Curled up in bed, hand on my flat stomach, I wonder if I am truly pregnant. It could be one of Rune’s tricks with him trying to get back together with me, but my instinct tells me he wasn’t lying with how overprotective and possessive he became. The worst part is that the bond became whole once more when he announced I am with pup. I can feel it even now, humming with new vitality as if the rejection never happened.
[Hey Brynlee, are you okay?] Caspian’s voice rings through my mind, taking me out of my thoughts.
[I…I am dealing with something.] I answer hesitantly, getting a hum in response.
[Does it have anything to do with how Rune behaved?] I sigh, turning to lie on my back and looking up at my ceiling.
[Unfortunately, it does.] I then apologized to Caspian about how Rune behaved with his Mate, Odette, and explained that the bond threw out a danger warning that set Rune off. Caspian is silent for a moment before our link hums with understanding.
[Something happened between the two of you for it to warn him of danger when there wasn’t any.] He speculates, his tone filled with curiosity.
[Something did happen, but I don’t want to talk about it.] I admit moving my left hand to rest on my stomach.
[Well, let me know if you need someone to talk to. Odette and I are here for you.] His voice is full of love and reassurance and I close my eyes. It’s times like these that remind me how nice it is to have Caspian in the same Pack as me once again.
[I will, Caspian. Thank you.] I close the link before Caspian can respond, needing some more time alone to think. I know Caspian means well and understand that he is worried about me, but talking with him through what Rune and I are going through isn’t going to help.
I mean, it’s been just over three hours since Rune gave me the news. Three hours since learning that my forced heat caused a pregnancy and I can’t help but wonder if I should include him in my decisions. The pup is ours. Half him and half me. I can’t make the decision to keep the baby by myself even if he said the choice is up to me. With a growl of frustration, I push myself off the bed and make my way towards my front door. One thing is for sure and that is I want to make sure I am pregnant.
[Jasmin?] I open the link between my Doctor and me, unsure if she will answer.
[Hey Brynlee, currently with a patient but do you need anything right now?] She responds five minutes later while I quickly put on my shoes.
[I…do you have a spot available to see me in the next thirty minutes?] I ask back, leaving my cottage and quickly making my way in the direction of the Pack Infirmary.
[Let me just link the Nurse on duty and I will squeeze you in say thirty-five if that’s okay.] Letting out a breath I did not realize I was holding in I let Jasmin know that that would be perfect and shut the link off so that she could focus on her patient. I have about thirty minutes before I see her and confirm what Rune said is true.
Walking through the forest calms me. The wind is cool in the shade of the trees and I take a moment to breathe in the scent of the forest. The mate bond hums as I sense Rune’s irritation and for a moment I wonder if this is how it is supposed to feel – sensing my Mate’s emotions. The irritation fades just as quickly as it comes and I wonder what is happening with him right now.
I close my eyes and take a deep breath, trying to feel the bond and find a way to block out his connection to me without breaking it. I am terrified of this bond, terrified of what it means. Rune and I are connected once again and at any moment he could reject me just like he did all those weeks ago and walk away without hesitation. If that happens, I will be left with the pain once again. Pain that I never want to go through as once was enough.
Snapping out of my thoughts, I continue making my way to the Pack Infirmary. The walk is quiet thankfully due to today being Monday and everyone is either at work or preparing for the new school year that will begin in two weeks. It is just what I need after the morning I have had.
The forest soon gives way to the meadows of the Pack, the newly built greenhouses just in the distance where I see a few wolves working away outside by the gardens. After waving to the few who spot me, I turn to the right and continue my way to the infirmary. I know taking my truck would have been faster, but then that would cause even more questions from those who caught Rune tearing me away from the training ring if they see me climb out of it – questions that I am not ready to answer.
It isn’t long till I am standing in front of the infirmary, the building’s white brick covered in vines and flowers giving a bright and friendly feel. I take a deep breath before walking inside, smiling at the Nurse – an Omega named Meriam – who mans the front desk.
“Beta Brynlee, Doctor Jasmin is expecting you.” Meriam calls out as soon as she sees me, standing from the desk and leading me to the back. After situating me in one of the rooms, she warns me that Jasmin is running a little behind due to an emergency and will be in to see me soon. I reassure her that I don’t mind waiting before Meriam leaves me alone to return to the front desk. Pulling out my phone, I decide to read while I wait for Jasmin to keep my mind off the inevitable.
