Page 26 of Luna

Black spots filled my vision and tears filled my eyes. I couldn’t keep my emotions bottled up inside me.

“I’m alone and I’m going to have a baby and…” I sucked in a shallow breath but I couldn’t let it out, and the black spots bloomed bigger in my vision.

Doctor Lim patted my back and helped me lean forward between my knees. “It’s okay. Nurse! Luna, focus on your breathing.”

A nurse opened the door, a concerned tone in her voice. “Is everything okay?”

“Yes. Can you bring us some water?”

“Tea?” I whispered, turning my head to the side so I could see the nurse. I had to stop panicking like this. I couldn’t live my life two seconds away from having a breakdown. “Mint?”

The nurse looked at me, and sympathy flashed over her face. “Of course. I’ll be right back.”

Dr. Lim rubbed small circles on my back. Her soft medicinal scent washed over me. It wasn’t the same as a family member, but it was nice all the same.

“You can give the baby up for adoption.”

“No,” I snapped. “Never.”

“Okay.” Dr. Lim nodded. “You have time to decide what you want. My priority is making sure you and the baby are as healthy as can be.”

I let out another breath, fiddling with the bit of dirt under my fingernails. “I’m trying.”

“I know.” Dr. Lim pulled out a pad. “I’m going to make sure you have the right prenatal vitamins. I’m also ordering some bloodwork.”

The nurse came back with an insulated paper cup of tea. I took a deep breath of the fresh mint aroma, then sipped it while they took some blood, and talked to me about making sure I napped as much as I wanted and took care of myself.

I would have to get better at controlling my feelings. I had hated being sensitive my entire life, but this was another level.

I went home and slept fitfully.

The next few days passed in a blur filled with nausea. At work, when I kept hiding away from even the regular staff, Raina sent me home, worried about me..

The world was too loud, too much to bear. I tried to eat something, but couldn’t get past the smell: everything smelled weird.

I’d bought the ingredients for spaghetti sauce, so I could try and make my own.

While I chopped onions, I thought about calling Quinn. His soft scent had soothed me in a crowded Vegas hotel. His touch had made me feel safe. Dante made me feel wanted, needed. The look of intensity on the illusionist’s face before he thrust inside me haunted my dreams.

Colton’s no-nonsense growl made me wet and oddly comforted.

I thought Halos would like them.

I shook my head, opening the package of ground beef. The scent of raw meat assaulted my nose, and I stifled a gag, stepping away from the counter.

They weren’t my pack, no matter what I wanted.

I covered my nose and attempted to pick up the ground beef to drop it into the frying pan with the onions and garlic. The smell of uncooked meat was too much. I gagged and stepped away from the offending protein.

I moved to the other side of the kitchen, dumping cans of sauce into the slow cooker. I added basil, oregano, and a tablespoon of butter to the tomato sauce like Halos had told me, stirring the onions and garlic in the frying pan.

I had to add the meat now, to cook it along with the chopped onion and garlic. After that it was time to add a can of tomato sauce and let it simmer, infusing it with flavor.

I glared at the meat on the counter. If I concentrated hard, I could smell it from here.

My phone pinged, and I snatched it up.

It was Halos, asking me how my day was and letting me know their fresh shipment of milkweed had come in.

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