I finished my examination with Dr. Marrow. When we got back, Travis was waiting in the room for us to get back. He seemed like he had been worrying.
When he spotted us, he sat up, and asked, "How is she?"
Dr. Marrow spoke up first, "She had some brusing in her abdomen region and I checked her blood. She's low on iron, so I'm prescribing her prenatal vitamins to give her body an extra boost of vitamins. Have her take it easy."
Travis had a sigh of relief, "Thank moon Goddess. I can't have an injured pack member. I'll make sure she doesn't strain herself."
I looked at Travis for a second. He seemed genuinely concerned and almost protective of me. Part of me wanted to trust him and tell him the truth, but I'm my pups mother before I'm Travis's pack mate. I'll put my pup first every time. When I know it's safe, I'll tell him.
"Thank you, Alpha. Your concern for my health makes me feel appreciated." I smile at him.
Travis smiled back, "I'm just glad you're okay."
Then his eyes darkened, "I decided I want you to decide the punishment for those two guards that hurt you."
I hesitated a moment and then spoke up, "Exatly what they did to me, but I want to be the one to punish Kata. I will hit her the same way she hit me."
Travis thought about it for a second then nodded, "That's a fair request. Seeing as they directly disrespected me by punishing a member of my pack without talking to me about it. I will carry out the punishment of my guard myself. You may punish Kata."
We said our thanks and goodbyes to Dr. Marrow. As we left, I turned around mouthed thank you to her. To which she just smile and shook her head. At least I was finally getting to proper care of a pregnant she wolf. Knowing my pup wasn't injured received me. However, Kata still had to pay for what she did. That she wolf made me her enemy and I'd make sure she knew to never mess with me again.
On the car ride home. Travis and I sat in silence. I was a little embarrassed thinking about how odd the situation was. Luther and my gamma had been the only ones to take me to clinics in the past. This time, I was receiving the news of my pregnancy alone. Well. Not really alone. There was my pup. I couldn't wait to show Nat the ultrasound picture. I could hear her excitement now.
As we pulled up in the garage parking area. I immediately spotted Nat and Luke standing there with Andrew beside them. When I opened the door, Andrew tackled me.
He panicked, "I'm sorry! I wanted to help you! I... I..."
"I under little one." I wiped the tears from his cheek. He nestled into my neck sobbing. He had been scared for me.
Nat looked at me as if she was also about to cry and she shook, "I was afraid when I heard you'd been attacked. Luke came and got me as soon as he brought Andrew back to the house. I feared the worst!"
I smiled at my friends, "I got hit, but I didn't let them break me. Don't worry. They'll regret what they've done."
"I... I w-wanted to a-attack Kata. She'd a-always hateful." Luke stuttered.
"She will be punished very soon. I'll make sure she learns her lesson." Alpha Travis reassured everyone.
He then turned to Nat and spoke softly, "I want you to check up Ann whenever you're free for a little while. I don't want her pushing herself too much. I know you're her mother after all."
Nat smiled and chuckled, "Oh don't you even worry about her pushing herself. I'll be on her like a hawk. She won't be straining herself on my watch."
"Can I help Ann too?" Andrew asked innocently.
I nodded, "You're always a big help."
Andrew blushed and started fiddling with his fingers in a bashful manner. Alpha Travis seemed satisfied and walked back to the house.
Nat turned to me and whispered, "Someone's got the Alphas attention. What's our little Anora got up her sleeves?"
Andrew luckily didn't hear what she called me, but I was still embarrassed. I turned my head and coughed, "I don't think it's anything like that!"
Andrew pouted, "Daddy can't like Ann!"
"Why's that?" I asked him.
"Because! I wanna marry Ann one day. He can't like her because I like her." He declared confidently.
Luke and Nat started snickering and giggling. I shot them a glare, but they continued to chuckle anyways. I stroked Andrew's hair and sighed rolling my eyes at their antics.
"Two alphas in one day! That's impressive." Nat laughed.
"Nat! Hush!" I got up to chase after her.
Nat took off running like a ridiculous little pup who done tracked mud all over a white carpet. Luke was even more amused when I ran her into the pack house. Andrew was following after us.
