Page 220 of Claimed By the Rival Alpha
Shock pierced me like a lightning bolt. I couldn’t bring myself to look at my mate. Night had said that he wanted a big family, but I probably wouldn’t be able to give my baby even one sibling. Night had done so much for me, but I couldn’t even do that much for him.
“Um, so, what happens now?” I whispered.
“Well, I’ll need to see you every two weeks for a checkup. I’ll want to monitor both your and your baby’s health. In the meantime, you need to do what you can to ensure you and the baby are as healthy as possible. Listen to your body, especially when it’s telling you to rest.”
I was certain his words weren’t meant to sound accusatory, but they hit me like a blow. All the times I’d pushed back when Night asked me to take it easy, the times I’d insisted on getting out to look around at the pack—even this morning when I insisted I had to be there while he went to the council and the bank. I hadn’t even realized I was risking our baby’s life. I could’ve just sent Tavi and saved myself some strain.
The doctor pressed some buttons. The machine started to make a new sound, and it took me a minute to realize it was printing off the image like a Polaroid camera.
“Miscarriages can happen at any time without warning. But the best thing you can do to prevent one is to stay away from smoking and alcohol. Don’t do any heavy lifting, avoid stress, and spend as little time on your feet as you can. You will experience cravings. It’s perfectly fine to indulge, but keep your diet healthy overall.”
“Okay,” I murmured.
“I’ve got to put this thing back where I found it.” He turned off the machine and handed me the picture. “Don’t hesitate to see me if you have questions or concerns, even if it’s before the next appointment.”
Night and I thanked him, promising we would come by if necessary. Then Dr. Stan got up to wheel the ultrasound away. When we were alone, Night grabbed some tissues to help me wipe off the gel.
“How are you doing?” he asked.
“I’m okay.” After a second, I added, “Night, let’s go home.”
“Of course.”
When we arrived home, I immediately went to our bathroom to take a long hot shower. I wanted a few minutes to myself. I leaned against the shower wall as the water streamed over me.
The diagnosis Dr. Stan had given me had blindsided me. If I had known more about my mother, I might have known about my low egg count and only having one ovary. I could have warned Night he was getting involved with a woman who could only bear him one child.
If he’d known ahead of time, he probably would have been with someone better. Someone stronger.
My wolf whined, and I shivered. I was a lot better at reading her at this point—she was telling me not to think that way, reminding me that Night and I were soulmates, destined to be together. But that didn’t stop me from feeling bitter. I wished I’d come with a warning label.
When I got out of the shower, Night was waiting for me. He stood in the doorway, leaning against the doorframe. His deep emerald eyes searched my face as I wrapped a towel around me.
“You wanna talk?” he asked, his deep voice gentle.
I hesitated, standing on the bathmat like a drenched puppy. “I promise to do everything I can to deliver a healthy baby,” I blurted.
He stepped towards me and took me in his arms. “I know you will, baby. I’m not worried about that at all.” He gave me a gentle smile, but for some reason, I couldn’t tell if it was genuine or not. Maybe it was only because my mind was still reeling from the information Dr. Stan had given us, but I suddenly felt very insecure.
“Night, how doyoufeel about what the doctor said? About me only having one baby?”
He took my face in his hands. “Bryn, I don’t care if you’re able to have one child, zero, or a hundred. You’re my soulmate. I love you no matter what happens in the future.”
Tears pricked my eyes. “But you said you wanted a lot of kids, and I just can’t?—”
He cut me off with a sweet, gentle kiss. “If all we have is one child, that only makes our pup all the more special,” he murmured. “I promise you I will protect you both to my last breath. Nothing and no one will hurt either of you.”
I let out a breath and kissed him again, wrapping my arms around his neck and pulling him close. It was a relief to hear that he was okay with us only having one child, but I wondered if my guilt would ever go away.
“I’m getting you all damp.” I sniffled.
He chuckled. “Let’s fix that. I’ll help you dry off.”
He pulled away to grab more towels, then he tugged me into the bedroom and nudged me onto the bed. With one of the towels, he started to dry my hair. He was as gentle as he could be, but the vigorous motion of him running the towel back and forth over my hair—just the way I’d seen him do after he had taken a shower—wasn’t exactly sensual. When he pulled the towel away, he suppressed a laugh, but a small snort escaped.
I looked at myself in the mirror, saw the incredible bedhead he’d given me, and burst out laughing.
“Sorry,” he said. “I’ll do better down here.”
