Safe Haven

“You don’t have to apologize. What do you want to drink?” he offered, picking up the empty cup and gesturing to the fountain.

“Sprite works,” I said. “I’m supposed to avoid caffeine now.”

“Damn, there are so many rules to pregnancy. I need to read up on it,” he grumbled to himself as he walked away. I stood there, stricken. Why would he want to know more?

“What’s wrong?” he asked as he settled into the seat across from me and slid my drink over. His thick eyebrows drew down, almost making him appear angry, but I recognized that look as concern.

“I just don’t understand,” I admitted. “Don’t take this the wrong way, but why? Why do you guys care? Why do you want to get to know me? Wouldn’t it make more sense for the pack if you kept me at a distance?”

His eyebrows rose, and he leaned closer, tenting his hands in front of him as he stared at me.

“Do you keep your distance?” His question was pointed, and I couldn’t deny it. Because no, I didn’t keep my distance. I wanted to get to know them, and I loved the time I’d spent with them so far.

“No. And that’s knowing that if I get attached, it’ll hurt when I have to go,” I explained, fighting off an unexpected surge of tears. It wasn’t something I’d set out to reveal, but it tumbled out now. It was too easy to be with Wells, and I found myself forgetting my mask. I knew he’d see right through any lies I spoke, so I couldn’t even try.

“And no one is telling you that you have to leave,” he told me. “You’re pack.”

“That’s a nice sentiment, but I’m not. Packs don’t consist of mates and an outsider, Wells.” Our pizza sat in front of us, cold and untouched, as we talked, and I knew I’d have to force myself to eat it now.

He sighed. “You’re not an outsider.” His mouth opened and closed like he might say more, but in the end, he just pushed my plate closer. “Let’s eat and get this done. I know this feels complicated right now, but I promise you, Briar, you’re not just expendable to us.”

“Okay,” I sighed. It was obvious from my tone that I didn’t believe it for a second, but I held those words close anyway.

We ate in silence after that, all of our lighthearted joking forgotten in the face of the cold reality that was our situation.

“Let’s go,” he finally said. I cleared our trash and tossed it away before heading for the door. He held it open for me, and I hated the shadowed expression on his face. We made it about two steps before he snagged my hand. I spun around as he yanked me close, backing me into the wall. I swallowed hard, but it wasn’t from fear. Instead, I felt something a lot more inconvenient—lust—as his body pressed into mine. “Fuck what anyone else thinks, Briar. As far as I’m concerned, you’re ours.”

He paused just an inch away, searching my eyes for permission. My gaze flickered to his full lips, and I couldn’t find it in me to regret the whimper that slipped out. The moment his lips touched mine, I was lost. They felt like they were made for me, teasing me breathless as a possessive hand curled around my hip. He was gentle but possessive, keeping us from taking it too far here on a busy street. A loud car horn had us pulling away, our chests heaving as we stared at each other. The way he was always taking the extra step to ensure I felt safe and valued was wearing me down quicker than anything else. Wells was turning out to be this complicated mix of sweet, possessive, gentle yet rough, and blunt. My heart couldn’t handle the distance, and she wanted to believe every beautiful word this alpha uttered. It was that damn voice in my head that kept reminding me that this was temporary, that they’d change their minds once a screaming baby was in the mix.

“Well, that was unexpected,” I said, followed by a surprised, awkward giggle. He chuckled and shook his head, wrapping an arm around my shoulders.

“Come on, you don’t want to be late.” My brain wanted to try to make sense of what had happened, but I refused to bring it up. For now, I’d focus on this appointment. He was keeping me close instead of putting any difference between us, so that was an interesting sign at least.

The check-in process took forever. I had to write down everything I knew about family history, which was complicated in itself. I couldn’t give them anything from paternal history, nor would I. He’d remain a mystery to this baby and anyone who asked.

“Briar Mackenzie?” the nurse called out. “I’ll take you back alone first, then, if you want, I can come get Daddy for the ultrasound.” I nearly choked when she called Wells Daddy because it was all too fitting, just not in the way she’d intended.

