Page 28 of Pregnant By the Alpha Wolf

Chapter 15 - Willow

The letters on the page began to blur slightly, and I rub my eyes. The tiny ancient text is hard enough to read at the best of times. Running on so little sleep, and with my hormones going wild, I know I can’t keep going tonight.

My stomach rolls and I realize I haven’t eaten all afternoon. Grabbing my empty mug, I walk down to the cafeteria. The lab is half shrouded in darkness as people trickle out into the evening, and I try not to let the shadows disturb me too much. Truth be told, I prefer it when Rowan or Griffen is around, but I know they needed to help get the new security cameras in place quickly. There’s no point if the traitor knows they’re doing it.

The lab has been relatively quiet since the data and slides were stolen. I’ve done my best to track the data personally and move everything to hard copies where possible. That hasn’t gone down well with everyone. Rian, in particular, has complained about the extra paperwork and security issues. He seems to take issue with Griffen's presence, saying that he’s a beta, too, and should be enough.

I suspect there are bigger issues there, but Griffen says Rian is just trying to assert his position, having inherited it. He’s a strong young wolf who just wants to prove himself.

As I pass, I look toward his station and note the monitor is still on, but he’s not at his desk. Some of the newer technicians are heading for the door and calling out to say goodbye. I wave and carry on down the corridor. Despite my concerns over the missing data, the lab itself is thriving. Our close links with Sara and the clinic have already proved fruitful, with one of our research projects yielding a new possible treatment for thesudden onset of weakness in some of the elders, which looks promising.

And I like the people here. I still miss Forrest and the lunas, who have gone out of their way to build friendships with me, but this place is starting to feel like…home. I touch my stomach gently, imagining what home might look like.

I have come close to telling Rowan my secret a couple of times, but something always stops me. I was determined to tell him after he got back from the alphas’ meeting, but he seemed so preoccupied. Deep down, I know I’m just being a coward, afraid of what he’ll say. We haven’t spoken about the future; he talks about the bond, and I feel his desire, but we haven’t talked about our feelings or what the future would look like. We certainly haven’t talked about children.

I sigh as I wait for the water to boil, adding extra chocolate to my cup. As I pour the water in, the sweet smell and warmth soothes my soul and settles my nerves. I know I can’t keep this secret much longer. Looking down, I can see my breasts have already filled out considerably. I’m naturally curvy, and I’m sure it won’t be long before the changes to my body become undeniable—especially to Rowan, I think, blushing.

I walk back to my office, take a sip of the hot chocolate, and let out a contented moan. It's rich and smooth, just how I like it. I settle on the couch with my laptop and take out my latest results from the clinic. Comparing them to Kenzie's recent pregnancy makes me feel better, knowing that she was okay, too. But looking at my own results, there are some startling differences appearing—mutations in my DNA that weren't there before. Mutations that look a lot like Rowan’s, which is not surprising, but I don’t know what they mean yet.

Suddenly aware of the silence all around me, I check my phone. Rowan and the others should be finished soon, and he’s going to pick me up. With all the additional security here, it really is the safest place in town, but I can’t shake the uneasy feeling that’s starting to build.

I hear footsteps coming from the hallway, but the light sensors don’t come on, which is strange. I put my laptop down and move to the corridor. Rian is back at his workstation, his face illuminated by the screen. I look around and realize we must be the only people here until another man steps into view. I try to pick up on his scent, and it appears he’s human; bizarrely, though, I can’t scent Rian even though he’s right there. It’s like he doesn’t exist.

His scent is masked. It was Rian on the trail.

I look at my phone again and notice there’s no signal—none. Rian and the man appear to be arguing. My shifter hearing is enhanced, but I can only make out a few words.

“I’m not ready yet,” comes Rian’s voice.

“You’ll have to be,” the other man says. “If you want this, it’s now, or we’ll take you all out.”

What have you done, Rian?

Why would they be here now? Even if Rian is mixed up with the hunters, bringing them here to the lab is crazy. They’ll get caught. I just need to keep my head down and wait for Rowan and the others. There are only two of them, and surely Rian won’t fight against his pack? This has to be some kind of mistake.

I can hear my heart racing as I listen to them move around the lab. They seem to be collecting the boxes of paperwork. I glance at my phone again; there is still no signal.They must be jamming the network.I hear a door opening in the distance and then the scent of more humans; I can’t see how many, but this can’t be good.

I look at my laptop on the couch, full of data about my pregnancy—and all the Völva pregnancies. I can’t let anyone see it. Moving quickly, I crawl to it along the floor, staying low to avoid the window. I quickly connect the USB stick on my keychain and start a transfer, deleting files as soon as they’ve uploaded. I feel sick as I listen to the men moving around outside, praying they don’t come in here, but I know it’s only a matter of time, surely.

The transfer is almost complete; I try to steady my breathing. I know I need to get out of here, but the closest exit is through the main lab, which would mean risking getting seen.

I don’t even have time to think, because the door suddenly flies open, and I’m face-to-face with one of the hunters. He’s dressed in the same tactical gear I’ve seen them wear before, his eyes reflecting the same menacing glare filled with hate as he raises a gun in my direction.

I don’t have time to react.

But then, Rian bursts in, pushing the hunter aside. “Don’t shoot her,” he shouts, his voice a growl. “She’s half-human.” He looks at me, his eyes scanning me up and down. “She can help us.”

“What the hell are you t-talking about, Rian?” I stammer, my heart racing. The gun is still pointed straight at me, but the hunter hesitates for a moment before lowering it slightly.

Rian ignores my question and takes a step forward. He's dressed similarly to the others. "She's not one of them," he says. "Not really. She has no wolf at all. And we’ll need more like her ifI’m going to rebuild the pack." His voice is low and intense, as if trying to convince himself more than anyone else in the room.

“Rebuild?” I say, not hiding the shock in my voice. “What have you done? Where’s Rowan?”

Rian glares down at me, “Don’t, Willow. Just shut the fuck up.” Then, turning to the hunter, he adds, “She’s the top scientist here; she’ll be useful.”

The blood rushes in my ears. Not for the first time, I wish I could shift and fight properly. Not that I could anyway, with the pregnancy…

The thought of my baby and the reality of what Rian’s betrayal means slams into me. What it means for Rowan. I can’t let this happen.

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