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CHAPTER FOURTEEN

NATHAN

A week into my new job as assistant manager at Sunset Brews, I felt an all-too-familiar wave of nausea hit me.

It came on suddenly, like a storm cloud rolling in on a clear day.

I glanced around the bustling café, patrons chatting over their lattes and the aroma of freshly brewed coffee mingling with baked goods.

But today, the vibrant energy around me felt distant, almost oppressive. I needed to get to the bathroom—now.

Pushing through the crowded space, I made my way to the back, my stomach churning violently.

Once inside the bathroom, I barely had time to close the door before I was hunched over the sink, retching out my breakfast with dismay.

It was Ivan’s breakfast I had been so excited about.

He’d spent the night at my place, helping me settle in, and had made an amazing meal that morning.

What a pity I threw up. But it was odd for me to get sick. I’d never been this queasy before, not since I started working here.

I forced myself to steady my breathing, splashing cold water on my face to try and shake off the lingering nausea.

As I emerged from the bathroom, head still spinning, Kathy—the manager—approached me, her expression etched with concern.

“You should head home,” she suggested gently, placing a hand on my shoulder.

“I’m fine,” I replied, trying to sound more confident than I felt.

I’d only been working at Sunset Brews for a short time, but I already loved the job.

It was a significant step up from the gas station, and interacting with customers, solving problems on the fly—it all suited me.

The last thing I wanted was to leave a bad impression on the management.

But just as I thought I was regaining some semblance of normalcy, my stomach turned again, and I felt the sickening urge to vomit.

Thankfully, it was still early afternoon, so the after-lunch crowd was starting to thin out.

I glanced around the café, half expecting to see more customers bustling in, but it was mostly quiet now.

I knew I couldn’t ignore this feeling.

“I’m really not feeling well,” I admitted, trying to brush off Kathy’s concern.

“Clearly you’re not fine,” she insisted after I threw up again in a nearby trash bin.

“Go home, Nathan. We can handle things here just fine. I’d rather you rest, take some meds, and get better,” Kathy said.

Reluctantly, I agreed. Leaving now would mean missing out on finishing my shift, and I hated the idea of leaving my team hanging.

But my body was telling me otherwise.

As I grabbed my belongings, I sent a quick text to Ivan, letting him know I was heading home early.

As I walked out of Sunset Brews, something nagged at the back of my mind. The nausea and vomiting—what if I wasn’t sick at all?

What if, despite how much time Ivan and I had been spending together, there was something more going on?

The thought was wild, but it couldn’t be entirely dismissed.

The idea of being pregnant crossed my mind, and my pulse raced at the possibility.

My wolf liked the idea. I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself.

Ivan and I shared a mating bond, a deep, unspoken connection that went beyond mere attraction.

If there was something wrong, Ivan would sense it.

I imagined Ivan and me having a little boy or girl, the thought sending a warmth through me that contrasted sharply with the cold unease in my stomach.

The idea appealed to me deeply.

We had been taking the next steps in our relationship, building a life together, and the prospect of expanding our family felt like a natural progression.

But could it be true? Could I really be pregnant? I didn’t want to give Ivan any false hope if I wasn’t.

He wanted kids as much as I did.

Determined to find out, I decided I needed to confirm my suspicions. Headed straight to the nearest pharmacy, I hoped for some answers.

The streets were quiet, the city still holding onto the remnants of the afternoon rush.

As I entered the brightly lit store, the fluorescent lights overhead seemed almost harsh after the dim, cozy ambiance of Sunset Brews.

I tried to blend in, pretending to browse the aisles aimlessly. But fate—or perhaps the universe—had other plans.

I bumped into Samuel of all people. My heart skipped a beat; recalling how he endlessly teased Ivan at the barbecue.

Ivan claimed he was a nomad, but it seemed he decided to stick around town for a while.

“Hey, Nathan!” Samuel greeted, a warm smile spreading across his face.

I forced a smile, trying to keep my composure.

“Hey, Samuel. Didn’t expect to see you here,” I said.

He lingered, walking alongside me as I tried to discreetly pick up a pregnancy test from the shelf.

“How have you been? You look a bit off,” Samuel observed.

