Pregnant With Four Alphas' Babies: A Reverse Harem Romance Chapter 133: Family Comes First

*Tristan*

I watch Rose’s expression and start to panic because that’s exactly what I think she’s starting to do. As soon as Trevor says that he doesn’t know where Eli is, her eyes go wide, and she starts breathing funny.

The rest of the Alphas seem to pick up on her panic as well.

“Darlin’,” Reece says gently, “you don’t need to worry about Eli. We’ve all got his back, and we’ll find out where he’s at.”

That doesn’t seem to help because Rose has her hands on her belly now and looks like she’s struggling to breathe.

“Someone get the doctor,” Kelly says, pushing us all aside and sitting on Rose’s bed next to her. She takes her hand in hers, then coaxes her to look her straight in the eye. “Breathe, honey,” she says in a soft, soothing voice. “Watch me and breathe.”

I’m already in my head calling for Dr. Penderghan, and she answers in the mind-link that she’s on her way. “The doctor is coming,” I tell whoever is listening.

Kelly nods without looking at me and keeps up with her calm voice. “That’s it,” she says. “Right now, focus on the children. They need you to stay calm and to breathe. That’s good.”

Reece, Mark, and I are all taking turns looking between Rose and each other. I’m glad that Kelly seems to have things together and knows what to do.

Rose looks a lot calmer by the time the doctor arrives. “Is she in labor?” she asks as she bursts in, and we all move to open a pathway straight to Rose’s bed.

“No,” says Kelly. “She’s just had an emotional moment there.”

Dr. Penderghan nods and starts listening to Rose’s heart. “We need to keep the excitement down to a mild roar for now, please, gentlemen,” she says, addressing us. “What’s gotten her so upset?”

“I—Eli is missing!” Rose cries.

Kelly goes into soothing mode again. “He’s not missing,” she says, and she sounds fairly convinced that it’s true. “I know my brother, and he gets really wrapped up in things when he’s on a mission. I’m sure that’s the only reason why he’s not answering everyone.”

I can tell by the look in her eye that Kelly is alternating between calming Rose down and screaming for her brother in her head. I have to say, though, that she’s doing a great job of trying to hide her concern.

We’re all worried about Eli now, and I think we need to do something about it. “Reece, Mark—can I see you both outside for a minute?” I ask. I hate to leave Rose, but I know that Kelly and the doctor have everything under control with her right now. The sooner we find Eli, the sooner that Rose and the rest of us can stop worrying about him.

Worrying can’t be good for the babies.

“No!” I hear a strong, clear voice that makes us all stop and turn to Rose. She’s told me she’s been working on her assertive voice lately so she can handle mothering four small children, and she’s certainly got that nailed.

“Rose, honey,” says Kelly. “Please try to stay calm.”

“I am calm,” she says, a little harshly, but then she softens her tone. “You guys are always going outside talking about things that concern me, and I want to know what’s happening.”

I sit down on Rose’s bed opposite Kelly and stroke Rose’s cheek. “Little flower,” I say. “We know you deserve to know everything about what’s going on, but right now as future fathers, we need to do our most important job, and that’s taking care of you. If there’s something that’s going to worry you, like we just saw happen when you got worried about Eli, then we have to try to keep you safe.”

Thankfully, Dr. Penderghan jumps in to back me up. “Let the Alphas handle this, Rose,” she says. “Believe me, you’ve got your hands full with these pups. Whatever is happening here, I’m sure the Alphas are more than capable of taking care of it.”

“You’re right,” Rose says. “I’m sorry. I just—I just want to know what’s going on.”

“We know you do, darlin’,” says Reece. “We’re just as worried about you, though. Eli is a seasoned warrior, and I’m really sure that he’s just fine.”

I know that Reece doesn’t know that for sure, but I smile and nod like I agree with him, and so do Mark and Kelly.

“I know my brother well,” says Kelly. “He’s fine, and he’s probably thinking about you at this very moment.”

“Well,” says the doctor. “Whatever you all do, I need to examine Rose. So if you gentlemen want to go take this discussion outside, I’ll let you know when to come back in.”

