Page 5 of Rescued by Four Alphas (Claimed by the Four Alphas #2)

" W ake up, sleepyhead. We need to get going."

I groan and pull the pillow over my head. Evan's voice sounds too chipper for whatever ungodly hour it must be. The warm cocoon of blankets feels too perfect to abandon.

"Five more minutes," I mumble into the mattress.

The pillow disappears from my grasp. "No more minutes. We have an appointment with Dr. Marianna at nine."

I crack one eye open to see Evan already dressed in a crisp navy suit, his hair perfectly styled. The man looks like he stepped out of a business magazine cover shoot, while I feel like something the cat dragged in.

"What time is it?" I ask, pushing myself up to sit.

"Seven-thirty. I ordered breakfast." He gestures to a room service cart near the window. "Pancakes with extra syrup, just how you like them."

The mention of food makes my stomach growl. I swing my legs over the edge of the bed, not bothering to cover my nakedness. Evan's eyes darken as they sweep over me.

"Don't look at me like that," I warn. "You're the reason I'm exhausted."

"I don't recall hearing any complaints last night." He hands me a fluffy hotel robe. "Quite the opposite."

Heat rushes to my cheeks as memories from our marathon sex session flood back. "Shut up and give me coffee."

"Decaf only," he reminds me, pouring a cup from the carafe. "Doctor's orders."

I scowl but accept the cup. "Decaf coffee is an abomination."

"Six more months and you can have all the caffeine you want." He drops a kiss on my forehead. "Now eat. We need to leave in forty-five minutes."

I shuffle to the table and attack the pancakes with gusto. Pregnancy hunger is no joke. I could eat an entire buffet and still want more.

"Did you call Dr. Marianna back last night?" I ask between bites.

Evan nods, his expression turning serious. "Yes, while you were in the shower. She didn't want to discuss details over the phone but confirmed there was an attempt to access several patient files, including yours."

"Several files? So, it wasn't just me?"

"That's what we need to find out." He checks his watch. "Finish up and get dressed. I'll call to have the car ready to go."

Forty minutes later, we pull up to the private medical facility where Dr. Marianna practices.

The discreet building looks more like a luxury spa than a hospital, which is exactly why Evan chose it.

No reporters lurk outside, no curious onlookers.

It's just tasteful landscaping and a valet who opens my door with a polite nod.

Evan keeps his hand at the small of my back as we enter the lobby. The receptionist recognizes us immediately.

"Dr. Baldwin, Mr. Blackthorn, good morning. Dr. Marianna is expecting you. Please follow me."

We're led down a hallway to a comfortable office decorated in soothing blues and greens. Dr. Marianna stands as we enter, her silver-streaked dark hair pulled back in a neat bun. She's a Beta shifter who specializes in Omega pregnancies, which is a rare specialty for an even rarer condition.

"Thank you for coming in so quickly," she says, shaking our hands. "Please, have a seat."

Evan and I settle into the chairs across from her desk. His posture remains rigid, a sure sign of his anxiety.

"Tell us about the security breach," he demands without preamble.

Dr. Marianna sighs. "Our IT team detected an unauthorized access attempt two days ago. Someone tried to get into our patient database using what appears to be stolen credentials from one of our administrative staff."

"Were they successful?" I ask.

"Partially. They accessed the system but triggered our security protocols when they attempted to download specific files." She opens a folder on her desk. "Seven patient files were targeted. All Omegas, all currently pregnant."

A chill runs down my spine. "Seven? Are there seven pregnant Omegas in your care?"

"Yes, though you're the only one carrying multiples." She looks at me over her reading glasses. "And the only one with multiple Alpha mates."

Evan leans forward. "Do you have any idea who was behind this?"

"The attack came from a server in Eastern Europe, but that means nothing these days. It could be anyone using a proxy." She closes the folder. "We've upgraded our security protocols and notified all affected patients."

"I'll handle this," Evan says, his voice hard. "I'll have my security team work with your IT department to trace the breach."

"That would be appreciated." Dr. Marianna turns to me. "How are you feeling, Dahlia? Any new symptoms since our last appointment?"

I shrug. "The usual. Exhaustion, weird food cravings, and emotional rollercoasters. Oh, and I need to pee every five minutes."

She smiles. "Thankfully, those are all normal. But since you're here, why don't we do a full check-up? I'd like to see how those babies are developing."

"That sounds great," I agree, glad for the change of subject. The security breach worries me, but dwelling on it won't help.

"Evan, you're welcome to join us for the ultrasound after we do the initial examination," Dr. Marianna says.

He nods, still distracted. "I'll wait here and make some calls."

I follow Dr. Marianna to an exam room where a nurse takes my vitals. My blood pressure runs slightly high, but she assures me it's within normal range for a multiple pregnancy.

"Please change into this gown," the nurse instructs. "Dr. Marianna will be back in a few minutes."

When the doctor returns, she helps me onto the exam table and begins her examination. Her hands press gently on my abdomen, which has grown noticeably in the past few weeks.

"Your uterus is measuring larger than expected for fourteen weeks," she comments. "Not surprising with quadruplets, but I want to keep a close eye on this."

"Is that bad?" I ask, a flicker of worry sparking in my chest.

