It has been another week, and there is still no sign of Aiden. Casey is working overtime, I think his frustration from missing Courtney and his son fueling his efforts to end this. Rosie is turning one this weekend, the pack throwing her a big party, and Parker arranged with Alpha Axel and Nathan Childes, Casey’s alpha and father-in-law, to have Courtney and Calum come join him here for the party. It’s a surprise and they should be here in 2 days. Courtney has been texting and calling me all week making preparations.

Carli, after having another episode while she was out with Parker, has been going to counseling. She got back from her second session just a little bit ago and had a clouded look on her face ever since. She is sitting on her couch while I play with Rosie on the floor, staring blankly at the ceiling.

Parker had to go down to his office for a meeting with the elders right when they got back from the counselor. He won’t be back until late, and Vincent has a pile of work to do for his businesses, so that leaves me to care for Rosie and Carli on my own. I’m thinking about calling Elena or Uncle Tommy to come help, nervous about handling both of them on my own when Carli finally speaks for the first time.

“I want to go to the clinic,” she tells me in a soft voice. Carli doesn’t have a soft voice. Not usually.

“You just got back-” I start to say before she cuts me off.

“Not the mental health wing. I need the regular clinic. I want to see a normal doctor. It will only take a little bit.”

I nod, trying to think about what reason she would have to go to the doctor right now. Then, her scent hits me. Does she realize now that she may be pregnant? It’s a faint change, since the father is Parker, who she is marked and mated by, but there is still a difference in her smell.

“Do you want me to get Parker to go with you?” I know he is busy, but he would leave the meeting for her.

“No,” she shakes her head, looking at me with tear filled eyes. The look on her face breaks my heart. Whatever she is going through, it is physically hurting her. It’s written all over her face the pain she is trying to keep hidden, but it still seeps out through her glassy eyes. “He has enough to worry about. Please, Sim. Can you just take me?”

I suck my lips into my mouth, knawing on the tender flesh. I nod to her after a few seconds, realizing that if I betray her trust right now and mind link Parker anyway, it could send her into another downward spiral. I am taking her to the clinic, not a club or bar. We should be fine on our own.

“Let me call Simon and get Stephan and Carlos to go with us or both of our mates will be upset.”

Carli nods, then looks down at Rosie sitting in my lap, playing with my phone and a sad smile spreads across her face, a single tear breaking free and running down her cheek.

I call Simon, not taking my eyes off Carli in case I need to quickly get Parker to help her calm down. Simon has Stephan and Carlos at the alpha quarters in less than a minute, ready to drive us to the pack clinic.

We bring Rosie with us, not having much of a choice if we don’t want to inform Parker where we are going. I grabbed her diaper bag and a few toys to hopefully keep her occupied. When we get down to the first floor, Alpha Jared is talking with Cathal and Casey in the foyer.

When he sees us, he does a double-take and a concerned expression crosses his features. I don’t know if he ever got a chance to talk to Parker, I never asked, but the longing on his face when his eyes land on Rosie is evident.

“Where are you guys going?” Casey asks us.

“Out,” Cari tells him curtly, not offering anything more. I wish I could still mind link my brother to let him know, but all I can do is offer him an apologetic smile.

“Need me to watch the turd monkey?” Casey asks, holding his hands out for his niece.

“You are due at the courts with me in an hour, young gamma,” Cathal reminds him, Casey huffs loudly and drops his hands.

“I could watch her, if you like,” Alpha Jared says cautiously to Carli. She looks back at him wih clouded eyes. “I will stay down here and watch her in Parker’s office,” he adds, offering her a warm smile.

Carli surprises all of us by nodding once, then turning to walk out the front doors without sparing anyone a second glance. Casey watches her walk out and then looks at me in question.

“Where are you guys going, Simone? Does Parker know?”

“The clinic,” I sigh, “I think it’s….well, it’s not anything bad. She probably doesn’t need Rosie there while she is getting examined, though.”

“Is everything alright?” Alpha Jared asks me. I shake my head sadly.

“Not yet, but she is getting help now.”

He looks out the doors where Carli disappeared through, a sorrowful expression gracing his aging features. I can see the regret there, which makes me feel better about handing Rosie to him.

He takes the little girl and hugs her tightly to his chest, smelling her silky baby curls. Rosie squeals and pats his cheek, clearly comfortable in her grandfather’s arms.

“I’ll be in Parker’s office,” he tells me, walking down the hall, slinging the diaper bag over his shoulder and bouncing the baby on his h*p.

The drive to the clinic is quiet, Carli staring vaccantly out the window the whole way. When we get to the clinic, she is put in an exam room almost instantly, fiddling her thumbs as we wait for the doctor.This content provided by N(o)velDrama].[Org.

When the doctor comes in, the first words out of Carli’s mouth surprise me. “I want to be put on birth control.”

Both me and the doctor freeze, shock overtaking me. I thought she figured out she was pregnant. I didn’t expect this.

“Can I ask why, Luna? Last we spoke, you were trying to get pregnant,” the doctor asks in a concerned voice.

“I just don’t want to bring another baby into the world when I’m….while I’m not well. I’m scared, and think I should wait until I am in a better place mentally before we try.”

Oh no. What do I do right now? Should I get Parker? If she gets put on birth control it could hurt or kill the baby since it’s still early.

“Okay, Luna. That is a respectable desicion. First, I will need a urine sample from you, and basic bloodwork to ensure you are not currently pregnant, and to ensure your body is healthy enough to start taking it.”

I sigh out in relief. At least the doctor is thorough and covering all the bases before just giving my reckless friend hormones that will harm her pup. I mind link Parker anyway, telling him where we are and what Carli is trying to do. I know she will need him when she finds out.

When the doctor comes back into the room a few minutes after leaving with Carli’s samples, the concerned look on his face tells me what I already knew.

“Luna, have you been showing any symptoms, or noticed any changes to your body recently?” he asks her.

Her brows furrow in confusion, “What do you mean?”

“Any nausea, heartburn, tenderness in your breasts….?”

I can hear the breath catch in her throat, “Why? What are you saying?”

I can hear shuffling in the hall and Carlos’s voice mingling with Parker’s voice right outside the door. He burst through right when the doctor tells Carli, “Luna, you’re pregnant.”

The b***d drains from Carli’s face and fear fills me as she falls forward, Parker barely catching her in time as she faints.