Chapter 51 She's pregnant
"She's pregnant."
Those were the first words Alicia heard as she emerged from the haze of dizziness. She recognized the voice of old Grey, the pack doctor. So who was pregnant? Alicia wondered in confusion. Was it Mary or Aunt Jenny? She hoped it wasn't her until the next moment when she heard, "Congratulations, Mr. Wilton. Alpha Jason."
"Oh my goodness! That's fantastic! I'm going to be a grandfather!" Jason exclaimed, his excitement evident as he covered his mouth. Forgetting Tobias' high status at that moment, he placed a hand on Tobias' shoulder and playfully nudged him, saying, "Congratulations, Tobias."
The excitement in her father's voice brought Alicia fully back to consciousness. She opened her eyes and found herself lying in the pack's treatment room. Beside the bed was a small testing device, its screen displaying the accurate result: Pregnancy, 2 weeks.
Tobias was in utter shock and disbelief. He had always been a composed and confident Alpha, and if the news didn't pertain to Alicia, she was certain she would have taken out her phone to capture the moment of the typically unflappable Rogue King looking bewildered. But the truth was, the woman Dr. Grey referred to as being pregnant was Alicia herself.
Alicia rubbed her flat belly, her face pale and devoid of the joy that usually accompanied the prospect of motherhood. According to the pregnancy test, she must have conceived the baby during her one-night stand with Damian.
If she were to tell her husband Tobias, would he accept the baby? Despite his generous desire for her happiness, Alicia had made the decision to remain with her poor, ailing husband. If she revealed that she was carrying a child from her mate, would Tobias still be able to say "That's good to know" with ease?
After all, the baby was a glaring reminder of her infidelity.
Apart from Tobias, Alicia worried about her grandfather's reaction and that of other members of the Wilton Family. Her grandfather had placed trust in her and treated her kindly. Would he still be as kind if she suddenly disclosed that she and her mate were expecting a baby? Perhaps not, for it would undoubtedly cause a scandal within the esteemed Wilton Family.
And Damian, he was in her life solely due to the bond of mates. They had agreed to be friends. The baby was an unexpected consequence, or else he wouldn't have appeared so shocked. Alicia felt her thoughts spiraling into chaos.
The father of the baby pressed his lips against Alicia's forehead and then her lips, causing her to look up and catch a glimmer of tears in his deep blue eyes. Alicia's heart froze at the sight. The Rogue King, known for his nobility and enigmatic nature, was shedding tears.
Tobias' lips trembled as he held his wife's delicate, pale face and kissed her once more. The enormity of the surprise overwhelmed his usual composure and manners. He was going to be a father. This baby felt like confirmation that he was about to have a family of his own. Embracing his wife, who lay on the bed, he whispered, "Thank you, Allie, for giving me a home."
Alicia gazed into Tobias' eyes, sensing his genuine joy at the impending arrival of their baby. His words of gratitude flowed like a soothing stream, easing her anxieties.
How wonderful it would be if he were truly her husband! Tears welled up in her eyes as she looked at her father and stepmother and said, "Dad, could you please give us a moment alone?"
Surprised by his daughter's unexpected calmness, Jason glanced at Tobias and said to his wife, "Come on! Eric is still waiting for us outside the hospital."
Mary scrutinized her fortunate stepdaughter with a curious and gossipy gaze. Rolling her eyes, she deliberately said to Tobias, "It's lucky that Allie is pregnant. Otherwise, Jenny and I would be labeled as the wicked stepmother and aunt who tormented our stepdaughter."
"Honey, let's leave now," Jason awkwardly cleared his throat and draped his arm around his wife's shoulders, guiding her out.
Tobias paid no heed to Mary's sarcasm and continued to gaze at his wife, for nothing was more important than his Allie in that moment. He asked with concern, "How are you feeling, dear? Are you still feeling dizzy?"
Alicia shook her head and noticed that crystal tears still clung to Tobias's eyelashes, resembling miniature diamonds glistening with the joy of a setting sun.
"Oh my gosh, I can't believe it. Our pup is growing in your belly," Tobias remarked, shifting his focus to Alicia's flat stomach. With a goofy grin, he reached out to touch her abdomen but stopped midway, muttering, "Oh no, it's probably asleep. I wouldn't want to wake our little pup."
Alicia laughed at his muttering, feeling more at ease. She even began to envision a future where Damian would hold and play with their baby. Yet, her rationality reminded her that she still belonged to the Wilton Family. She had promised Tobias and Alpha Martin that she wouldn't abandon or betray Tobias.
"Damian, you don't have to pretend to be Tobias anymore. I want to know if you share the same anxiety as I do about our pup's arrival," Alicia reminded him, watching Damian's expression closely.
"Anxiety? Why? This is the best news I've received in my entire 28 years of existence," Damian raised an eyebrow and smiled genuinely at her, his sincerity shaming Alicia for doubting the joy he had just displayed in front of her father.
So he was 28 years old, the same age as Tobias. That was a new revelation, Alicia thought to herself. She gathered her thoughts and continued, "I'm aware that your Moon Halo Pack has many strong and intelligent Rogues, even though I've only met three of your betas. Each one of them possesses remarkable abilities. I'm certain that the rest of your pack members are equally formidable."
"Well, they've never managed to defeat me in a fight. I am the strongest," Damian announced with a smug smile, akin to a male animal eager to display his strength before his mate.
"However, there's no denying that the Wilton Family remains the most formidable pack in North America. They already boast over 10,000 pack members. It would be effortless for them to conquer a large pack overnight," Alicia said, her grip on the sheets tightening unconsciously.
Damian furrowed his brow, displeased to hear Alicia praising the pack created by Alpha Martin. "So what? That powerful pack was divided into two factions by Alpha Martin a decade ago. My pack is not inferior to either of those packs."
"Are you suddenly discussing this with me because you've heard some rumors about the Wilton Family planning an attack on the Moon Halo Pack?" he inquired and thought if she really knew something that he didn't, then he would have invited his wife to be his spy. However, he guessed she just wanna tell him other things.
"No, I haven't. I'm concerned that your pack might become hostile towards the Wilton Family, particularly the Golden Moon Pack. You know I'm Tobias' wife. In fact..." Alicia paused, biting her lip as she remembered she couldn't divulge Tobias' paralysis to the public.
"He's a genuinely kind man. But I don't think he would forgive me if he found out I'm carrying another Alpha's baby. And my grandfather, Alpha Martin, values the pack's reputation greatly. Well, Alpha Ellis is my best friend's mate, so he might spare me. But I doubt I'll escape unscathed. In any case, I don't want you or your pack members to face an attack. So..." Alicia whispered, her voice trailing off.
"Can you accept my rejection? I plan to inform Martin and Tobias that my pregnancy has nothing to do with you..." Alicia's words hung in the air, carried by the breeze that slipped through the window, causing the white curtains to flutter. The small room fell into an eerie silence, and Alicia could even hear Damian's heavy breaths.