Sitting in the hospital room with Rune holding my hand, I nervously fidget with his fingers. Right now, we are waiting for Jasmin to finish with a patient so we can do an Ultrasound and find out how far along I am with my pregnancy. Rune silently watches me, concern in his eyes as he pulls his hand out of mine and pulls me closer to his side.
“Everything is going to be fine Brynlee.” Rune reassures me, giving me a gentle smile.
“So just relax and take a deep breath.” Closing my eyes, I do what he says and take a deep breath, breathing in his scent and feeling my nerves settle slightly. Over the last three days, Rune and I have grown closer as we worked side by side in preparing the pack for more construction.
He would come to my office after his morning duties as a Warrior and after lunch, we would go over the map of Crescent Phoenix land and work on finding the perfect locations for new homes and dormitories for our constantly growing pack. Once we found the perfect locations, Rune would whip out his sketchbook and sketch a rough idea of what each house would look like before showing the concept to Asteria and me during dinner at the Pack House.
This morning he even brought in his first blueprint that he showed to Asteria and me, both of us shocked by his hard work and dedication. Asteria took it before he and I left for the Ultrasound appointment stating she and Holton would look over the blueprints and see if it was feasible to construct and let us know by the end of the day which made Rune beam with joy while pride filled me. He ended up telling me that he was looking into colleges on our way to the Pack Hospital with hopes of studying and becoming an architect for the Pack like I suggested the other day.
All of this alone time has helped the Mate Bond grow stronger to the point I can feel Rune’s fears and happiness clearer than before and can tell just through the bond alone that Rune wants our pup just as much as he wants me. This thought alone scares me, but it also grows a small flicker of hope inside me.
“Brynlee?” Jasmin calls out as she enters the room, her calm demeanor filling the space. I smile nervously at her as she closes the door before coming to stand in front of Rune and me. She eyes him wearily before turning her attention back to me.
[Are you sure you want him to listen in?] She asks through the link.
[Yes. He is the father of this pup and deserves to see them for the first time with me.] I answer, giving a slight nod. Rune watches us, confusion on his face but I squeeze his hand reassuringly. He and I may not be on the best of terms, but our relationship is no longer as strained as it used to be. Besides, Rune is the father of the pup I am carrying. I will not keep his pup from him no matter what.
“Are you ready to do an ultrasound and get the first look at your pup?” She asks after a small pause.
“I am.” I answer, looking to Rune who gently smiles at me.
“We both are.” I add, getting a chuckle from Jasmin.
“Well, that’s good to know. Rune, hop off the bed so Brynlee can lie down.” She says, directing Rune away from the bed and to the chair on the other side. Rune takes this chance to help me lay back and with begrudging annoyance, I allow it. He has grown a lot more protective these last few days and I have a feeling it has to do with the pregnancy hormones that are slowly starting to grow stronger. Soon I won’t be able to hide my pregnancy from the pack.
Jasmin watches on with amusement in her eyes at Rune’s behavior and motions for him to step to the side before she orders me to pull my shirt up and shimmy my pants down slightly. After prepping me for the ultrasound by tucking a towel under the hem of my shirt and the waistband of my pants, I feel the warm gel being squirted onto my skin before the ultrasound wand is pressed on top.
“Rune, can you get the lights?” Jasmin calls out as her free hand moves along the controls. Rune complies silently, moving from my side and returning as soon as the lights are flicked off. Without thinking, I reach out and take his hand, the two of us focusing on the screen that Jasmin positions in a way that makes it easier for all three of us to see the image of our pup.
“I think I got something here.” She mumbles, her lips turning into a wide grin.
“There. Your estimation was correct, you are three weeks pregnant Brynlee.” I stare at the screen, the image of a speck so tiny it could be a spot of dust on the monitor staring back at me.
