Avon's POV
The news of Carolina's pregnancy caught me off guard, I hadn't expected to be twice blessed at once. I was overwhelmed with a mixture of emotions - joy, worry for her situation, and a deep sense of responsibility.
A wide smile spread across my face, for I not only had found my fated mate, but now we would soon be blessed with a child as well. Yet, this revelation also filled me with a profound need to protect them both.
"It is not safe for my mate and our unborn child to go back there," I said, my voice carrying a firm, unwavering tone laced with paternal concern.
"There are dangerous individuals who would seek to do you harm." My gaze bore into Carolina's, my expression hardened by the gravity of the situation.
Carolina remained quiet for a moment, contemplating my words, before letting out a small, resigned sigh. "I understand your concern, but I am in need of medical attention in my condition," she replied, her voice carrying a hint of worry.
My features softened, and I offered her a reassuring nod. "You need not worry about that," I said gently.
"I shall call for the family doctor to come and examine you, as well as provide any necessary medications, after we have broken our fast." With a gentle gesture, I motioned towards the door.
"Come now, let us go enjoy our meal together." I invited her.
Over the course of our breakfast, I studied Carolina's expression as she ate in silence. I decided to break the silence and ask her about her new life here.
"How are you finding life here, Lina?" I asked, the endearment slippering before I could stop it.
She looked up at me at once, cut off guard by my endearment. Truth is, I surprised myself too, because I never thought I'd call anyone fondly before.
"Well, I'm not welcomed here to say the least, if not for Dahlia, my cousin, and Verona, my father's assistant, I'd have fled this town the day I arrived." she said, a subtle sadness flickering across her features.
"My supposed sister and mother have been less than kind to me." She voiced.
I cursed inwardly. It was clear that Dwayne had not informed Carolina of the true identity of her mother - his own true love, Verona.
Nor had he even returned the Ambers' daughter, as he should have. I made a mental note to have a stern, yet necessary, discussion with Dwayne later.
"That's what's expected of Felicia, but I trust this will all stop now if they find out you're mated to me and me alone." I said, holding my spoon with more force than necessary.
After a moment of eating in silence, each one carried by his own thoughts, Carolina broke the silence this time.
"And what, pray tell, were you doing in Los Angeles when we... when that fateful night happened?" Carolina asked, her cheeks flushing with a hint of embarrassment.
I chuckled softly, my eyes twinkling with a touch of mischief. "I was tracking a dangerous individual, which led me to the house party," I explained.
"And when I saw you being taken away by someone, I knew I had to follow and ensure your safety. That is when you fell into my arms, and I simply could not resist the pull to bring you to a safe haven." I paused to swallow a muffin bite.
"At the safety of the room though, I couldn't control myself, seeing you in that red dress, but now that I'm thinking about it, it must be the mate pull. And that mission, to say the least, was a failed mission because of my little fling."
I grinned, my tone playful, yet there was an underlying current of protectiveness.
Carolina rolled her eyes at my choice of words, but I couldn't help but let out a low laugh.
It wasn't long before the family doctor arrived, summoned by me after Carolina and I had finished our meal.
The physician greeted us both warmly, expressing his gratitude for being called to attend to the lady of the house.
With a kind and careful demeanor, the doctor proceeded to thoroughly examine Carolina. He took his time, asking thoughtful questions and carefully monitoring her responses and reactions.
After a few moments, the doctor nodded, a small smile playing at the corners of his lips.
"Well, my dear, it appears that your suspicions were correct," he announced, his voice tinged with a soothing, grandfatherly tone. "You are indeed with child." He stated.
Carolina's eyes widened ever so slightly, a mixture of surprise and wonder etching itself across her features. I, for my part, remained stoic, though the doctor could detect a glimmer of pride and protectiveness in my steady gaze.
"Now, now, there's no need to look so serious," the doctor chuckled, turning his attention back to Carolina. "This is a joyous occasion!" He paused, his expression turning slightly more contemplative.
"Of course, with any pregnancy, there are certain considerations we must keep in mind to ensure the health and wellbeing of both mother and child."
The doctor then proceeded to offer Carolina a series of gentle recommendations and instructions – advice on proper rest, dietary considerations, and the necessary medications that would aid in supporting the delicate condition.
His words were measured and unhurried, conveying a sense of expertise tempered by genuine compassion.