"Not bad, just something to monitor. Multiple pregnancies often deliver early, and with four babies, we should prepare for that possibility." She makes notes in my chart. "Have you experienced any cramping or spotting?"

"No, nothing like that."

"Good. How about your mood? Any significant changes?"

I laugh. "You could say that. I cry at commercials, snap at everyone for no reason, then feel overwhelmingly happy five minutes later. The boys walk on eggshells around me."

"That's to be expected. Your hormone levels are off the charts." She checks something in my chart. "And your sex drive?"

My cheeks heat up. "Um, enhanced would be an understatement."

"Also normal, especially for an Omega with multiple bonds. Your body craves the connection with your Alphas." She looks up from her notes. "Are they meeting your needs in that department?"

"Yes," I say quickly, then add, "More than adequately."

"Good. Don't be shy about asking for what you need. Regular sexual contact with your bonded Alphas helps stabilize your hormones and reduces stress, which benefits the babies."

"So, you're prescribing sex?" I ask with a small smile.

"Precisely. Doctor's orders." She winks. "Now, let's get Evan in here for the ultrasound. I think you'll both want to see this."

A nurse fetches Evan while Dr. Marianna prepares the ultrasound machine. He enters looking slightly less tense than before and takes a seat beside me, reaching for my hand.

"Everything okay?" he asks.

"So far, so good," I assure him. "We're about to see the babies."

Dr. Marianna squirts cold gel on my stomach. "This might be a bit uncomfortable."

She places the wand on my belly and moves it around until the screen lights up with fuzzy images. The whooshing sound of multiple heartbeats fills the room.

"There they are," she says, pointing to the screen. "Baby A, Baby B, Baby C, and Baby D."

Evan squeezes my hand; his eyes fixed on the monitor. "They've grown so much since last time."

"Indeed, they have." Dr. Marianna takes measurements, clicking buttons on the machine. "They're developing faster than standard human pregnancies, which is consistent with shifter genetics."

"What does that mean for the delivery date?" I ask.

"I'd estimate you'll deliver around thirty weeks instead of the typical forty. That's only about four and a half months from now." She moves the wand to get a better angle. "We'll need to monitor you closely as we approach the third trimester."

Evan stiffens beside me. "That soon? Will the babies be okay?"

"Multiple births commonly arrive early, and with proper medical care, the outlook is excellent." She freezes the image on the screen. "Would you like to know the genders?"

We exchange a glance. We'd discussed this before but hadn't decided.

"No," I say at the same time Evan says, "No."

"Ohh… why, if I may ask?"

"I would prefer it if everyone were here for that information."

Dr. Marianna prints several images of the ultrasound and hands them to us. "That's amazing. Everything looks healthy. The babies are growing well, though slightly unevenly. Baby C is the smallest, but still within normal range."

As she speaks, Evan's phone buzzes in his pocket. He glances at the screen and frowns.

"I need to take this," he says, standing. "I'll be right back."

He steps out of the room, leaving me with Dr. Marianna, who continues to wipe the gel from my stomach.

"While he's gone, I want to go over some guidelines for the next few months," she says. "Your body will undergo significant changes as the babies grow."

"I've noticed," I say, glancing down at my expanding waistline.

"Your center of gravity will shift, so be careful on stairs—no heavy lifting. Drink plenty of water. Dehydration can trigger contractions." She helps me sit up. "And listen to your body. If something feels wrong, call me immediately."

"What about work? I've been continuing my research from home."

"Mental work is fine, but limit your time in the lab. Some chemicals can be harmful to developing fetuses." She makes more notes in my chart. "Also, your Omega instincts will intensify as the pregnancy progresses."

"What does that mean exactly?"

"You'll feel a stronger urge to nest and prepare your home for the babies. You might become more territorial about your Alphas. And your heat-like symptoms may increase, especially in the presence of your bonded mates."

"So, more horniness. Great." I sigh. "As if I'm not distracted enough already."

She laughs. "Embrace it. The connection between you and your Alphas will help sustain you through the pregnancy."

"Are there any dietary restrictions I should know about?"

"The usual pregnancy guidelines apply. No raw fish, limit caffeine, increase protein intake." She hands me a pamphlet. "This outlines everything, including recommended supplements."

The door opens, and Evan returns. One look at his face tells me something is wrong. His jaw is clenched, and a muscle ticks in his cheek—his tell when he's angry but trying to hide it.

"Everything okay?" I ask.

"We need to go," he says, his voice tight. "Dr. Marianna, thank you for your time."

The doctor looks between us, sensing the tension. "Of course. Dahlia, I want to see you again in two weeks. Sooner, if you notice any changes."

I nod and slide off the exam table. "Thank you."

Evan helps me with my coat. We say our goodbyes and head toward the exit. The moment we're alone in the elevator, I turn to him.

"What happened? Who called?"

He stares straight ahead. "Leo. There's a situation we need to address."

"What kind of situation?"

The elevator doors open, and he guides me toward the exit. "Not here."

We reach the car, and he holds the door for me. Once we're both inside and the privacy partition is up, I grab his arm.

"Tell me what's going on. Now."

Evan runs a hand through his hair, messing up its perfect styling. "It's Axl."

He pulls out his phone and shows me the trending topic. "#AxlValentineCancel is trending nationwide."