Luna. Chapter 4

(Lyra’s POV)

I drove to the clinic alone for my four-month checkup, my hands gripping the steering wheel tighter than necessary. It felt wrong to go without Kael, but he'd barely looked up from Seraphina's bedside when I'd mentioned the appointment.

"Medical appointment?" he'd asked distractedly, adjusting her pillows. "Is everything okay?"

"Just usual" I'd said, hoping he'd ask more questions, show some curiosity about why his young, healthy wife needed usual medical care. But Seraphina had chosen that moment to complain of a headache, and his attention immediately shifted back to her.

The clinic waiting room was filled with happy couples, hands intertwined as they waited for ultrasounds and consultations. I sat alone with my purse clutched in my lap, pretending to read a magazine while secretly watching the other women with their attentive partners.

"Lyra Blackwood?" The nurse called my name with a bright smile.

Dr. Sarah Williams greeted me in her office with professional warmth. She was the pack's primary physician, trusted by everyone, though I couldn't help but think about how she'd been at our house every day this week tending to Seraphina.

"How are you feeling?" she asked, reviewing my chart.

"Physically? Fine. Some morning sickness still, but it's manageable." I hesitated. "Emotionally... that's more hard."

Dr. Williams looked up from her notes. "Everything alright at home?"

I almost laughed. Where would I even begin?

"It's just been a stressful week. With Seraphina's return and everything."

Understanding flickered in her eyes. "Ah. Yes, I can imagine that's been an adjustment for everyone."

"How is she doing? Really?" I needed to know if this was truly as serious as Kael was making it out to be, or if I was losing my husband to someone who was already healing.

"She's been through significant trauma," Dr. Williams said carefully. "Physical injuries aside, the psychological impact of prolonged captivity can take months or even years to fully address. She'll need ongoing support."

Months or years. This sestence is a disaster for me. "I see."

"But let's focus on you today. How's the pregnancy progressing?"

For the next thirty minutes, I submitted to examinations and tests, listening to my baby's strong heartbeat through the monitor. Dr. Williams confirmed everything was developing normally, that both the baby and I were healthy.

"Would you like to know the gender?" she asked, gel still on the ultrasound wand.

I stared at the screen, watching my child move and stretch in the grainy black and white image. "Not today. I'd like to wait until my husband can be here."

"Of course. Many couples prefer to find out together." She handed me tissues to clean off the gel. "Speaking of which, is Kael planning to attend future appointments? Many fathers find it helpful to be involved from early on."

The question I'd been dreading. "He's been very busy lately. With pack business and... other responsibilities."

Dr. Williams nodded diplomatically, but I could see the questions in her eyes. What Alpha missed his mate's prenatal appointments? 

"Well, I'll make sure to have detailed notes ready whenever he's able to join us," she said kindly.

After the appointment, I sat in my car in the parking lot, staring at the ultrasound photos. Black and white images of my baby - Kael's baby - curled up and growing inside me. In one photo, I could clearly see tiny hands, in another the profile of a face.

I'd imagined this moment so many times. I'd pictured Kael and me staring at these photos together, marveling at the miracle we'd created. I'd imagined him kissing my forehead and talking about names and nursery colors and all the dreams we'd have for our child.

Instead, I was alone in a parking lot, trying not to cry on the pictures that should have been our first glimpse of our future together.

My phone buzzed with a text from Kael: "How did the appointment go? Everything okay?"

At least he'd remembered. That was something.

"Everything's fine," I texted back. “Don’t worry."

"Good. See you at dinner. Seraphina is feeling well enough to join us downstairs tonight."

Of course she was. Our first family dinner in a week, and it would include his ex-mate.

I drove home slowly, taking the long way through the pack territory. Past the training grounds where Kael and I used to walk together, past all the places that held memories of when I'd been the most important person in his world.

When I finally pulled into our driveway, I could see them through the living room window - Kael and Seraphina sitting close together on the couch, her head resting on his shoulder as he showed her something on his tablet. They looked comfortable together, natural.

Both of them seemed more like husband and wife.

I sat in my car for a long moment, ultrasound photos in my lap, watching my husband with another woman and wondering when the right time would come to share my news. Wondering should I tell him?

When I finally went inside, they both looked up with polite smiles.

"How was your appointment?" Seraphina asked with what seemed like genuine interest.

"Fine, thank you."

"Lyra always takes good care of herself without worrying about her." Kael said, but he was already looking back at his tablet, back at whatever he'd been sharing with her.