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everything you’ve been going through, I can’t believe I didn’t notice the signs before. I feel completely stupid. But we still should have time. The effects are pretty slow now, aren’t they?”
    Marley kept quiet and grabbed the shampoo, pouring it into her hair and lathering. The heaviness of their silence could have caused her to drown.

    36
    Jennifer Salaiz
    “I’m waiting, Marley. You will answer the question. I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but I am your alpha and you’re a werewolf. Don’t make me order you.”
    Her jaw dropped while she spun to face him. “Order me! Have you lost your mind? I should kick your ass for that comment. If you must know, this has been going on for a while. You’ve just had so many things on your mind. I didn’t want to worry you.”
    “Explain what’s been going on and for how long.”
    Damn this was going to be a long night. She kept silent while she rinsed the shampoo out and washed off her body. Only then did she turn her focus back to him.
    “I’m getting out, and if you want to listen, we can do it in bed.
    This is going to take a while.”
    He didn’t argue. Silently, he followed her out and they both got dressed. When she got in bed, he finally opened his mouth.

    Projected Pleasure
    37

Chapter 6
    “Proceed, my dear. I’m dying to find out how long I have until I watch the hardest thing I will ever have to witness you go through.”
    The tone of his voice sent chills down her spine. Surely, it couldn’t be worse than child birth with no medication. That had been the most pain she thought anyone could experience. One she didn’t think she wanted to go through so soon, not without an epidural, anyway.
    “You know I’ve had the cravings since I was pregnant with Demetri, but they stopped after I had him, until two months ago.”
    “Yes, that’s when we took you to the doctor. How often have you been eating the meat since then? Once a week, less than that?”
    Heaviness settled into her stomach. Well, this was it. There was no turning back after she opened her mouth. God, she really hoped she wouldn’t come to regret this.
    “Every night, sometimes twice a night.”
    “No…impossible.” Zachary shook his head, stunned.
    “And the mood swings. I don’t think they’re postpartum depression, Zachary. I have so much anger that I feel like I’m going to go crazy with it. It’s not normal. Maybe some of it might have something to do with hormones, but not all of what’s happening. And the twisting I can feel in my body when the anger becomes unbearable feels like it’s going to break me to pieces. I’m constantly aching.”
    “Stop, Marley.” Zachary stared down at the comforter. Slowly, he looked back up at her. “I’m not even sure you’ll make it past this full 38
    Jennifer Salaiz
    moon. Jesus,” he whispered. “Why didn’t you tell me? I could have helped you, been there, something.”
    “You have been there for me.”
    Zachary glared at her. “That’s not what I mean, Marley. I’m your husband. You have to let me be one. If you continue to keep things from me, then how am I supposed to take care of you? That’s what husbands do.”
    Seeing him upset, Marley eased her arms around his neck. “I won’t keep anything from you anymore. I promise. But can you tell me one thing?”
    “What, love?” He laid her down next to him and cradled her in his arms. She let his smell sweep over her, relaxing her body to fit perfectly against his.
    “Why am I so aroused? I almost can’t control it.”
    Zachary laughed. “How could I forget? You were about ready to ravage me. It happens before a full moon, but you learn to control the urges. Just to be safe, I think we should satisfy yours, slowly, of course.”
    A smile pulled at her lips. “Oh yes, of course. We shall go as slow as you want. Let’s just go, if you know what I mean.”

    * * * *

    Zachary could feel the impatience in Marley. He was angry at himself for not seeing it before.