“It’s not much, but we did confirm you are pregnant with blood and urine tests three days ago. Of course, we will see more as your pregnancy progresses if you two decide to keep the pup.” She adds. For a moment, I am quiet as Jasmin ends the ultrasound and helps me clean the gel from my skin. Rune is the one to turn on the lights once again. After confirming another ultrasound in three weeks and reminding me to tell her of my decision by then, Jasmin leaves the room for her next appointment.
“I know you have today off so would you like me to take you home and we can talk about this later?” He asks. I nod, my mind still thinking of that small dot. It is barely even a living creature, but that small dot is my pup growing inside me.
Taking my hand in his once more, Rune silently leads me from the examination room and through the halls. I wave at the nurse stationed at the front desk as we pass by before we leave the Pack Hospital and head towards my truck. Rune asks me if I want to drive but I shake my head no and hand him the keys to the truck before climbing into the passenger seat and closing the door.
The driver’s side door opens seconds later, and Rune slides in. He does not say anything, just drives through the Pack toward my cottage. I watch as the scenery passes by, thoughts swirling around in my mind. Rune has changed since our rejection, proving to me every day since rescuing me that he regrets everything he has done because Valor ordered him to.
I have watched the scars I left on his face heal as he helps around Crescent Phoenix and see the way the Pack respects him. Quincy and him have even grown as friends. There is an unspoken respect between them that caused Quincy to back away from pursuing me two days ago and for that I am grateful. So maybe Rune and I can work things out if he continues to be this respectful wolf that is currently by my side.
It is not long until we pull into my driveway and Rune parks the truck, the scent of my lilac bush flowing in through the open window on the small breeze. Silence settles in the cabin as neither of us is ready to speak.
“We don’t have to have the pup if you aren’t ready Brynlee.” Rune states, making me sigh. Contrary to his words, I know Rune wants this pup. I can feel it through the bond mixed with a small amount of pain that is caused by the thought of me aborting our child.
“You know I want a family, Rune. A big one. But I never thought I would be pregnant at eighteen.” I state shifting in my seat to look at him. Rune sighs this time, reaching over and taking my hand in his once again, rubbing his thumb over my knuckles as he stares into my eyes, his grey orbs filled with so much love and sincerity for me that it makes me speechless for a moment.
“If you want this pup Brynlee, then I will do everything in my power to be there for you and our child. I will not run away or push you away. I will be the Mate and father you and our pup deserve if you will let me.” His voice is filled with sincerity as he looks into my eyes. I know I should pull away and tell him that I do not need him as my Mate, but that would be a lie. The bond has healed because I have forgiven him without realizing it. It is probably why the scars on his face are healing as well. I know deep down that this promise is one Rune will keep but I need proof.
“Rune. You hurt me when you rejected me. I can’t trust that it won’t happen again.” I state, watching guilt flicker across his face. Yes, we have grown closer since his initiation into the Pack and our days working side by side, but I still have some slight hesitation.
“Then tell me what you need from me, Brynlee.” He pleads, his eyes never leaving mine.
“Take me on dates and build a relationship with me. I need you to be honest, loyal, and communicate with me.” I answer, feeling calm and hopeful as I state my demands. If I am to give him a second chance, then it will be under my conditions and nothing else. If he can’t communicate with me, be loyal to me, and be honest with me, then he can’t be with me and I will reject him this time around. He smiles at my words, leaning forward and pressing a kiss to my cheek causing my heart to flutter.
“I can do that. I will be loyal to you and only you. If something is going on, I will be honest and communicate with you. I won’t ever hide anything from you unless it’s a surprise and even then I will explain why I can’t tell you what I am doing so that the surprise isn’t ruined.” Shocked by how easily he accepts this, I find myself smiling sheepishly as I lean into his shoulder, my head resting against him. He holds me, happiness radiating through the bond between the two of us.
“So we are having this pup?” He asks, excitement and hope filling his voice.
“We are having this pup.” I confirm, pulling away to look into Rune’s eyes and finding love and adoration in them as he stares back at me.