Tyler looked up at Bonnie with a raised eyebrow. It seemed as if she was a million miles away. In a soft voice, he sang, "Bonnnnnnnnie…"
Bonnie jolted when Tyler's voice drew her attention. The girl's green eyes moved from the ceiling to her mate's amused face. She asked, "Did you say something, Ty?"
He chuckled deeply as he relinquished the place between her thighs. He dropped onto his back beside Bonnie and drew her into his arms. Tyler longed to be buried deep inside Bonnie again. However, he would be a poor mate if he pressed forward while her mind was obviously somewhere else. Moreover, he had already claimed Bonnie up against her bedroom door not thirty minutes ago. We-Didn't-Die sex was quickly becoming his favorite activity.
She looked up into his warm brown eyes and asked, "Why did you stop?"
"Well, you were hurting my ego, Bon. I was doing some of my best work down there and your mind wasn't even in the same zip code," he jested.
Bonnie gave Tyler a sheepish grin as she curled into his side. She laid her head on his chest and whispered, "I'm sorry."
Tyler's fingers drew soothing circles on the soft skin of Bonnie's back. He kissed her forehead and said, "There is no reason for you to be sorry, babe. Is everything okay?"
"I don't know," she confessed in an uncertain voice.
All of the hybrid's amusement drained away as he focused on their bond. He could detect Bonnie's uneasiness but her overwhelming contentment nearly overshadowed that. It was why he had not sensed it from the outset. Tyler was confused by the contrasting emotions. He asked, "What's wrong?"
Bonnie chewed at her bottom lip as she debated saying anything. The teens already had a handful of problems swirling around them like a tornado. This hardly seemed like the time to confess such life changing news. Yet she was incapable of keeping the information to herself. She had been resisting the urge to confide in Tyler since they left the forest. Bonnie had been actively trying to suppress their connection so that he would not sense anything through the bond. In fact, the task had so consumed her consciousness that she totally checked out on the beginnings of round number two. Frankly, Tyler was not alone in feeling incredibly amorous after their brush with death.
Tyler was becoming antsier by the moment. However, he was trying to stop himself from overreacting. Bonnie was safe in his arms. If there was a threat, it could not penetrate those four walls for now. Last night, Lucy had warded the house against anyone with ill intentions. Fortunately, she had been meticulous in designing the ward to exclude Katherine or they might have all been barred from entering Bonnie's house.
He tilted Bonnie's chin up so that he could look into her eyes. Tyler saw uneasiness staring back at him. He murmured, "Talk to me, Bon…"
The girl practically melted because of the softness of his voice. Tyler had just ripped a very old vampire to shreds as if it was child's play, but he was so loving and gentle with her. Her mate. Her alpha. The father of her unborn child. The feeling of adoration that welled up inside her without warning shocked Bonnie. She decided in that moment to just come clean and allow the chips to fall where they may. "I'm pretty sure that I am pregnant."
The words left Bonnie's mouth so fast that Tyler almost had trouble understanding her. It took a moment for his brain to catch up. He pulled her closer once he understood what she said to him. Tyler could hear Bonnie's heart pounding in her chest. His hand slid from Bonnie's hip until it came to rest on her toned stomach. He swallowed thickly and asked, "Are you sure? I mean, Ruby said that it would be a couple of weeks before we would able to tell."
She nodded, "I am pretty certain about this, Ty. I am sure that Ruby was right about how and when werewolves can detect a pregnancy by scent but I am also a witch. When I was in the forest, I felt our baby. I don't really know how to explain this but I felt this pulse of magic inside me. It was not my magic but it felt familiar all the same. It reminded me of the first time that I met Lucy. Her magic was familiar even though I did not know her. I…I know that doesn't make any sense, but I have never been more sure of something in my life."
A dozen thoughts raced through Tyler's head at the same time. However, his most prominent thought was reassuring Bonnie. She was obviously nervous about his reaction. Tyler couldn't say that her fear was unreasonable. They had promised to talk about the possibility of a pregnancy a few days ago. Unfortunately, Mystic Falls' supernatural antics had gotten in the way. As usual, the need for survival usurped the concerns of everyday life. Frankly, it was shocking that their little town had been peaceful for as long as it had.
"Ty?" Bonnie asked cautiously.
