Mated by Contract to the Alpha Chapter 97

Rebecca's POV

"You're sure this isn't just the aftermath of my concussion?" I asked as Adrian's car pulled into the private hospital's parking lot. The same hospital Dominic had taken me to before.

Adrian shook his head, his expression serious. "Brain injuries can have delayed effects, and combined with your sudden nausea, I didn't want to take chances." He parked the car and turned to me. "I know it's probably nothing serious, but better safe than sorry."

"Thank you for bringing me," I said sincerely. "You really didn't have to."

"Your state in class concerned me," he replied, his eyes studying my face. "And then when you suddenly ran out like that... I couldn't in good conscience let you go home alone."

We walked into the hospital together, and I couldn't help noticing how different it felt from when Dominic had brought me. There was no staff rushing to attend to us, no immediate deference. We were just ordinary patients.

After checking in at reception, we sat in the waiting area. Adrian thumbed through a magazine while I fidgeted nervously, wondering if I should text Dominic. But what would I say? That I was at the hospital again but didn't know what was wrong? He'd drop everything and come running, and it was probably nothing.

Finally, a nurse called my name and led me to an examination room. Adrian remained in the waiting area, assuring me he'd be there when I finished.

The doctor who entered was a middle-aged woman with kind eyes and an efficient manner. She began asking me detailed questions about my symptoms—the fatigue, the nausea, my recent medical history including the concussion.

"And when was your last menstrual cycle, Ms. Brown?" she asked, making notes on her tablet.

I had to think about it. With everything that had happened—the attack, the hospital stay, the resort—I hadn't been tracking closely. "I'm not sure... maybe five weeks ago? I've been irregular lately with all the stress."

She nodded. "I'd like to run some blood tests and a urine sample, just to cover all bases. It could be lingering effects from your concussion, but we should rule out other possibilities."

After providing the samples, I returned to the waiting room where Adrian sat patiently. "Everything okay?" he asked.

"Just waiting for results," I replied, trying to sound more confident than I felt.

It felt like hours, but was probably only about forty-five minutes when Dr. Chen called me back to the examination room. Adrian stayed behind again, giving me an encouraging nod.

The doctor's expression was professional but held a hint of surprise as she looked at her tablet. "Ms. Brown, your blood test results show elevated levels of human chorionic gonadotropin—HCG."

I stared at her blankly. "What does that mean?"

"It suggests you may be in the very early stages of pregnancy," she said gently. "Approximately two weeks along, based on the levels."

The room seemed to tilt around me. "Pregnancy?" I echoed, my voice barely above a whisper. "That's impossible. I mean—it's only been two weeks since—" I stopped myself, mind racing.

Two weeks. Since Dominic and I... since the night I'd marked him.

"This can't be right," I said, shaking my head. "It's too soon to have symptoms, isn't it?"

The doctor's expression was thoughtful. "Typically, yes. Most women don't experience noticeable symptoms this early. However, everyone's body responds differently to hormonal changes. Some women are particularly sensitive, especially if..." she hesitated slightly, "if the father has certain genetic traits that might affect development rates."

"I'd like to conduct further tests to confirm," she continued, "but the blood test is highly accurate. Would the father happen to be... someone with unique genetic traits?"

I swallowed hard, understanding her careful wording. "Yes," I whispered.

She nodded, as if this confirmed something. "That would explain the accelerated symptoms. In cases of mixed genetics, development can progress more rapidly, and the mother's body often reacts more strongly to the hormonal changes."

My hand moved instinctively to my stomach. A baby. Dominic's baby. A human and a werewolf. My mind spun with implications I couldn't begin to process.

"Is it... will it be okay?" I asked, suddenly afraid. "The baby, I mean. With the mixed... genetics."

The doctor's expression softened. "From what we know, such pregnancies are rare but viable. They do require specialized care, which we can provide here. I'll prescribe some prenatal vitamins formulated for your specific situation."

She handed me several pamphlets and a prescription. "We should schedule you for an early ultrasound in about two weeks. Sooner than we'd normally do, but given the circumstances, it's advisable."

I nodded numbly, clutching the papers. "Thank you," I managed.

As I walked back to the waiting room, my mind raced. How would Dominic react? Would he be happy? Angry? Would this complicate his position as future Alpha? And what about me—was I ready to be a mother? To potentially be the mother of a werewolf child?

