Casmas Clan: Josiah and Clara
Chapter Nine

~ Josiah Josiah blinked several times as he stared down at Clara in confusion. This was why she was upset? Why she had broken down in tears in his arms? All because she was a witch? Oh hell, that admission caused so much relief to flow through him. If she was a witch, it would help her to accept the fact he was a wolf so much easier.

"Ah, love. This is why you are upset and crying? Because you're a witch?"

Clara nodded and a couple more tears streaked down her cheeks. Pulling her into his arms once more, he held her tightly against his chest.

"I don't care if you are a witch or not, Clara. It doesn't make me feel any differently about you."

"It doesn't?" She sniffled out, causing him to chuckle.

"Nope. So you don't need to be crying or worrying over it any further."

"There's more."

"Is there now?"

"Yes. My father wants to sell the house here and move us once again."

~ Clara Clara felt Josiah stiffen around her. Would he offer for her to stay with him? Live with him? Or would he just allow her to leave? Yeah, she was nearly twenty now and could live by herself, but she had no job and no money. Now that she was out of school, Charlie had upped her training. It took up nearly her entire day. Making her extremely tired afterward and even more so now.

"Do you want to stay here in Kosta?"

"More than anything, Josiah."

"Well, then it's settled. I'll buy us a house. I don't have one at the moment, but I do have the money for one. We'll get one out here, near the swamps and away from everyone else. That way you'll be near Pipsqueak and can keep feeding him. I know the two of you have grown close."

Happiness filled Clara at Josiah's words. It was more than she had hoped when her father had first told her they were going to move again. Maybe everything will work out after all. Clara only had one more thing, a very big thing, left to tell Josiah and after what he just said, she wasn't as afraid as she had been.

"There is something else as well, Josiah. I was quite afraid to tell you, but now I feel much more confident."

Josiah gently pulled away from Clara, before cupping her cheek in his left hand. "There is nothing to be afraid of, Clara. You can tell me anything, anything at all, and I'll not balk. Just tell me whatever it is that's on your mind. We're together in this. I'll stick by your side and help you any way that I can."

"I'm glad you feel that way, because," Clara stopped to take a deep breath before stating the rest in a rush. "You're going to be a daddy, Josiah."

~ Josiah Josiah's heart stopped beating at Clara's words and stared at her in shock. "What? How?"

"I don't know. Something had to have failed. This isn't what I expected you to say or how you would act."

"I'm sorry, you're right. Come here."

Josiah didn't give Clara a chance to answer; he just pulled her into his embrace and rubbed her back soothingly. "I'm just in shock, Clara. But that doesn't mean this changes anything. I still care for you. In fact, I love you even more now." "Good. 'Cause I'm afraid I'd have to turn you into a toad or something if you left me now."

His laughter rang through the swamps as his arms tightened around her. Yeah, he was shocked this happened when they used precautions, but he was amazed as well. Eventually it would turn to thrilled and worried. Josiah had no clue how the Casmás Clan members would feel over this. The best he could do was keep it a secret as long as he could, and protect Clara at any and all costs.

~Catalina "We have a problem, Alpha."

Catalina didn't bother to knock on Dermet's door, just threw it open and barged inside. 'Good, at least Dermet was alone.'

"Catalina, you know..."

"Yes, yes. Protocol." She waved him off. "This is extremely important, Alpha. Chester was in Remora for the past week. He has uncovered some disturbing news."

"Sit, Catalina. Explain and perhaps you will not be punished for disturbing me in the manner you have."

Catalina couldn't help but mock Dermet, knowing he was under a lot of stress with attempting to find the ones Zach's killer had alluded to when they tortured him and purred before teasing him to lighten the mood. "What are you going to do, spank me?"

Dermet's eyes darkened in rage, the complete opposite of what she was hoping for. "I am not in the mood for games, Catalina! This threat is serious. Tell me what you came here for, then get the hell out of my sight."

Catalina swallowed tightly, before sitting across from her, now enraged, Alpha. Taking several deep, fortifying breaths, she began explaining the news Chester had sent to her from Remora. Dermet was going to be even more furious than he already was when he found out the Amo pack and Killt pack had teamed up against them. Catalina also felt awful for the pup, Josiah. Killt was Josiah's family pack. She wasn't quite sure how he was going to react to the news when he found out, especially now.

"There's more, Alpha Dermet. The rest involves Josiah and the witch, Clara."

Dermet's angry silver gaze rose to pin Catalina where she sat. "Do not tell me they are planning on betraying us as well."

"No, Alpha. They are not."

"Then what is it?"

"They have reached mating status."

Dermet leaned back in his seat at the news. As far as anyone knew within the Clan, Josiah's relationship with Clara had been strictly platonic. None of the guards Dermet had placed on the pup or the witch had seen them doing anything other than meeting up within the town's playground for a quick chat, before heading off in separate ways. Or them speaking for a few minutes here or there near Clara's school when she was still attending it.

"How did you come to that conclusion, when everyone I send out to watch over them, state they are only friends?"

"As you know, Clara has become quite a good friend of mine. And whereas Josiah refuses to speak of much of anything, Clara always speaks her mind to me. She always talks with me about her concerns and worries. Not only that, but she has decided I was to be her doctor as well."

"As interesting as this conversation seems to be," Dermet stated in all the sarcasm he could muster. "I don't see how it is relevant to anything important..."

"She's pregnant, Alpha." Catalina cut Dermet off. Knowing that once his sarcasm started, it wouldn't end anytime soon. "Just over two months."

Catalina watched as the color drained from Dermet's face; knowing exactly how he felt at this moment.

"Oh hell, this is not a good time for that. We were just starting to get the pup's trust that we are nothing like the Killt. And now his old pack is coming after us and him. He's going to be completely paranoid now. I hate to do it, they need the protection, but send out the word that all guards are to back off from watching over them. You're excused."

Catalina rose and left without another word, leaving Dermet alone to his rampant thoughts.