She tried to brace herself for his reaction. Bonnie knew that it would not be fair to expect anything of Tyler. It wasn't as if the bite or subsequent mating cycle had been conscious decisions on their part. A combination of circumstance, moonshine, magic, and instinct had backed them into a corner. Bonnie and Tyler had merely gone along for the ride because their attraction to one another was undeniable. However, the heat was over and their hormones were no longer running the show. Bonnie believed Tyler when he said that he loved her, but there was a chance that he wouldn't be interested in shackling himself to a life partner at the ripe old age of nineteen. They hadn't even been on a proper date yet. Everything was happening too fast but there weren't exactly brakes on this runaway train.
He realized that he had been silent for too long. He cleared his throat and asked, "How are you feeling about this?"
"Confused," she admitted with a slow exhalation. "What about you?"
He said, "I am concerned about you, Bon. I guess in some ways, I have already come to terms with all of this. The morning after I bit you, I knew that this was a possibility. The sole purpose of the mating cycle is to impregnate the female wolf. Ruby warned me that being an alpha would significantly increase the likelihood that the cycle would be successful."
Bonnie relaxed when she realized that Tyler wasn't upset or even surprised by her news. She was ashamed that the insecurities that she so often hid made her doubt his intentions. He had done nothing in the last week to deserve that. Unfortunately, Bonnie was carrying around a great deal of emotional baggage. Everyone knew or suspected that she had abandonment issues because of her absentee parents. However, most people would never consider how often she had lived in the shadow of her friends. Bonnie loved Caroline and Elena, but too often she was overlooked while in their presence. Somehow, Bonnie ended up cast as the quirky sidekick that the popular girls befriended. Her role as sidekick was the reason that she had dated only three boys during her time in high school. It was the reason that she had ignored her crush on Tyler for so long. She never thought he would return her feelings.
She said, "Grams gave me a similar warning during our conversation on the astral plane. She said that witches and werewolves are surprisingly compatible when it comes to reproduction. It is because a witch's magic created werewolves. I think maybe she already knew that I was pregnant but didn't tell me."
The hybrid cleared his throat nervously. He was unsure how to pose the question plaguing his mind. "Do you want to keep the baby?"
Her eyes widened in surprise and her entire body went tense. The girl's doubts returned with a vengeance. She swallowed thickly and nodded. She stammered, "Y-y-you don't have to feel obligated or anything."
He huffed out a laugh and relaxed. Tyler dragged Bonnie on top of him. He carded his fingers through her hair and confessed, "I want this baby, too. I just…I wasn't sure where your head was on the subject. I didn't want to pressure you."
All of the tension bled out of Bonnie's body once she was lying on top of Tyler. In a soft voice, she admitted, "I didn't want to pressure you either. A baby is a major commitment to make with someone you only just started dating."
Tyler understood Bonnie's apprehension. A couple of years ago, he probably would have run for the hills. He never realized the true value of having a family until he lost his. After Klaus killed his mother, Tyler thought that he would spend the rest of his life alone and on the run. Somehow, in less than a year's time he found his pack and his mate. In nine months, he would have a son or daughter to ensure that his bloodline did not die with him. It seemed like a karmic reversal of fortune and he would never take it for granted.
He kissed the top of Bonnie's head and explained, "You became my family the night I bit you, Bon. You are in my blood now and I am in yours. We have a million things to figure out but I am not going anywhere. I am yours. "
Bonnie wholeheartedly believed Tyler's heartfelt words. She promised, "I am yours, too."
The hybrid was finally able to relax once Bonnie seemed at ease once more. He decided to enjoy the moment with her instead of brooding over how to protect his pregnant mate. They could work out the logistics of that later. Tyler knew that he would have to lean on his pack for help.
Bonnie pressed her forehead against his chest and sighed in relief. She asked, "Could we have made this situation anymore awkward?"
Tyler chuckled softly into her curly hair. He retorted, "I guess we could have had this conversation in front of our nosey friends. That would have upped the awkwardness by about a thousand."
She groaned and said, "I don't even want to think about breaking this news to them. They have only just accepted that we are together. I don't know if our happy news will be met with excitement."
"You mean that you are worried about how Jeremy will react. I doubt anyone else will have any objections. At most, Damon might have a few snarky comments but he's an asshole."
Of course, Bonnie had been thinking about Jeremy. He seemed accepting of their relationship but she found his sudden change of heart suspicious. Jeremy had a temper on him even before he became a hunter. He seemed to become more aggressive once the hunter gene was activated.
