Chapter Fifty-four (Submitting to him)

Arric reacted, using one hand to grab her by the nape of her neck and the other to frame one side of her neck. He leaned into her, leaving a hairbreadth between their faces, and snarled. "If I were a moment later than I was, you would have died! Along with our child, Eirika, do you understand that?! One minute! One goddamn minute! And I would have lost you both!" Arric was literally vibrating with restraints. Eirika could feel his fear, hurt, and anger. The intensity of his concern and fear got to her the most.

"I didn't know…" she whispered, "I didn't know I was pregnant. There's no way I would have put myself at risk if I had known. I will never hurt our pup, Arric."

Arric let out a shaky breath. His eyes grew stormy with arrays of emotions. He was going to be a father! Eirika was carrying his pup! He wanted to pull away when she gingerly cupped his jaw but he couldn't. The last few hours had been horrific for him. He had imagined all kinds of terror befalling her and sighting