Page 121 of Taken By the Pack

Dr. Avery gives us an amused once-over and turns back to Grace. “Congratulations.” Then, with a smirk, she adds, “Though I assume you’re not here for a casual check-up.”

Rowan is the one who clears his throat, shifting in his seat. “She’s fine, but… we can’t do the one-month abstinence thing.”

Dr. Avery outright laughs. “Didn’t think so.”

Grace groans again, covering her face with her hands. “Oh my god, why are you like this?”

The doctor waves her off. “You’re not the first bonded Omega to walk in here completely ignoring my post-heat recommendations, and you won’t be the last. But before we move forward, I’ll need to do some bloodwork again.” She pauses, then adds with a teasing smile, “We need to confirm there isn’t a little pup on the way first.”

Grace freezes. So do I.

Pregnant?

The thought slams into me out of nowhere. I glance at Ash and Rowan, but my mind is already spiraling into the idea of a kid—our kid. A little girl with Grace’s eyes or a boy with her stubborn streak. I can’t help it; my lips twitch into a small smile.

Grace, meanwhile, looks like she’s about to pass out. “O-Oh. Yeah. Sure. That’s—fine. We didn’t break the rules until… yesterday. Would I test positive so soon?”

Dr. Avery nods. “You can test positive within twelve hours of conception,” she says.

“Oh… okay,” Grace says in a small voice.

Dr. Avery doesn’t make a big deal of it, just nods and sets things up. The blood draw is quick, but Grace is still blushing furiously as she pulls her sleeve back down.

After a few minutes, Dr. Avery returns with the results. “No baby. Not this time, at least.”

Grace exhales sharply, and for a second, I can’t tell if she’s relieved or… disappointed. Maybe both.

Dr. Avery moves on like it’s nothing. “Now, about your heat. Are you still struggling with any residual symptoms? Because there’s a new trial drug I could prescribe?—”

“No.” Grace shakes her head immediately. “I mean, I have it handled.”

Ash squeezes her hand, silent support. Rowan nods, clearly in agreement.

Dr. Avery studies her for a moment. “All right. Just let me know if that changes. In the meantime, I’ll prescribe a new birth control. It’ll work with your Omega biology, but it’s important you take it consistently. Got it?”

Rowan snorts. “We’ll make sure she does.”

Dr. Avery hands over the prescription, but before we can leave, Rowan’s gaze snags on a brochure on the table. He picks it up, frowning. “Westbrook?”

“Oh, that. The mayor was in here the other day. He’s been talking to local businesses about selling, trying to push some big redevelopment plan.” Dr. Avery sighs.

Grace’s brow furrows. “Are you selling?”

Dr. Avery shakes her head. “No. I love my practice. But I won’t lie—others are considering it.”

A beat of silence.

Rowan tucks the brochure under his arm. “Good to know.”

We thank Dr. Avery, then head out.

As we step out of the clinic, the crisp afternoon air hits, cooling the warmth still lingering on Grace’s flushed cheeks. She’s tucked between Ash and me, Rowan a step ahead, flipping through the Westbrook brochure like it might suddenly reveal the town’s biggest secrets.

We don’t make it far before I hear a familiar voice.

“Jake?”

I turn toward it, my brow lifting in surprise. “Fiona?”

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