She bit her lip and asked, "Am I that transparent?"
He nodded. "You are. I love how compassionate you are, Bon."
"It sounds like there is a 'but' coming…"
"Don't get me wrong, I like Jeremy. It is the reason that I let him move into my house. He can be a little jerk but overall he is a good kid. I just think that we have all been cutting him too much slack on his bullshit lately. I am cool with that in most cases but not where you and the baby are concerned," he opined.
She heard the seriousness in the tone of her mate's voice. Bonnie knew that Tyler was right. They had all given Jeremy a pass since his parents died in that car accident. She said, "He's had a hard couple of years, Ty."
"Haven't we all?" he asked pointedly.
Bonnie huffed in annoyance because of course Tyler was right. They had all been put through the wringer since the beginning of their senior year. They had all experienced tragedy and the loss of loved ones. She conceded, "I guess that you are right. Just promise me that you won't fight him."
The hybrid lifted an eyebrow at his mate. "I don't plan on making a habit of lying to you, Bon. I can't promise you that."
"Ty…"
Tyler kissed her and suggested, "Maybe my girlfriend can let me stay at her place until Jeremy comes to terms with the situation."
Her expression brightened immediately. She thought back to the bet they had made last night before Klaus ruined everything with his poorly timed arrival. She said, "I think that can be arranged."
He flashed a wolfish grin and continued, "Anyway, I am sure that Matt would stop me from killing Jeremy. He has made himself Jeremy's unofficial guardian. Matt actually wakes him up in the morning so that he gets to school on time."
Bonnie and Matt often discussed his efforts to get Jeremy to shape up. He had actually applied to a couple colleges on behalf of the younger boy. She wasn't surprised that Matt had taken Jeremy under his wing. He had always been the most responsible person in their little group. Matt had grown up fast having Kelly Donovan as a mother. He had spent most of his childhood taking care of his mother and sister.
Bonnie said, "I was thinking that maybe we could keep the pregnancy a secret…at least for a few weeks."
Tyler nodded. "I think that would probably be a good idea but we are going to have to be careful, Bon."
"So careful," she agreed. "I thought that I was dying when I felt that spark of magic inside of me. Knowing that I was pregnant was what made me cast that spell to end the fight."
He swallowed thickly when he heard how close Bonnie had come to dying. A knot formed in his stomach at the realization that he could have lost both of them.
"Can I ask you something?"
Bonnie looked up to meet his gaze. "Yeah. What's on your mind?"
"Lucy knows Klaus, right? I mean that's why you lied about the name of the cousin staying with you," he said.
Her eyelashes fluttered in shock. "I don't want to lie to you…"
"Solid start," he complimented.
"…but it really isn't my secret to tell," she finished.
Tyler said, "I can respect that. I have had my suspicions since last night. Lucy knew too much about Klaus for it to be information she just picked up from Katherine."
The girl winced. Last night, she had hoped that Tyler bought Lucy's cover story. Apparently, her cousin would need to workshop that story if she planned to share it with anyone else. "There isn't much that I can tell you about the situation without violating the trust Lucy placed in me. However, I can say that she worked for Klaus once upon a time. But that information has to stay between the two of us."
"I promise that what you told me won't leave this room, Bon. I am not asking to satisfy some morbid curiosity. I know Klaus and he didn't believe your lie. I can almost guarantee that he has someone watching your house now," he said.
Bonnie frowned but she trusted her mate's judgment. Stefan was probably the only member of their group that knew Klaus better than Tyler did. She sighed heavily. "Me and my big mouth got us into this. I should have just let Klaus help me recall my magic."
Tyler rubbed her back and shook his head. "No, you made the right decision. Klaus is interested in your magic. He probably would have started spying on you even if he believed the lie. Klaus is looking for another witch to work for him. He needs help fighting Marcel in New Orleans. You would be the perfect protégé. He has a history of taking in young talented witches and training them. It would be better if you didn't find yourself in his debt."
"I guess that you are right," she murmured.
She wondered what it would be like to have Klaus as a teacher. There was so much that she didn't know about magic. Bonnie had spent the last few months improving her skills by studying grimoires that once belonged to Sheila and Amelia. However, it was barely scratching the surface. Frankly, she was somewhat unnerved by her display of power earlier. She had always been a powerful witch but this was different. It seemed as if she had leveled up when the spirits returned her magic. She wasn't certain if the boost was their doing or simply a function of her hybrid nature. It was obvious that Klaus was a stellar teacher. Lucy had flourished under his tutelage. Unfortunately, Bonnie also knew that trusting the original was too risky. She hoped that Lucy would be willing to tutor her during her stay in Mystic Falls.