Once he had finished imparting his medical wisdom, the doctor gave Carolina's hand a reassuring squeeze, promising to return in the days to come to monitor her progress.
With a final nod to me, the physician took his leave, the sound of his footsteps fading down the corridor.
I saw Carolina upstairs to have a proper rest before I left the room, deciding it was time to pay a visit to her parents' mansion - the very place I had whisked her away from the previous night.
There were some crucial matters I needed to discuss with them, matters that would ensure the safety and security of my newfound mate and their unborn child.
As I approached the stately manor belonging to Alpha Dwayne, I was greeted by the sight of Natalia, she must have seen my vehicle arrive, so she emerged from the grand entryway.
A warm smile spread across her cunning face as she caught sight of me, and the remembrance of her maltreating my mate made me pass her without sparing her a glance.
My focus remained steadfast on the task at hand. With a measured nod to the guards, I entered the foyer, my gaze scanning the foyer until it landed upon the Granville family, gathered in a tense huddle.
"Ah, Avon, we were just discussing the events of last night," Dwayne began, his voice tinged with a mixture of trepidation and curiosity.
"You taking our dear Carolina away has been the talk of the pack since last night."
The alpha's eyes narrowed slightly as he regarded me. "Pray tell, what exactly transpired that led you to whisk her to your precious aboard?"
I cleared my throat, straightening my posture. "I'm afraid I have some rather significant news to share with you all," I responded, my tone calm yet authoritative. "Carolina is my destined mate."
The declaration was met with a collective gasp, none more pronounced than the shrill outcry from Natalia. "No, that cannot be!" she exclaimed, her eyes wide with a blend of shock and indignation.
"She is not even part of us, how could she possibly be your true mate?"
I raised a hand, silencing the young woman before she could continue her tirade. "I would remind you, Natalia, that Carolina is the only true-blooded daughter of the Granville line," I stated firmly.
"And as such, she is the rightful future queen. I will not tolerate any further mistreatment or disrespect towards her."
Felicia, Dwayne's wife, sneered at my words, her lips curling in a display of disdain. "The girl has already started stirring up trouble, because she believes she has some worth because of her connection to you?" she spat.
"How expected of a lowlife." She sneered.
My eyes narrowed, and I fixed Felicia with an unwavering gaze. "Leave us, both of you, before you regret your existence," I said, my voice low and dangerous pointing to the mother and daughter.
"And this better be the last time you address her poorly as this, because you will face my full wrath." I warned them as they dispersed.
Dwayne sighed heavily, his expression uneasy. "Now, now, let us all calm ourselves," he interjected, glancing nervously between his departing wife and me.
"There is more to discuss here, is there not?" He asked.
I nodded, my posture relaxing slightly. "Indeed, there is." I paused, letting the weight of my words settle over the room. "Carolina is with child – my child."
The revelation was met with a stunned silence, Verona's eyes widening in surprise. "That was... quite fast," Dwayne murmured, his brow furrowed in contemplation.
"Yes, well, I had the pleasure of encountering Carolina some time ago, in Los Angeles, before she arrived here," I explained, a hint of a smile tugging at the corners of my lips.
"The pull of the mating bond was simply too strong for either of us to resist it seemed."
Dwayne and Verona exchanged a loaded glance, and I could sense the unease that permeated the air. "Why have you not told her about her true maternity yet?" I pressed, my gaze shifting between the two.
Verona sighed, her shoulders sagging slightly. "We... we were unsure if she could handle the knowledge now, with everything happening, " she admitted, her voice tinged with regret.
"That she was born outside of wedlock, a child born without the sanctity of marriage? Come on, it better be after all these subsides." Dwayne injected.
I shook my head, a deep frown settling upon my features. "You must tell her the truth, now more than ever," I insisted. "She deserves to know the full story of her origins, especially with a child of her own on the way." I told them.
Dwayne opened his mouth, as if to protest, but I raised a hand, silencing him. "If you do not tell her, then I will," I declared, my tone leaving no room for argument.
"No that's not your place, King Dante," he growled, but I was already moving up.
I paid no mind to him as I made my way towards the door, my mind already racing with plans to ensure the safety and well-being of my newfound mate and their unborn child.
As I departed, I couldn't help but chuckle to myself, recognizing the irony of the situation.
The Granvilles, who had once held such sway and influence, now found themselves beholden to the very daughter they had sought to cast aside.
How the tables had turned, I mused, and I could only imagine the storm that was about to descend upon this household.