Page 21 of The Alpha’s Rejected Arranged Mate (Bluebell Valley Wolves #3)

The next morning, Finn returned from the planned raid of Dukiel’s palace unsuccessful. What they thought was the place turned out to be nothing but a clearcut on the mountain, layered with cardboard that had been meticulously painted to look like the rogue’s description from the air.

“I don’t understand how the rogue could have gotten it wrong. She must be lying,” Elin said.

“Don’t talk. Take a deep breath,” Christine said.

Elin huffed, then did as she was told. Christine moved the stethoscope to the other side of her back. “Again.”’

Another deep breath.

“All right.” Christine lowered the stethoscope and wrote something in her notebook. “Everything looks good. You’re holding steady, although I don’t like your blood pressure being that high. It’s to be expected with the current strain on your body, though.”

Elin nodded. “But I don’t have to be worried about a heart attack?”

Christine squeezed her hand. “No. From what you’ve told me, your father had more than a few lifestyle choices that could have brought it on.”

Elin nodded again. Christine had grilled her all about her family’s health history. She hadn’t known that taking drugs like meth could cause heart problems. Her father, unfortunately, had been a faithful user of the drug. She’d been so young she hadn’t fully understood it or his mood swings, but she’d learned a lot through her mother’s journals.

“So, all I have to be worried about is Dukiel,” Elin murmured.

Christine winced. “Finn will get him.”

Elin nodded a third time. It seemed like every time they thought they were getting close, something else popped out of the woodwork to complicate the issue. But that wasn’t for her to worry about, not right now, at least. Finn told her he’d take care of Dukiel. It was her job to take care of herself. Rosemary and Seth had stepped up to fill the role of Luna she was leaving empty. They were good people.

“Am I healthy enough to implant a talisman into my baby?” Elin asked.

Another wince answered her. So that was a no.

“I don’t like the risk factor,” Christine said slowly. “And the extra protections seem to be working.”

“I’m still having nightmares about Dukiel, even if he’s not speaking directly to me,” Elin pointed out.

Christine looked unsettled but smiled brightly. “Ah, but Finn hasn’t seen anything but the barest wisps around you. Which means that you and your baby are safe.”

“I’ll try not to overthink things and put myself in a tizzy with worry,” Elin answered, sighing. It was a difficult thing to do, keeping her mind occupied so she didn’t end up spiraling into anxiety. This whole situation showed her just how few coping mechanisms she actually had for taking care of herself. Normally, she’d just find something, her hands busy one way or another.

What she wanted most was for Finn to be here with her. It was hard to be worried when he was nearby.

“We can look at some anti-anxiety medications,” Christine suggested.

“Maybe,” Elin said, unconvinced. “But you have so much else to do. You can’t be here, hovering over me all the time.”

“Making the occasional house call isn’t hovering,” Christine said sharply. She put her hands on her hips. “Just because you’re used to being dismissed and having to swallow your feelings doesn’t mean it’s not real, Elin. You’re allowed to get help, which includes medical help.”

Elin blinked in surprise. She hadn’t thought she was denying herself help. “Thank you. Really. I know that you’re busy, though. If you’ll just leave me with a website or something for possible anti-anxiety meds, I’ll read through it while you’re working with Finn. Taking down Dukiel is the top priority.”

Christine squinted at her but nodded once. She gave Elin the information and then told her to call if she needed anything. When she left, Elin heard her speak with someone on the lower floor. Was it Rosemary? Or was one of the other she-wolves staying at the house ready to run to Elin’s aid if need be?

It was an uncomfortable feeling. As much as Elin wished she had more people to turn to, having someone she didn’t know waiting on her hand and foot was… well, it made her feel a bit childish. Especially when she felt fine. A little hungry, a bit tired, but otherwise fine.

To distract herself, she called Mica on a video call. Mica answered quickly. She held little Denzel in her arms.

“Elin, I was just thinking about calling you,” Mica said brightly. “How’s it going?”

Elin shook her head. She didn’t want to answer that. “I’m calling about Tess. Has she had the baby yet?”

Mica turned the phone to point toward Tess. She lay on a sofa, a handful of popcorn in one hand. Her shirt had ridden up, revealing her baby bump. It was huge! Elin touched her own bump, trying to imagine how much a bump that big would weigh.

“I had false labor last night,” Tess said grumpily. “It’s miserable! And if it was that painful, then… ugh!” She rolled to a sitting position. “What about you? I can’t imagine how much more miserable your pregnancy is. No, I’m lying. I’m so jealous you won't have to go through a full nine months!”

Elin laughed unexpectedly. She was so used to people tiptoeing around her. It was a relief to have Tess actually present her situation as enviable.

“Should I admit I haven’t had any morning sickness, then?” Elin teased. “And while I’m not sleeping so well, it’s really not as painful as I thought it would be. Though I have peed myself more times than I care to admit.”