"I have one more question."
"Okay…" she replied cautiously.
He asked, "Does Klaus want Lucy dead?"
Bonnie blinked because that was a good question. She knew that Klaus hadn't been pleased that Lucy broke off whatever romantic entanglement they once shared. She also knew that her older cousin was adamant about protecting Mari from Klaus and all the danger that followed him. However, she didn't get the feeling that Klaus was a threat to Lucy and Mari in the traditional sense.
"I don't think so but Lucy wasn't exactly generous with details. I guess I can talk to her about it after we perform the body swapping ritual for Katherine."
Tyler said, "It would be better if we knew more about the situation. If there is a chance that Klaus wants her dead, it might be better if she left."
Bonn sighed. "I suggested that to Lucy but she wouldn't budge. She is determined to help us get rid of the travelers. I don't blame her. I failed the last time I was left to my own devices."
He frowned. "Klaus breaking his curse wasn't your fault, Bon."
"It might not have been my fault, but that doesn't mean that I didn't fail. Our entire plan hinged on trusting Elijah to betray his brother. Well, I didn't trust him. I trusted Elena's judgment of him. I have learned to never do that again," she said sagely.
Tyler winced in sympathy because he knew how it felt to be betrayed by one of the Mikaelson siblings. The bitterness he felt through the bond was overwhelming. He said, "You really hate Elijah, don't you?"
Bonnie gave a sheepish smile. "He is a giant hypocrite and it just rubs me the wrong way. Stefan reminds me of him sometimes. Stefan pretends to be such a model vampire but...he didn't have a second thought about sacrificing my mother for Elena. If there is anything to like about Klaus, it would be his honesty. He is a murderous bastard and doesn't hide behind chivalry and pretty words. I hate him but I can at least respect him."
He wore a thoughtful expression. "From that point of view, it makes sense how you were always able to work with Damon."
She nodded. "Even when I hated Damon, I always knew where I stood with him. He never made excuses about how quickly he would sacrifice my life for his agenda. He never pretended to be a good a person-at least not with me. He certainly doesn't do that now that we are friends. I accept Damon for who he is. He is my sometimes psychotic, alcoholic, self-centered, possessive best friend."
Tyler snorted and said, "Yes, I have noticed his possessive streak."
Bonnie frowned at her mate. "Don't be that way, Ty. My relationship with Damon is 100% platonic."
"Damon tried to get you to go up to his room the night of his party," he said with a pointed look.
Her eyes widened in surprise. However, they quickly narrowed in suspicion. "How do you know that?"
Tyler realized that he had put his foot in his mouth. He frowned. "I might have overhead the two of you talking."
"Overheard?" she asked skeptically. "You were on the other side of the room for most of the night. You were eavesdropping on our conversation."
"Maybe," he conceded reluctantly.
Bonnie nipped his pec playfully. "You have nothing to worry about, Ty. Damon was drunk and I was lonely. He was just trying to make me feel better. He isn't great with emotional stuff. His pep talks usually suck. You know a thing or two about using sex instead of dealing with your emotions. Or are we going to completely ignore that whole debacle with Matt's mom?"
Tyler winced. "That was a low blow, Bon."
She shrugged. "Damon and I have had months of spending time alone. If we were going to cross that line, it would have already happened. Besides, he'll have Elena back this afternoon. I am sure that he will spend the next several weeks following her around and begging for forgiveness."
He huffed a small laugh when he noted the scowl on his mate's face. "If I didn't know better, I would think that you are jealous."
"I am not jealous of their completely unrealistic and extremely unhealthy relationship."
"Then what is it?" he asked curiously.
Bonnie bit her lip and said, "I might be a little worried that Damon is going to forget about me once he has Elena back."
Tyler kissed her softly. "That's not going to happen, Bon."
"You don't know that."
"Yes, I do. Damon hasn't exactly been in a rush for us to swap Katherine and Elena."
Bonnie said, "He was being practical."
Tyler chuckled and asked,. "Is that really what you think?"
"Maybe," she mumbled.
