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Kaylee

Curled up in bed, hand on my flat stomach, I wonder if I am truly pregnant. Lucas could be lying—but my instinct tells me he wasn’t. He’d been so overprotective and possessive lately.

The worst part is that the bond became whole again as soon as he announced I was with pup. I can feel it even now, humming with new vitality, as if the rejection never happened.

[Hey Kaylee, are you okay?] Simon’s voice rings through my mind, taking me out of my thoughts.

[I...I’m dealing with something,] I answer hesitantly.

[Does it have anything to do with how Lucas behaved?]

I sigh, turning to lie on my back and looking up at my ceiling.

[Unfortunately, it does.] I then apologize to Simon about how Lucas behaved with his mate, Evette, and explain that the bond threw out a danger warning that set Lucas off. Simon is silent for a moment.

[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. My left hand moved to rest on my stomach.

[Well, let me know if you need someone to talk to. Evette and I are here for you.] His voice is full of love and reassurance, and I close my eyes. Times like this remind me how nice it is to be in the same pack as Simon again.

[I will, Simon. Thank you.] I close the link before Simon can respond, needing more time alone to think. I know Simon means well and is worried about me, but my decision doesn’t involve him.

It’s been just over three hours since Lucas gave me the news—three hours since learning that my forced heat caused a pregnancy. I can’t help but wonder if I should include Lucas in my decision. The pup is ours—half him and half me. I feel like I can’t decide alone, even if he did say the choice is up to me.

With a growl of frustration, I push myself off the bed and approach my front door. I know one thing for certain: I need to confirm if I really am pregnant.

[Hannah?] I open the link between my doctor and me, unsure if she will answer.

[Hey Kaylee, I'm currently with a patient. 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, 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 didn’t realize I was holding in, I confirm the appointment with Hannah and shut the link off so she could focus on her patient. I have about thirty minutes to make my way to the infirmary.

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 Lucas’ 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 he’s doing 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’m terrified of this bond, terrified of what it means. Lucas 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’d have to face the pain again. The memory of that pain makes me shudder.

Snapping out of my thoughts, I continue on my way to the pack infirmary. Thankfully, the walk is quiet today—it’s Monday, and everyone is either at work or preparing for the new school year beginning in two weeks. The peace and quiet are just what I need after the morning I’ve had.

The forest soon gives way to the pack’s meadows, with their newly built greenhouses, and I spot a few wolves working in the gardens. After waving to them, I turn to the right and continue to the infirmary. I know taking my truck would have been faster, but it might have attracted more attention—and questions I’m not ready to answer.

It isn’t long before I’m standing in front of the infirmary. The building’s white brick is covered in vines and flowers, giving it a bright and friendly feel. I take a deep breath before walking inside, smiling at the nurse—an omega named Maeve—who mans the front desk.

“Beta Kaylee, Doctor Hannah is expecting you,” Maeve 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, Maeve warns me that Hannah 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 and she leaves me alone to return to the front desk. Pulling out my phone, I decide to read while I wait for Hannah to keep my mind off the inevitable.

***

The door to the treatment room opens, and a weary Hannah walks in. She looks exhausted, her hair in disarray, as she closes the door behind her.

“Sorry for the wait. We had a teen 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 back, she shakes out her long strands before sitting on the free chair.

“Don’t worry about it. Adam is dealing with his pre-shift year, so I understand some cases might crop up.” I shrug, putting my phone away.

“Thanks, Kaylee. So, what brings you in? You sounded panicked when you linked me.”

Hannah smiles at me, taking my hand in hers. I hesitate, not sure if I really want to confirm what Lucas said, but I decide that since Hannah is my doctor, she can help me with my options.

“I...earlier today, I was sparring with Evette. The mate bond sent out a warning signal to Lucas, saying I was in danger,” I begin, getting a chuckle from Hannah.

“I heard about that. Did he hurt you?” There is amusement in her eyes, but I can see the concern underneath it.

“No. He became possessive, though, and took me to my cottage. At first, I thought he was going to rape me, but instead, he just sniffed me,” I ran a hand over my face, feeling slightly overwhelmed as I explained. “In the end, he said I’m pregnant, and I guess I’m here to confirm it and see what my options are.”

The room goes quiet as Hannah 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. When I return to the treatment room, I find Hannah preparing the equipment needed to do blood work.

“How long before I get the test results?” I ask as I take a seat. Hannah quickly gets to work drawing blood.

“Thirty minutes tops. Care to wait in here?” she answers, focusing on the needle in my arm.

“No problem. I have my phone to keep me busy.”

Hannah places a cotton swab over the small hole left by the needle before taking the blood and specimen cup vials and leaving the room. I pull out my phone again and return to reading while I wait, trying to keep my nerves at bay.

The door opening abruptly causes me to look up as Hannah walks in, apologetically smiling.

“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.

“Well, the results are in,” Hannah states as she sits across from me. “Lucas is right. You are indeed pregnant.”

My hand moves to rest on my flat stomach. From Lucas’ actions, I knew he was telling the truth, but having my doctor confirm it made it much more real.

“It explains why you had an abnormality in your hormones three days ago, but we couldn’t decipher what it was. I’ll schedule an ultrasound appointment and give you a few pamphlets about your options,” she continues, taking my free hand in hers and squeezing it. “You have a few weeks to decide by how early it is, but whatever you choose, I support you, Kaylee.”

I nod, unsure of what to say. Hannah sighs softly 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 the news spreading. My team is under strict confidentiality agreements or risk being banished from the pack. It’s a rule Alpha Amelia set for us so that no one can use our packmates’ health as blackmail.”

I take the envelope from her wordlessly. I can tell Hannah is worried, but I finally speak when she moves to the computer in the room to book an ultrasound.

“Do...do you think I will be able to raise the pup without being mated?” I ask, watching Hannah as she turns to look at me in surprise.

“Of course. You’re strong, Kaylee, and the pack would help you if need be,” she answers, her words making me feel slightly better. I know Lucas 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 Hannah 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.