I LET YOU CHEAT, YOU DUMB DADDY

**Third POV**

The autumn wind blew through the streets, taking with it some of the yellowed leaves as if bidding farewell to the season. The ground was already thick with fallen leaves, making a rustling sound when stepped on.

Wrapped tightly in her coat, Harper hurried into Central Hospital of King City. The usually elegant and beautiful Luna Queen looked a little casual today. Her hair hung loosely over her shoulders and her face looked a little pale.

The passers-by were a little surprised to recognize her and greeted her with respect and affection. Harper barely managed a smile and nodded her head before quickening her pace and heading into the hospital.

Inside the warm clinic room, Harper clutched the report nervously in her hand, her eyes darting between the screen and the doctor as she waited for his interpretation.

"Luna Harper, you are six weeks pregnant." The doctor's voice was gentle as he spoke.

Harper's eyes fixed on the screen where a tiny white dot flashed, the undeniable proof of her and Wyatt's child. Tears welled in her eyes before she could even react.

As the ultrasound glided over her belly, Harper tried to believe that her child was actually growing inside her.

"It's so small," Harper whispered, her voice shaking with emotion.

The doctor smiled warmly. "Yes, but your baby has little fingers and toes. See that flickering spot? That's the heartbeat."

Everything felt so wonderful. Nothing was more miraculous than life itself. The doctor asked Harper a few questions and gave her some instructions. Overwhelmed with emotion, she was advised to rest in the waiting area.

Sitting in the hospital chair, Harper couldn't help but replay the events of the day in her mind.

She had been unusually tired this morning, too tired to get out of bed on time. And she had even declined Wyatt's invitation to join him for breakfast.

When she had finally managed to turn off her alarm clock, Harper had reluctantly opened her eyes. It was then that she noticed the milk and buttered toast that Wyatt had left on her bedside table. She had always loved the smell of butter, but this morning it had turned her stomach.

A feeling of nausea came over her and she hurried to the bathroom where she expelled some of the liquid.

It was all so strange. Harper splashed cold water on her face, trying to calm herself. Then she looked at her reflection in the mirror and an impossible thought flashed through her mind.

Impossible.

Harper quickly changed out of her pajamas and drove to the nearest pharmacy. She knew her friends could have done this for her, but for some reason, she had decided to do it herself.

The whole process took only fifteen minutes, and soon she was sitting in the bathroom.

She watched as her urine flowed over the test kit. The first red line appeared. And then... the second. Faint at first, but gradually deepening. A minute later, she was staring at a test kit with two unmistakable lines.

Harper read the pregnancy test instructions three times. Then she realized her tears were dripping onto her hands. She didn't even know what she was feeling.

Mixed emotions.

Overwhelming shock, joy, panic and excitement. How was she going to tell Wyatt that they were going to have a baby?

She decided to put the question on hold. It had been almost 50 days since her last period. In those 50 days, she had worked tirelessly almost every day. What if her child, if it was indeed coming, had been put at risk by her negligence?

Her heart was pounding as she made her way to the hospital.

It wasn't until she held the ultrasound report in her hands and heard the doctor reassure her that her child was perfectly healthy that she could finally breathe again.

The next question was how to tell Wyatt that he was going to be a daddy. She was eager to see how he would react.

_______

Harper arrived at City Hall around 2 p.m. The receptionist told her that Wyatt was in a meeting.

She didn't want to disturb the meeting. The secretary brought Harper tea and biscuits. Harper smiled and told her there was no need to inform Wyatt of her presence.

"Yes, Luna," the receptionist replied.

Right, Luna, she is. Harper was still getting used to the title. Now she had another identity to get used to.

Harper waited long enough to finish all the butter cookies on her plate.

Pregnancy was a strange thing. Just a few hours ago, the smell of buttered toast had made her queasy. But now the empty dessert plate told a different story. Her nausea was gone.

If anything made her uncomfortable, it was how tired she suddenly felt. Fortunately, Wyatt's voice pulled Harper out of the sleepy haze.

"It's nice to see you somewhere other than the hospital on a working day, puppy, especially when you're here to see me."

"Wyatt," she took a deep breath, "I want to talk to you about something."

Wyatt's expression became slightly serious. "Yes?"

"Not here," Harper linked her arm with Wyatt's. "This is a workplace."

Wyatt raised an eyebrow. "What a relief, honey. I thought you were here to discuss constitutional amendments with me."

"We'll save that for tonight," Harper teased.

Wyatt took Harper to one of his favorite childhood restaurants. It wasn't typical werewolf food. There wasn't much red meat on the menu.

Wyatt quickly ordered creamy chicken, oysters with broccoli, potato salad, and cheesy baked sweet potatoes, which revealed a surprisingly childlike taste.

"This doesn't look like the kind of food a robust werewolf would enjoy," Harper remarked.

Wyatt laughed. "My mum used to bring me here when I was little. Lots of good memories. So, puppy, what did you want to talk to me about?"

Wyatt's eyes were bright and serious and Harper's heart started to race again. Damn it, she had everything under control just a moment ago. Okay, do it all, do it fast.

"Honey, let's play a game. I have a prize in my bag and you can have it if you win," Harper said, looking at him.

Wyatt's face lit up. "I like that. I win every game. Give us the rules, Mrs. Harper."

"A very simple game it is. Among the food you ordered today, there's one item I can't eat. Can you guess what it is?" Harper felt her heart in her throat.

Wyatt looked slightly confused. He picked up the menu. "I'm sure I've avoided all your allergens." His eyes darted up and down. "Oysters? But I remember you liking them..."

"Not oysters. And when I say 'I can't have', it doesn't mean 'I don't want' or 'I don't like'. Make sure you've looked at everything you've just ordered. You only get two chances," Harper raised an eyebrow, carefully observing every nuance of Wyatt's expression.

The waiter brought hot mulled wine and Harper's heart pounded. She mentally cursed Wyatt for being a big oaf.

"Any clues?" He frowned, looking a little frustrated. "This is the hardest game I've ever played, darling."

"Okay. Silly wolf. It's right in front of us," Harper said.

Wyatt's eyes finally went to the glass of wine. "Wine? Why can't you..." Suddenly he stopped speaking and stared at Harper in shock.

"Open my bag," Harper ordered.

Wyatt's movements were stiff as he pulled out the ultrasound report, his hands shaking.

He looked at Harper and they didn't say anything, just looked at each other. Harper nodded, tears streaming down her face.

Wyatt hugged her tightly, his chest shaking. He was crying too. "We're going to be mum and dad?" Harper let her tears flow. She repeated his words, "Yes, we are going to be mum and dad."

Harper felt Wyatt's chest tremble. He was crying too. "Puppy, this is the best prize I've ever won."

Harper laughed through her tears. "I let you cheat, you dumb daddy."