Chapter Four
Maren’s POV
I moved his hand off the suitcase lid.
“You told me to have a life of my own. Now you want to know my every move?”
Dominic looked at me for a moment before answering.
“I should’ve handled our anniversary better. Next time I have to leave on short notice, I’ll tell you.”
But his next words were about Celeste again.
“The Council’s hearing her side of what happened in training tomorrow. I need to go with her. Push your surgery back a day, and I promise I’ll be there.”
I put the clothes in my suitcase.
“It’s already scheduled. I don’t need you there.”
“I can have the medical center put you with their best doctor and arrange care for you afterward. Maren, what’s wrong with that?”
He made it sound like an offer I should be grateful for. He still hadn’t asked why I needed the surgery tomorrow.
His phone rang.
Celeste sounded close to tears. I could hear traffic in the background.
“Dominic, the person from training just texted me. They said I wasn’t getting away with this. I keep feeling like someone’s following me. I’m scared to keep walking…”
He grabbed his car keys and headed out. “Send me your location. I’ll pick you up.”
I called his name. When he turned back, his patience was gone.
“She needs someone to protect her right now. Whatever it is, we’ll talk when I get back.”
“The surgery—”
“I said I’d be there, and I will.”
The door closed. All I’d wanted to tell him was that I could go on my own tomorrow.
When I arrived at the medical center the next day, I found out he’d already decided for me.
The doctor handed back my appointment slip.
“We’ve moved it to tomorrow. Alpha Dominic called the director himself last night. He said he’d clear his schedule to be here.”
“But I never agreed to reschedule.”
The doctor looked uncomfortable. “He said you’d had an argument and asked us not to take what you said seriously. He’s even cleared his schedule for tomorrow so he can be with you. He’s worried about you.”
I’d planned to have surgery today and fly to Denver tomorrow. Now the procedure conflicted with my flight.
Everyone thought he was being considerate. No one cared about the plans I’d made.
I walked to the end of the hall and called him.
Celeste answered.
“He just fell asleep,” she whispered. “He stayed with me all night and only just agreed to get some rest. Is it urgent?”
Before I could answer, she added, “Oh, weren’t you supposed to go to the hospital today? I’m so sorry. I was so scared last night that I forgot to remind him.”
I hung up. Soon afterward, I saw the photo she’d posted.
Dominic was asleep on a sofa in a hotel suite, with half the blanket slipping off his lap onto the floor.
The caption read: No matter what happens, there’s always someone I can count on.
I blocked both of them, went back to the exam room for a complete copy of my test results, then contacted a hospital in Denver and made an appointment myself.
It was just my wrist. A doctor in Denver could treat it, too.
That night, I finished packing.
Before I left, I closed off my side of the mate link. He hadn’t wanted to hear from me for a long time. Now he wouldn’t.
Early the next morning, I boarded my flight as planned.
A flight attendant offered to help stow my bag. I thanked the flight attendant, then settled into my seat with a hand resting over my belly.
Dominic didn’t know his mate wasn’t the only one leaving Blackpine.
Our pup was leaving with me.
At eleven that morning, Dominic received a call from the medical center.
The day before, he’d gone to Celeste’s hearing, then stayed to help her deal with the aftermath. He hadn’t left until evening. Now he’d just finished his work and was about to head to the hospital.
“Alpha, the Luna hasn’t come in for her surgery. Do you know what happened?”
Dominic checked the time and frowned.
“She’s not there? I thought everything was arranged.”
“We’ve been expecting her.” After a brief pause, the doctor’s tone brightened. “But congratulations are in order. I just reviewed her test results again. She’s eight weeks pregnant. You’re going to be a father.”
Dominic froze, then sat up straight.
“Eight weeks? You’re sure?”
When the doctor confirmed it, he couldn’t help smiling. He picked up his phone and opened our messages.
“She kept that quiet. Didn’t give me a single hint.”
He was already planning what to say when he saw me: how much longer had I intended to keep it from him? News like that, and I hadn’t even told him?
But the doctor’s next words slowly wiped the smile from his face.
“So, can you reach the Luna? I’ve called her several times, but she hasn’t answered.”
