Nina’s POV

The afternoon sun slanted through the tall windows in the living room, making long golden stripes across the rug. I was curled on the couch with my legs tucked under me, one hand resting on the small swell of my belly like it always did now when I wasn’t thinking. The house was quiet except for the low hum of the air conditioner and the occasional distant laugh from one of the pack kids playing outside.

Life was peaceful.

My phone buzzed once on the cushion beside me, short and sharp. I glanced at it out of habit, expecting a text from one of the maidens asking about...