Caroline’s POV
It was Saturday morning. I was on the living room floor with Liam, building a tower out of his colorful blocks, while Eleanor relaxed on the couch. We were talking about our weekend plans.The etings at Draven’s house weren’t weekly anymore, only happening when Alpha Arthur had sothing important to discuss, so we finally had so free ti.
"So I was thinking we could take the boys to that new playground by the lake," Eleanor suggested, scrolling through her phone. "Nate says they just installed those spinning things that make kids dizzy and parents terrified."
I laughed,watching Liam’s face scrunch in concentration as he carefully placed another block. "I think Liam would love that. He’s been cooped up too much lately."
My phone rang in the kitchen, so I went to answer it.When I saw the hospital number flash across the screen, my heart skipped a beat.
"Hello?" I picked up.
"Caroline? Hi, this is Sylvia, Dr. Molina’s secretary. How are you?"
I relaxed a little. "Oh, hi, Sylvia. I’m fine. How about you?"
"I’m good, thanks. I was waiting for you to call back so we could reschedule your appointnt. It’s been a while."
"Oh, Goddess, Sylvia, I totally forgot." I groaned inwardly. Between work and everything going on with Draven, my follow-up appointnt had completely slipped my mind. "It’s been a crazy few weeks."
"No worries, honey. I’m just sorting through dical files, and yours is right here. Your contraceptive implant coverage has expired, so I thought maybe you could co in today? Dr. Molina has a patient now, but he said he can squeeze you in if you’d like."
The words contraceptive implant expired made my brain freeze. I tried to rember when it was due for replacent, but ca up blank.
"Sylvia, since you’ve got my records, how long has it been expired?"
"About two months. You have the subcutaneous one that lasts a year..."
The rest of her words blurred into background noise. Holy moon goddess. Not again. The morning nausea, the heightened sense of sll, the mood swings... suddenly, it all made awful sense.
While I was spiraling, Eleanor took the phone right out of my hand, said sothing to Sylvia, and hung up.
"Carrie, look at . Breathe," she said firmly, gripping my shoulders.
I just stared at her, mind blank. She took my hands and started breathing slowly until I matched her. After a few deep breaths, the fog in my head finally cleared enough for to think.
"Elle... one month... the elevator..." I stamred, barely getting the words out.
"I know, honey." Her voice was calm, steady. "I confird with Sylvia. We’re going to that appointnt. Go shower and get ready. I’ll call Nate to stay with Liam." As always, Eleanor had everything under control.
Half an hour later,we left my apartnt, leaving Liam with Nate. Nate looked worried about my nervous state, but Eleanor didn’t say a word to him, knowing he would imdiately tell Draven if he knew what was happening.
When we arrived at the hospital, Eleanor held my ice-cold hands and looked into my eyes. "Take a deep breath and don’t freak out!Whatever happens, I’ll always be here for you."
I felt a tear roll down my face. Rory whimpered anxiously within .
We arrived at the office reception, and Sylvia welcod us with her usual warmth and a big smile. Noticing my distress, she quickly prepared a cup of herbal tea that helped calm both and my wolf.
Dr. Molina opened the door with his usual cheerful smile."My beautiful ladies! I’ve missed you both!"
"Hi, Uncle, how are you?"Eleanor hugged him.Nate’s family considered her part of them, and since Dr. Molina was Nate’s uncle, she called him uncle too.
"I’m very well. And you, moving to Harbor Bay but never visiting your aunts and uncles? I saw you more often when you were my patient in Maplewood."
"Oh, uncle, everything’s so hectic here in Harbor Bay. Plus, you travel so much. I heard you were in Geneva?"
"A wonderful conference about advances in genetic studies for shifters," Dr. Molina spoke.
"And you, Caroline, how have you been?"He turned to with kind eyes and extended his hand.
"In shock at the mont, Dr. Molina,"I admitted. "I forgot sothing very important."
"I understand, but you need to stop suffering in advance.Co, let’s take care of you." Dr. Molina led us into his office.
We sat down, and Dr. Molina went over my dical history, slipping in a few light stories and jokes to help relax. Once I’d cald a bit, he asked to change and lie on the exam table. The checkup was quiet, his face professional but kind. He drew the blood himself, handed it to his secretary with an "urgent" note, and called the lab.
"The test results will take about an hour," he explained. "Let’s make you comfortable while we wait."
I changed back into my clothes, and Dr. Molina took us to a sitting room inside his office. He served us coffee and snacks that Sylvia had prepared. We talked about life in Harbor Bay and how Liam was adjusting. I told him that my parents now lived on a farm outside Maplewood, and he said he would visit them the next ti he was in the area.
An hour later, Sylvia knocked on the door and delivered the test results. Dr. Molina analyzed them carefully before looking up at .
"Sweetheart, you’re pregnant. It’s good news, a little brother or sister for Liam..." Dr. Molina was speaking when I felt the room spin around .
I ca to on the couch with Dr. Molina checking my blood pressure. Eleanor sat beside , holding my hand, her eyes full of worry and affection.
"I’m going to have another godcub!" she said, trying to lift the mood.
"Oh, Elle... only you could make laugh right now." I managed a shaky smile through my tears. "At least this ti I know who the father is."
We all laughed, and so of the tension in the room eased.
"Caroline, you’re one of the strongest won I know," Dr. Molina said warmly. "You’ll handle this just fine. Let’s set up your full prenatal care now, and I’ll have Sylvia make sure you don’t miss any appointnts. Now that we know what’s causing your morning sickness, I’ll prescribe prenatal vitamins and a few other essentials."
"Thank you," I said, trying to calm my racing heart and my restless wolf. Then I t his eyes. "Dr. Molina, I need your absolute discretion. Draven can’t know about this yet."
He peered over his glasses, concern flickering in his eyes.
"You sure that’s possible, Carrie?" Eleanor asked softly. "I’m not worried about our girls, they’d die before spilling it. But Nate’s close to Draven now. And my mate? He’s hopeless with secrets."
"That’s true.My nephew’s never been good at keeping his mouth shut," Dr. Molina said with a faint smile. "Caroline, if I can speak freely... the father has a right to know. I understand it’s complicated, but..."
"Wait, Uncle," Eleanor cut in. "What do you know about Carrie and Draven?"
His expression gave away more than he ant to."Nate introduced to Alpha Draven a few days ago," he admitted. "He needed to talk about DNA testing. In fact, I ca in today specifically to et with him. You might see him on your way out." He hesitated, then added, "That’s all I can say."
"I’m going to kill Nate," Eleanor muttered. "Didn’t say a damn word to ."
"Doctor," I said firmly, "I need you to keep this between us. Draven has enough on his plate. He’s dealing with another woman’s paternity claim and preparing for a possible mating ceremony. I need ti to process this before telling him."
"As your doctor, I’ll respect your wishes," he said, voice formal. "But as soone who cares about you both, I hope you’ll tell him eventually."
Prescriptions in hand and everything scheduled, we said our goodbyes with a promise to visit his family soon. I felt relieved when I didn’t spot Draven in the hall. But just as I finished saying goodbye to Sylvia, I turned around... and there he was, with Ella Howard hanging on his arm like he belonged to her.
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