Chapter 1 Pregnant

Selena's POV

Friday. September 22, 2022.

''Congratulations, Mrs. Henderson. You're three weeks pregnant.''

My mind instantly blanked out as the doctor stretches his hand forward with the pregnancy report.

''Mrs. Henderson?''

''Y-Yes...'' A shaky breath leaves my lips as I answer with a stutter, snapping out my daze. My eyes zone on the paper and my fingers trembles slightly as I take the pregnancy report.

My gaze lower to the paper where it indicated my pregnancy and truly, I am three weeks pregnant. A wave of strong emotions clashes over me as I tear up at the glaring evidence.

I have been with a child for three weeks.

''Are you alright, Mrs. Henderson?'' The doctor calls out with uncertainty. Perhaps to him, my reaction to the pregnancy was not what he expected from a married woman.

''Y-Yes, I'm fine, doctor.'' I sniff up my pooling tears, and raise my head with a forced smile. ''It's just....shocking to hear.''

Indeed, quite a shocking one.

''I can understand.'' The doctor offers a consoling smile and did not ask further question to my reactions which I appreciated.

For the rest of my time in the gynecology unit, I half-heartedly listened to the advice of the doctor, and also about my next appointment before leaving the hospital in a daze.

'...Pregnant...' The word echoes in my mind again and again. I was pregnant with a child...Jared's child....my mate.

A mate who loathed my existence.

''.....''

I let out a quiet sigh, staring up at the blue sky at the entrance of the hospital.

''Mother will protect you, my child.'' I mumble under my breath with my hand gently over my lower belly. Just the thought of my mate hating this child's existence because of me heightened my protective instincts.

Although, I still had second thoughts that Jared may soften his heart at the announcement of his unborn child. Even my family and the pack members....I truly hope they could soften their hearts from the past and move forward with this child as their future Alpha.

Growl

''Haha...'' I release a small chuckle at the growl in my head. My sudden smile attracted some weird glances but I paid no heed to them when my werewolf who rarely growled, finally announced her existence.

Her protective feelings aligned with mine, and I instinctively knew that she also would protect our unborn child from any harm.

''I should go back to the university for my evening class.'' With that, I left the hospital in a fairly good mood with the pregnancy report in my bag.

****

''So...I assume you're ready to spill the beans, Lena.''

In the car with my two friends, I sat in the back seat with one in passenger seat and the other in the driver seat.

''.....''

''The perfect A student and fav of all lecturers came quite late to class.'' The one in the driver seat, Stephanie Wallace, glances at me in the rearview mirror. '' Are you going to remain quiet or should I force it out from you?'' She arches an eyebrow with a look that said she was not backing down from this.

''Steph....''

''Zip it, Logan.'' She clips back at her boyfriend on the passenger seat, and focus her hazel eyes on the traffic light that still shone red. ''Lena has been acting quiet weird for a long time now, and she's not telling us anything. This is the first time you came late to class and I just want to know if my best friend's doing okay.''

These two were Stephanie Wallace and Logan Finnes.

Two friends who have been with me from the beginning of our first year as business majors. Stephanie was the very outgoing yet mischievous type. She has a sharp yet blunt mouth and very strong headed.

Logan was the opposite. Quite a nerd and very reserved just like me. When these two opposites announced their relationship at the end of first year, I was very shocked because they were like fire and water, always arguing and picking on each other.

Enemies to lovers.

That popular trope was the fitting label of their relationship as friends yet not friends.

''...I found my mate.'' I announce to them, and the car remained silent for a moment before Stephanie spoke up.

''Really? Congrats, Lena! This is good news!'' She turns her head to me with a wide grin. ''I've been wondering how to ask since you're past eighteen and twenty now.''

''Congrats, Lena.'' Logan also offers his congratulations with a small smile.

That's right.

These two knew that I am werewolf. To be more accurate, Stephanie is half-werewolf; born to a human and a werewolf, and her mate is Logan, a human boyfriend.

Werewolves have been discovered to have human mates, so a very small percentage of the human population can be said to be aware of the existence of werewolves.

''I just found that I am pregnant and my mate hates me.'' I reveal everything in one breath and did not have the courage to look at their expression. My eyes remain on the neighboring car through the window, but clouded with some past memories.

I did not want to see my best friends' pity for my situation.

''.....''

''.....''

''Wait, Wait, Wait....'' Stephanie tries to laugh at my words as though it was a joke. ''Repeat what you said Lena. You're pregnant and your mate hates you? Logan, honey, I did not hear gibberish right?'

I remain quiet, not answering the question.

''Selena Monroe, look me in the eye and tell me you are not joking, sweetie.''

''.....''

''Selena.''

I let out a sigh, knowing that I have to talk, especially with Stephanie around.

''I found my mate two years ago on my birthday, but he hates me.'' I turn my gaze to my best friends, though avoided their curious eyes, and recite some minor part of that incident. ''You two know that I've been throwing up for quite a while and suggested I should go to a hospital. Well, I did after our morning class and found out that I'm pregnant with my mate's child.''

''....Your mate, is he a normal werewolf?'' Stephanie carefully ask with concern eyes.

''He's an Alpha.'' I immediately reveal in a dull tone. ''You both know that I'm a beta female.''

''......''

''......''

My gaze remained lowered, feeling the stares of my two best friends. Perhaps they expected more of the story, but I wasn't ready to tell them yet. I didn't want to them to blame for a crime I did not commit like my family, Jared and the pack member had done.

''Can you...''

*Beep*

''Hey! The light has turned green already!'' My ears twitch at the man screaming from behind Stephanie's car.

''Oh, shut up.'' Stephanie growls under her breath as she sits properly on the driver's seat. This time, I hear the sound of the gear and realized that Stephanie had parked the car on the busy road before the traffic light.

Yup, this was definitely Stephanie Wallace.

''We'll talk when you're ready to tell us.'' The car accelerates forward along with her words. ''Your mental health and the baby are our main priority.''

''......''

''Just know that I and Logan are here you and the baby, alright? If things get hard, you have the key to our home, don't you?'' I sense Stephanie's glances, probably from rearview mirror and my eyes tear up at her words.

''Hm....'' My voice chokes with sobs, and I wipe my fallen tears with the sleeves of my wool sweater. My ears prick up at a ruffling sound and then, I feel something light on lap.

When I lower my teary gaze, a colored handkerchief entered my sight, and I didn't need a guess that this was the action of the quiet Logan.

''Thank you...'' I whisper in sobs, appreciating them deeply from my heart. I couldn't imagine how hard it could have been if I was alone with no one to share my problems with.