Page 9

9

Kaylee

Sitting in the hospital room with Lucas holding my hand, I nervously fidget with his fingers. We’re waiting for Hannah to finish with a patient before we have the ultrasound and find out how far along I am with my pregnancy. Lucas 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, Kaylee,” Lucas reassures me, giving me a gentle smile. “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 Lucas and I have grown closer as we worked side by side in preparing the pack for the newcomers.

He would come to my office after his morning duties as a warrior. After lunch, we’d go over the map of Ivory Fangs’ land and work on finding the perfect locations for new homes and dormitories for our constantly growing pack. Of course, Amelia had a hand in this project, but she left the main work up to the two of us.

All of this alone time has helped the mate bond grow stronger, and I can feel Lucas’ fears and happiness clearer than before. Through the bond alone, I can tell that Lucas wants our pup just as much as he wants me.

“Kaylee?” Hannah 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 Lucas and me. She eyes him warily before turning her attention back to me.

[Are you sure you want him to listen in?] she asks through the link.

[Yes,] I answer, giving a slight nod. Lucas watches us, confused, but I squeeze his hand. He and I may not be on the best terms, but our relationship isn’t as strained as it used to be. Besides, Lucas is the father of the pup I am carrying. I won’t keep his pup from him, no matter what.

“Are you ready to meet your pup for the first time?” she asks after a small pause.

“I am,” I answer, looking to Lucas, who gently smiles at me. “We both are,” I add, getting a chuckle from Hannah.

“Well, that’s good to know. Lucas, hop off the bed so Kaylee can lie down,” she says, directing Lucas away from the bed and to the chair on the other side. Lucas takes this chance to help me lay back, Hannah watching on with amusement in her eyes before she orders me to pull my shirt up and shimmy my pants down slightly. After prepping me for the ultrasound, I feel the warm gel squirted onto my skin before the wand is pressed onto my stomach.

“Lucas, can you get the lights?” Hannah calls out as her free hand moves along the controls. Lucas complies silently, moving from my side and returning as soon as the lights flicker off. Without thinking, I reach out and take his hand, the two of us focusing on the screen Hannah positions for us to see.

“I think I got something here,” she mumbles, her grin widening. “There. Your estimation was correct—you’re about three weeks pregnant, Kaylee.”

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 doesn’t look like much at the moment, but we did confirm you’re pregnant with blood and urine tests three days ago. Of course, if you two decide to keep the pup, we’ll see more as your pregnancy progresses,” she adds.

Lucas turns the lights back on, and I’m quiet as Hannah ends the ultrasound and helps me clean the gel from my skin. After confirming another ultrasound in three weeks and reminding me to tell her my decision before then, Hannah 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?” Lucas asks.

I nod, my mind still thinking of that small dot. Taking my hand in his once more, Lucas silently leads me from the room and through the halls. As we pass by, I wave at the nurse stationed at the front desk. Lucas 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-side door opens seconds later, and Lucas slides in. He doesn’t say anything and just drives through the packlands toward my cottage. I watch as the scenery passes, thoughts swirling around in my mind. Lucas has changed since his rejection, proving to me every day since rescuing me that he regrets everything he’d done under Ramos’ orders.

I’ve watched the scars I left on his face heal as he helps around Ivory Fangs and see how the pack respects him. Marco and him have even grown as friends. An unspoken respect between them caused Marco to back away from pursuing me two days ago, and I’m grateful for that.

It’s not long before we pull into my driveway, and Lucas parks the truck. The scent of my lilac bush flows through the open window on the small breeze. Silence settles in the cabin—neither of us is ready to speak.

“We don’t have to have the pup if you aren’t ready, Kaylee,” Lucas finally says, making me sigh.

Contrary to his words, I know Lucas wants this pup. I can feel it through the bond, mixed with the pain that is caused by the thought of me aborting our child.

“You know I want a family, Lucas. A big one. But I never thought I would be pregnant at eighteen,” I say, shifting in my seat to look at him. Lucas sighs this time, reaching over and taking my hand again, rubbing his thumb over my knuckles as he gazes into my eyes. His gray eyes are filled with so much sincerity and love for me that it makes me speechless for a moment.

“If you want this pup, Kaylee, I’ll do everything I can to be there for you and our child. I won’t run away or push you away. I’ll be the mate and father you and our pup deserve if you let me.” His voice is filled with sincerity as he looks into my eyes.

I know I should pull away and tell him I don’t need him as my mate, but that would be a lie. The bond has healed because I’ve forgiven him without realizing it. It’s probably why the scars on his face are healing as well. I know deep down that this promise is one Lucas will keep, but I need proof.

“Lucas. 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’ve grown closer, but I’m still hung up on the memory of that pain.

“Then tell me what you need from me, Kaylee,” he pleads, his eyes never leaving mine.

“Take me on dates and build a relationship with me. I need you to be honest and 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. He smiles at my words, leans forward, and kisses my cheek, causing my heart to flutter.

“I can do that. I will be loyal to you and only you. If something happens, I’ll be honest and communicate with you. I won’t ever hide anything from you unless it’s a surprise, and even then, I’ll explain why I can’t tell you what I am doing so that the surprise isn’t ruined.”

Shocked by how easily he accepts my conditions, I smile 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, are we having this pup?” he asks, excitement and hope filling his voice.

“We are having this pup,” I confirm, pulling away to look into Lucas’ eyes and finding love and adoration in them as he gazes back at me.