Page 25

A month has passed since I found out that the rouge pack, the Red Howlers, put a target on my back.

Things had been quiet since that last note, but Ryder was still on high alert.

I don't believe even I could change that.

I would be lying if I said I wasn't suspicious myself.

You don't threaten someone and then just all of a sudden disappear.

"Come on Jade. Just try it." Krista said, picking up the disgusting thing called food. I cringed away as she took a bite and tried to get to take a bite as well. "No." I declared and shoved her hand away. Krista comes over every week or so to visit the castle and her family and friends.

Krista rolled her eyes, "Sushi isn't even bad.

Just try it." She tries to convince me. I shake my head, "I may be part wolf, but you cannot make me eat raw fish.

" I tell her. Krista sighs and thinks for a second.

"Okay...if you try this and don't like it, then you can tell Jason about what happened at the mall," She bargains.

This catches my attention. In case you're wondering, she is referring about how she dragged me into a lingerie store and she made me give my opinion on what she was trying on. Even though she didn't tell me, I knew she was going to try to mate with Jason. Ew because that is my brother.

I looked down at the sushi and then at Krista, "Just one bite?

" I ask. Krista rolls her eyes again, "Just one.

" She confirmed. I picked up the cold and squishy food.

I didn't like the smell of it either, it had never bothered me before, but maybe it did now because this time I was actually going to eat it.

I sighed and took a slow bite. I chewed it but it was disgusting.

I eventually swallow it and give a disgusted shiver.

"So?" Krista questions. I open to my mouth to answer her but quickly smack my hand over my mouth.

I shot out of my seat and took over running down the hall to the closet bathroom.

I barely made it to the toilet before I emptied the contents of my stomach.

A few seconds later Krista was behind me, holding my hair and rubbing my back.

I sighed and looked up at her, "Does that answer your question?

I'm going to my bedroom to lay down." I say and stand up carefully.

I made my way to the room and went to the bathroom. I brushed my teeth and rinse with mouthwash. I laid down in the dark room and sighed as I buried myself in the insanely soft covers. I really hate sushi now.

I hadn't even realized I had fallen asleep until I felt a hand on my forehead.

I peeked my eyes open and see Ryder crouched down on my side of the bed when his hand feeling my forehead.

"Hi." I whispered. "Hi." He replied with a smile.

I sat up and sighed, "What time is it?" I ask while I rubbed my eye.

Ryder took my hand in his, "It's only 3.

I heard what happened earlier and wanted to come check how you were feeling.

" He told me. I nodded, "I'm better, I wasn't feeling great before and that nasty sushi pushed it.

" I said and scrunched up my nose in disgust as I remembered the taste.

Ryder chuckled and kissed my hand, "Well I'm glad you are feeling better.

" I nod and turn to get out of the bed. Ryder stands and helps me up.

I wobble a bit and Ryder wraps his arm around my waist to steady me.

A look of concern crosses his face, "Maybe we should take you to the pack doctor.

" I shake my head no, "I'm fine. I've just been laying down for a bit.

" He looks reluctant but he sighs, "Fine. "

I peck his cheek and walk into the bathroom with him following me.

"So, is there anything you wanted to talk about?

" I ask as I put my hair up in a ponytail.

Ryder shakes his head, "It can wait until you are better.

" I roll my eyes and walk past him to the closet, "Ryder.

I told you I'm fine. So tell me what's on your mind.

" I say as I pull my long sleeve shirt off.

I look over to see Ryder staring at me so I snap my fingers, "I know I'm hot, but it's rude to stare. " I say with a chuckle.

Ryder focuses again and sticks his tongue at me like a five-year-old.

"My parents want to meet you. That and my mom is really excited to help plan the wedding and coronation.

" He tells me. I put on a green tank top, "When?

" I ask. I pull off my leggings and pull on a pair of ripped black jean shorts.

"Whenever you're ready." He says. I raise an eyebrow at him.

Ryder huffs, "Well my mom insisted that she wanted to meet you as soon as possible.

But since you got sick, I'll tell her that it has to wait. " He finally admits.

I smile and shake my head. I walk up to him and peck his lips, "Mi Rey, you have to stop being so overprotective.

" He wraps his arms around my waist and I place my hands on his biceps, "Impossible.

" He says. I laugh, "The thing is you are completely serious.

" Ryder smiles and kisses me. I pull back, "Tell your mother that we can meet whenever she wants.

