Page 43 of The Alpha's Rejected Arranged Mate

“All right.” Christine lowered the stethoscope and wrote something in her notebook. “Everything looks good. You’re holding steady, although I don’t like your blood pressure being that high. It’s to be expected with the current strain on your body, though.”

Elin nodded. “But I don’t have to be worried about a heart attack?”

Christine squeezed her hand. “No. From what you’ve told me, your father had more than a few lifestyle choices that could have brought it on.”

Elin nodded again. Christine had grilled her all about her family’s health history. She hadn’t known that taking drugs like meth could cause heart problems. Her father, unfortunately, had been a faithful user of the drug. She’d been so young she hadn’t fully understood it or his mood swings, but she’d learned a lot through her mother’s journals.

“So, all I have to be worried about is Dukiel,” Elin murmured.

Christine winced. “Finn will get him.”

Elin nodded a third time. It seemed like every time they thought they were getting close, something else popped out of the woodwork to complicate the issue. But that wasn’t for her to worry about, not right now, at least. Finn told her he’d take care of Dukiel. It was her job to take care of herself. Rosemary and Seth had stepped up to fill the role of Luna she was leaving empty. They were good people.

“Am I healthy enough to implant a talisman into my baby?” Elin asked.

Another wince answered her. So that was a no.

“I don’t like the risk factor,” Christine said slowly. “And the extra protections seem to be working.”

“I’m still having nightmares about Dukiel, even if he’s not speaking directly to me,” Elin pointed out.

Christine looked unsettled but smiled brightly. “Ah, but Finn hasn’t seen anything but the barest wisps around you. Which means that you and your baby are safe.”

“I’ll try not to overthink things and put myself in a tizzy with worry,” Elin answered, sighing. It was a difficult thing to do, keeping her mind occupied so she didn’t end up spiraling into anxiety. This whole situation showed her just how few coping mechanisms she actually had for taking care of herself. Normally, she’d just find something, her hands busy one way or another.

What she wanted most was for Finn to be here with her. It was hard to be worried when he was nearby.

“We can look at some anti-anxiety medications,” Christine suggested.

“Maybe,” Elin said, unconvinced. “But you have so much else to do. You can’t be here, hovering over me all the time.”

“Making the occasional house call isn’t hovering,” Christine said sharply. She put her hands on her hips. “Just because you’re used to being dismissed and having to swallow your feelings doesn’t mean it’s not real, Elin. You’re allowed to get help, which includes medical help.”

Elin blinked in surprise. She hadn’t thought she was denying herself help. “Thank you. Really. I know that you’re busy, though. If you’ll just leave me with a website or something for possible anti-anxiety meds, I’ll read through it while you’re working with Finn. Taking down Dukiel is the top priority.”

Christine squinted at her but nodded once. She gave Elin the information and then told her to call if she needed anything. When she left, Elin heard her speak with someone on the lower floor. Was it Rosemary? Or was one of the other she-wolves staying at the house ready to run to Elin’s aid if need be?

It was an uncomfortable feeling. As much as Elin wished she had more people to turn to, having someone she didn’t know waiting on her hand and foot was… well, it made her feel a bit childish. Especially when she felt fine. A little hungry, a bit tired, but otherwise fine.

To distract herself, she called Mica on a video call. Mica answered quickly. She held little Denzel in her arms.

“Elin, I was just thinking about calling you,” Mica said brightly. “How’s it going?”

Elin shook her head. She didn’t want to answer that. “I’m calling about Tess. Has she had the baby yet?”

Mica turned the phone to point toward Tess. She lay on a sofa, a handful of popcorn in one hand. Her shirt had ridden up, revealing her baby bump. It was huge! Elin touched her own bump, trying to imagine how much a bump that big would weigh.

“I had false labor last night,” Tess said grumpily. “It’s miserable! And if it was that painful, then… ugh!” She rolled to a sitting position. “What about you? I can’t imagine how much more miserable your pregnancy is. No, I’m lying. I’m so jealous you won't have to go through a full nine months!”

Elin laughed unexpectedly. She was so used to people tiptoeing around her. It was a relief to have Tess actually present her situation as enviable.

“Should I admit I haven’t had any morning sickness, then?” Elin teased. “And while I’m not sleeping so well, it’s really not as painful as I thought it would be. Though I have peed myself more times than I care to admit.”

“Oooh, I remember pregnancy bladder,” Mica said, nodding in sympathy.

Tess wrinkled her nose. “How much longer do you have? Two weeks? Three? You’ll have your baby before I have mine!”

“We estimate somewhere between three and five weeks,” Elin answered. “I’m going to be in diapers before this is over.”

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