Pregnant With Four Alphas' Babies: A Reverse Harem Romance Chapter 204: Giving Them a Chance

*Rose*

“Yes, I know her,” I say, looking at Retta and trying to figure out why in the world she, of all people, is here.

“Your parents sent me as a representative from our pack to help take care of you and the babies,” she says, folding her hands in front of herself as she averts her eyes from me. “I know it’s been a long time since we’ve seen one another. You look lovely–as always.”

I stare at her, not sure how to reply. “I’m confused,” I say, being completely honest. “Why would they choose you to come here? It’s not as if you and I were ever friends.”

Before the woman can even respond, Tristan says, “Do you want me to toss her out?”

It seems pretty clear to me that Tristan is on the defense, even more so than the other two Alphas that are here with me. Once again, I am missing Eli, which I don’t like one bit.

“No,” I tell him, using a calm voice. “I would like for her to explain to me why she’s the one my parents chose. That’s all.”

Tristan sits back down, folding his arms, and I feel like I have my own personal bodyguard against bullies. It’s too bad he wasn’t in high school with me.

Retta won’t look at me. “I’ve become a very good nurse and nanny over the last couple of years since we graduated from high school,” she says. I’ve never heard her sound so humble before. Her voice is so quiet, it’s almost like she doesn’t think she’s the most amazing person in the universe anymore.

“And what about your demeanor?” I ask her. “How do you explain that?”

Finally, she looks up at me, just briefly, catching my eyes before she drops hers again. “I can’t really explain it, Miss Rose. I guess… the older I got, the more I realized that I wasn’t anything special. I shouldn’t have had the attitude I did in high school.”

“You told me that you and Rose weren’t friends because she was the Alpha’s daughter, and you felt like she was unapproachable to you,” Mark says. “But from what you’re saying now, it seems like perhaps that’s not quite the truth.”

I almost laugh. “You said that?” I ask Retta. “Really, Retta?”

She shrugs. “It’s true, though. I know it’s hard to understand, but you were the Alpha’s daughter, and I just felt like you were way too good for me, and if I were ever going to be able to measure up to you, I needed to pretend to be something I wasn’t.”

“A snob who told everyone that they weren’t good enough to be friends with her, even if the person in question was the Alpha’s daughter?” I clarify.

A low rumble emanates from the back of Tristan’s throat. He wants to kill her, but I almost think it’s comical. She’s acting so differently than how she did in school, it’s kind of funny to see her grovel a little bit.

“I’m very sorry, Miss Rose,” she says. “I know I wasn’t a good person back then, but after my mother passed away a few months ago, I’ve changed my ways quite a bit. I assure you, if you give me the chance, I will prove to you that I am a good nurse and a good nanny. I don’t expect you to give me a chance to be your friend anytime soon, but eventually, I hope that you will see I am that as well.”

I stare long and hard at the woman before me. I still see elements of the girl who used to make fun of me in the hallway at school or when she’d see me out and about in town. She had actually tried to tell Mark that I intimidated her? It is the biggest lie I’ve heard in a long time.

But she has a sincerity in her eyes at the moment that makes me want to give her a second chance. Perhaps it is the mother in me, but I am beginning to feel like there is a chance she means what she is saying.

Besides, there are plenty of other nurses from Mark’s staff, people he knows and trusts, who are here with me. And I will be with my children at all times.

“Fine,” I tell her. “I will give you a chance. But you’ve got to prove to me that you’ve changed.”

I see a look of relief and joy wash over her face as she nods enthusiastically. “Yes, of course,” she says.

Reece speaks up for the first time then. “Rose, we have plenty of healers and nurses in our packs we can send for that you can rest assured will be good for you and the babies. There’s no need for you to settle for anything or anyone.”

“I know,” I tell him with a small smile. “And I appreciate that, I do. But… I think I’ll let her try. It might be a nice lesson in humility.”

He has hesitation written all over his face, but he nods at me. “Whatever you like, darlin’. But we will be busy with the war soon. I’ve just received word that this Alastor person has arrived in Mark’s territory.”

I nod at him. “You guys be careful and worry about yourselves. We’ll be fine,” I assure him. “I have a feeling now that all of the hardships are behind us now, that as soon as you defeat this guy, and Eli finds Kelly, everything will calm down, and we’ll be able to happily raise our children.”

He has a skeptical look on his face, but he nods and then leans down and kisses me.

The other two Alphas who are present kiss me as well, and then, the three of them rush out to assess the situation with their armies. I don’t like it, them being gone, but the babies are all sleeping now.

“I think you should go get settled into your quarters,” I tell Retta.

“Yes, of course, Miss Rose,” she says. Her eyes travel over my children. “It’s just… I think one of them has on a dirty diaper. May I check first?”

I take a deep breath and remind myself that’s why she’s here–to help with my children. “Sure,” I tell her.

She quickly identifies that it’s Ethan and changes his diaper quickly and without even waking him up. I am impressed. I haven’t changed any of their diapers yet, but I have a feeling we would both be screaming now if it had been left to me.

Once my redheaded son is back in his bassinet, sleeping, Retta gives me a small smile and then leaves.

I’m not sure if I can trust her or not, but I won’t be sleeping with one eye open–because I’m too tired for that.