Chapter 20 chapter 20
Marcus's POV
Dr. Winters's clinic was quiet in the early morning. I sat in the waiting room, trying to focus on pack reports while Ava was being examined. She'd insisted on going alone at first, but the doctor had called me in ten minutes ago, saying Ava wanted me present for the results.
"Marcus," Dr. Winters appeared in the doorway.
"You can come in now." I found Ava sitting on the examination table, her face unreadable.
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing's wrong," Dr. Winters said, but her expression was serious.
"But there is something unexpected." "Tell me." Ava took my hand. "I'm pregnant."
The world stopped. I stared at her, then at the doctor, then back at her. "Pregnant?"
"About six weeks," Dr. Winters confirmed.
"Which would mean conception happened right around the time of the Moonstone Ridge incident."
"But..." I tried to process this. "The ritual. The power sharing. Is the baby okay?"
"That's the unexpected part," Dr. Winters pulled up an ultrasound image on her tablet.
"The baby appears to be perfectly healthy. More than healthy, actually. The Lycan power that was distributed seems to have concentrated in the fetus."
"What does that mean?" Ava asked, her hand tightening on mine. "It means your child will likely be a pure Lycan, despite the power having been shared among the packs.
The first natural-born royal Lycan in decades." I felt Ava's fear through our bond and pulled her against me. "This is good news, right?"
"It's miraculous news," Dr. Winters said. "But it also means the pregnancy will need careful monitoring. Lycan pregnancies are different from regular wolf pregnancies.
Stronger, but more demanding on the mother." "Is Ava in danger?" "Not if we're careful. She'll need to reduce stress, get more rest, and avoid shifting for the first trimester."
"Avoid shifting?" Ava looked alarmed.
"But what if there's an attack? What if the pack needs protection?" "The pack has me," I said firmly. "Your job now is to protect our child."
"Our child," she repeated softly, wonder in her voice.
"We're having a baby." "We're having a baby," I confirmed, kissing her forehead.
"A royal Lycan baby." "The packs will see this as a sign," Dr. Winters said. "The first child born after the power sharing, carrying the concentrated essence. Some will view it as blessed. Others..."
"Others will see it as a threat," I finished. "Roberts and his coalition won't be happy about a new royal Lycan."
"We don't tell anyone yet," Ava said quickly. "Not until we figure out how to handle this." "Agreed. Doctor, who else knows?"
"Just us. And I'll keep it that way until you're ready." Dr. Winters smiled slightly. "Congratulations, by the way. Your mother would have been thrilled, Ava."
We left the clinic in a daze. I kept my arm around Ava, hyperaware of every potential threat. My wolf was already in full protective mode, wanting to hide her away from any danger.
"Stop it," she said as we reached the car.
"Stop what?"
"I can feel you planning to lock me in our room for nine months."
"The thought crossed my mind," I admitted. "Marcus, I'm pregnant, not broken."
"You're carrying our child. A royal Lycan child that some people would kill to control or eliminate."
"Then we protect each other. Like we always do." She cupped my face.
"This is happy news. Don't let fear ruin it." "You're right." I kissed her softly. "I'm going to be a father."
"You're going to be an amazing father."
"How do you know?"
"Because I've seen you with the young wolves in training. You're patient but firm. Protective but not smothering. Usually."
"Usually?"
"Right now you're looking at me like I might shatter if the wind blows wrong."
I forced myself to relax. "Sorry. It's just... after losing Sarah and the baby she carried..."
"We're not going to lose this baby," Ava said firmly.
"We're stronger now. We have allies. We have each other." "We do." I started the car, then paused.
"We should still move up the wedding." "Why?"
"Because I want you to be my wife in every way before you start showing. Let people assume the baby was conceived after our proper ceremony."
"That's very traditional of you." "It's strategic. The more legitimate our child appears, the less ammunition our enemies have."
"Our enemies," she sighed. "Can't we have five minutes of happiness without thinking about threats?"
"You're right. Let's go home and celebrate properly." "Properly?" She raised an eyebrow.
"With sparkling cider for you and very careful celebrations." She laughed. "You're going to be insufferable for nine months, aren't you?"
"Probably. Can you blame me?" "No," she admitted. "But I reserve the right to be cranky about it when hormones kick in."
When we arrived at the pack house, Nathan was waiting in my office. He stood when we entered, immediately noticing something different.
"What happened?" he asked. "You both look... strange."
"Nothing," Ava said quickly. Too quickly. Nathan's eyes narrowed. "Luna, with respect, you're a terrible liar when you're emotional."
I stepped forward. "It's private." "Of course." He backed off immediately. "I actually came to report on Roberts.
He's called a meeting of his coalition for tomorrow night. Five packs have confirmed attendance."
"Where?" "Neutral territory. The old sawmill at the boundary."
"We should have someone there," Ava said. "No," I said immediately.
"We should, but you're not going." "Marcus..." "Please." I caught her hand. "Trust me on this." She studied my face, then nodded slowly.
"Fine. But I want full reports." "I can go," Nathan offered. "They won't expect me, and I still have contacts who might talk."
"It's dangerous," I warned. "If they catch you..." "I know the risks. Let me do this." He looked between us.
"Whatever you're protecting, it's important. I can see it in how you're standing, how you're guarding her. Let me help guard it too."
Ava and I exchanged glances. Through our bond, I felt her inclination to trust him. "Be careful," I said finally. "And take backup. Discrete backup."
"I will." Nathan headed for the door, then paused. "Congratulations, by the way." "How did you..." Ava started. "I'm a twin, remember? I can read Marcus better than most.
And he's practically glowing with protective pride." Nathan smiled slightly. "Your secret's safe with me." After he left, Ava sank into a chair.
"So much for keeping it quiet." "Nathan won't tell anyone."
"You trust him now?"
"I'm learning to." I knelt beside her chair. "Are you feeling okay? Any nausea? Dizziness?" "I'm fine. Stop fussing."
"I'm going to fuss for nine months. Get used to it." She rolled her eyes but smiled. "We should tell my father. And Rachel."
"Your father first. He deserves to know he's going to be a grandfather." "He'll probably lecture me about royal bloodlines and proper protocols."
"Probably. But he'll also be thrilled." We found Joseph in the library, pouring over alliance documents. He looked up when we entered, immediately sensing something.
"What's happened?" "Nothing bad," Ava assured him.
"Dad, you're going to be a grandfather." The book in his hands dropped. "What?" "I'm pregnant. Six weeks." Joseph stood slowly, tears gathering in his eyes.
"A baby? My daughter is having a baby?"
"A royal Lycan baby," I added. "The power concentration from Moonstone Ridge..." "Of course," Joseph breathed.
"The ritual would have done that. Ava, this is incredible. And dangerous."
"We know," she said. "We're being careful." "Your mother would be so happy," Joseph said, pulling Ava into a gentle hug.
"A grandchild to carry on the line." "To carry on the legacy of unity," Ava corrected.
"This child will be a symbol of the new way." "If we can keep them safe," I added. Joseph looked at me seriously.
"You'll need to marry properly. Soon. Before she shows." "Already planning on it. Next week if possible."
"I can arrange that. Small ceremony?" "Family and close allies only," Ava confirmed. "Then we'd better start planning."
Joseph smiled. "My daughter, married and pregnant. Your mother always said you'd surprise us all."
"I think we've had enough surprises for a while," Ava said, her hand going to her still-flat stomach.
But even as she said it, I could feel through our bond that she was happy. Scared but happy. We were building something together. Not just an alliance of packs, but a family. And I would protect both with everything I had.