Chapter 21 The Test Result
Zoe's POV
"What... what did you find?"
My heart pounded so hard I thought it would break through my chest.
Sierra stared at me. Her eyes gleaming. Enjoying my fear.
Then... she laughed.
Soft. Light.
"Why are you so scared?" She tilted her head. "I just wanted to say... you look pregnant."
What?
"Pregnant?" The word came out as a whisper.
"Yes. Your face is fuller. Your body is changing." She smiled. "I've seen it before. My sister had the same look when she was carrying her first child."
Pregnant.
No. No no no.
That couldn't be...
Could it?
"I... I'm not..."
"Are you sure?" Sierra's eyes sparkled. "When was your last cycle? Have you been feeling sick? Tired? Dizzy?"
I had been feeling sick. And tired. And dizzy.
But I thought it was from the injuries. From the stress. From everything.
Not... not pregnancy.
"You should get tested." Sierra stood up. Smoothed her dress. "Just to be sure. For the pack's sake. A princess won't be bad."
She walked to the door.
"I'll let you rest now. Think about what I said." She paused. Looked back. "And Olivia? Congratulations. If it's true."
Then she left.
And I lay there.
Frozen.
Pregnant.
I could be pregnant.
Oh goddess. Oh goddess oh goddess.
What do I do? What do I do?
...
The next few days, I avoided Ryan.
I couldn't look at him. Couldn't be near him.
Every time he came into the room, I made excuses.
"I'm tired."
"I need to rest."
"My head hurts."
He tried to talk to me. To hold me. To understand.
But I pushed him away.
I needed Scarlett. I needed help.
I needed to know if Sierra was right.
Ryan came to the bedroom one evening. His face was hard. Frustrated.
"Olivia, we need to talk."
"I'm not feeling well..."
"You're never feeling well anymore." He closed the door. "What's going on? Why are you avoiding me?"
"I'm not..."
"You are." He moved closer. "Ever since Pack Night. Ever since you got sick. You won't talk to me. Won't let me touch you. Won't even look at me."
"Ryan..."
"We were supposed to be making progress." His voice cracked. "We were supposed to be getting closer. Finding our way back to each other."
I looked down. At my hands. At the blanket.
"But instead we're growing apart." He sat on the bed. Far from me. "Further and further apart every day."
"I just need time..."
"Time for what?" His voice was tired. Sad. "Time to remember? Time to trust me again? Time to love me?"
I didn't answer.
Because I didn't know the answer.
"I'm trying, Olivia. I'm really trying." He stood up. "But I can't do this alone. I need you to try too."
He walked to the door. Stopped.
"When you're ready to talk. To really talk. I'll be here." His voice was quiet. "I'll always be here."
Then he left.
And I felt my heart break.
For him. For me. For this impossible situation.
I needed Scarlett. Now.
...
Two days later, Scarlett came back.
She rushed into my room. Her face worried.
"I'm so sorry. My mother is okay now. But I heard you've been sick." She sat beside me. "What happened?"
I grabbed her hands. "I need your help."
"Anything. What is it?"
"Sierra said..." I took a deep breath. "She said I look pregnant."
Scarlett's eyes went wide. "What?"
"I need to know. I need to be sure." Tears filled my eyes. "But I can't go to the pack doctor. Everyone will know. Everyone will talk."
"Okay. Okay." Scarlett squeezed my hands. "I'll handle it. I know a doctor in the next town. Someone private. Discreet."
"Thank you."
"We'll go tomorrow. Early. Before anyone wakes up."
...
The next morning, we snuck out.
The doctor's office was small. Quiet. Clean.
An older woman. Kind eyes. Gentle hands.
"Luna Olivia. It's an honor." She bowed slightly. "Scarlett told me you need a test. Complete privacy."
"Yes. Please."
She took my blood. Asked me questions. Examined me.
"I'll have the results in a few hours. You can wait here or come back."
"We'll come back."
Scarlett and I went to a small cafe. Drank tea. Didn't talk much.
My mind was racing. Spinning.
What if I was pregnant?
What if I wasn't?
Which would be worse?
Three hours later, we went back.
The doctor was waiting. Holding papers.
"Luna Olivia. Please, sit."
I sat. Scarlett stood beside me. Her hand on my shoulder.
The doctor looked at the papers. Then at me.
"The test is complete."
My heart stopped.
"And?"
She opened her mouth.