Roselie craned her neck, feeling the tension that had settled there after days of relentless work and planning. She had been getting tired very quickly nowadays, and today was no exception. The sun blazed overhead, making the day unbearably hot. She wiped the sweat from her brow and took a deep breath, trying to muster the energy to keep going.
Janet and Ashley, her constant companions, noticed her weariness.
"Roselie, you look exhausted," Janet said, concern evident in her voice. "You need a break."
Ashley nodded in agreement. "It's way too hot to be cooped up inside. Let's go to the beach! A little sun and surf might be just what you need."
Roselie smiled weakly. "You might be right. A break sounds perfect."
With that, the three women quickly packed their beach bags and headed out. When they arrived, the beach was a breathtaking sight. The waves gently lapped at the shore, and the golden sand stretched out invitingly under the brilliant blue sky. They set up their spot with a large beach umbrella, spreading out towels and unpacking snacks.
"This is exactly what I needed." Roselie sighed contentedly as she settled into her beach chair, letting the warmth of the sun wash over her.
They spent the next hour or so chatting, reading, and occasionally wading into the cool, refreshing water. It was a perfect escape from the pressures and responsibilities waiting for Roselie back home.
"Hey, I've got an idea," Ashley said suddenly, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "How about we have a race? It’s been ages since we’ve done something fun and spontaneous.
Janet laughed, feeling a flicker of her old energy return. "A race? You're on!"
Roselie chuckled, shaking her head. "You two are crazy. But count me in."
They lined up on the sand, with the starting point marked by a line of seashells. The finish line was a large rock a few hundred yards down the beach.
"Ready, set, go!" Ashley shouted, and they took off, sprinting across the sand.
The wind whipped through Roselie's hair, and she felt a rush of exhilaration. She hadn’t felt this free in weeks. As they neared the rock, she saw Ashley pulling ahead. Determined not to be outdone, she pushed herself harder. But as she leapt over the rock, a sudden wave of dizziness hit her. The world spun, and before she knew it, everything went black.
When Roselie regained consciousness, she was lying on the sand, her betas hovering over her with worried expressions.
"Roselie! Are you okay?" Janet's voice was filled with panic.
Ashley was holding Roselie's hand tightly. "You fainted. We were so scared!"
Roselie blinked, trying to clear her vision. "I... I don't know what happened. One moment I was fine, and the next..."
"You're exhausted," Janet said gently. "You've been pushing yourself too hard. You need to take it easy."
Ashley nodded in agreement. "Let's get you home and get some rest."
They helped Roselie to her feet when a shooting pain suddenly shot through her abdomen, causing her to wince.
"I think I have food poisoning," Roselie admitted, feeling a wave of dizziness wash over her. Janet and Ashley exchanged concerned glances.
"My Luna!" Janet exclaimed.
"I don't think it's food poisoning. We must go to the hospital," Ashley said, her voice trembling.
" I am fine," Roselie insisted weakly, trying to stand on her own. But as she took a step forward, she stumbled and nearly fell, realising she needed help. Janet and Ashley quickly rushed to support her.
They carried her through the dense woods, the journey seeming longer with every step. Finally, they arrived back at the pack hospital. Rosalie was quickly laid on the bed, and Dr. Rachel bent over her to check her pulse and heartbeat.
"Don't worry, she'll be okay," Dr. Rachel reassured them, noticing the fear in Janet and Ashley's eyes. "Our Luna is pregnant, and from the signs, it appears she is carrying more than one."
The room fell silent. The pain that had gripped Rosalie suddenly receded, replaced by a rush of shock.
"What? Are you sure?" Rosalie asked, her voice barely a whisper.
"Madam Luna, I am a doctor. Of course, I am sure," Dr. Rachel said with a grin.
Rosalie laid back, a myriad of thoughts racing through her mind. 'Simply perfect,' she thought dryly. She should have anticipated this. She and Alex were practically inseparable; they had been fucking like rabbits at every chance they got. Now, they were going to have a litter of puppies to show for it. It was almost inevitable. She smiled inwardly, picturing herself telling Alex. She could already imagine the joy in his eyes.
"Considering the fact that our Luna is 2 years younger than we are!" Janet teased. "Mated and pregnant already," she said with a grin. "I think we need to find our mates, eh Ashley?" She gave her friend a wry smile.
"Imagine the valiant alpha with baby spit on his shirt." Ashley burst into laughter. "Alex Greyson is a father. Now that's hilarious."
Rosalie smiled at the image again, relieved that the throbbing pain had subsided to a manageable level. She knew that Alex would be overjoyed at the news, despite the unexpected timing. The thought of starting a family with him filled her with warmth and excitement.
"Please, do not tell anyone about this, not until I tell Alex," she commanded.
"Of course, Rosalie," Janet and Ashley replied in unison, bowing their heads.
Rosalie then turned towards Dr. Rachel. "Why am I getting cramps?"
"Werewolf pregnancies are different. It lasts six months, and some women experience cramping in the beginning. I will have to do a thorough check-up to see if everything is alright," Dr. Rachel explained.
Rosalie sighed, feeling a mixture of relief and trepidation. Her Betas were quick to leave, hurrying to finish their tasks. Rosalie made her way up the marble staircase, her heart aching with the desire to lie down in her cosy bed.
As she walked through the corridors, her path crossed that of several wolves, who bowed their heads in reverence as she passed. She acknowledged them with a cheerful smile, grateful for their respect. Finally, she reached her chamber, feeling glad for once that she was alone in her quarters.
She closed the door behind her and leant against it, taking a moment to process the news. Pregnant. The word echoed in her mind. She moved to the window, looking out at the sprawling landscape of their territory. The sun was setting, casting a golden hue over the forest.
A soft knock on the door interrupted her thoughts. She turned to see Janet standing there, looking concerned.
"Rosalie, are you sure you're okay?" Janet asked softly.
Rosalie nodded. "I am. I just need some time to process this."
Janet stepped inside and closed the door behind her. "You know, we're all here for you. Whatever you need."
Rosalie smiled, touched by her friend's words. "Thank you, Janet. I appreciate it."
"Have you thought about how you'll tell Alex?" Janet asked.
Rosalie shook her head. "Not yet. I want to find the right moment."
Janet nodded in understanding. "Take your time. He'll be over the moon when he finds out."
Rosalie laughed softly. "Yes, I think he will be."
As Janet left, Rosalie sank onto the bed, her mind drifting to thoughts of the future. Despite the challenges ahead, she felt a sense of calm settle over her. She placed a hand on her belly, a small smile forming on her lips.
"We're going to be just fine," she whispered to herself, feeling a newfound strength rise within her. And as she drifted off to sleep, she dreamed of the family they would soon become.