3. Werewolf heir

Robin

“Why don’t you join me for dinner?” he asked after the two of us talked for a bit longer that night. “And if you have any questions, feel free to ask me. I’ll be as transparent as you’ve been with me. It’s the least I can do.”

"Are you married or involved with anyone?" I asked, my voice steadier than I felt.

How I managed to get this question out without turning as red as a tomato was truly astounding right now.

He chuckled. "No. I am simply trying to get my family off my back by providing them with an heir. They are insistent on setting me up, deeming that I am getting to be too old to be single, so I think a baby will get them off my back."

Curiosity burned in my chest. "And you? How old are you?"

He smiled. “I’m 38.”

He was much older than I was, something I wasn’t that shocked by. It was expected that he was older than me, but it made me feel so young.

Now I was nervous about telling him that I was younger, because what if he held it against me?

He had to have seen my application, so he had to know my age, right?

"And how old are you?" he asked suddenly, his voice smooth and curious.

Maybe I was wrong. Perhaps he didn’t see how old I was or he was just testing me. I flushed, unsure how I should answer this question.

"Twenty-one," I replied, tilting my head slightly. "Is that a problem?"

He let out a soft chuckle. "Not at all. I just wanted to be sure."

I nodded. "I see."

Micah sipped at his wine, regarding me carefully. "Once the child is born we are going our separate ways. Is that clear?”

I nodded. Why would it not be clear?

“I’d like to hear you say it, Robin. Could you please indulge me?”

“I understand what you are saying. Once the child is born, we are going our separate ways.”

He smiled. “Good.

As we ate, I realized I had something else I wanted to ask him.

"Why me?"

He shrugged. “The application stood out to me the most. Imagine a power witch bearing my child? I like the idea of it.”

Micah was being pragmatic. I had to give him that.

“What are you exactly?”

He smirked. “What do you mean?”

I winced, realizing how stupid that question sounded but it was already out now so there was nothing more I could do about it.

“I mean are you human?”

Micah chuckled. “I’m a werewolf.”

I nodded.

Honestly, I wasn’t surprised to learn that he was a werewolf. He kind of gave off the vibe that he was a werewolf.

I took another bite of my food, hoping to move past my stupid and awkward comment. It was best to just let it fade.

He didn’t say anything else, gazing at me every now and then.

“How is the food?”

“Delicious,” I said after awhile, smiling.

This was the best meal I had in a long time. It made me miss Abuela’s cooking b ut she was in the hospital so there was no way she could cook right now.

The food was delicious. I wasn’t sure if he had cooked it. Given how much money he seemed to have, I wouldn’t be surprised if either he ordered out or had hired someone to cook for him.

***

Once home, I decided I had to talk to Kathryn and she picked up right away.

“I need to tell you something.”

“Okay, what is it you need ot tell me?”

“Are you sitting down?”

“I don’t want to sit down.”

I sighed. “Please sit down.”

I took a deep breath. “I… agreed to be a surrogate.”

Dead silence.

“What?”

“I said I’m going ot be a surrogate.”

“WHAT THE FUCK DO YOU MEAN YOUR GOING TO BE A SURROGATE? Are you for real?”

I winced. My eardrum felt like it was going to shatter now. “It’s not a big deal.”

“Like hell it isn’t! Whose baby are you carrying? Why are you carrying a baby?!”

I exhaled. “Some rich guy.”

Kathryn choked. “Some rich guy?! Are you serious right now? Robin, this is not, like, an impulse shopping decision! This is creating a human being level of commitment!”

“It’s a business deal. No strings attached. He just wants an heir, and I… I need the money.”

“Why, what is going on?”

I closed my eyes. “Enough to pay for Abuela’s surgery.”

Another long silence.

Then, softer this time, “Oh.”

I swallowed hard. “Yeah.”

She exhaled sharply. “Are you sure about this? This sounds like a huge mess.”

“I’m not changing my mind,” I told her firmly. “It’s what I have to do because there is no other way for me to get the money in the first place.”

“Damn it. I wanted to yell at you until you changed your mind.”

I smiled despite myself. “But you won’t?”

“Oh, I still might,” she muttered. “But I also might be reading up on pregnancy symptoms so I can be ready when you start craving, like, chalk or whatever weird stuff pregnant people eat.”

I laughed. “I appreciate that.”

She huffed. “Well, you need a best friend in this situation and I am going to be the best friend you could ever get, understand?”

“I wish you wouldn’t be so freaked out.”

“Of course, I freaked out! I just found out my best friend is about to grow a tiny, rich, possibly judgmental baby inside her!”

“Judgmental?” I repeated, laughing.

“Robin, think about it. What if this baby comes out looking all sophisticated and superior, like it already has a trust fund and disapproves of our life choices?”

I snorted. “Kathryn—”

“No, I’m serious! What if its first word is ‘unacceptable’? Or it just gives people the look whenever they do something it doesn’t approve of?”

Tears pricked the corners of my eyes from laughing too hard. “Oh my god, Kat—”

“I need constant updates. Like, ‘Hey, Kat, the baby just kicked, and I swear I felt an air of condescension.’”

“I promise to document all judgmental baby moments.”

“You better.” She sighed dramatically. “Alright. I’m in. We’re doing this. I will be the best friend you ever need.”

“Trust me, I know you will.”

“Now, start from the beginning. I want every detail.”

It was nice to talk to my best friend. I felt good after the conversation and just when I thought things couldn’t go worse, I got a notice from the cheerleading squad that, despite my attempts to get out of the basketball game my ex was on, I had to go there.