" I tell him. Ryder groans and rests his forehead against mine, "Are you sure?

" I roll my eyes, "Positive." I lean up and peck his lips.

Ryder pulls me to his chest and just hugs me.

I frown a little, "Are you okay amor?" I ask him worriedly.

Ryder nods in my neck and his breaths tickle my skin.

I run my hand through his hair and rub his back gently.

I kiss his mark and he shivers slightly.

We just stand there for a few minutes in silence, holding each other.

When he pulls away I smile and intertwine our hands.

"Come on." I said and lead him out of the room and to the backyard of the castle which had many pack members scattered around.

For the future Luna Queen, I barely interacted with my own pack.

People smiled at us and bowed their heads in respect, before continuing to do what they had been. "Luna!" A voice yelled.

I turned just in time to see Tyler run at me and hug my waist. I chuckle and hug him back, "Hey buddy.

" I say and smooth down his hair. Tyler smiles up at me cheekily but notices Ryder who is watching us intently.

Tyler moves closer to me and I chuckle, "He won't bite you, I promise.

If he does, you can bite him back." I tell him.

Ryder laughs and bends down to Tyler's level.

"Hey, I'm Ryder." Ryder introduces himself.

Tyler nods shyly and looks down, "I know, you're our Alpha.

" Tyler says. Ryder chuckles, "Yeah. I guess you would know that.

You're Tyler right?" Ryder asks, already knowing the answer.

Tyler glances up at me and I smile at him.

Tyler nods at Ryder. Ryder smiles and holds up his hand.

"Can I at least get a high five?" Tyler smiles back and hits Ryder's palm, which is much larger compared to Tyler's.

Then suddenly I get a thought, "Hey I just remember something.

I got you some books." I tell Tyler and he looks at me excitedly.

"Really?" he asks. I smile and nod as I look around.

I find Hannah who is playing with some of the other kids along with some other pack members.

"Excuse me, Hannah. Can you go up to our room with Tyler?

I have some books in the closet for him.

" I explain to her. She nods and smiles, "Of course Luna.

Come on Tyler." She says and Tyler follows her back inside.

"Alpha!" Someone calls. I look to right as does Ryder.

Some guys have a football, "Want to play?

" A guy with blonde hair asks. Ryder looks at me and hesitates.

I roll my eyes, "Ryder if you don't go play a game of football I will kick you in the shin. " I threaten.

Ryder glances at the guys before pecking my cheek and running over there.

I watch him pat the blonde guy's back and laugh at something he says.

I smile and walk over to a group of woman and girls around my age.

We are talking for a few minutes when I get that familiar sickening feeling.

I take off back into the castle and manage to make it to my own bathroom.

I slam the door shut and lock it. I throw up into the toilet and start dry heaving because there is nothing left in my system.

A moment later there is a knocking on the door, "Luna?

Luna are you alright?" A woman's voice calls and I recognize it as one of the women I was talking to earlier, Daisy.

I stand up wobbling, "Uh, yes. I'm alright.

" I stand in front of the sink and look at my pale face.

I place my hand on the top of my stomach and then freeze.

With one touch...everything fell together.

I slowly lift up my shirt and look at my bare stomach, it looked normal. I hesitantly turned to the side and froze again as I see it. My usually flat stomach has the slightest bump, no one other than me would notice this. I run my hand across my stomach as my hand covers my mouth.

"Luna would you like me to get the Alpha?

" Daisy asks. I blink quickly and shake my head, "No!

I mean, there's no need. I'm fine. I'll be out in a moment.

" I answer quickly. I hear Daisy's footsteps leave the room and I turn my face back to the mirror.

I quickly pull my shirt back down, go to the closet, and pull on one of Ryder's hoodies.

I mask my scent and quickly make my way back outside, but instead of going to the backyard, I run over to the pack hospital.

Members nod at me but I just quickly smile and go to the front desk.

"Hello Luna." The receptionist says. I smile, "Hello.

May I see the pack doctor?" I look at her name tag, Karen.

"Yes, is everything okay?" she asks. I nod, "Yes, just a checkup.

" I lie. She nods and presses a few buttons on the phone and places it to her ear.

"I have the Luna here for a checkup." She says into the phone and nods.

She sits the phone down and smiles at me, "She'll see you in room 102.

It's down the hallway, last door on the left. " I nod and smile, "Thank you." I say.

I walk down the hallway and walk into the room where a woman in a white coat is standing writing something.