“Do you want me back there?” he asked with a reassuring smile. The thought of facing that alone was terrifying, and I knew there was no way I’d hidden that panic from him. After a beat of silent eye contact, my chance to turn down his offer, he turned to the nurse and said, “Please come get me. I’ll be there.”

“Perfect.” The nurse smiled at him. “Right this way, Briar.”

The next twenty minutes were a torturous rush of awkward invasive question. At this point, they knew everything they could ever want to know about me. Talking about my sexual history was excruciating, but she stayed professional the entire time, which made it a bit less painful in the end. She didn’t seem shocked at the lack of a pack. The guys and I were moving in a good direction, but not far enough into anything for me to include them on the ‘father’s’ side of the paperwork.

However, there was one concern that I couldn’t deny. The mayor had a genetic disorder, some rare type of thing that he used in his campaign to get sympathy votes. The hole in his heart might not affect him daily, but I wrote down his name and the disorder in case it would affect the baby. I also left a note about them not contacting him under any circumstances; they may be required to know for medical purposes or complications, but that was as far as this needed to go.

“Heat happens,” she said with a shrug. “Alright, I’ll get you to the room then grab your alpha.”

“Friend,” I corrected as I diligently followed her down the hallway. She smoothly navigated our way around pregnant omegas and staff until she finally stopped outside of an ultrasound room and pushed the door open.

“Go ahead and settle on the bed. I’ll be right back, and your tech will be in shortly,” she promised.

As the door clicked shut behind me, I exhaled, the breath shaky. The bed was covered in a white sheet, and I climbed on and laid back on the pillow. Glancing around the room, I took in the clinical white walls and informational posters as I waited.

The door opened a few minutes later, and Wells came around to my side. He smiled down at me, suddenly looking out of place.

“You can wait out there if this makes you uncomfortable,” I offered in a whisper as the nurse backed out of the room.

He shook his head firmly. “Nah, it’s not that,” he reassured me. “I just really hate doctors.”

“Big bad Wells is afraid of the doctor?” I teased with a grin. His playful glare had me laughing openly, gripping at the distraction and holding on tight.

“Not afraid. Hate. Big difference, sweetheart. I’m not afraid of anything.” He puffed out his chest as he crossed his arms, striking a macho pose that was offset by a half-grin.

The door opened again, and a petite scrub-clad omega walked in. His grin was kind and welcoming as he greeted us and took the stool in front of the machine.

“Welcome, I’m Gray,” he said. He hit a button, and the screen popped up. “Permission to get you ready?” he asked as he turned, gloved hands in the air. He directed a wary glance at the alpha, and I wondered how often this poor guy had to kick out shitty, angry alphas.

“Of course,” I said. He smiled and gently tucked my shirt up before wrapping a paper cover around the top of my pants and pulling them down to give him room to work.

“Just to keep the goop off your clothes,” he explained before grabbing it. “And don’t worry, I warm this so it’s not awful and cold.” He squirted the warmed gel over my stomach before grabbing the scanning tool he needed. He moved it around to spread the gel before applying pressure. The machine made a whooshing sound until he settled it on a spot where a dark blob was taking shape. The whooshing was replaced by a quick thumping, and he grinned. “There’s the heartbeat.”

My eyes burned with tears at the sound, and every bit of hesitation, anger, or worry that I had melted away. I knew this moment would be monumental, but I had underestimated how life changing it would be. That heartbeat was growing inside of me. I was creating this baby that I would hold in my arms someday.

I barely heard anything else the tech said until he printed off a row of images. He ripped half off and handed the other half to Wells.

“Images for you. I’m estimating that you’re about fifteen weeks, so I’ll see you again in five. Your nurse will give you appointment information outside of that,” he said with a smile. “Congratulations.” He made quick work of cleaning off the gel before slipping out of the room.

“You okay? You’re awfully quiet,” he said as I stood and straightened my clothes. For some reason, I couldn’t bring myself to look at him, worried he’d change his mind. It had certainly had an effect on me. “Talk to me.” His order had me braving a glance at him.

“You aren’t running yet?”

He sighed and pulled me into a hug, holding me close. “No, and I hope you start believing that some day.”

“Me too,” I admitted.