Page 35 of Rescued by the Alpha

He needed to hear more from Asha, but he didn’t dare let his mate—his pregnant mate—out of his

sight.

Elam was already yanking on his jacket when Asha called out. “Why does being pregnant seem so unbelievable when you were turned into a wolf a week ago simply be being filled with Nic’s seed while he bit you? Would you have thought such a thing as that was possible before it happened to you? How is your ability to become pregnant anymore fantastic then morphing into an animal at will?”

Elam paused at half-zip and Nic noted how flushed his face was along with his breathing that was frantic enough that Nic worried he might hyperventilate. He raced to Elam’s side, but right as he was about to touch him, he paused. His hand hovered over Elam’s shoulder as he waited for some indicator from him that it was okay.

Something seemed to break inside Elam as he flung himself into Nic’s arms, clutching at him in what seemed to be utter terror.

“Please tell me this isn’t happening,” Elam whispered against his ear, his voice laced with another sob. “I can’t do it.”

Nic’s throat closed off and all he could do was hold his mate, rub his back and try to soothe him with his touch. He batted away his own fears that Elam really wouldn’t be able to handle what was taking place inside his body, that he would refuse to carry their child.

He won’t. He wouldn’t.

Nic inhaled deeply then framed Elam’s tear-streaked face, touching their foreheads together.

“Don’t talk like that. You won’t be alone, I’ll be by your side through everything, I’ll help however I can. I promise. But I’m begging you. Please don’t refuse to carry the baby.”

Elam drew back, blinking a few times as if confused. Then his eyes rounded. “Wha-at? No!

That’s not what I meant, I’d never… I’m just so…” He threw himself into Nic’s arms again, speaking against his neck. “I’m terrified. My life until this point didn’t prepare me to even consider being a part of such a miracle.” Elam squeezed Nic to him then lowered his voice more. “How does the baby come out?”

Good point.

Asha had some explaining to do.

Chapter Ten

Elam couldn’t keep his hands still as Nic’s sister snorted then narrowed her eyes at Nic. He hadn’t wanted to tell anyone yet—not that he could ever tell his family and friends at all—but Nic had encouraged him to bring his sister in on the incredible news. That may or may not be real. He hadn’t decided yet. Overly-sensitive nipples, nausea, seesawing emotions and tiredness could be lots of other things. He just didn’t know what.

Alex turned her gaze to him and stared. He squirmed beneath her attention. “Are you buying into this, Elam?”

His heart fluttered in his throat. “I…maybe?”

She squinted at him the way she’d been eyeing Nic, as if she could somehow psychically glean the truth. “How does the baby come out?”

Seems to be everyone’s question. Elam felt he had the right to the answer more than anyone in the room. Or the town.

Nic answered for them, “She’s not sure.”

Alex frowned at Nic. “The fuck?”

Good thing the kids are asleep. He had nothing against Alex’s sister—since he hadn’t heard her swear in front of the kids—but he wouldn’t want anyone spouting off with a potty mouth around his child. Elam whimpered. Already the baby was real to him.

Nic clasped his hand. “It’s all right. Remember, we have our own surgeon one pack over and a doctor right here in town. We’ll plan for a C-section and everything will be fine.”

“Sure. Fine. Everything will be fine.” He was starting to sound like a robot. He’d repeated the

‘everything will be fine’ mantra in his head so many times, he’d be dreaming about it that night.

Alex pursed her lips with her eyes still narrowed. “I dunno about this. I need you to pee on a stick, Elam. Then we can talk.”

Her request jostled him out of his daze. “Huh?”

She pushed up from her chair. “If the pregnancy test I have in the bathroom has expired, I’ll risk the town gossip and go buy another one. Wait here while I check.”

After she’d left the room, Elam turned to Nic, who wrapped both his hands around Elam’s.