Chapter 76 ~The Alpha's Heir~
(Xander's POV)
I walked into the doctor’s office, still in disbelief over the news he had just delivered.
He brought out a pristine document from a compartment in his drawer and handed it over to me. “These are the test results.”
I collected it and read through it. It was written there in black and white. Fiona was three weeks pregnant.
A surge of excitement rose in my chest. “She really is pregnant."
“Yes,” the doctor nodded. “I noticed a few symptoms when she was admitted, but thought that I should confirm, and there it is. Although I discovered something else.”
I leaned forward in my chair, alarmed at the look on his face. “Okay, what is it?”
“I conducted some examination on Miss Hepburn and I discovered that she was unusually frail. She’s far weaker than expected for the child growing inside her.”
I shifted uncomfortably in my chair. “So what does this mean?”
He shrugged. “Well… it simply means that she has to be careful, eat healthily, exercise and try to stay strong. Also, I'd advise coming for regular check-ups in case of any new development. You know, early detection is always key.”
I nodded in understanding. “But how are they both doing?”
I was torn between my growing excitement and fear.
“To be honest with you, Mr Grayson, not so good. I've really never seen any case like this before in my career. It almost seems like the unborn child is sucking up her energy… but like I said, it's nothing to worry about. Just keep coming so I can closely monitor them.”
As I left the doctor's office to go share the news with Fiona, I wondered how she'd take it. Would she be happy? Sad? Troubled?
I just couldn't predict her reaction, heck… I couldn't decipher what I was feeling either. All I knew was that I wanted Fiona to be okay. And our unborn child, too.
When I walked into her ward, I saw her reading a novel. She looked beautiful, with her hair flowing over her shoulders, her eyes were so focused on the pages,her lips were slightly pouted, like a child’s. She seemed… at peace.
I looked down at her belly, wondering if I'd see a slight swell, something that was proof of the life growing within her. But of course, there wasn't. She was just three weeks gone.
She looked up from the book, a small smile curved her lips when her eyes met mine. “Hey, you're back.”
I sat down by her bed and placed a light peck on her lips. “Yes, I came a little while earlier, but something held me up.”
Her eyebrows scrunched softly. “Oh… what held you up?”
“The doctor.” I took a deep breath, trying to find the best way to deliver the news to her. “He said you're pregnant.”
Her eyes searched mine. It was like she was deciding whether or not I was joking.
But aside from that, she seemed calm.
Too calm.
“We're going to have a baby.” I smiled.
Her lips parted slightly. I guess she was still processing. “Is this true?” she said finally.
I nodded.
The next words she said were not what I was expecting to hear.
“I need to see Dr. Mel. Now.”
–-----------
Dr Mel sat on the only chair in the room. She had examined Fiona and confirmed the pregnancy.
And she explained that Fiona was too weak to carry the child.
“Why?” Dr Mel asked, looking worried. “Do you have any idea?”
Fiona looked at me first before she responded to Mel. “It's a long story. But I'm now wolfless. I think that's why.”
Dr. Mel's mouth formed a small ‘o’. “That's definitely why. And the child you're carrying is very likely too powerful for your human form.”
“Will everything be okay?”
Dr Mel held onto Fiona's hands in a tight clasp. “Yes. Fate decides everything. Not you, not me. If it's meant to be, it will surely be.”
Her words struck something in my chest. I nodded.
A single tear fell from Fiona’s eyes. She hugged Mel for what felt like hours but was actually a few seconds. “Thank you, Mel. Truly.”
An idea struck me. “Mel?”
She looked at me. “Yes?”
“I just had an idea. Since you left Ashridge, you've been rogue. Why don't you come over to my pack, Silvereign? We just rebuilt it. You can be the pack doctor.”
Fiona turned to Dr. Mel.
She looked confused for a while, but then smiled. “Of course. It'll be my pleasure. At least, I'll get to watch Fiona… or should I say Luna Fiona from there.”
We all laughed, but Fiona's came out strained, and I knew why.
–-----
Fiona and I walked towards my car. We were finally going home. To Silvereign.
She sat down in the passenger seat as I slid into the driver's seat.
The ride was so quiet that I thought she was sleeping, but when I turned to look at her, she wasn't. She was looking out the window… a forlorn look in her eyes.
I held her hand in my left hand. “You look lost.”
“I was thinking.” She smiled softly. “... about everything.”
“Shall we tell the elders and the council about the child?” I asked.
“No,” she answered firmly. “Not yet. I'm still processing it all.”
I nodded in understanding. It was her choice, really.
“You know, they're going to notice it.”
I turned to her. “Notice what?”
“That I'm scentless. They'll discover I have no wolf.”
“Don't worry about that. Seriously. You have a life growing inside you. That is what matters.”
Even though I wasn't looking at her, I knew that she nodded.
I finally pulled up to the private street. I honked and the new guard, Sid, opened the gates.
I drove into the new Silvereign.
“Wow.” Fiona was breathless. “This is beautiful.”
I nodded. It was.
The engineers had outdone themselves this time.
The mansions were so opulent, the road so sleek. The Ixora and hibiscus flowers were blooming, their scents filled the air.
I saw the pups running around, eating fruits fallen to the ground and playing with the water fountain as the she-wolves watched over them.
“It is beautiful.”
“Alpha Xander!” one of them spotted my car, and they all screamed and giggled, trying to outrun the speed of my car.
Fiona and I laughed freely. For the first time in a long time.
Finally, we reached the main house.
I stepped out of the car to open Fiona's door.
As she came out, a white paper fell from somewhere on her seat to the ground.
She picked it and read. Dread etched across her features. “What is this, Xander?”
She handed the paper over to me, and I read through it.
“Every Alpha bleeds, Xander. The only difference is how loudly they scream when it happens.”
I can't wait to hear what you sound like.”
Again?
I stared at the paper for so long. An uneasy feeling was building up in my chest.
“Who wants you dead?” Fiona asked, suddenly pale.
I stared from her to the paper, speechless.
“Answer me!”