ლ
The door to the treatment room opens and in walks a weary Jasmin. She looks exhausted, her hair in a bit of disarray as she closes the door and makes her way towards me.
“Sorry for the wait. We had a teen who is in their pre-shift year get into a fight with a newly shifted teen.” She explains with a sigh. Pulling her hair from the clip that holds it together, she shakes out her long strands before taking a seat on the free chair.”
“Don’t worry about it. Chase is dealing with his pre-shift year so I understand that some cases might crop up.” I shrug, putting my phone away.
“Thanks, Brynlee. So, what brings you in? You sounded panicked when you linked me.” Jasmin smiles at me, taking my hand in hers. I hesitate, not sure if I really want to confirm what Rune said still, but decide that since Jasmin is my doctor, she can help me with my options.
“I…earlier today I was sparing with Odette. The Mate Bond sent out a warning signal to Rune saying I was in danger.” I begin, getting a chuckle from Jasmin.
“I heard about that. Did he hurt you?” She asks, amusement in her eyes but I can see the concern she has for me.
“No. He did become possessive and easily angered and took me to my cottage. At first I thought he was going to rape me, but instead he just sniffed me.” I run a hand over my face, feeling slightly overwhelmed as I explain in detail what Rune was doing at the time.
“In the end, he stated I am pregnant and I guess I am here to confirm it and see what my options are.” The room goes quiet as Jasmin takes in my statement. I can see the shock in her eyes when she pulls away and stands from her chair. After rummaging through the cupboards, she produces a lidded specimen cup for me.
“Are you okay with peeing in this? I also want to do blood work but this can also rule out other issues.” She explains. With a nod, I take the lidded specimen cup from her and ask for directions to the nearest bathroom. Upon returning to the treatment room, I find Jasmin preparing the equipment needed to do blood work and resign to my fate.
“How long till I get the test results?” I ask as I take a seat, Jasmin quickly getting to work drawing blood.
“Thirty minutes tops. Care to wait in here?” She answers, her attention focused on the needle in my arm.
“I have my phone to keep me busy.” I state, holding up the small device. She chuckles at this answer, placing a cotton swab over the small hole left by the needle before taking the vials of blood and the specimen cup and leaving the room. I once I focus on my phone and return to reading while I wait, trying to keep my nerves at bay.
ლ
The door opening abruptly causes me to look up as Jasmin walks in, an apologetic smile on her face.
“Did I scare you?” She asks, closing the door.
“A little. I just got so absorbed by the book that I guess I zoned out.” I admit while putting my phone away and getting a chuckle from my doctor.
“Well, the results are in.” Jasmin states as she takes a seat across from me.
“Rune is right. You are indeed pregnant.” My hand moves to rest on my flat stomach. I knew by the way Rune was acting he was telling the truth, but having my doctor confirms it makes this reality all too real.
“It explains why you had an abnormality in your hormones three days ago but we couldn’t decipher what it was. I will schedule you an ultrasound appointment and give you a few pamphlets of your options.” She continues, taking my free hand in hers and giving it a squeeze.
“You have a few weeks to decide by how early it is but what ever you choose, I support you Brynlee.” I nod, unsure of what to say. Jasmin lets out a soft sigh before releasing my hand and getting up from her chair. After rummaging through the cabinet’s drawers, she hands me an envelope.
“You don’t have to worry about news spreading. My team is under strict confidentiality protocols or they risk being banished from the Pack. It’s a rule Alpha Asteria set for us so that no one can use our Pack Mates’ health as black mail.” I take the envelope from her wordlessly. I can tell Jasmin is worried, but when she moves to the computer in the room to book an ultrasound, I finally speak.
“Do…do you think I will be able to raise the pup without being Mated?” I ask, watching Jasmin as she turns to look at me in surprise.
“Of course. You are strong Brynlee, and the Pack would help you if need be.” She answers, her words making me feel slightly better. I know Rune wants to be with me and raise the pup as Mates if I decide to keep it, but the thought of being with him scares me and I think Jasmin can see that.
After confirming the ultrasound for three days from now, I leave the Pack Infirmary and make my way to my cottage. I have some more thinking to do and once I decide what to do, I will have to have a lengthy conversation with Rune about our pup.