I glanced around, hoping no one else was nearby.

“Not great, to be honest. I’ve been feeling really sick today,” “I admitted.

Samuel raised an eyebrow, concern evident in his eyes. “Sick? What kind of sickness?”

I hesitated, feeling the weight of his gaze. Unable to shake him off, I finally admitted, “I’ve been feeling nauseous, vomiting a lot. It’s been really weird because I’ve never felt like this before.”

He looked surprised, his expression shifting to one of genuine concern. “That sounds serious. Have you considered that you might be pregnant?”

The words hit me like a lightning bolt, confirming the wild thought that had crossed my mind earlier.

My heart raced, a mix of fear and excitement swirling within me.

“I’ve been thinking about it,” I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper. “Given how much time Ivan and I have been spending together…”

Samuel nodded, leading me to the section with pregnancy tests.

“You should definitely get one of these. It’ll give you a clear answer,” Samuel said.

As he handed me a recommended brand, he sheepishly added, “Actually, an omega friend of mine recently gave birth as well. It’s been a crazy few months.”

I thanked him, feeling a strange sense of solidarity. Holding the small plastic box, I felt a surge of determination.

With a deep breath, I made my purchase and headed toward the exit.

As I stepped out of the pharmacy, I almost collided with Ivan.

He was standing a few feet away, his eyes darting between me and Samuel.

There was a growl in his throat, a mix of protectiveness and suspicion as he took in Samuel’s presence.

“Ivan,” I began quickly, sensing the tension. “Samuel and I happened to bump into each other.”

Ivan’s eyes narrowed, his protective instincts kicking in. “Happen to bump into each other?” Ivan asked, looking at Samuel.

I could feel the mating bond pulsating between us, my distress making its way to him even before I could explain.

“I’ve been feeling really sick lately,” I said, trying to keep my voice steady. “I think I might be pregnant.”

Ivan took a step back, his gaze flickering between me and Samuel.

“Pregnant? Are you sure?” Ivan asked.

I nodded, holding up the pregnancy test Samuel had given me.

“I’m going to take it tonight, but I thought you should know,” I said.

Samuel stepped forward, sensing the growing tension.

“Ivan, I just ran into Nathan at the pharmacy. He’s really worried,” Samuel pointed out.

Ivan’s stance softened slightly as he looked at Samuel. “I see. Well, I’m glad you were here,” Ivan said.

Samuel nodded. “Of course. I might not be officially part of the pack, but I’ll watch his back if needed.”

Ivan took a deep breath, the initial anger and protectiveness melting into concern.

“Nathan, I’m sorry if I overreacted. I just... I care about you,” Ivan told me.

I reached out, placing a hand on Ivan’s arm. “I know, Ivan,” I told him.

He nodded, his eyes softening as he took in my words. “Alright. Let’s go somewhere we can talk,” Ivan suggested.

We decided to find a quiet place. The evening was settling in, the sky painted with hues of orange and pink as the sun began to set.

We walked together, the tension easing as Ivan and Samuel chatted lightly, bridging the gap between them.

As we reached a nearby park, Ivan stopped, pulling me into a secluded corner beneath a large oak tree.

Ivan took my hands in his, his grip firm yet tender.

“Nathan, if you are pregnant, it changes things,” Ivan said softly, his eyes searching mine. “But I want you to know that I’m here for you. Whatever happens, we face it together.”

Tears welled up in my eyes, a mix of relief and overwhelming emotion washing over me.

“Thank you, Ivan. I was so scared, but having you by my side makes it easier,” I admitted.

Ivan pulled me into a hug, his arms enveloping me in a comforting embrace.

The idea of having a child together, of taking our relationship to this next level, filled me with a profound sense of purpose and joy.

The walk back home was nice and calming. Ivan stayed close, his presence a reassuring constant as we made our way through the quiet streets.

Samuel walked alongside us for a while longer, offering words of encouragement and sharing his own experiences with his friend.

By the time we reached my apartment, the sky was a deep indigo, speckled with stars.

Inside, I sank onto the couch, exhaustion finally catching up with me. Ivan sat beside me, wrapping an arm around my shoulders.

His presence was grounding, but the weight of the day’s events still clung to me like a thick fog.

