CHAPTER 141: CHAPTER 141 THE PREGNANCY

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 meetings at Draven’s house weren’t weekly anymore, only happening when Alpha Arthur had something important to discuss, so we finally had some free time.

"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 me back so we could reschedule your appointment. 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 appointment had completely slipped my mind. "It’s been a crazy few weeks."

"No worries, honey. I’m just sorting through medical files, and yours is right here. Your contraceptive implant coverage has expired, so I thought maybe you could come 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 remember when it was due for replacement, but came 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 smell, the mood swings... suddenly, it all made awful sense.

While I was spiraling, Eleanor took the phone right out of my hand, said something to Sylvia, and hung up.

"Carrie, look at me. 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 me to think.

"Elle... one month... the elevator..." I stammered, barely getting the words out.

"I know, honey." Her voice was calm, steady. "I confirmed with Sylvia. We’re going to that appointment. 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 apartment, leaving Liam with Nate. Nate looked worried about my nervous state, but Eleanor didn’t say a word to him, knowing he would immediately 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 me.

We arrived at the office reception, and Sylvia welcomed us with her usual warmth and a big smile. Noticing my distress, she quickly prepared me a cup of herbal tea that helped calm both me 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 me with kind eyes and extended his hand.

"In shock at the moment, Dr. Molina,"I admitted. "I forgot something very important."

"I understand, but you need to stop suffering in advance.Come, let’s take care of you." Dr. Molina led us into his office.

We sat down, and Dr. Molina went over my medical history, slipping in a few light stories and jokes to help me relax. Once I’d calmed a bit, he asked me 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 time 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 me.

"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 me.

I came to on the couch with Dr. Molina checking my blood pressure. Eleanor sat beside me, 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 me laugh right now." I managed a shaky smile through my tears. "At least this time I know who the father is."

We all laughed, and some of the tension in the room eased.

"Caroline, you’re one of the strongest women 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 appointments. 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 met 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 meant to."Nate introduced me to Alpha Draven a few days ago," he admitted. "He needed to talk about DNA testing. In fact, I came in today specifically to meet 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 me."

"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 time to process this before telling him."

"As your doctor, I’ll respect your wishes," he said, voice formal. "But as someone 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.