Page 12 of Pregnant By the Alpha Wolf

“Did it work?” Rian asks hopefully, breaking into my thoughts from the doorway. “I heard the PCR finish.”

As much as I miss working with Forrest, I know he’s needed back at the pack. Rian is slowly growing on me as a lab partner. “I’m just bringing up the results now; if this hasn’t worked, then I don’t know where we’re going wr…yes!”

The Nicholson pack raw DNA sequencing fills the screen. Once added to the other pack data, we’ll have the most complete overview of shifter and Völva DNA that has ever been studied.

“Amazing,” Rian marvels. “Once I go through this and organize it for you, we’ll really be getting somewhere; it’s fascinating, really. I’ve got to hand it to you. I thought this was going to take much longer. I’ll go get Rowan.”

“Oh, I’m sure he’s busy. There’s no need to get him. I can tell him later.” I ramble, looking around my messy office.

Rian’s already half out the door but calls back, “He’s already here.”

Of course, he is.I groan slightly, lifting some of the books off the floor and trying to arrange them on the desk properly. I’ve only had the office for two weeks, and it already looks like a mess. That’s just how I work, though. The clinic is immaculate, but my thinking space is a hot mess.

Rowan walks into my office, looking even more handsome than usual in his buttoned shirt with rolled up sleeves and dark jeans. His eyes briefly rove over me before settling on the screen.

“It worked?” he asks, clearly impressed.

"It did," I answer, trying to ignore the warmth spreading through my body at his praise. "It's a big step forward." I glance at him from the corner of my eye as he leans casually against the doorframe, and taking in the sight of him makes my breath catch. "How long have you been here?"

He shrugs nonchalantly, "An hour or so. Some of the men sustained injuries during our drills this morning, they’re keeping Sara busy." His gaze lingers on me for a moment too long before moving back to the screen.

I try not to let his stare affect me too much; it only makes me more aware of how close he is as he steps further into the room. The air between us feels charged with somethingelectric, like static before a storm. Despite my awareness of his proximity, I try to continue our conversation.

He listens with genuine interest on his face as I explain how we finally got the machine working. "It's fascinating," he says thoughtfully, running a hand through his hair in frustration, as I’ve noticed he often does when deep in thought. "But there are still so many unanswered questions."

"I know," I agree softly, sitting down on my desk chair again and gesturing for him to take a seat if he wants. "That's why we need to cross reference this new information with the DNA we’ve already looked at. Also, these machines allow us to break down the previous data even more.”

He looks thoughtful, almost concerned. “And what will that show us?”

“To humans, the DNA would simply look wrong. But already, we’re isolating the shifter strands. As humans look for weaknesses in the DNA that indicate sickness, for example, and trial drugs, we’re able to test protection spells and healing magic. Vital in any future battle against the Order.”

Rowan smiles, and it lights up his whole damn face. He claps his hands together. “Fantastic work. I had no doubts, my dear.”

I try to accept the compliment with grace, but I feel the room growing hotter as the moment lingers; his eyes remain fixed on me, and my cheeks involuntarily flush. I hear someone clear their throat and suddenly remember Rian is still here, making my face burn even brighter.

“Willow has been working incredibly hard on this. We simply wouldn’t be where we are without her.” he says sincerely. “I will be organizing all the data for her, so we’ll know more soon.”

Rowan nods at his beta. “I’m sure she will appreciate the help. I hear working too hard is a problem for Willow, no?” I begin to reply, but he raises his hand. “Meet me at the front in ten minutes. Dress warmly—we are expecting more snow tonight.”

Ten minutes.“Oh no, thank you, but I really should wait for the rest of the sequencing to be done.”

“And how long will this take?” Rowan asks Rian, not me.

“For the rest of the night. I think the previous tests will load now,” he replies.

Rowan pauses at the door, “Rian will oversee the sequencing. You will meet me at the front.” With that, he’s gone.

I turn and glare at Rian. “You could have stood up for me; I need to be here for the PCR.”

He chuckles for a moment and holds up his hands, “No, you just want to be here for it. I will call if anything goes wrong. But if you think I’m going to go against my alpha to avoid you getting a break, you’re wrong.” He pauses and then adds, “You actually do work a bit too hard.”

He sounds like Kit and Forrest rolled into one. I mutter as I take off my lab coat and pull on my outdoor coat over my thin sweater. “Call me immediately if it starts making that weird noise again, okay?”

After he does a little mock salute, I roll my eyes at him and head toward the main doors. I can see Rowan standing outside, a very gentle snowfall fluttering around him, making his skin even more luminescent than usual against his dark features. Not sure he’s seen me yet, I watch him for a moment. He’s watching something seemingly high on the treeline, but evenwith my acute senses, I can’t tell what. After a moment, a bald eagle comes into view, gliding majestically across the valley.

How did you see that?I wonder. Sure, some shifters have slightly better vision than others. But he was tracking it with his eyes long before I saw it. I mentally add it to the growing list of extra abilities Rowan seems to have. I turn my attention away from the eagle to find those eyes now staring at me. Blushing yet again, I realize it must appear I’ve been watching him. I take a deep breath and step out into the cold air.

“S-sorry, have you been waiting long?” I ask, not mentioning the eagle.

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