Chapter 105

Elora PoV

The doctor coming to see me was… invasive, I never imagined a simple exam would make me feel so uncomfortable, I don’t want another one. But Maddox says they’re only small, and happen every few weeks. Fuck that. I ain’t having this guys head in my vagina every few weeks. Even if someone else feels it to be normal, I don't.

I won't have another one, not for any amount of gold.

And gods above, the way he hums like he’s unimpressed makes me want to pull out his eyes and display them for everyone to see.

This guy rubs me up the wrong way, I wonder what Maddox would say if I requested a female next time? Or another male. Just not this guy.

I’m tempted to ask whilst the doctor is still in the room, but my mums lessons on how not to be rude echo through my head every time I try.

He’s doing more than just his job, he’s trying to make me feel small, and I won’t let him. I’ve had enough of people trying to make me feel inadequate.

It was maddox’s choice to take me as his fated mate, and they should respect that choice, even if they don’t like me.

“How many more of those do I have to have?” I ask as soon the doctor left the room, unable to hide my anger any longer.

Honestly, fuck that guy.

“I told you already.” Maddox says as he turns around, backtracking when he notices my stare. “One every six weeks.”

I groan, throwing myself back into the end, “I’m not doing that again.” I say, frustrated. “Not in six weeks, not ever.”

Maddox laughs, actually fucking laughs at me.

“What’s so funny?!” I growl, shooting up. “How would you like your anus stretched so some uptight doctor can shove their head around in there?”

He almost choked on his own breath. “Yeah ok, good point.” He grumbles, but then laughs again, “it wasn’t that bad was it? I told him to be gentle.”

“It certainly was That Bad.” I growl back, “and for your information, he wasn’t gentle at all.”

Maddox’s smile falters, “what do you mean he wasn’t gentle?”

“He wasn’t!” I shout, “it felt like he was being horrible on purpose just to hurt me, and he kept giving me stares like I was beneath him. I hated every second.”

Maddox growls, “you better make sure you are telling the truth, little warrior, because I don’t take accusations like this lightly.”

“I’m not lying to you.” I say, hurt clear in my voice. “He looked at me like I was a piece of dirt of his shoe anytime that your back was turned.”

He approaches me, gently pulling me into his arms, “I will deal with it, and I will get you a new doctor, one who shows you respect.” He says. “And when I am finished with him, he’ll come crawling back to you, begging for your forgiveness.”

I smile against his chest, “a man like that won’t come crawling to apologise to someone like me.”

“He will.” He assures me. “Because I will break his legs.”

I smile even wider, the sound of that sending happy shivers down my spine, I’ve always secretly liked it when Maddox acts crazy. But this is a new level of protectiveness that I haven’t seen before. I don’t hate it, in fact, I could get used to it.

It makes me feel like he values me, even if he doesn’t exactly know how to say it.

Maddox has different ways of showing affection, none of them what I’m used to, but he’s trying to be more gentle with me, especially since learning that I’m carrying his child.

A knock sounds at the door, pulling us both out of our own trances.

“Come in.” I call, wondering who it could be. It’s almost midnight.

I slept most of the day away.

Ryker steps inside the room and closes the door, glancing between me and Maddox. “I came here to apologise.” He says slowly, his voice softer than I’d ever heard it before. “The way I reacted to the news of you carrying a child was wrong.”

“You don’t have to…” I begin.

“Let me finish.” He insists, “I was jealous because the child inside of you is not my blood, but I have come to realise that any children you have will belong to both me and Maddox, no matter what runs in their veins.” He takes a breath, “this child will be loved, and accepted. You have my word.”

I almost cry, not because his words hurt me, but the opposite. He is accepting a child that isn’t his, because I am the one carrying that child, and that means the world to me, more than I can ever put into words.

I slowly approach him and throw my arms around him, and it doesn’t take long for him to hug me back, his solid body giving me a strength I didn’t know I needed.

“Thank you, Ryker.” I whisper, holding him a little tighter.

“You have no need to thank me, it is what I should have said from the very beginning.” He says, his voice still soft as he lifts me up into his arms, “now let’s get you settled back into bed.”

I groan, “I’ve slept all day, I don’t want to sleep anymore.”

“The first trimester of pregnancy is the hardest, you need as much rest as you can get.” He gently places me onto the bed, “but if you aren’t sleepy, I can get some food made for you and perhaps bring you a book to read?”

I smile at how considerate his words are, I never imagined when we first met that he would ever treat me this way.

“Some food and a book would be great.” I admit.

I try to smile, but suddenly I’m rushing back to the bathroom, my head lowering into the toilet bowl.

I try to lock the door from where I am, but Ryker and Maddox storm inside anywhere, Ryker holding my hair back and Maddox stroking circles along the bottom of my back.

It’s sweet, but I don’t want them or anyone else to see me like this.

“Go away.” I groan, trying not to cry.

“We aren’t going anywhere.” Ryker says, his stern voice back once again. “We will be with you every step of the way.”

I know those words were meant to be comforting, but somehow, I know that they mean Everything.

Even the stuff I may not want to share.

But for the first time today, I feel at ease.

It won’t last, but for now, I can try to relax. At least they aren't hurting me anymore.

and at least I don't have to fight them constantly, I don't even think I could with how tired I have been.