I hadn’t imagined that by the end of the day, we’d be considering the possibility of a baby.

I took the pregnancy test, my hands trembling as I read the instructions over and over.

The minutes felt eternal. When I finally glanced at the result, it wasn’t clear.

Inconclusive. My heart sank with frustration. It wasn’t the definitive answer I needed.

“We should go to the shifter clinic first thing in the morning to confirm,” Ivan said.

I nodded, trying to relax.

“Yeah, you’re right,” I whispered, but inside, my mind raced with questions and possibilities.

The uncertainty gnawed at me, but knowing Ivan was with me, made it easier to breathe.

We settled in for the night.

Ivan held me close as I slowly drifted off into a restless sleep, my dreams filled with visions of what might be—a little child, a piece of both of us.

The thought was overwhelming, but in the dream, it felt natural, like it was always meant to be.

The next morning, after tossing and turning all night, I woke up determined to get some real answers.

I texted Kathy, telling her I’d come in a little later. She told me she was fine with that.

Ivan was already awake, sitting at the edge of the bed, watching me.

“You ready to head to the clinic?” Ivan asked.

I nodded, feeling slightly better after the night’s sleep, though the anxiety lingered in my chest.

Together, we got dressed, and within the hour, we were on the road.

The shifter clinic was a bit outside the town’s center, nestled between a grove of trees.

The building was modern, sleek even, but the calm energy it radiated helped ease the tension swirling in my chest.

Ivan parked the car, and I took a deep breath as we stepped out. My nerves were on edge, but Ivan was there, steady and unshaken.

He reached for my hand, squeezing it as we entered the clinic together.

Inside, the clinic was quiet and clean, the soft hum of conversation and distant footsteps the only noise in the bright, airy space.

We checked in, and within minutes, a nurse with a kind smile led us to a private room.

Ivan sat beside me, holding my hand while the nurse asked me a few standard questions.

“Have you been experiencing nausea, any unusual changes in appetite or mood?” she asked, her tone warm and professional.

I nodded. “Yeah, nausea mostly, but I’ve been feeling off for the last few days.”

She smiled, understanding, and jotted down some notes. “We’ll run a few quick tests, and we should know for sure soon,” she said.

With that, she excused herself, leaving Ivan and me alone for a few minutes.

I stared at the clean, white walls, the sterile smell of the clinic only adding to the nervous energy bubbling under my skin.

“What if…?” I started, but my voice trailed off.

There were so many unknowns, so many what-ifs, that it was hard to even finish a sentence.

Ivan turned toward me, cupping my face gently with one hand.

“No matter what happens, we’ll handle it together,” he said, his voice calm, steady.

His words were like a lifeline, pulling me out of my spiral of worry.

I leaned into his touch, letting his strength and love settle around me like a protective blanket.

A soft knock interrupted the moment. The nurse returned with a doctor in tow.

After a quick exam and the tests were complete, the doctor smiled.

“It’ll take a few minutes, but we should have the results shortly,” the doctor said.

Time seemed to crawl. Ivan’s hand never left mine, his thumb rubbing gentle circles against my skin.

I leaned into him, feeling the warmth of his presence calming my racing thoughts.

Finally, the doctor returned, holding a small folder. I held my breath as she opened it.

“Congratulations, Nathan,” she said, her smile growing. “You’re pregnant.”

My heart stopped for a beat, and then it hit me all at once—a rush of joy, fear, and disbelief. Pregnant. I was going to be a father.

I turned to Ivan, my eyes wide with emotion. He was already looking at me, his own eyes shimmering with happiness.

He pulled me into his arms, holding me so tightly I thought I might cry.

“We’re going to have a baby,” I whispered, the words feeling strange yet right.

Ivan kissed the top of my head, his lips warm and tender against my skin.

“Yes, we are. We’re going to be amazing parents,” he said.

I couldn’t hold back the tears anymore.

They spilled down my cheeks as I clung to him, overwhelmed by how much I loved this man, how much I already loved this little life growing inside me.

It felt surreal, but at the same time, it was the most real thing I’d ever experienced.

We were going to be a family. A real family. And I couldn’t wait to start this new chapter with Ivan by my side.