Chapter 38
Two Weeks Later
Today was not a good day. I wasn’t feeling well. I had barely made it through the morning with Noah and now that I was at the gallery, I felt even worse.
All day I had barely been able to stomach anything more than a few sips of water. Every time that I tried, my gag reflex would kick in. Noah had been very concerned, but I had waved him off. It was probably just a stomach bug.
Molly hadn’t been as nice. She’d yelled at me all day for being slow and not having enough energy. Unfortunately, Noah hadn’t come with me today so she was even extra mean. I tried avoiding her as much as possible, but she’d seemed hell-bent on seeking me out.
As I stood up from my latest piece of artwork, dizziness made the room swim. I staggered, holding onto the table to keep my balance. Kaylee was at my side in an instant, grabbing onto my arm.
“I’m okay,” I muttered, but it wasn’t very convincing. I was leaning so heavily on her that she was taking most of my body weight.
“I’m going to call Alpha Arthur,” Kaylee said as she lowered me down into the chair. My head felt heavy and I could barely hear her as she spoke into her cell phone.
I didn’t even try to stop her. Maybe it wasn’t a bad idea. At least then Molly couldn’t yell at me for leaving. She might have been my boss, but Arthur was still her alpha.
Darkness started to creep into my field of vision. That probably wasn’t a good sign. I could feel myself slipping into unconsciousness and I shook my head to stay awake. Or at least I tried. My head was so heavy.
“Almara!” Kaylee cried as I started to slip off the chair, but I was already gone.
I woke up to a steady beep of some machine. The smell of clean sheets and ethanol told me I was in the hospital. I could hear voices from out in the hallway, but I couldn’t quite make out the specifics.
There was someone holding my hand and I turned my head. I was met with Arthur’s deep forest green eyes. The relief was evident on his face as he realized that I was awake.
“How are you feeling?” he asked in a hoarse voice. His hand squeezed mine and I smiled at him. With my free hand, I went to cup his face, but the IV that was connected to it wouldn’t let me move it very far.
I let my hand drop awkwardly. “Much better.” And I did feel better. It was like this morning had never happened. Like it was all just some fever dream.
“Do the doctors know what happened?” I asked, sitting up. Arthur helped me by fluffing up the pillows, making sure I was comfortable before he sat back down.
“They’re running the tests now. We should know soon,” he answered, putting hand to my forehead. I had to giggle at him. He was acting like a worried mother.
His eyebrows rose. “Did you just laugh at me?”
“You’re being cute,” I told him, my cheeks flushing at the admission. I hadn’t meant to say that. It had just popped out.
“Me? Cute? I’m an alpha, not some puppy,” he complained but I could see the humor in his eyes. He wasn’t offended in the slightest.
“Who’s a good boy?” I asked, using my best ‘dog mom’ voice.
Arthur’s eyes darkened. “Be careful with your words, little wolf. I can be a very good boy, but I can also be…” he leaned in close so his lips were against my ear, “...very bad.”
The heart rate monitor started to beep like crazy as my heart jumped in my chest. Arthur pulled back, a smug look on his face. If I could have, I would have wiped that look right off.
A nurse chose that moment to walk in, giving the machine a concerned look. Then she took one look at us and our guilty expressions and her eyes narrowed. “I don’t care if you’re my alpha, but you will leave my patient alone until we find out why she fainted. Am I clear?”
Arthur ducked his head, but I could see the smile that tugged up the corner of his lips. “Yes ma’am!”
The nurse clucked her tongue at him. “The doctor will be in shortly to discuss the results. Try not to do anything stupid.” Then she walked back out, closing the door behind her.
We didn’t have to wait for long. The doctor came in not five minutes later, a clipboard in his hand. He smiled at the two of us and muscles I didn’t even know were tense relaxed. If he’s smiling, it must not have been too bad.
“Good afternoon, Alpha Arthur, Ms. Almara. How are you feeling?” the doctor asked in a calm and soothing voice. I relaxed even more. There was just something about him that made me feel at peace.
“I’m feeling much better, thank you. I’m pretty sure I just had a nasty stomach bug. Am I right?”
The doctor laughed. “In a way. Ms. Almara, when was the date of your last period?”
“About four weeks ago. I don’t remember the exact date, though,” I answered and Arthur went still beside me. I gave him a questioning look, but he was looking at the doctor intently. Maybe he’s never gone to the doctor with Sofia before? This was such a standard question.
“I thought so. Well, congratulations are in order, Ms. Almara. You’re pregnant!”
Time seemed to stop. There was whooshing sound in my ears that drowned everything out. I could only stare at the doctor. This must be what shock felt like.
“Are you sure?” Arthur asked, but his voice sounded so far away.
“Yes, we tested her blood twice to be positive. Your fiance is about four weeks pregnant. It’s very early. If she hadn’t fainted, you might not have found out for another week,” the doctor answered jovially, unaware that his patient was currently drowning.
Everything will be alright, Lily whispered, doing her best to comfort me. She brushed up against me and I took in a big gulp of air. I hadn’t realized I had stopped breathing.
The doctor was going on and on about next steps and how often I would have to come to the hospital from now on, but I heard none of it. Arthur was listening attentively, a huge smile on his face.
He was practically beaming. I don’t think I had ever seen such a genuine look on his face. It was utterly beautiful and terrifying all at once. At least one of them was happy.
It wasn’t supposed to happen this fast, I told Lily. She was the only one I could confide in. Sofia was supposed to come back before I got pregnant.
Lily whined. She didn’t really have anything to tell me that would make me feel better. My worst fear had come to fruition. Not only did I have to give Arthur up, I would have to give up our baby as well.
