chapter 157
Tori's POV:
Lucas didn't hesitate. In one fluid motion, he was out of bed, pulling on clothes with practiced speed. "We're going to the medical center. Now."
"Lucas, it's four in the morning—"
"I don't care." His voice held that Alpha command that made my wolf instinctively submit.
He was already helping me into a soft dress, his hands gentle despite the urgency in his movements. "Don't worry. Matthew will meet us there."
The drive to Moontouch Medical Center was a blur of streetlights and Lucas's hand gripping mine.
Matthew was waiting at the VIP entrance when we arrived, his hair disheveled and his eyes heavy with interrupted sleep.
He crossed his arms, leaning against the doorframe with a raised eyebrow.
"This better be good, Lucas. You know how I feel about being woken up at four in the morning."
"Tori's in pain," Lucas said tersely, his arm tightening around my waist. "Abdominal cramping. It started suddenly."
Matthew's demeanor shifted instantly, the teasing edge vanishing. "How long ago?"
"About twenty minutes," I managed, another dull ache making me wince.
"Any bleeding?" Matthew was already moving, leading us down the hallway toward the private exam rooms.
"No," Lucas answered when I hesitated. "Just pain."
"Severity? One to ten."
"Five?" I offered. "Maybe six when it spikes."
Matthew nodded, gesturing us into exam room three. "Alright. Let's figure out what's going on."
The examination was thorough but gentle. Matthew asked questions about the pain, when it started, how severe it was. Lucas stood at my side the entire time, his jaw tight with worry.
Finally, Matthew sat back, his expression a mixture of exasperation and amusement.
"Well, I found your problem."
"What is it?" Lucas demanded, his hand tightening on mine.
Matthew fixed Lucas with a pointed look. "When was the last time you two... took a break?"
Lucas blinked. "What?"
"From sexual activity," Matthew clarified bluntly. "Because from what I'm seeing, Tori's body is showing signs of strain. Omegas are more delicate than Alphas, Lucas. Their bodies need recovery time, especially when dealing with an Alpha of your... intensity."
Heat flooded my face as understanding dawned. Lucas looked stunned, then guilty.
"How long?" Matthew pressed.
"We haven't really..." Lucas cleared his throat. "Since the mate bond solidified, we've been... frequent."
"Daily?" Matthew's eyebrow arched. "Multiple times daily?"
The silence was answer enough.
Matthew sighed, running a hand through his hair.
"Lucas, you need to exercise some restraint. I know the mate bond is strong, especially in the early stages, but Tori's body needs time to recover between... sessions."
He turned to me with a gentler expression. "The cramping should ease with rest. I'll prescribe some supplements to help with recovery."
"That's it?" I asked, relief flooding through me. "Just... rest?"
"Well, that and—" Matthew paused, his eyes widening as he looked at something on the ultrasound screen he'd been using to check for internal damage. "Oh."
"Oh?" Lucas's voice sharpened. "Oh, what?"
Matthew's expression shifted to something between shock and delight. "Congratulations. You're pregnant, Tori. About ten weeks along."
The world tilted.
"Pregnant," Lucas repeated, his voice barely above a whisper.
"Which means," Matthew continued, his tone turning stern as he focused on Lucas, "you definitely need to be more careful. The first trimester is delicate, and with your Alpha strength..."
He shook his head. "Moderation, Lucas. For both their sakes."
Lucas nodded slowly, his hand still resting protectively on my stomach. "I understand." His voice was rough with emotion. "I'll be more careful. I promise."
"Good." Matthew's expression softened slightly. "I'm not saying you have to be celibate—the mate bond makes that nearly impossible anyway. Just... gentler. "
He turned to me with a reassuring smile. "Your body will tell you when it's too much. Listen to it."
"I will," I managed, still trying to process everything.
Heat flooded my face, and I desperately wished the exam table would just swallow me whole. Having Matthew—Lucas's best friend and a doctor I respected—discuss my sex life in such clinical detail was mortifying beyond words.
Matthew printed out an ultrasound image and handed it to Lucas, who took it with trembling hands.
"The fetus is healthy and developing normally. Strong heartbeat, good positioning." He glanced between us. "You're both young and healthy. There's no reason this pregnancy shouldn't go smoothly, as long as you follow my instructions."
Lucas carefully lifted me from the exam table, cradling me against his chest as if I were made of glass.
As he settled me onto the hospital bed, his touch was impossibly gentle.
"Do you..." I hesitated, suddenly uncertain. "Do you want this baby? We never talked about children, never planned—"
"Tori." Lucas sat on the edge of the bed, both hands now framing my face. "I want everything with you. A home, a family, a lifetime of moments just like this. This baby—our baby—is a gift I never knew I needed."
His thumb brushed away a tear I hadn't realized had fallen. "Are you happy about it?"
"Terrified," I admitted with a watery laugh. "But yes. So happy it doesn't feel real."
"It's real." He kissed me again, slower this time, reverent. "We're going to be parents."
"You're going to be a father," I whispered against his lips, testing the words.
The door opened, cutting off his words. A nurse bustled in, her professional smile firmly in place. "Sorry to interrupt, but I need to start your IV, Ms Sullivan."
The nurse worked efficiently, finding a vein in my arm and securing the needle with practiced ease.
Lucas watched intently, his hand tightening on mine whenever I flinched.
"All done," the nurse announced cheerfully. "Dr. Howard prescribed some supplements and hydration. You should feel better in a few hours."
After the nurse left, Lucas shifted to sit more comfortably on the bed beside me, one hand still resting protectively on my stomach. "Does it still hurt?"
"Just a dull ache now. The IV is helping." I yawned, suddenly exhausted. "Matthew said it was normal. Just need to rest."
"Then rest." He leaned down, pressing a kiss to my temple. "I'll be right here."
"Lucas..."
"Shh." His fingers traced gentle circles on my stomach, the motion soothing. "Sleep, mìngyùn bànlǚ. I've got you. Both of you."
The combination of his warmth, the medication, and the emotional exhaustion of the morning pulled me under.
---
I woke to the sound of familiar voices—Elizabeth's warm tones mixing with Lucas's deeper rumble.
Blinking my eyes open, I found myself still in the hospital bed, but the room was now filled with soft morning light.
"—absolutely ridiculous, Lucas," Elizabeth was saying, though her tone was more amused than angry. "You didn't know she was pregnant and you still—"
She cut herself off as she noticed I was awake, her expression transforming into pure delight. "Tori! Oh, my dear, congratulations!"