Chapter 27

Allie was about to climb into bed, dressed in a pair of shorts and a loose tee because it was so hot in the room, and she couldn't figure out the air conditioning system. The omega was so ready for some sleep that she barely recognised the guilt that overcame her for ruining the meeting. Nate refused to hear her out, choosing to storm out. She had no intention of making things complicated but they got out of hand so fast, so soon.

The omega skipped the Pack dinner because the last things she wanted was to face Nates parents. They were figuring out ways to accept her and their future grandchild.

As soon as her mind was brought back to the baby in her tummy, she couldn't help but choke. Allie didn't want this baby, not like this and not right now, so much was true. But still — the thought of getting rid of that tiny pup inside her didn't sit directly with her.

The omega needed to see a shrink. How could one person have so many conflicting thoughts concerning one topic? This whole thing couldn't be this hard, now could it? Either she wanted the baby and all the messes it would bring, or she didn't.

With those thoughts taking her mind hostage, Allie tossed and turned in her bed for a long time, in desperate need of an hour or two of sleep. Just as she felt her eyelids flutter shut and those intrusive thoughts quieting down, the door to the room opened. The omega sat up straight instantly, frightened by the sudden intrusion, and in the darkness, it took her some time to realise that it was Nate. His scent immediately made her let out a sigh and push back against the headboard.

He closed the door behind him.

"What are you doing here?" She muttered, her heart speeding up even more in her chest.

Nate slowly approached the bed before he spoke up. "I didn't like the way we left off early today."

The omega would have thought he sounded upset if it weren't for the ever-present neutrality that over layered his voice when he spoke to her. Maybe running off in the woods again calmed him down.

"I thought you would join us for dinner."

Allie was stunned when she responded so fearlessly, "I didn't think you would care."

She could hear Nate sigh. There was no answer. What was she expecting him to say, anyway?

The Alpha moved again, then took place beside her on the bed. He extended his hand and, slowly, started to run his fingers over her bare arm. Shocked as she was by this turn of events, Allie couldn't help but shiver.

"I will always care for you, pet", He breathed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "My anger won't change that any time soon."

"Pet?" She retaliated without hesitation, butterflies fluttering in her stomach. Hearing the Alpha utter, those words made her cheeks burn red, but she tried to act nonchalant. So far, it was working.

"Are you done?" Nate gave her a straight, unimpressed look as she crossed her arms together, lips pressed together.

"No."

"Why?"

She glared at him. "Because I don't like being called a pet."

"You don't have a say in it, pet", He teased.

They stared at each other, the crimson tint to the omegas cheeks growing apparent as his eyes bored into her. His jaw was clenched, and his eyes low. When no one said a word and no muscle was moved, Allie broke the eye contact, staring at the silky sheets on the bed, a sigh escaping her lips in a defeated okay-you-win tone.

"Allie" Nate broke the silence of the room, his tone grave.

"Hmm?"

"Someone came looking for you today."

Her blood chilled at those words sank in. She took a shaky breath before turning to address the Alpha in the room. Several things ran in her mind, heart thudding against her chest the more she thought of it. Who could it be? No one knew that Allie was going away for a weekend except Ashton and Rachel.

"Who was it?"

Nate sighed. "The Alpha said he's from the Crescent Pack and that they are looking for you. I was hoping you would know why."

Her eyebrows furrowed at the mention of the pack name. Strangely she never heard of them before. What business did they have with her?

"I don't."

"Oh"

Silence lingered in the room for a few seconds.

"Can I?" Nate murmured, his voice deep and syrupy, pointing to the empty side of the bed.

The omega should say no, immediately. Because they slept only once, and it's supposed to mean nothing. Instead of saying no, she breathless murmured "yes" because Allie was pathetic like that, desperate for an Alphas presence.

It didn't take more for Nate to tug away from the thin blanket she used to cover herself with. Goosebumps were breaking out all over her skin, not from the cold, but from the way Nate was looking at her, his engaging gaze visible even in the gloominess of the room.

His fingers began to trail down, spanning towards her stomach. He had barely even made a move, and Allie felt like she was coming undone already. The omegas breathing got harsher, and she was torn.

Nate was leaning over, but still, the only part of him connecting to her were his fingers as they caressed the barely-there bump. She wanted Nate to kiss her, wanted all of him, all the time. And it was consuming her.

"Sleep now", The Alpha whispered thickly, his voice caught up as if he heard the thoughts.

Allie whimpered but screwed her eyes shut.

***

The next morning Allie found herself in a daze when she woke up hours later, the sun shining through the cracks in the only window in the room. She attempted to roll over only to realise Nate was nowhere around her. However, she found a note.

It said that they have to be at the clinic as soon as possible, so he's making arrangements.

The clinic was another long cabin—she swore every building was a long one—but the wood was old and missing in some places, and there were no windows either. Large pine trees surrounded it, and the only way to get there was to follow along a large dirt path from the packhouse.

Allie was currently standing a few feet from the clinic doors as she peered inside, her eyes searching the opening the best she could.

"The doors on the right!"

She jumped at Nates voice, snapping her head at him. Her heart almost jumped to her throat as she tried to take deep breaths. "You almost gave me a heart attack!"

"Sorry, I walk on my toes most of the times."

She shook her head. "Why are we here again?"

"Its a clinic."

Allie rolled her eyes. "Gee, why didn't I notice that?"

"That attitude is not helping."

"I could say the same for you."

Nate sucked a deep breath. "Okay. Hellhounds do things a little differently. We will visit the clinic and first make sure the baby is alright."

"And how are we going to do that?"

"Patience, my dear."

***

They both entered the clinic and were asked to take a seat. Allie sat quietly in the brightly painted waiting room, her hands tangled in her lap. She was chewing on her bottom lip nervously, so much so that she was drawing a bit of blood, which finally prompted her to stop. The omega was glad the room was empty except for both of them and the receptionist, so no one was able to witness her fret.

"The doctor will see you now."

They were escorted inside only to notice Finn surrounded by plants and glass jars filled with...more herbs and plants. He smiled brightly, motioning them to sit.

"Congratulations, you two. I heard the news."

Nate chewed on his lips. "Does everyone know?"

"No. It's just your parents and me." The Pack doctor shook his head, folding his hands together.

Allie relieved a sigh.

"Now, let's start."

Finn set up a massive bowl of water in a metal bowl. He cleared everything else on his table and asked her to drink some herbal water. Allie was unsure of the procedure, but Nate held on to her hand the entire time, encouraging her.

A few seconds later, they saw the image on the water in the bowl, as clear as the skies.

"And this is your pup."

Nate made a sound, his eyes widening at the image in front.

"I — I — that is. Wow," Allie stuttered out, voice thin. She wanted to touch the water, wanted to see more and maybe coo loudly at the image. It was honestly so much, too much, but it was also so unbelievable and wonderful and heartwarming.

The omega couldn't stop staring.

Allie didn't do anything but stare at the pup in her belly, getting used to it, no — falling in love with it way to fast and way too hard and entirely irrevocably. She never expected this to happen but also knew Allie couldn't turn this around. An hour ago, she still doubted this whole pregnancy, feeling anything but confusion and obligation whenever the omega thought about the baby.

And now, all that was out the window.

Allie was so attached already, and maybe she didn't plan for any of this to happen, but it did, and the omega wouldn't have it any other way.

***