“It’s amazing. Kyle and I are so happy. I know it will happen for you soon too. I can’t wait until our pups are cousins and can play together while we sit around and gossip.”
Thenextday,Imade my way over to the pack clinic after my shift at the café ended at one thirty. I was relieved to see it was empty of other patients. I sat down in the waiting area until a nurse called my name and brought me to an examination room. She took my vitals and then asked me to sit and wait for the doctor.
A few minutes later, the former luna entered. My stomach dropped. Luke had grown up with Luna Sienna in the same packhouse, and she certainly knew by now that Luke was mated to Jasmine. Unaware of the gravity of the situation, she sat down in front of the computer and pulled up my file, turning toward me after she did. “So, Lucy what brings you in here?”
“I’m sorry, Dr. Luna. It’s very personal. Is there any other doctor I can see today?”
“Unfortunately, since it’s Sunday, only one of us is working today. But please be assured that anything you tell me will be kept completely confidential. There’s no reason to worry.”
I sighed, hesitating, wondering if I should come back another day. But then I finally decided to just come out with it, not wanting to wait any longer. “I think I’m pregnant.”
She blinked a few times, clearly taken aback by the news. “Oh, I see. Have you taken a pregnancy test yet?”
“No, I haven’t.”
“Okay, well, let’s just start there. I’ll be right back.” She walked out of the room and came back moments later with a cup, then led me to the bathroom so I could pee in it. Several minutes later, she came back and took me into another room.
After closing the door and gesturing to a chair to sit down, she looked at me and said, “We ran the test on your urine, and it came back as positive. I’d like to do an ultrasound on you to confirm. I’m going to exit the room. Please remove your pants and underwear, and here’s a blanket to cover yourself for modesty.” She handed me a sheet. “Just lie down on this table and put your feet into the stirrups.”
I did as she said and she reentered.
I lay back, and she said, “Now relax, this might be a little uncomfortable. I am going to insert a wand into your vagina. You might just feel a little pressure.” She did exactly as she warned and looked at a screen. I waited until she finally spoke. “Well, Miss Lucy, you’re measuring around ten weeks along for a human pregnancy. That means you’re about seven weeks along as a werewolf. Let me go ahead and print you a picture. I’ll want you to come back for a longer appointment when the full staff is here so we can run all the tests necessary. You’re already quite far along and will be in the second trimester next week since werewolf pregnancies develop much more quickly than human ones.”
I couldn’t speak, trying to digest all the information I was being given. The former luna continued. “I’m going to step out so you can get dressed and then let’s talk.”
I dressed, feeling like I was in a trance. I couldn’t believe what was just confirmed. I sat down in the same chair from earlier and the former luna knocked and came in.
She sat down and asked, “So, Lucy, can I answer any questions?”
“What are my options?”
“If I understand what you’re asking, your only option, if you continue to seek treatment at this clinic, is to carry this pregnancy to full term. You can certainly place the resulting baby for adoption if you so desire. We have programs through the temple that will assist you with this option. But abortions are banned in our pack. Either way, the Moon Goddess wanted you to have this pup. There’s a reason you were blessed with this pregnancy. May I ask, is Luke the father?”
“Yes,” I replied, feeling like the entire world was spinning around me, making me dizzy.
The former luna sighed, and continued, “I know the situation isn’t ideal, but Luke’s a good person. I have known him since he was born. I know he will do the right thing and support both you and your pup. Additionally, you have all the services of the pack. Pups are highly valued by our pack, and you will never need to worry. Werewolf pregnancies are considered sacred as they’re granted by Artemis herself.”
I nodded, trying to digest all the information I was being given. After a minute, the former luna asked, “Are there any other questions I can answer?”
I shook my head, in too much shock to ask anything else.
“If that’s the case, I am going to make an appointment for Tuesday when the full staff is in so that we can run all of the necessary tests. Please let Luke know. I know he will do the right thing and he’s welcome at the appointment, of course.”
She wrote out a card with an appointment time for Tuesday and handed me the ultrasound picture. As much as I had always imagined Luke being the father of my future pups, I had never imagined it to be like this. After the former luna stepped out, I began crying, unable to hold back the tears. But then I had an illicit thought. Maybe, if he knew I was pregnant, just maybe he’d come back to me, and we could be a family like I’d always imagined. If I explained the situation to Jasmine, even she’d certainly agree that Luke should be with the mother of his baby.
I pulled out my phone and wrote a text to Luke.Can we please talk? I have something important to tell you.
Chapter 43
Luke
AfterLucytextedme,I agreed to meet with her during her lunch break from work the next day. She asked me to meet her at the central park. When I arrived, I was surprised to see her already sitting on a bench. Punctuality was not something I often saw from Lucy. I felt uneasy about this, like something must be really serious.
My heart skipped a beat as I approached. As much as I tried to push Lucy from my mind, I still felt a fondness for her. Seeing her made all my feelings for her rush back to me. I quietly sat down next to her and smiled. “Hi, Lucy.”
“Hi, Luke.” She frowned back at me.
“What did you want to talk about?” I asked, looking into her blue eyes. I could see how sad they were. Lucy was someone who wore her heart on her sleeve.