"Are you alright?" I ask Arabella when I walk into the bathroom, and they are on the floor in front of the toilet.
Beta Karina is sitting next to Arabella and rubbing her back while she throws up into the toilet bowl several times in a minute. Concerned, I lean down over her head and feel her forehead to make sure she doesn't have a fever. When I am sure that she doesn't, I stand up and state, "I am going to go get the doctor. Maybe he can figure this one out."
Just before I leave, Beta Karina states in a matter-of-fact tone, "Don't bother. I am pretty sure she is pregnant. I am a midwife as you well know, and she is exhibiting all the signs of pregnancy in the first two months."
Shocked, I quickly ask, "What?"
She starts to laugh and then replies, "You know what I said, don't play innocent with me. Everyone knows that she is your mate now and that this is quite a possibility."
Still shocked, I sit down on the tub and lower my head, because this brings all kinds of other problems with it that we don't necessarily need right at this moment. It is bad enough that Alpha Daniel has been attacking with his band of rogues from the next territory over and now this? If they get wind that she is carrying my heirs, then they will try and kill her. I surely will have to put a security detail on her quickly.
Staring at her while she throws up again, I decide to fetch the doctor anyways just in case it is something else instead. One never knows. So, I stand up and then just before walking out the door, I kneel next to her and kiss her forehead while whispering, "I love you Arabella. I am going to get the doctor just in case it is something else. I will be back in a little while."
Trusting that she will be alright in the meantime, I look back one last time before I leave the room to go fetch the doctor. While I walk down the hallway, I notice something strange as a few people stroll down past me that I don't recognize. Not thinking about it immediately, I keep walking till it hits me. Perhaps, Alpha Daniel has gotten a couple people in to sabotage the castle.
Turning back around, I follow them down the back stairs to a room at the end of the hallway. This isn't a place that I am too familiar with because it is on the outskirts of the castle and down underground. As I stay far enough back so I'm not seen, I overhear the two of them talking, "Our ultimate goal is to make sure the human doesn't have King Julian's heirs. That way we can take over easier and his people won't protest like they would if she were to get pregnant with his pups."
Hearing this, I instantly become alarmed, and my wolf threatens to take over. So, I hurry back to the bedroom and make sure Beta Karina knows that if someone comes to the door and it is not me, to not let them in. As soon as I notify her, I rush to get the security team together and secure the premises. When we head over to the room, we realize that we are too late, because they are gone already.
Something makes me feel strange after we leave the room, so I demand, "Go to my bedroom quickly. I believe there is a plot to take my mate, Arabella."
Hearing this, they all rush to the room to find that the door is wide open, and Arabella is gone. I scan the area and don't see her or Beta Karina anywhere. "Where is she?" I ask under my breath, as I feel deathly worried for her safety.
Finally, when I look on the table, I see it. There is a note from Arabella that says, "We went to Beta Karina's room. She felt it was safer there. No one would think to look there because they don't know which one is hers."
Feeling relieved, I sigh and then realize that I don't even know where she lives. Starting to worry, I ask the security team and none of them have even heard of her before today. Now I am beginning to really worry that this Beta Karina could be playing for the other team. I had thought it was awfully funny this morning when she took over for Omega Kelly saying that she was "Sick" and that she had asked her to fill in for her.
Scratching my head, a million thoughts run through my head and then I think of it. I remember seeing her coming from the basement this morning, and even though I dismissed it quickly, it was still in the back of my brain. Did she take her there and is holding her hostage?
I turn to the security team and announce, "We are going to the basement. I have a feeling she might be there. Come with me."
On the way down, I hear Arabella's voice and she is crying out, "What are you doing?"
I speed past the team and rush to the door where the light is filtering under it and stop. Hesitating for only a second, I hear her scream again and then I kick the door open with a burst of energy. The minute I rush inside, I see her lying on a bed with Beta Karina standing over her.
"Get away from her!" I exclaim before I launch myself in their direction.
Beta Karina moves out of the way just in time, but then I see Arabella laying there with her legs open and I know what she was trying to do to her. I let my wolf take over and I watch as he rips Karina's head clear off and throws it across the room. Blood sprays all over my face and then I wipe it off before I realize it.
When he finally leaves for the moment, I clear my throat and walk up to Arabella who is in the process of trying to hide herself, while putting her pants back on. She glances up at me with scared eyes and I scoop her up before anyone sees her exposed flesh. Carrying her in my arms all the way up the stairs and back to our room, I don't stop once or even talk to anyone.
As soon as I shut the door behind me, I place her feet on the ground, and she rushes into the bathroom before I hear her start to cry loudly. I walk in and stare at her while she tries to scrub off the blood and decides to take a shower instead. How could this have happened?
I almost lost her this time. What about next time? Will they succeed?
Shaking my head, I walk towards her and ask for her forgiveness.