Says it like any of them actually have experience. Wasn't everything just passed down through instinct and tradition? And those books and videos Corvin shared? That was the extent of their "education." Edric pressed his lips into a thin line. "Emma's fine—she's asleep now. But are you absolutely sure the baby isn't yours?" Corvin nodded firmly. "It's definitely not mine. If Emma tells me not to do something, I'd rather die than do it." Plus, he truly had no desire for children yet. Just the thought of a bunch of hungry, crying little ones chasing him around all day for milk made his scalp tingle. "Then, what about you and Marcus?" Corvin suddenly shot back. "Either way, it's definitely not me." Edric knew it wasn't him either, shaking his head. "Not me." Corvin didn't buy it. "Fine. Wait for me. I'm heading back as soon as I can." … Edric closed his lightcore and returned to the ward, shaking his head at Marcus. "Corvin says it's not him either." There were only three of them who had bonded with Emma, so whose child could it be? … Emma woke up the following night. The first thing she saw when her eyes opened was a hospital ceiling. Beside her stood Marcus and Edric, and even Corvin had rushed back. His clothes were torn, soot-stained, like he'd just run out of the lab mid-explosion. The dark rings beneath his eyes showed he hadn't slept in days. "What happened to me?" Emma looked between the three of them. "Corvin, why did you rush back?" Is she… sick? No way, right? She remembered being in Marcus' room, just about to pounce on him, when a heavy wave of drowsiness hit. And then, there was nothing. Edric took her hand, his expression tense with guilt. "Emma, listen to me. Don't panic, and don't get angry either." That tone only made her blink in confusion. "What's going on?" He didn't look like a man about to deliver bad news of illness. If it were that, they'd look distraught or anxious, not guilty, not nervous, and definitely not warning her to stay calm. Corvin and Marcus both kept their heads down, silent as stones. Edric drew in a deep breath. "Emma… you're pregnant." "What?" Emma blinked, certain she'd misheard. "Could you repeat that?" Corvin immediately dropped to his knees, guilt etched all over his face. "Emma, if you're angry, hit us. We really didn't mean for this to happen." They still had no idea which one of them was the idiot responsible for the cub in Emma's belly. "I'm really pregnant?" It didn't even feel real. She touched her stomach, looking between the three of them. "Whose child is it?" Edric's? He doesn't look guilty. Corvin, though—he couldn't even meet her eyes. Maybe it is him? Just as she thought it, Corvin shook his head furiously. "Emma, it's not mine. Trust me, it's definitely not mine." Not his? Then… Emma turned toward Marcus. "Ms. Tibarn, it's not mine either," he blurted, panic flashing in his eyes. "Please believe me." It's definitely not mine.Edric uttered, "Not mine, either." "Even less likely to be mine," Corvin added. Emma was left with no words. Not Marcus' either? She turned sharply toward Edric. He saw her look and raised his hands at once. "Emma, it's not mine. You have to believe me, it's definitely not mine." She stared at the three of them, utterly speechless. What the hell are they doing? Shouldn't a child be something to celebrate? "What's wrong with you three?" Her voice turned dangerously sharp as her gaze swept across them. "You mean none of you want the cub in my belly?" "No! Emma, that's not it!" Edric explained quickly, voice trembling with nerves. "We're not saying we don't want the cub!" No matter whose child it was, they were all happy. As long as the cub was something Emma wanted, not something forced upon her.Corvin's face tightened with guilt. "Emma, I'm sorry. This is our fault. You said you didn't want a child yet, and we still somehow got you pregnant." Marcus suddenly reached into his storage band and pulled out a silver whip. He held it out solemnly with both hands. "Ms. Tibarn, if you're angry, hit me with this. Just don't make yourself sick over it." Emma stared at the whip, the same silver as his hair, and twitched a smile despite herself. At last, she pieced it all together. "So, what you're all telling me," she said slowly, "is that I'm pregnant, but none of you know whose child it is. Correct?" Marcus, Edric, and Corvin all nodded in unison. Edric added, "The doctor said it's still too early. They can't tell which clan the child belongs to yet…" He hesitated, then continued, his voice careful. "Emma… if you don't want this child—"