Adrian stood when he saw me, concern etched across his features. "Rebecca? Is everything alright?"

I forced a smile, tucking the pregnancy pamphlets deep into my bag. "Just anemia and fatigue, like I thought," I lied. "The doctor gave me some vitamins and told me to rest more."

He looked relieved but still somewhat skeptical. "Are you sure that's all? You seem... shaken."

"I'm fine, really," I insisted. "Just tired. Thank you for bringing me."

As he drove me home, I stared out the window, one hand resting protectively over my still-flat stomach. Inside me grew a new life—one that was part human, part wolf. A secret I wasn't yet ready to share, not even with the father.

---

The villa was quiet when I entered. Diana, the housekeeper, greeted me with a warm smile.

"Ms. Brown, welcome back. Mr. Sterling called to say he'll be home in about an hour. Would you like me to prepare something to eat?"

The thought of food made my stomach turn, but I knew I needed to start taking better care of myself now. Not just for me, but for the baby.

"Maybe just some toast and tea," I replied. "Thank you, Diana."

I made my way upstairs to freshen up, locking the bathroom door behind me before pulling out the pamphlets from my bag. "Pregnancy Care Basics," read one. Another was specifically titled "Special Considerations for Unique Genetic Combinations"—clearly a euphemism for werewolf-human pregnancies.

I stared at my reflection in the mirror. I didn't look different, and yet everything had changed. How would I tell Dominic? When should I tell him? We'd only just resolved our misunderstanding about the mate bond, and now this...

The sound of the front door opening startled me. Dominic was home early. I quickly shoved the pamphlets back into my bag and splashed some cold water on my face, trying to compose myself.

When I came downstairs, Dominic was standing in the foyer, his expression instantly alert as he took in my appearance. His nostrils flared slightly—scenting me, I realized.

"You've been crying," he said immediately, concern etching his features. "What happened?"

My heart pounded. Could he smell the change in me? Did he already know?

"I'm just tired," I said, attempting a casual tone. "It was a long day at school."

Dominic's eyes narrowed slightly, unconvinced. "Raymond saw you at the hospital today. With Adrian Lane."

I froze, caught off guard. Of course. Dominic still had people watching me—protecting me, as he'd put it.

"I felt sick during class," I admitted, which wasn't a lie. "Professor Lane was concerned and drove me to get checked out."

Dominic moved closer, his eyes scanning my face. "And? What did the doctor say?"

I swallowed hard, avoiding his gaze. "Just fatigue and mild anemia. Nothing serious. I need rest and vitamins."

He reached out, tilting my chin up to make me look at him. His touch was gentle, but his eyes were searching, as if he could see right through me. For a terrifying moment, I thought he might challenge my lie.

Instead, he stroked my cheek softly. "Get some sleep, little doe. Take care of yourself." There was something in his eyes—something I couldn't quite read—as he added, "Don't let me worry about you."

He kissed my forehead and then stepped back. "I need to finish some work in my study. You should rest."

With that, he turned and walked away, leaving me standing there with my secret intact, at least for now.

---

That night, alone in bed while Dominic worked late in his study, I lay awake staring at the ceiling. My hand rested on my stomach, still flat with no outward sign of the life growing within.

"Two weeks," I whispered to myself, hardly believing it. "A baby... a werewolf's baby."

What would this child be like? Would it shift into wolf form like its father? Would it grow faster than a normal human baby? The doctor's comments about accelerated development suggested it might.

I had so many questions and no one to ask. I couldn't tell Sofia—not yet. And Dominic... how would he react? Would this change everything between us? We'd only just begun to understand our own bond, and now there would be another connection, permanent and undeniable.

Since the incident with William, I'd sworn never to entangle myself with werewolves again. Yet here I was, not only hopelessly in love with Dominic but now carrying his child.

Tears welled in my eyes as conflicting emotions washed over me. Fear, joy, uncertainty—all swirled together in a confusing maelstrom. Part of me wanted to run to Dominic's study right now and tell him everything. Another part was terrified of his reaction. Would he see this as a blessing or a complication?

"What am I going to do?" I whispered to the quiet room, one tear sliding down my cheek.