"We all could have died today but Damon only cared that you and Stefan were injured. You obviously know him better than I do, but I don't think Damon is going to abandon you once Elena is back," he said.
"I guess we'll see," Bonnie said. "Speaking of that, I should probably get another shower. I need to help Lucy get everything together for the ritual. The sooner Katherine is out of my basement, the better. Do you want to join me?"
Tyler glanced at clock on her nightstand and groaned. "As much fun as that sounds, I need to call Ruby. I want her to arrange a pack meeting. Everyone needs to know what is happening so they can stay safe."
Bonnie hopped off the bed and asked, "Can I come with you to the pack meeting?"
He sat up in the bed and asked, "Do you want to come with me?"
She nodded. "I mean...if that is okay."
Tyler grinned and said, "Of course it is okay, Bon. I want my pack to get to know you."
"Okay…" she replied with a sheepish smile.
He watched as Bonnie disappeared into the bathroom. Tyler climbed out of the bed and pulled on clean clothes. He was reaching for his phone when he heard a commotion coming from downstairs.
Tyler blurred out of the bedroom and down to the entryway where he heard the voices.
Jeremy was standing on the front porch with Damon. The younger boy looked as if his head might explode.
Lucy had her arms folded across her chest as she gave Jeremy an unimpressed look.
Tyler thought she looked like Bonnie when she was annoyed. He asked, "What's going on?"
Damon used his thumb to point at Lucy. "Her witchy juju screwed up. Now Jeremy can't get into the house."
Lucy huffed and said, "I did not screw up. I placed wards on this house to ensure no one with ill intentions can cross the threshold. If Jeremy can't get into the house, then he is the problem-not my magic or the ward protecting this house."
Tyler was on the teen in the blink of an eye. His hand wrapped around Jeremy's throat as Tyler slammed him into the railing hard enough to splinter the wood.
Damon groaned and said, "As fun as this is maybe don't kill Jeremy on the porch in front of witnesses."
Tyler looked up and noticed that Bonnie's next door neighbor was gawking. He slowly released Jeremy.
Jeremy shoved Tyler away from him and glared.
Lucy suggested. "Maybe he has been compelled."
Damon snorted, "He can't be compelled. He is a vampire hunter...one of the five."
Lucy looked at the boy with new interest. "Well, I don't know what his deal is but I won't change the ward to permit him into the house. I don't trust him."
"You don't trust me? We don't even know you. How can we be sure that you are trustworthy?" he blustered.
Tyler looked at Lucy. "He is Bonnie's ex-boyfriend. Jeremy is probably angry that I am dating her now."
"He is more than angry. The ward shields the house from ill-intention. It means that he intends to hurt one or both of you in some way."
The witch's explanation got Damon's attention that time. The raven haired vampire turned to look at Jeremy.
He swallowed thickly and shook his head. "That's not true."
Damon growled and said, "You need to leave before I rip your head off."
Jeremy looked between Damon and Tyler and realized that they were both close to killing him. He hopped over the railing instead of trying to walk around them. Then Jeremy climbed into his truck and sped away from Bonnie's house a few moments later.
Tyler glared at the speeding vehicle. Bonnie had a blind spot for Jeremy. He was worried that it would prove dangerous.
Damon shook his head and walked into the house.
Tyler followed the older vampire and closed the door behind them. He would worry about Jeremy later.
Damon said, "Might want to wash your face, Wolf Boy. You reek of Bonnie."
He glanced at the mirror in the entryway. He had not realized that her blood was staining his face. Tyler had fed from Bonnie's thigh. Apparently, he wasn't as neat when taking blood from that location.
The raven haired vampire showed some restraint by not mentioning what else his senses detected. He looked at Lucy. "Katherine's spawn might be a little late. She is stashing her boyfriend further away from town since Klaus is here. Nadia said it is fine if you complete the ritual without her."
Tyler frowned as he realized why Nadia would be concerned. "He is a doppelganger. Would his blood even work for creating new hybrids? I thought that it had to be one of the Petrova doppelgangers."
Lucy explained, "It is not the DNA in doppelganger blood that makes it the key for creating hybrids. It is the magic imbuing it. It is better that Klaus never learns that there is another mortal doppelganger."
Damon huffed, "If it wasn't for bad luck…"
The witch nodded. "Agreed."
Tyler scrubbed a hand over his face in frustration and then headed into the first floor washroom.