiss. “I love you, Charlotte.”

  “I love you too, Benjamin. Now tell me about vampire pregnancy.”

  He chuckled. “Of course. From what I was able to find out while you were unconscious-”

  I held my hand up to stop him. “How long was I out?”

  “Two days.”

  I couldn’t stop the small gasp that escaped me. “Why that long?”

  “I think the pregnancy combined with the stress and blood loss. You needed time for your body to recover and adapt to the changes quickly happening to it.”

  “Okay.” I took a deep breath. “Finish about the pregnancy.”

  Ben kissed me again before climbing beside me in the bed and pulling me against his chest. “Because it’s a vampire pregnancy and vampires regenerate rather quickly, the baby will form and grow quickly as well. You’re around a week pregnant right now, but the baby is measuring at about six weeks. At least that’s what the ultrasound technician said.”

  I turned in his arms to look at him. “You’re not freaked out about this at all?”

  “Why would I be freaked out, my sweet? You’re my bloodmate, the woman I will love for eternity. Why would us miraculously creating a life together freak me out?”

  “Well when you put it that way,” I said, kissing his chin. “I was in shock for a bit when Brody told me.” />
  “Brody told you?”

  I nodded. “Yep. He told me and Athena. Athena-.” I started to panic. I remembered that split second we were both literally fighting over Ben's heart. She was trying to rip it out, while I was trying to keep it in place.

  “Shh, my sweet. She’s gone forever. She’ll never hurt you again.”

  I buried my face in his chest and breathed in his scent. He smelled so damn good. “You smell like love and sunshine,” I muttered.

  His chest vibrated with laughter. “That’s the vampire senses talking. You’re currently sharing blood with a vampire. The baby will give you the strength you need to grow them and bring them into the world, and afterward, you’ll be human again.”

  I lifted my head to look at my mate. “What if I don’t want to be human after this?”

  “Then we can share a mating bite and complete our bond.” He kissed my forehead.

  “Will the baby live forever too?” I wouldn’t become immortal if it meant having to watch my child die.

  “As far as we know, yes. They will grow until their twenty-second birthday and then age like a normal vampire from that point.”

  I pulled back a little in surprise. “Vampires still age?”

  “Yes. About a decade every thousand years or so.”

  I laughed. “You call that aging?”

  “I do.”

  The doctor chose that moment to come into the room. “Good evening, Ms. James. How are we feeling now that you’re awake?”

  Ben climbed off the bed and helped me sit up.

  “I feel good. Like I had a long nap.” I joked.

  The doctor smiled. “Good. We will do one more ultrasound to check the baby and then if you still feel good tomorrow, we’ll let you go home with your fiancé.”

  I raised an eyebrow at Ben, and he winked.

  “I’m excited to be awake for this one.” I couldn’t help the excitement that was bubbling up inside me.

  The doctor gave me a small smile and started checking my vitals. “There isn’t much to see at this point, but since you’re awake now, we can get a transvaginal ultrasound to get a better look.”

  “I’m sorry, a what?” I asked, a little nervous to hear the answer.

  “It’s nothing to be scared of, Ms. James. The tech will explain the process when she gets here. Everything is looking good as far as your vitals go. As long as the baby is okay, you can expect to go home tomorrow.”

  “Thank you, doctor,” Ben said, squeezing my hand.

  “You’re welcome, Mr. Valtor. I'll be back before my shift ends to check on you again, Ms. James.”

  "I'll be here." I said to the doctor as he left the room. I looked at Ben. “Fiancé huh?”

  “It was the only way they’d let me stay with you. Well, without me compelling them. I only use my powers if I have to.”

  “So, you didn’t compel me to be your mate?”

  Ben chuckled. “No, my sweet. You can’t compel your mate, they are immune.”

  “Good to know.” I patted the bed beside me. “Come closer. It feels better when you’re near.”

  “I’m near right now.” Ben sassed.

  “Get your vampire ass on the bed, Benjamin!” I ordered, trying to give my best stern look and failing.

  “Yes, ma’am.” Ben sat down and wrapped me in his arms.

  The door opened a little while later and a short middle-aged woman rolled in an ultrasound machine.

  “Good to see you awake. Last time I was here it was just me and dad looking at the little one. How are you feeling today, mama?”

  Being called that was a bit of a reality check.

  Ben kissed the side of my head before releasing me and standing from the bed. “She’s doing good. I think she’s still a little shocked over the news.”

  The technician smiled. “Some take a little longer to warm up to the idea. Let me explain to you what I’m gonna do here in a moment.” She went on to tell us what she was doing and soon I had an ultrasound wand in my hoo-ha.

  Ben held my hand through the discomfort and then the most beautiful sound I'd ever heard sounded from the machine.

  I covered my mouth with my free hand. “Is that?”

  The technician nodded and smiled. “Yes. That is the very strong heartbeat of your baby.”

  “If I could cry I would,” Ben whispered into my ear. “I love you, Charlotte.”