“Oooh, I remember pregnancy bladder,” Mica said, nodding in sympathy.

Tess wrinkled her nose. “How much longer do you have? Two weeks? Three? You’ll have your baby before I have mine!”

“We estimate somewhere between three and five weeks,” Elin answered. “I’m going to be in diapers before this is over.”

Both Mica and Tess laughed. Mica inquired after Echo, Hayden, and Ryder. They were doing well. Bluebell Valley was doing well, too. Denzel was picking up his head on his own. There were no further demon attacks in the area, and Blayke had managed to take down a full-grown beast demon on his own, and he dragged the carcass back to town to prove it.

Talking with Mica and Tess had the desired effect. The tension she’d been holding drained away. When she yawned after every sentence, Mica suggested she nap. Elin sleepily agreed. A shiver ran down her spine as soon as she was alone in the silence again. What if…?

Just as she was considering getting up and maybe taking a shower, there was a soft knock, and Finn came into the room.

“Am I disturbing you?” he asked as she pushed herself up.

“No. I’m glad you’re here.”

Finn smiled as he came to the bed. He lay beside her and wrapped his arms around her. The warmth of his presence made her sleepy once more. His next words, though, made her breath catch in her lungs. “We have another lead. I’ll be heading out soon.”

Elin reached for him, tugging him closer. “Why do you have to go every time? Why can’t Derek head the missions?”

“Derek isn’t the Alpha.” Finn pressed his nose against her neck and inhaled deeply. “If it’s any consolation, I don’t think this is his palace. It’s an abandoned rogue camp. I doubt anything will actually turn up, but… well, we have to pursue every lead.”

Finn’s phone started to ring. Elin glared at it. Who was interrupting them? She craned her neck and was surprised to see Hayden’s name flash on the screen before Finn answered.

“Hayden,” Finn greeted. “You’re on speakerphone, and Elin is here.”

“Oh. Hello, Elin,” Hayden said, sounding a little surprised.

In the background, Mica’s voice called out. “You’re supposed to be napping!”

Elin giggled.

“I’m sure she knows how to take care of herself,” Hayden answered, exasperated. “Finn. We have the military support you requested. They’ll arrive in two or three days.”

“That long?” Finn grimaced. “I’ve got a mission that can’t wait.”

Hayden barked out a laugh. “Sorry, we can’t make the military move any faster. But if you have to get moving, then get moving. You’ve got to trust your Alpha instinct.”

There was a sudden rush of noise, and then Mica’s voice came through: “And Elin, you trust your Luna instinct, and don’t be afraid to tell your mate if he’s wrong.”

“Oh, no problems there,” Elin joked.

“Good. Because part of being a Luna means putting your foot down when you need to.”

Finn groaned. “I guess I need to take this call outside so I can actually talk with Hayden.”

Elin grinned at him as he left. She made herself comfortable as she waited for his return. The military was sending people. Good. That meant they’d have more help to end this whole thing. It also meant they would get the meds Christine was looking for, and that meant that the surgery to give her baby protection might actually be able to happen.

Finn came back shortly and retook his place on the bed. Elin melted into him, sighing as his strong arms wound around her. He seemed stiffer this time, though.

“Do you think I’m wrong?” Finn asked. “Is that why Mica thought she had to add that?”

Elin hesitated. “I… I wish I could say that. I wish I could suggest you stay with me instead of running off after Dukiel. But the truth is, I think you’re doing exactly what you have to. I’m just worried about you.”

“Worried?” Finn repeated, sounding surprised.

“You know my dad died when I was young. And my mother died when I was a teenager. I don’t even know what killed her. Just that she… died,” Elin said slowly. Was this too much to tell him? Parents were a tricky subject, missing ones all the more so. “I was lonely growing up. I can’t remember having any friends at all. Except Mica. I was never an outcast, but I was always on the fringes. People didn’t care enough about me to make me an outcast.”

Finn stroked her arms lightly. “I suppose I can see that. Nobody came to your aid when Monroe tried to take you as a mate.”

“Nobody except Mica. And that was even after I was terrible to her. I treated her so badly… I was trying to join with the crowd, trying to prove I was one of them.” Elin shook her head as tears came to her eyes. “I was a coward.”

“But Mica forgave you.”

Elin leaned her cheek against his chest, listening to his heartbeat. “Yes. She forgave me.”

Exhaustion rolled over her again. It didn’t take long for her to sink into a deep sleep. She dreamt of her baby again. This time, she was standing in the middle of a desert with the sun blazing overhead. There was no relief to be found.

When she woke, Finn was no longer in her arms. She felt empty and aching as she lifted her head.

To her surprise, she wasn’t alone. Christine was in the room. She looked up and grinned. “Good! You’re awake. I’ve been doing some research about pregnancy. I have an idea.”