Page 16 of Rescued by Four Alphas (Claimed by the Four Alphas #2)

I shift uncomfortably in the passenger seat as our convoy pulls up to Dr. Marianna's medical facility. Three identical black SUVs, each filled with armed security personnel, follow behind us like we're transporting state secrets instead of going to a routine prenatal appointment.

"This is ridiculous," I mutter, watching through the tinted windows as security teams pour out of the vehicles. "We look like a military operation."

Leo reaches over and squeezes my hand. "I know it seems excessive, but after everything that's happened..."

"Leo, twelve armed guards are getting out of those cars right now. Twelve! To escort me to see my obstetrician!"

Axl leans forward from the back seat. "Dahlia, we can't take any chances. Not with you and the babies."

I watch as Matthews' replacement, a stern-faced woman named Rodriguez, directs the security team. Half of them position themselves around the building's perimeter while the others form a protective corridor from our vehicle to the entrance.

"I feel like a prisoner," I say, my voice breaking slightly.

"I know, baby." Leo's thumb traces circles on the back of my hand. "I'm sorry."

Rodriguez approaches our vehicle and taps on the window. Leo lowers it slightly.

"All clear, sir," she reports. "We have eyes on every entrance and exit. No suspicious activity detected."

"Thank you," Leo replies. "We'll proceed."

I take a deep breath as Leo helps me out of the SUV. The moment my feet hit the ground, I'm surrounded by a wall of black-suited bodies. The security team moves with me like a single organism, their eyes constantly scanning for threats that probably don't exist.

"This is insane," I whisper to myself.

The walk from the car to the building entrance takes less than thirty seconds, but it feels like an eternity. Other patients and staff members stare openly as our entourage sweeps through the parking lot. A woman pushing a stroller stops and pulls out her phone to record us.

"Great," I mutter. "Now we're a tourist attraction."

Once inside the building, the security team's presence becomes even more overwhelming. The small, elegant lobby, which usually feels peaceful and private, is suddenly crowded with armed personnel. The receptionist's eyes widen as we approach her desk.

"Dr. Baldwin," she stammers. "Dr. Marianna is expecting you."

"Thank you," I reply, trying to smile through my embarrassment.

The security team moves to clear a path to Dr. Marianna's office, but I hold up my hand.

"Stop," I say firmly. "This is a medical facility, not a war zone. Half of you need to wait outside."

Rodriguez steps forward. "Ma'am, our orders are to maintain full protection..."

"Your orders?" I raise an eyebrow. "Who gives you orders about my medical appointments?"

Leo places a gentle hand on my shoulder. "Dahlia, please. Let them do their job."

"Their job is to protect me, not to turn my doctor's visit into a circus," I snap, then immediately feel guilty for my harsh tone.

The pregnancy hormones are still making my emotions volatile.

"I'm sorry. I don't mean to take this out on you.

But this level of security is making me more anxious, not less. "

Axl exchanges a look with Leo, then nods to Rodriguez. "Scale it back. Post guards at the building entrances and keep two with us. The rest can wait in the vehicles."

Rodriguez looks like she wants to argue, but she nods curtly and starts issuing orders into her radio. Within moments, most of the security team files back outside, leaving just two guards to accompany us down the hallway.

"Better?" Leo asks.

"Marginally," I admit.

We make our way to Dr. Marianna's office, our footsteps echoing in the quiet corridor. Even with the reduced security presence, I feel conspicuous and exposed. The familiar hallway that usually brings me comfort now feels foreign and threatening.

When we reach Dr. Marianna's door, I pause to collect myself. My hand hovers over the polished wood for a moment before I finally knock.

"Come in," comes her familiar voice from inside.

I push the door open and step into the office, with Leo and Axl close behind me.

Dr. Marianna is seated behind her desk, but something feels different about her demeanor.

She doesn't look up immediately when we enter, and when she finally does, her eyes seem to avoid making direct contact with mine.

"Dahlia," she says, standing slowly. "Thank you for coming so quickly."

"Of course," I reply, studying her face. "You said it was urgent. Is everything okay with the babies?"

"Please, sit down," she gestures to the chairs across from her desk, still not quite meeting my eyes. "We need to discuss your recent test results."

Leo and Axl position themselves on either side of my chair as I sit down. Dr. Marianna's gaze flickers to them, and I notice her hands trembling slightly as she reaches for a file on her desk.

"Actually," she says, her voice carefully controlled, "I'd prefer to discuss this privately. Would your... Alphas mind waiting outside?"

"No," Leo says immediately. "We're staying."

"I understand your concern," Dr. Marianna replies, "but this is confidential medical information. Patient privacy laws..."

"They're the fathers," I interrupt. "They have a right to know about any issues with the babies."

Dr. Marianna's composure slips for just a moment, and I catch a flash of something in her eyes. It's gone so quickly, I almost think I imagined it.

