Chapter 78

Alpha Garrett had decided to stay until the executions were completed. He wanted to make sure his pack members received the justice they so deserved. He arranged for young Alek's parents to come retrieve him. That was a very happy reunion, but Alek will need a lot of help getting over his trauma. Shawna had gained the affection of the Protector Michael, who worked for Alpha James. They seemed to be spending time together, whenever Michael was not working. Shawna and Michael had approached Alpha Garrett, asking for permission for Shawna to stay with Michael, and return to his pack. Alpha James was retired from the Idaho Falls pack, and that is where the Protector was required to stay for as long as he was assigned to be a Protector for the Councilman.

It was unknown if Michael and Shawna were fated mates, they would have to run at a Full Moon Run to find out. It didn't really matter to them though, they decided to take each other as chosen mates regardless. While Shawna thought of herself as broken, Michael thought of her as strong in the face of everything that had happened to her. Once the executions were complete and Alpha James returned to his home, they would leave with him.

One Month Later

Carolyn

I feel my anxiety as I pace in the doctors office. My palms are sweating and my mind is racing. I didn't tell Cody I was coming here, because I didn't want him to be disappointed. I know it's been a long time, but you never forget the way your body feels when you are going to have a pup. That isn't even my concern. I am worried that with all the trauma my body has experienced, that I won't be able to carry this gift. That is if the Moon Goddess has granted us a gift at all.

The door opens and Dr. Wolfe walks in to the room. He takes a look at me with my shaking hands and nervous stare. "Please Carolyn, have a seat." He motions to the exam table, and I carefully climb on top of it, with my hospital gown held closed with my shaking hands. "So the ultrasound looks good. I have run some other tests on your blood, checking hormones and all of that. Things seem to be fine as of right now, but I would like to examine you, if you are ok with that?", he asks me and I nod.

"Great, I will have my nurse come in and then we can begin. It will be a relatively simple exam, nothing to worry about. When was the last time you saw a doctor?", he asks me.

"Besides the last time I was attacked by my ex-mate? Ummm, I don't know, it was when I lost my pup I guess, well after that. I had to wait for all the bruises to go away," my voice trails off, because this is always embarrassing for me. Admitting you allowed yourself to be abused for years by your mate, it made me feel weak.

Dr. Wolfe doesn't say anything, he just nods his head, his face expressionless. "Ok, let me grab Janice. I will be right back."

A few minutes later, he returns with his nurse Janice. She gives me a gentle smile and then turns to assist the doctor in preparing some instruments for my pelvic exam. Once they have that set up, he quickly listens to my heart, my lungs, and checks my body over for any abnormalities. Once he has completed that, he sits down on the stool at my feet, and Janice places my legs into the stirrups. I always hated this part. It just feels like a violation, but it has to be done to make sure I am going to be able to carry a pup safely. It's over quickly, and I hear the doctor stand, his gloves snapping as he pulls them off and tosses them in the trash. Janice helps me sit up and then moves to the other side of the room to clean up everything.

"Well Ms. Cane, everything looks good. I can't see any reason why you can't carry a pup. You can go ahead and get dressed and wait here. I will be back shortly with your blood test results." He walks out, with Janice right behind him.

My nerves have calmed somewhat, so I climb off the table and get dressed. As I am waiting in the office, I get a mind link from Cody asking me where I am. I quickly tell him I went to see the doctor for a check up, not elaborating any further. He doesn't comment for a while, but when he does he asks what kind of check up. I just sigh. I wanted to wait to tell him, but now it looks like I have to come clean. I let him know and I can feel his excitement through the bond, but have to tell him that I don't know if I am pregnant so he needs to calm down. My wolf Cate tells me that his wolf is wagging his tail and is very happy. I cut them off as the doctor walks into the room, a paper in his hand. "Well Carolyn, I have your results."