Page 38 of The Alpha's Sin
I just wish she could see herself the way I see her—so fucking beautiful I can’t stop looking at her.
Instead, she’s upset—embarrassed—and I can’t seem to convince her not to be ashamed. The worst part is, I don’t know how much comfort I can really offer. What if Doctor Elizabeth says she needs to be knotted? How can I help her then? I can’t explain that I’m her brother-in-law now that I’ve been pretending to be her husband all this time. And what kind of man doesn’t want to make love to his wife? That’s how the world sees us—as husband and wife. But the truth is, I can’t be a real husband to her. Not without breaking the Unbreakable Laws.
It just about kills me every time I have to remind Poppy of those Laws. When I have to deny her what she needs. How could I tell her that I want her so badly I ache with it every night we sleep side by side? That I can’t stop thinking about knotting her, breeding her—making her mine forever? My Wolf growls about it constantly. Claim her. Make her ours. Breed her. Knot her. Over and over until the words are a drumbeat in my skull.
But I can’t.
So instead, I drive. One hand on the wheel, the other resting lightly on her thigh, just to let her know I’m here, that she’s not alone. She doesn’t flinch from my touch—if anything, she leans into it—and the tiny gesture makes my chest tighten even more. God, I just want to be able to help her! To take away her pain and anxiety and make her feel safe and loved and protected.
The ride to the doctor’s office feels both too long and too short. Before I know it, the glowing green cross of the Were Clinic sign comes into view. I turn into the lot, gravel crunching under my tires, and park the truck.
I glance over at Poppy. She’s nibbling her lower lip, looking small and uncertain.
“Come on, kitten,” I murmur, reaching over to squeeze her hand. “Let’s get some answers.”
I just pray Doctor Elizabeth can tell us what’s happening to her—and what we can do about it. Because if her only solution is breeding and knotting Poppy, I don’t know what the hell I’m going to do.
26
POPPY
Dr. Elizabeth comes into the exam room looking concerned, her brow creased.
“What seems to be the problem? It sounded urgent on the phone.”
My cheeks flame hot as coals. I can’t believe I have to admit this out loud. I duck my head, mumbling,
“My milk seems to have…come in early.”
The doctor’s eyes soften. She steps closer.
“All right, let me see.”
Her hands are cool and gentle as she examines me. I wince at the tug of her fingertips, but she only smiles when she sees the creamy white liquid beading at the tips of my nipples.
“Don’t look so anxious! You’re worried for nothing—this is all normal with a Were pregnancy.”
“But this early?” I blurt, mortified. “Aren’t I still in my first trimester? I’m not even showing yet.”
She nods slowly.
“Well, it’s a little unusual, but not unheard of. Sometimes this happens. The important thing is to empty your breasts every night.”
I blink at her, stunned.
“Empty them…every night?”
“Yes,” she says briskly. “You can use a breast pump, but I don’t recommend it. Pumps can cause soreness, and what you need is comfort as well as release.”
Her gaze slides to Logan, and my whole body tenses. Oh please tell me she’s not going to say what I think she’s going to say!
But my pleas fall on deaf ears—she says it.
“This is where you come in,” she tells him. “Poppy needs an Alpha’s touch. You need to help drain her breasts every night.”
His deep voice is quiet but steady.
“By sucking them?”