  At that moment I fell apart. All the emotions from the kidnapping and finding out I was pregnant just came pouring out as I clung to Ben. He whispered loving things into my hair.

  I felt the moment the technician ended the ultrasound, but I didn’t care. Soon I was being cradled and rocked in Ben’s arms until I eventually cried myself into exhaustion and fell asleep.

  Chapter Twenty

  Benjamin

  If not for our connection, I would have thought Charlotte was devastated over her pregnancy. Fortunately, and not, I could feel all the different emotions as she cycled through them while I did my best to comfort her. Eventually, she cried herself out and was now resting.

  I was about to doze off when Cid poked his head in the door.

  “Knock knock.” He said quietly.

  “Aren’t we a little old for knock-knock jokes, little brother?” I whispered, trying not to wake Charlotte.

  “You know I wasn’t going for that, Benny. How is she?”

  “She’s okay. A little overwhelmed by everything, but we’ll get through it.”

  Cid nodded and stepped into the room. He was holding a bouquet of white roses. “The girl did just learn she's carrying a vampire baby. None of us believed that was a real thing." He held up the roses. "I thought these might brighten her day.”

  “I’m sure they will when she’s finished resting. What did you learn from Brody?”

  “Not much. He was Athena’s plaything. She turned him a couple of decades ago to do her dirty work. He said she’d disappeared for about five years, which was when he ran into a vampire that taught him properly about vampires and how they work. That’s how he knew that Charlotte was special when he scented she was pregnant. He knew he needed to protect her. Congrats by the way. I don’t think I’ve told you that yet. I’m excited to be an uncle.”

  I held back my laugh and smiled instead. “Thanks, Cid. I’m excited to be a dad. I never thought I would be.”

  “This is going to be good for all of us, Benny. Not just our family, but vampires as a whole.”

  I knew my child was going to spark a lot of mixed emotions in the vampire community. Some would be happy for us, while others might think it wrong and try to harm the life Charlotte and I had created. We would need to be on our guard for a while until things could settle and others could see we weren’t a threat.

  Cid and I talked a little more before he left to release Brody. We’d held the guy long enough. I didn’t think he was a real threat to us. He’d stood up for Charlotte after all.

  Laying back in the bed, I pulled my sleeping mate against my chest and let sleep take me.

  “Ben,” Charlotte’s voice started to pull me from sleep. “Babe, I have to pee.”

  I cracked an eye open and was greeted with my mate’s strained yet still beautiful face.

  “Getting up,” I said, slowly rolling out of the hospital bed.

  “Figures the one time you move at human speed would be the time I have to pee like a horse.”

  Grinning, I scooped her up and rushed her to the toilet. “There.” I set her slowly on her feet, giving her time to get her balance.

  “You’re lucky I didn’t throw up on you just then, Benjamin.”

  “Sorry, my sweet.” I stepped out of the bathroom while she did her business.

  “All done,” She announced, letting me know I could come get her and take her back to bed. I went in and scooped her up. “Maybe move a little slower this time, daddy. Little V and I are experiencing some motion sickness.”

  I laughed and kissed her neck. “Little V, huh?”

&n
bsp; “Mmm,” She hummed into my neck. “Just felt right. Plus, it’s unisex so we won’t have to say ‘it’ or ‘baby’.”

  “Good call, my sweet. Let’s get you back to bed and then I’ll get you some dinner.”

  “What about your dinner?”

  I laid Charlotte down on the bed and sat down in the chair beside it. “Don’t worry about it, Charlotte. I’ll feed when I need to. Right now, I need to be with my mate.”

  “I'm already tired again. How is that possible?” Charlotte laid her head down and closed her eyes.

  “It’s the pregnancy. You’ll need to eat and sleep a lot in the next couple of months.”

  Her eyes shot open. “I’m gonna have this baby in a couple of months?”

  I nodded. “Yes, Charlotte. It will be fast and taxing on your body. The baby will protect you through it all though. Little V will give you the strength you need to get through it.”

  “Good.” Charlotte placed her hand over where our child was growing. “We got this, kiddo. You and me.”

  I reached over and placed my hand on hers. “And me. The three of us together forever.”

  Charlotte gave me a teary smile. “Forever.”

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Charlotte

  Three months later…

  I stared down at my beautiful son. He had a head of dark black hair like his dad and his eyes were a darker blue with possibly a hint of green.

  Our calculation on how long my pregnancy would be had been wrong. After my fourth week of pregnancy, little V slowed his growth a little. Instead of only being pregnant for eight weeks, I was pregnant for twelve thus the healthy newborn in my arms three months later.

  “You did so well, my sweet,” Ben whispered, looking down in awe at our son.

  I smiled at him. “He did all the hard work. I just gave him a place to grow safely.”

  My pregnancy had been a breeze minus being tired and hungry alot. Little V had taken very good care of us both the who way through. We'd also decided to do a home birth in case there were any supernatural surprises.

  “Well then, you did well keeping him safe while he grew.” Ben leaned in and kissed me gently. “I love you both more than you could ever know.”