She looks up when she sees me. Her long, curly red hair is pull back into a ponytail and her green eyes shine brightly.

"Hello Luna, please sit." I nod and take a seat on the bed.

She closes the door, "Call me Jade." I tell her and place my hand on my stomach.

She smiles as she turns to me. I see that her name is Rachel Andrews from her name tag.

Rachel takes a seat in her chair, "So what brings you here today Jade?

" she asks while writing something down on her chart.

I take a deep breath, "I think I'm pregnant.

" I breathe out. Rachel looks up at me with a smile, "Why do you say that?

" she asks. I clear my throat, "Um, I've thrown up twice today, the first time I thought it was the sushi I ate, but it just happened again.

That and I have a slight bump." I tell her.

She nods as she writes what I say down. When she finishes, she smiles at me. "Okay well let's a quick blood test and an ultrasound." I nod and she takes my blood. I sit in the room, picking at my nails and biting the inside of my cheek, things that I do when I'm nervous.

What if I am pregnant? Does Ryder even want children? Is he ready to have kids? More importantly, am I ready to raise a child? Before I can freak myself out anymore, the door opens and Rachel walks back in with a machine and a paper.

She pulls up a chair next to me and I raise my eyebrows, "Well?

" I ask nervously. She smiles at me, "I want to do an ultrasound just to be sure.

" She says and instructs me to lay back and pull up my shirt.

I do what she says and she places a cool gel on my stomach.

She grabs what I know realize is the ultrasound machine and places it on my stomach.

She looks at the screen as she moves the little wand around my belly.

I watch it too but I have no idea what I'm looking at.

I look at Rachel and she smiles again, "Well Jade, I'm happy to say that you are indeed pregnant.

" She says and points to a small mass on the screen.

"That right there is your baby, it's not very big right now, but because you are the daughter of an Alpha and this is an alpha's child, your pregnancy will go faster.

But considering that you are a Yin Yang wolf as well, your pregnancy may go even faster than expected.

I would say maybe four to five months. You are a little over a month along so now three to four. " She says.

Tears well up in my eyes as I stare at the screen where my baby is.

My baby. My child. Tears slide down my cheeks, from what emotion, I wasn't sure.

"Are you alright honey?" she asks and wipes the gel from my stomach.

I pull my shirt down and sit up. I wipe the tears away, "I think so.

" I whisper. I'm only 19, I just got done being a kid myself.

Rachel smiles at me and pats my hand, "Don't be afraid sweetie.

I've seen how you are with kids. You will be a great mother.

" She tells me. I smile and rub my belly.

I can already feel the connection with my baby, the love was already there and growing.

"Thank you." I tell her. Rachel nods with a smile, "I was only speaking the truth.

" She turns back to the chart, but I call her name, "Yes?

" she asks. I fiddle my fingers, "I need this to stay between us, if you don't mind.

" I say slowly. Rachel nods in understanding, "No problem sweetie.

My lips are sealed." She says. I smile at her and let out a relieved breath, "Thank you.

" I say and she nods. "Here are some prenatal vitamins and I scheduled your next ultrasound for two weeks from now.

" She says and hands me a bottle of pills.

I nod and stand up, "Thank you again." She shakes my hand, "You're welcome.

" I give her one last smile and put the bottle in my pocket, walking out of the hospital and back to the castle.

I quickly go to the bedroom and take a vitamin before hiding the bottle in the back of my nightstand drawer.

I sit on the edge of the bed and rub my stomach.

I sigh, what am I going to do? How am I going to tell Ryder?

Can I even tell him yet? I can't keep this from him, it's his child too.

But with everything going on...I groan and put my head in my hands.

It's not like I would be able to keep a huge belly a secret, my stomach would continue to grow at a quick rate.

A tear slips out of my eyes and I quickly wipe it away, "Relax Jade.

" I whisper to myself. I go to the bathroom and brush my teeth again and wash my face.

I sigh as I make my way back outside. I sit down on the large patio and watch a now shirtless Ryder throw a football to another guy.

Ryder looks around and spots me. He smiles and waves at me.

I give him a small smile back and wave a little.

Ryder furrows his eyebrows and links me 'You okay?

' I nod at him and link back, 'Yeah, just tired.

' Ryder stares at me for a few more seconds until one of the guys call his name and he's back in the game.

Now all I have to figure out is how to tell my already overprotective and over possessive mate that I'm pregnant with his child while I have a pack of rouges after me. Should be easy.