Look after her
I paced the front porch, twirling my phone in my hand nervously. It was morning, and the soft air swarmed around Leo's mansion, giving it a bit of liveliness.
Aside from the guards, I was the only one out here. Haven't seen Leo and Cheryl. I was curious to know how they resolved their issue. I could call him, but nah, I don't wanna intrude. I'll just wait till we see each other.
My mind raced back to my twisted situation, and I checked my wristwatch again. 8:01 a.m.
Dr. Drake should be here any minute. I had to call him up at dawn. Elena wouldn't stop throwing up. And when she stopped, she was all weak and almost breathless.
I held her in my arms all night, scared that she might die or something. Good thing she's still breathing. But I need Dr. Drake here to check on her. To know what's wrong.
The honking sound at the gate got me all reassured. I watched as the men opened the gate and Dr. Drake's Porsche drove into the compound.
He alighted from the car and took a quick glance around. “This place is beautiful.”
“Yeah. It is.” I sounded way more nervous than normal.
We shook hands, and he smiled, assessing me. “You look exhausted.”
“Tell me about it.” I chuckled humorlessly.
“Don’t worry too much. I'm sure she's gonna be okay.”
“She has to be.”
He went back to his car and grabbed his little suitcase. I led the way as we headed inside. We got to the door and I let him go inside alone, while I waited out in the hallway.
Minutes later, Leo was strolling down. He looked hellish. He headed in my direction when he saw me.
“What's going on?” He asked, glancing at the door.
“Dr. Drake is inside. Elena's…uh…sick.”
“Sick?”
“Yes, she threw up a lot,” I ruffled my hair at the distress I was feeling from narrating this. “And you? What happened with Cheryl?”
He collapsed against the wall and puffed. “I apologized all night, but she wouldn't stop crying. Until she fell asleep.”
“Is she leaving you?”
“She didn't say. But I wouldn't blame her if she did.”
“But you'd let her go?”
“If that's what she wants. I don't think I have the right to stop her from leaving. I already hurt her by cheating on her.”
“Yeah, but if she leaves, you'll be ruined. So you better not let her leave. She's literally the only good thing you got.”
His eyes were filled with tears. “You think I don't know that?”
“Well, I'm just reminding you.” Then again, maybe I hurt his feelings. So I patted his shoulder. “Sorry, man.”
“Nah, it's cool.” He sniffed. “How did the meeting go?”
“They're willing to help me. So what I gotta do now is turn myself in and receive my punishment for disobeying a royal order. After that, I can make my claim for the throne. While I'm gone, please hold on to Elena. She mustn't return to Trent.”
I looked at Leo, hoping he'd see the seriousness in my gaze. I mean it.
“Keep her locked here if possible. But she mustn't cross paths with Trent until I'm out. Please.”
“Sure, man.” He smiled. “I got you.”
“Thank you.”
He joined me in my long wait for Dr. Drake to come out. He was taking longer than expected, and I was tempted to bust inside and find out what was taking so long.
Finally, the door creaked open, and he slowly walked out. His mood was a bit conflicted. It got me more worried.
“She's not terminally ill, is she?” That was my biggest fear, and I needed to know that wasn't the case.
“Oh, of course not.” He chuckled flatly. “It's just…” he took off his glasses with a sigh.
“Poison?” Leo added.
“More like…pregnant.” Dr. Drake dropped the ice.
“Pregnant?!” Leo blurted out. “You serious?”
“Yeah, Dr. Drake. Are you sure?” I asked, unable to decide what emotions I should show right now. Then again, I needed to be sure first.
“You tell me, Alpha Vince. Is there a possibility that she could be pregnant?”
That was one fucked up, very forward question. It had me tongue-tied instantly, while I racked my brain for an answer.
Possibility…of course. The night I marked her. The restroom. It had to be either.
“How far along is she?” I asked to be sure.
“A month…”
It was the night I marked her. Fuck, Vince!!!!
I don't know if I should be punching the wall in anger. Or in excitement. At all times, why now? Now that I'm gonna be away from her for a while.
“Congratulations, Alpha Vince.” Dr. Drake smiled. I didn't reciprocate. “Or is the baby not yours?”
“Of course it is.” I hissed. He laughed. Damn, he's playing with me.
“Then accept my congratulations with a proper smile.”
I forced out a mild smile. “Thank you. And get out of here.”
He laughed again. “I'll be back later with some medications for her. She's extremely stressed, and it's not good for the baby.”
“Alright. Thanks again.”
“No problem. Alpha Leo.” He bowed curtly to Leo before walking away.
Leo was itchy to say something but I was praying fucking hard that he shouldn't. I guess heaven doesn't answer prayers of men like me because he just opened his mouth.
“You got her pregnant again?!”
“Don't start, Leo.” I groaned, aching from the judgmental tone he was using. What's so bad about getting my mate pregnant twice?
“How could you? She's still mated to Trent. You should have thought of that and how complicated it's gonna be for her before nutting inside her, you little piece of…ass.” He mumbled the last part.
I was perplexed, leaning against the wall. I waited till he was done scolding me.
“Now you have a better reason to keep an eye on her for me. She's carrying my child. I'd be a shameless hypocrite if I said I'm not low-key excited right now. I've always wanted her to give me a son, and she will. So you gotta look after them for me.”
“What if she gives you a daughter?”
“Even better. I'll make sure she never meets men like you…and me.”
Leo chuckled. “We're the worst, ain't we?”
“The absolute, fucking worst.” I breathed out in agreement. Then I pointed at him. “You promise?”
“Yeah, yeah, whatever.”
“Thanks, man.” I turned the doorknob and went inside the room. She was still asleep. I barely made it to the bed when I heard Leo's whispering voice behind me.
“Psst. Vince, come out here for a sec.”
The fuck!
I grumpily went after him. Shutting the door, I spat out. “What is it?”
“They're here, man.”
I was gonna ask “who”, but I knew already. I went outside to meet them.
It was Elder Harry, Yurin, Rafael, and a few pack soldiers. They had a goddamn convoy.
“Alpha Vince,” Elder Harry bowed. They all followed suit. “We're here to get you…”
“I know. I was waiting for you.”
“Please get in the car.” At his words, a soldier opened the back door of one of the cars.
I couldn't delay them, and I didn't wanna remind them of Elena's existence. They seemed more fixed on taking me, and that's good. But that also kept me from going inside to at least kiss her goodbye.
I was gravely conflicted.
‘Go ahead, man.’ Leo's mind-linked. ‘She's in safe hands.’
‘Thank you.’ I curbed the part of me yearning to see her one more time. It shouldn't insist too much. But I'm certain I'll be reuniting with her real soon.
“Alpha Vince.” Elder Yurin said in a warning tone.
I took one last look at Leo before getting into the car. My heart ached so badly as we drove out of the compound.
For my mate. And for my unborn child.