"Nevertheless," she says, "I really must insist. There are certain protocols..."

"What protocols?" Axl demands, "You've never had a problem with us being here before."

I hold up my hand to silence him. Something is wrong here, but arguing won't help me figure out what it is.

"It's okay," I tell Leo and Axl. "You can wait outside. I'm safe here."

"Dahlia..." Leo starts to protest.

"You can stand right outside. If anything happens, you'll hear it immediately. Nothing and no one can get into this office without going through you first."

Leo's jaw tightens, but he nods reluctantly. "We'll be right outside the door," he says, his eyes fixed on Dr. Marianna.

"Ten minutes," Axl adds, his tone making it clear that this is a warning, not a promise.

They file out of the office, and I hear them take positions just outside the doorway. Their voices murmur as they discuss something, but I can't make out the words.

Dr. Marianna moves to the examination area and begins pulling on latex gloves, her movements jerky and unnatural.

"Shall we proceed with the examination?" she asks, her voice still oddly formal.

I study her profile as she prepares the ultrasound equipment. "Dr. Marianna, are you angry with me?"

She freezes, her hands stilling on the machine. "What makes you ask that?"

"You're acting strange. You won't look at me. You seem nervous." I stand and move closer to her. "Is this about our conversation yesterday? About the other pregnant Omegas?"

"No," she says quickly, but I can hear the lie in her voice.

"I'm sorry," I say softly. "I shouldn't have spoken to you like that. I shouldn't have accused you of being involved in something sinister. Everything that's been happening has made me paranoid, and I took it out on you."

She finally looks at me, and I see tears gathering in her eyes. "I was hurt," she admits. "After everything we've been through together, everything I've done to help you, the fact that you could think I would betray you..."

"I know. I'm so sorry." I reach out to touch her arm, but she steps back. "I was scared and stressed, and I said terrible things. But I trust you. I wouldn't be here if I didn't."

She nods slowly, wiping at her eyes with the back of her hand. "I understand. These are frightening times for all of us, and your emotions are running high."

"So, we’re okay?" I ask.

"Yes," she says, but something in her tone doesn't convince me. "We're okay. Now, let's look at those babies, shall we?"

I settle onto the examination table, lifting my shirt to expose my growing belly. The familiar coolness of the ultrasound gel makes me shiver slightly as Dr. Marianna applies it to my skin.

"Actually," she says as she positions the wand, "while we're alone, would you like to know the genders? I know you wanted to wait for everyone to be present, but since they're not here..."

My heart jumps with excitement. "Really?"

"Yes. They're positioned perfectly today." She moves the wand around until four distinct forms appear on the screen. "Would you like to know?"

I bite my lip, torn between curiosity and guilt about learning this without my mates present. out. However, the desire to know ultimately prevails. "Yes. Tell me."

She points to the screen, indicating each baby in turn. "Baby A... a boy. Baby B... also a boy. Baby C... another boy." She pauses, a genuine smile crossing her face for the first time today. "And Baby D... a girl."

"Three boys and a girl?" Tears spring into my eyes instantly. "Oh my god. Three brothers and a sister."

"They're all healthy and developing beautifully," she confirms, and for a moment, she sounds like Dr. Marianna I know and trust.

I'm laughing and crying at the same time, my hands pressed protectively over my belly. "I can't believe it. They're going to be so excited."

But my initial joy fades. "Wait," I say, sitting up slightly. "You called this an emergency appointment. If the babies are healthy, what's the emergency?"

Dr. Marianna's expression shifts again, that strange nervousness returning. "Yes, well..."

"Dr. Marianna?" I prompt when she doesn't continue.

She's quiet for a long moment, seeming to struggle with something internally. When she finally speaks, her voice is barely above a whisper.

"The emergency wasn't medical, Dahlia."

A chill runs down my spine. "What do you mean?"

I'm starting to feel drowsy, which is strange. The excitement of learning about the babies should have me wide awake, but instead, my eyelids feel heavy, and my thoughts are becoming fuzzy.

"I mean," Dr. Marianna says, her voice growing distant, "this was the only way we could get you out of that fortress you live in. They couldn't get to you inside."

"What?" I try to sit up, but my limbs feel like they're made of lead. "What are you talking about? Who couldn't get to me?"

The room seems to be spinning slightly, and I realize with growing horror that something is very wrong. "Did you... Did you drug me?"

I try to call out for Leo and Axl, but my voice comes out as barely a whisper. My body feels disconnected from my mind, and I can't seem to coordinate my movements. The ultrasound gel on my belly feels cold and somehow wrong.

"How could you do this to me?"

"I'm so sorry, Dahlia," Dr. Marianna says, and now the tears in her eyes are flowing freely. "I'm so sorry."

The world goes dark.