We all nod. We’ve all seen Rose’s… private parts, of course, but we’ve also all agreed to give her some privacy when it comes to the doctor’s exams right now since her pregnancy is so far advanced.

Rose looks up at me pleadingly. “I promise, little flower,” I say, “that I’ll be right back. I’ll let Reece and Mark handle finding Eli, and I’ll come back here and sit with you. I’ll know just as much about what’s happening with Eli, and when the other Alphas find him, I’ll let you know as soon as they give me news through the mind-link. Okay?”

I kiss her forehead and stroke her hand to keep her calm.

“O—okay,” she says a bit reluctantly. “If you’re staying with me, I don’t mind that you talk about things with the others. Just please, keep me in the loop. I don’t want to feel like I’m just laying here helpless, even though I kind of am.”

“You’re never helpless,” says Mark. “And we’re all here for you. Reece and I will be back before you know it, and we’ll bring Eli here to see you personally.”

“You’d better,” Rose says, and she tries to force a smile.

I back off, away from the bed, and let the others tell her goodbye in their own way. I love how all of us care about Rose so much that we can work together as a team. Our children may not be born yet, but I can’t be happier about our big family than I am right now.

After they talk, and both the other Alphas kiss her goodbye, we walk out into the hallway and Dr. Penderghan moves in to get her exam done with Kelly helping her. Once we’re out of earshot, we exchange knowing glances.

This thing with Eli… is bad.

Trevor, who had backed out of the room during our personal discussion with Rose out of respect, rejoins us to talk about what’s happened. I don’t know the woman who is with him, but something about her seems… off to me.

“Okay,” Trevor begins. “Eli finally got a hold of us and said that he’s being held somewhere.”

I feel my heart sink a bit into my stomach. It is worse than I thought.

“Did he give you any clues as to where?” asks Mark.

Trevor shrugs. “All he said was he’s in some sort of cabin, captured by rogues,” he says. “Melvin, that’s the name of the guy in charge. They took him when he was maybe halfway to Stephen’s village, but he could be anywhere by now. Then they probably knocked him out again since he went silent.”

Reece nods. “All right,” he says. “Mark, I think it is best that Tristan keeps his promise to Rose and stay with her, so let’s go find Eli. I have all the warriors we need, and I’m sure you do, too.”

“We’ll let you know as soon as we hear anything,” Mark says, looking at me.

“Go,” I say, and they both nod and run off along with Trevor and the woman who was with him. Whoever she is, I hope she is loyal to Eli….

I turn my attention back to Rose just as the doctor walks out the door.

“How is she?” I ask. “And the babies?”

“She’s fine, and the babies are fine,” she tells me. “But she really can’t go worrying about what all you Alphas are doing out there on the battlefield.”

“Believe me,” I say, “I don’t want to worry her.”

“Good,” she says. “So don’t.”

With that, she walks off, and I chuckle a bit at the firm ways she’d said it. King Gene may be dangerous and a bit off his rocker, but the people running this palace sure know what they’re doing. I’ll have to keep track of which ones are helpful and loyal when we get full control of this kingdom. I know there are a few I’d like to reward and a few who I’m not so sure should stick around here.

Sometimes, it’s hard to tell the difference.

I go back into Rose’s room and pull a chair up close to her bed.

Kelly looks at me and smiles. “Your Alpha in shining armor is here, so I’ll make myself scarce,” she says. “But I’ll be close if anything happens.” She turns to me. “I’ll go see if the queen is still where we left her.”

“Please be careful, Kelly,” says Rose. “I don’t want to worry about you, too!”

She smiles and takes Rose’s hand. “Don’t worry, Rose,” she says. “The queen looks scary, but she’s actually just an old woman who’s probably scared and needs help.”

“Then you’d better go help her,” Rose says.

“I will,” Kelly says. “I’ll be close.” With that, she walks back into the secret passageway.

I turn to Rose and take her hand. “Well, it’s just you and me now, little flower.”