Chapter 9 The Confirmation

Quinn's POV

I eventually stepped aside and just watched as she made her way in. I can't deny that her face was calm and nice, but I've seen calm, and I've seen nice-and I've seen them turn into something else entirely.

I took a deep breath and slammed the door shut before walking back in.

"Did he send you here to confirm that I was his property?" I said-and instantly regretted it. She's a nice old lady that hasn't wronged me, after all.

She let out a small chuckle before her face turned serious. "This isn't about ownership, Quinn. It's about survival."

My mouth twisted, because frankly speaking, there was no way I was believing that crap.

"If truly you are carrying a pup, Quinn, then it should be monitored, and you should be administered the best care..." She paused halfway, and I saw her face cloud with hesitation.

She cleared her throat before finally saying, "...especially because of the blood of the Cursed King."

Well, I'd be lying if I said that one didn't shake me, because it sent a jolt down my spine.

"What I'm saying is, the pregnancy might not be ordinary."

I got her before-I understood loud and clear-but her being so explicit made me feel worse.

Her face went back to wearing the warm smile it had initially as she gestured for me to take a seat.

My hands shook slightly as I moved. "Fine! I'll take the test," I said to her.

For myself. I'm only taking it for myself.

"Sit," she encouraged, and so I sat. I sat and watched her close her eyes.

She sucked in a breath through her slightly wider-than-usual nose before releasing it. Then she began chanting-chanting words I have no clue what they meant-but I sat still either way and watched her call on her magics.

After the first minute of chanting, a light appeared out of thin air and slowly began to form like runes. I watched, with mixed feelings, as it floated to my abdomen.

It wasn't touching me, but I could feel the effect even from the little distance.

Monty still had her eyes closed as she continued chanting different words I assume were spells.

Then all of a sudden, out of nowhere, I felt a pull in my stomach, followed by warmth. My heart fluttered.

I really am with child.

Monty's eyes opened-she must have felt it too. I could feel my baby, and he was strong. I don't know how I arrived at that conclusion, but I knew within me that I was correct.

Monty looked amazed, but her amazement slowly turned into concern.

"I must warn you, Quinn. Your pup's energy is abnormal... it is dominant and somehow bound to you."

"Bound to me?" I repeated. Isn't he supposed to be? I am his mother, after all.

"Yes. Your child is bound to you emotionally. If you spiral... your baby will suffer," she said without another explanation.

"These are herbs good for you and your baby. Always take them," she said, and I found myself nodding. She gave that warm smile again before heading for the door.

"And... remember..." she began, pausing by it.

I found myself scoffing. Is this a pattern-to stop at the door and say something-in this kingdom?

"This child is different... unlike anything I've ever seen," she said and left.

My shoulders drooped the moment she was out.

A child.

"A child?" I said out loud.

"A child!" I said again, as if repeating it would change anything.

A child? From a one-night stand with a stranger? A stranger that turned out to be my mate?? Who is also the Lycan King??

What in the name of the Moon Goddess is going on?

I didn't know how to feel about this. Should I be angry? Or regretful? I didn't know how to feel.

My face slumped into my palm... then my wolf stirred. But this time... she seemed unsettled. She didn't say anything. Didn't say "safe" like she had been for the past twenty-four hours. She just moved about uneasily.

She probably has no idea how to feel too... just a few days ago, I was dumped at my wedding and now I am pregnant...

But... this isn't bad... right?

A child. A baby. My baby... I felt my cheek warming up.

Is this the Moon Goddess giving me a second chance? A second chance to have a family of my own?

My wolf nudged.

"You feel it too?" I asked, and she said yes. This child is ours. Our own little pack and family.

My hand unconsciously moved to my belly.

"I won't let anything snatch you away from me, my baby... not even your father if he tries."

I spent the next few minutes lying on the bed, just staring at the ceiling before the maid arrived with a change of clothes and a tray of meals. I wanted to stubbornly reject it, but I didn't-because of my baby.

After that, it was just me. Alone. Rotating between lying in bed and sitting by the window, while occasionally whispering to my baby.

Until that strong knock came again and Alex waltzed in like he owned the place-well technically, he did.

I had been at a loss for how to feel, but I was certain the moment I saw him. Rage. Anger. They all built in me as I reached for the pillow closest to me.

I threw it at him and yelled at the top of my voice, "You could have told me!"

Unlike me, Alex was calm as he took hold of the pillow with ease-and that made me madder.

"Would you have believed me?" he said, looking straight into my eyes. And I felt my rising blood piping down.

He was right... even when he implied it... I doubted.

"But you could have tried!" I said, because he really could have.

"You're taking me as your prisoner?" I added with serious anger.

"No. You're not," he said, with his still icy tone.

"I don't know about this. About any of this. Will I call this fate? Because up to a week ago, I was without a mate, and I was just a charity case. What do you want? What do you expect from me?" I said, all in one go.

"Hey... Quinn," Alex began-and for the first time since yesterday, his face softened. His voice too. His whole demeanor.

"You are not my prisoner... but you are mine," he said firmly. And God, how I hated how those words comforted and terrified me at the same time.

I was about to give a response when a scream from outside interrupted me. Alex and I both looked at each other, our eyes flashing with questions.

I could hear armors clashing and my feet moved on their own.

"Stay here," I heard Alex say-but I was already halfway out.