Once we got inside, I started helping Nat prepare dinner. We cooked a nice roast and prepped the table. I sat all the plates out while she laid out the silverware. Before we knew it, we had already prepared the whole table. We sat the dinner items out next and made sure to set the knives for the roasts in a spot where everyone could reach it. Next we filled the cups with various drinks. Some wolves liked soda, others liked tea, but some of us just rather drink water.
I filled my cup with water and Andrew's with apple juice. He smiled in delight as he sipped it.
After we got finished, the household members come down for dinner.
I noticed the beta, Vince, because of his golden blonde hair and piercing blue eyes. His mate, Helen, walked beside him. She had pretty dusty brown hair and a baby bump. She was about 7 months pregnant. Then the houe guards walked down stairs. Each wolf grabbed their drink preference from the counter and took a seat at the table. Then lastly, Alpha Travis came down stairs. He filled his cup with sweet tea and ice and sat at the head of the table.
I pulled the seat out beside him for Andrew who crawled up in the seat beside his dad. I was just about to walk up to my room when I felt someone's hand grab mine.
I turned around and met Travis's hazel gaze and he spoke softly, "Where are you going?"
"Oh I was going to go rest. I'm not really hungry." I answered.
"You need to eat. Even if it's just a little. Please sit." He whispered.
I wasn't sure if I was allowed to refuse his request so I took my seat between Andrew and Nat. The rest of the wolves already enjoying dinner and talking.
"Did you hear about that pack on the other side of the fores?" One male said.
"Yeah," a female responded, "they got raided and all their pack was slaughtered. I heard about it from some other guards. Horrible thing. Even killed the pups. I feel bad for the Forester pack."
My heart stopped at the mention of my old pack. I wanted so bad to ask what they knew of the raid, but I knew better than to make myself obvious.
Travis spoke up, "I can't figure out why Saltmar would raid the Forester pack let alone kill their pups. We will be putting them on high alert with our guards though. If they enter our borders. We will interrogate them."
The surrounding pack members nodded in agreement. I felt my hands shake with my anxiety that climbed. Then I felt Nat's hand slide over mine. She gave my hand a squeeze to let me know she was there. I smiled at her and ate my meal, ignoring the conversations around me.
After dinner, Nat walked me to my room. Once we were inside I closed the door.
I whispered, "Nat I have something to show you!"
Nat looked at me in confusion, "What?"
I pulled out the paper where my ultrasound was depicted and handed it to her. She studied the image for a second and I seen tears starting to form in her eyes as she seen my pup.
"Oh my... it's so tiny." She said. Her voice cracking.
I nodded, "Small, but mighty. I asked the doctor to keep my pregnancy a secret. I haven't told Travis yet."
"I'm the first person you told?" She stared up at me.
"Mhm." I nodded to her.
She threw her arms around me and sobbed into my shoulder. I rubbed her back and sighed. I was glad to finally give Nat something to look forward with all the suffering she had endured. I was glad that she always had a cheerful outlook and a strong will to push forward despite her hardships.
"I can't wait to see the little guy! He will have me, you, and Luke! Them he'll have Andrew as a little brother." She smiled.
I frowned, "Nat, I can't stay here. The pup doesn't even have a father. I can't protect him alone in the werewolf world, but I have a shot in the human world."
Nat chuckled, "I know dear. I was just playing. Who knows, maybe that Alpha is single and ready to mingle!"
I rolled my eyes at her antics and scolded her, "Nat! Don't go planning my love life for me. I'm still grieving."
"Yeah, but you can grieve forever. You know I've heard Travis lost his mate a year ago. You two have bad luck in common."
"Oh my lord..." I sighed.
I couldn't deny that I felt a deep bond with the Alpha, but I didn't think I was in love with him. He was just kind to me and I appreciated his acceptance of me and my friends. Plus he came to my rescue and saved me from having to kill that she wolf. Then he took me to the clinic just to make sure I was okay. I was very grateful for his care, but I figured he was like that with all his pack. After all, in his eyes. I was a stray omega. Not fit for an Alpha.