Page 14 of Rejected and Pregnant by the Alpha (Forbidden Alpha Kings #52)

Hannah

Thanking Aileen and Mrs. Singh for their help putting away my groceries, I lead the two ladies to the door despite their protests and reminders that I need to rest. Both have been a big help after my discharge from the hospital, as Aileen has taken me to the grocery store even though I insist I can use a grocery delivery service.

My words fall on deaf ears, though, as the spirited vampire drives us to the nearest grocery store and promptly uses the parking space meant for pregnant women.

I protest at this, but Aileen sniffs the air and gives me a knowing look.

Mrs. Singh doesn’t have to say anything; this vampire, who I’ve learned is over five hundred years old, can smell the pup inside me.

Reluctantly, I follow the two women into the grocery store, both insisting I push the cart for support while they let me walk down the aisles at my own pace, picking what I need.

When I have finished gathering my groceries, Aileen is quick to step in and pay for them before I can even take out my card.

With the groceries bagged, Mrs. Singh takes the cart from me while Aileen links her arms through mine, her lips curving into a smile as the two ladies once again lead me to Aileen’s car.

After our impromptu grocery run, the ladies take me home and put my groceries away before leaving, with Mrs. Singh promising to bring me butter chicken as soon as it is done.

Now I am left alone, wondering what I am going to do.

I never thought that I would be pregnant at eighteen.

I never thought I would meet my mate so soon or that he would reject me.

All alone in my apartment, I turn off the lights and slink back to the couch to curl up on my side in a ball.

Tears begin to fall, much to my frustration, and I wipe them away as best as I can.

I am a rogue without a home or family. My pup deserves so much more than I can offer.

My heart breaks at the thought of having to give this pup up, at the thought of ending this pregnancy and not having the family I miss so much.

My cries turn into sobs at how unfair life has been to me—at being orphaned so young, at losing a mate who should have loved me wholeheartedly.

Fabian and his family always say I am stronger than I look, that I could hold my ground against any alpha wolf without breaking a sweat if I wanted to. But the truth is I am weak. I am pathetic. I am nothing.

Suddenly, lightning flashes across the sky, illuminating the room.

The light reflects off the picture frame hanging on my wall—the last family picture I took with my parents—and I sniffle.

My parents gaze out at nothing, their smiling faces and eyes filled with pride lit up by the lightning in the sky.

“Mom. Dad,” I whimper, pushing myself into a sitting position. “What do I do?”

Silence greets me until the sound of heavy rainfall comes through the slightly open window.

I watch the rain fall for a moment, its gentle rhythm slowly calming me.

My mother used to love the rain. She would say that the rain was here to wash all the bad days away, to clear the stuffiness and bring in a breath of fresh air.

Right now, I need that breath of fresh air.

I need the relief that comes after a long rainy day.

Rising to my feet, I stumble to the balcony and slide the door open, letting in the cooling mist of the rain.

I shiver for a moment, not from the cold, but from the emotional turmoil I have been in since I found out I am pregnant.

I take a deep breath. Calmness rushes over me as I look out at the pond, its surface disturbed by the falling summer rain.

Crying won’t solve anything, but it does help to soothe the mind and soul, just like the cool relief rain brings to the earth.

All I can do is take things one step at a time.

“What do I need to do to provide for this pup?” I mutter to myself, leaning against the doorframe as I continue to watch the rain.

For one, I would need a community, a pack. Being a rogue with a pup would put a target on my back. Many would use my pup against me, as they would be both my weakness and my strength. If I had a pack, the pup would be protected by those in the pack, and I wouldn’t have to worry about their safety.

The next thing I would need is money to provide for them.

I do have my inheritance and the money left to me by my parents, but even I know that is only a finite amount.

My inheritance won’t last if I am not careful.

I will need to find a financial advisor to help manage the stocks and assets left to me.

“Hannah?” Jumping at the sound of my name being called, I turn to find Mrs. Singh walking into my apartment, the smell of butter chicken wafting from the dish in her hand.

“Are you okay, hon?” she asks, setting the dish on the coffee table and coming to stand beside me. The lights are on now, and I wonder if she turned them on when she walked into my home.

“I… I’m not sure,” I answer with a sad smile, returning my gaze to the falling rain.

“I was just thinking about how I am going to raise this pup alone,” I add softly.

“You decided to keep it?” Mrs. Singh asks, coming to stand beside me and looking out the balcony door as well.

“I did, but being a rogue and a single mother will put a lot of danger on my shoulders,” I answer, taking a deep breath. The scent of rain and butter chicken mingle together, and I sigh.

“You won’t be alone,” Mrs. Singh says, placing her hand on my shoulder and smiling at me. “You’ll have me and Aileen beside you.”

My eyes widen in shock at this, and I wonder if I heard her correctly. Mrs. Singh has only known me for a few days now. How could she be so calm in stating that she would be right beside me?

“But we don’t have a pack, and Aileen is a vampire. If anyone found out, you two would be in danger as well,” I protest, thunder shaking the sky.

“Well, then there is only one solution for this,” Mrs. Singh says with a grin, her deep brown eyes shining with amusement. “We need to start our own pack.”