Page 48 of Rescued By Four Alphas
They file out of the office, and I hear them take positions just outside the doorway. Their voices murmur as they discuss something, but I can't make out the words.
Dr. Marianna moves to the examination area and begins pulling on latex gloves, her movements jerky and unnatural.
"Shall we proceed with the examination?" she asks, her voice still oddly formal.
I study her profile as she prepares the ultrasound equipment. "Dr. Marianna, are you angry with me?"
She freezes, her hands stilling on the machine. "What makes you ask that?"
"You're acting strange. You won't look at me. You seem nervous." I stand and move closer to her. "Is this about our conversation yesterday? About the other pregnant Omegas?"
"No," she says quickly, but I can hear the lie in her voice.
"I'm sorry," I say softly. "I shouldn't have spoken to you like that. I shouldn't have accused you of being involved in something sinister. Everything that's been happening has made me paranoid, and I took it out on you."
She finally looks at me, and I see tears gathering in her eyes. "I was hurt," she admits. "After everything we've been through together, everything I've done to help you, the fact that you could think I would betray you..."
"I know. I'm so sorry." I reach out to touch her arm, but she steps back. "I was scared and stressed, and I said terrible things. But I trust you. I wouldn't be here if I didn't."
She nods slowly, wiping at her eyes with the back of her hand. "I understand. These are frightening times for all of us, and your emotions are running high."
"So, we’re okay?" I ask.
"Yes," she says, but something in her tone doesn't convince me. "We're okay. Now, let's look at those babies, shall we?"
I settle onto the examination table, lifting my shirt to expose my growing belly. The familiar coolness of the ultrasound gel makes me shiver slightly as Dr. Marianna applies it to my skin.
"Actually," she says as she positions the wand, "while we're alone, would you like to know the genders? I know you wanted to wait for everyone to be present, but since they're not here..."
My heart jumps with excitement. "Really?"
"Yes. They're positioned perfectly today." She moves the wand around until four distinct forms appear on the screen. "Would you like to know?"
I bite my lip, torn between curiosity and guilt about learning this without my mates present. out. However, the desire to know ultimately prevails. "Yes. Tell me."
She points to the screen, indicating each baby in turn. "Baby A... a boy. Baby B... also a boy. Baby C... another boy." She pauses, a genuine smile crossing her face for the first time today. "And Baby D... a girl."
"Three boys and a girl?" Tears spring into my eyes instantly. "Oh my god. Three brothers and a sister."
"They're all healthy and developing beautifully," she confirms, and for a moment, she sounds like Dr. Marianna I know and trust.
I'm laughing and crying at the same time, my hands pressed protectively over my belly. "I can't believe it. They're going to be so excited."
But my initial joy fades. "Wait," I say, sitting up slightly. "You called this an emergency appointment. If the babies are healthy, what's the emergency?"
Dr. Marianna's expression shifts again, that strange nervousness returning. "Yes, well..."
"Dr. Marianna?" I prompt when she doesn't continue.
She's quiet for a long moment, seeming to struggle with something internally. When she finally speaks, her voice is barely above a whisper.
"The emergency wasn't medical, Dahlia."
A chill runs down my spine. "What do you mean?"
I'm starting to feel drowsy, which is strange. The excitement of learning about the babies should have me wide awake, butinstead, my eyelids feel heavy, and my thoughts are becoming fuzzy.
"I mean," Dr. Marianna says, her voice growing distant, "this was the only way we could get you out of that fortress you live in. They couldn't get to you inside."
