Page 18 of Lone Wolf
"There's crackers up above on the right, or you can make toast. Mom says that dry toast is good for an upset stomach."
The toast sounded like too much trouble, so I helped myself to a handful of crackers and pulled a stool over to sit next to her while she did her thing. "That's a lot of julienned carrots for one order," I commented. Maybe if I kept my brain distracted, my stomach wouldn't notice I was trying to trick it. I began to casually nibble one of the crackers.
"This is prep work," Rosabel informed me. "It's nice to have stuff prepared ahead, in case you get a rush."
I nodded and choked back a wave of nausea. "Does that happen often?" I tried another corner of the cracker, then cautiously brought my glass of orange juice up to my mouth.
No. Not a good idea at all. I checked the clock on the wall--still almost fifteen minutes to go.
"You feeling okay?" Rosabel asked, a frown creasing her forehead.
"Just a little queasy, is all. I'm going to go see medical and get their opinion," I assured her. "Don't worry, I don't plan to puke on your work."
"Better not. I'd hate to have to get all stabby with you," she joked back, but there was some real concern in her eyes. "When's your appointment?"
I checked again. "Ten minutes?" I glanced down at the pile of crackers in front of me and regretted taking a whole handful.
"Here." She went to the big refrigerator and got something out and sliced off a piece. "Try this. Suck on it and, if you can, chew it slowly."
Ginger. "Thank you," I said with more gratitude than I'd ever shown before for a piece of spicy root. "I don't know why I didn't think of that."
"Sick makes you stupid," she said, and I laughed. Blunt Rosabel. "You should probably head out now," she added. "You have five minutes left."
"Barrens!" I exclaimed and jumped up. My stomach took a moment to catch up and I leaned over the table, my head cradled in my hands while it righted itself.
Rosabel rubbed my back for me until I stood up. "I'll put your stuff away. Go, get better."
"Thanks." I kissed her cheek and she blushed. I wasn't normally touchy feely, even with pack, but she'd been good to me and I wanted to be nice back to her. "Let's hope it's nothing that keeps me off the work roster," I said as I headed for the door.
"I'll say a prayer for you," she called after me.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
“Pregnant?” I yelled. “There’s no way. Do the test again!”
“I already did it twice,” today’s medical shifter said dryly. “You are most definitely pregnant. It happens, you know. Do you remember what pack the shifter was from? We’ll have the Alpha call over to theirs. And management will have to know—this is going to affect your work.”
Oh, was it ever. But all the pieces fit. Except for the fact that I’d never in my life slept with a shifter.
I sat numbly on the table while he called up to the office. At least he spoke to my mother and not Peregrine, which took that burden off me. She’d have some time to get used to the idea before she got here.
And so would I.
I was having a pup. Or a hybrid, though that was supposed to be impossible. I put a hand on my belly, as if I that would tell me what the fuck was going on down there, but it just felt like belly to me.
“It can’t be.”
He frowned. “I can send you out to have an ultrasound, if you want.”
“But…” I put my hand to my mouth and stared blindly at the lights above us.
"Why don’t you get dressed now. I’m done," the medic said kindly. "There’s a clinic in the city, I’ll see if they can take you this afternoon. I gather it's a bit of a shock."
"You could say that." Dressed. Yes, that was a good idea. I'd rather have this conversation wearing clothes. For once, being naked made me feel more vulnerable, not less. There was no power in this nudity.
I'd just finished buttoning my shirt when someone knocked on the door. The medic looked to me for permission and I nodded.Before I lose my nerve.Not that there was any escaping this.
Ma came through the door—thankfully, alone. "Salem?"
