Chapter 5. Difficult Decisions.

Maya wipes down the counter of the small town bar, her mind drifting to the slower pace of life she's grown accustomed to. 

It's a far cry from the pack she left behind, but she's found solace in the friendly faces and quiet rhythms of this quaint little place. 

She's been here for two months now, and as she pours a drink for a regular, she feels a sense of belonging wash over her.

The door chimes as a group of rowdy men stumble in, their laughter and slurred words a stark contrast to the peaceful atmosphere Maya has grown to love. She steels herself, ready to deal with the usual antics of the local drunkards. She plasters on a friendly smile as the men approach the bar.

"What can I get you fellas?" she asks in a pleasant tone, her eyes scanning the group.

One of the men, his eyes already glassy from too many drinks, leers at Maya. "How about a round of whiskey for me and my buddies here?" he slurs, his gaze lingering on her body.

Maya's smile falters for a moment, but she recovers quickly. "Coming right up," she replies, trying to keep her voice neutral as she pours the drinks. She sets them on the counter, hoping the men will take their drinks and leave her alone.

But the leering man lingers, his eyes roaming over Maya's body. "You know, I bet I could show you a real good time, sweetheart," he says, his words thick with drunken innuendo.

Maya's hackles rise, her heart rate increasing. "I'm just trying to do my job here," she says firmly. "I'd appreciate it if you'd keep your comments to yourself."

The man chuckles, undeterred. "Aw, come on now, don't be like that. I'm just trying to give you a little attention, that's all." He reaches out and runs a hand down Maya's shoulder.

Maya jerks away, glaring at the man. "I said keep your hands to yourself," she snaps. "I'm not interested in anything you have to offer."

He leans in, his breath hot on her neck. "You know," he whispers, his words laced with a sickening sweetness, "you shouldn't be so rude. I'm just trying to appreciate you. Cut me some slack."

Maya sneers. "And I don't want your stupid appreciation," she says, her voice tight.  

"In Fact I would appreciate you respecting that."

He snorts, a harsh, grating sound. 

"Respect? Sweetheart, you misunderstand. I'm offering you something much better than this dead-end job." He reaches out again, this time grabbing her arm.

"Let go," she grouses, her voice rising in volume. "I said no."

He tightens his grip. "Don't play coy. I know what you want."

The other bartenders, noticing the escalating situation, move towards them. Mark, a burly man that shares to shift with her, places a hand on the man's shoulder. 

"Easy there, friend," he says, his voice calm but firm. "She's asked you to leave her alone."

The man, momentarily startled, tries to shake off Mark's hand. "This is none of your business," he snarls.

Another woman, stacy from the kitchen, quick and agile, steps in front of Maya, shielding her. 

"Get out," she says, her voice sharp and commanding. "Before you make this worse."

The man, enraged, lunges forward, but his friend's seem to notice that it's escalating.

One them grabs his arms and tugs him aside.

"Alright, let's get going, fellas. I think we've worn out our welcome here."

Maya watches as the man’s face twists with anger, but he finally huffs and storms out, muttering curses. She exhales, her legs trembling slightly. “Thank you."

The friend inclines his head before turning on his heel and walking out the door. In no time the rest of the group of men file out.

 But maya's heart is still pounding in her chest.

She takes a deep breath, trying to calm her nerves. 

She's dealt with unwanted advances before, but that encounter left her feeling shaken.

Just then, Maya feels a sudden wave of dizziness wash over her. She reaches out to steady herself, bracing her hands on the counter. The room seems to be spinning, and she can feel her legs trembling beneath her.

"Are you alright?" Mark asks, rushing over to her side.

Maya shakes her head, struggling to speak. "I...I don't know. I suddenly feel..." Her voice trails off as her vision goes dark and she collapses to the floor.

* * *

Maya's eyes flutter open, and she finds herself in an unfamiliar room. The sterile white walls and the steady beeping of medical equipment tell her she's in a hospital. She tries to sit up, but a wave of nausea and dizziness washes over her, and she quickly lies back down.

A nurse appears at her bedside, a concerned expression on her face. "Easy there, Miss. You've had a bit of a scare. How are you feeling?"

Maya swallows, her mouth dry. "What happened?" she asks, her voice hoarse.

"You collapsed at the bar where you work," the nurse explains. "The other employees called an ambulance and you were brought here. We've been running some tests to try to determine what caused the fainting spell."

Maya nods slowly, the events of the evening starting to come back to her. "The customer...he was harassing me, and then I just..." She shakes her head, wincing at the pain the movement causes.

The nurse's expression turns sympathetic. "I see. Well, you're safe now. We're just waiting on the results of some bloodwork to see what might be going on."

Just then, a doctor enters the room, a serious expression on his face. "Miss Maya, I'm glad to see you're awake. I have some news for you."

Maya looks up at him, her heart racing. "What is it?" she asks, dread filling her.

The doctor clears his throat. "Well, the results of your bloodwork indicate that you're...pregnant. In fact, you're carrying triplets."

Maya's eyes widen in shock, and she feels her heart skip a beat. "Triplets?" she whispers, her voice barely audible.

The doctor nods. "Yes, that's correct. We're not entirely sure of the cause, but it seems your pregnancy is progressing at an accelerated rate compared to a normal human pregnancy."

Maya stares at him, her mind racing. Triplets? How could this be happening? And it was accelerating? was it because the father was an alpha?! 

What the fuck is she going to do? 

She had always wanted a family, but not like this – not alone, in a foreign place, with no support system. 

The revelation fills her with a mix of fear and joy, and she's not sure how to process it all.

"Wh-what do I do?" she asks, her voice trembling.

The doctor gives her a pitying look. "Well, that's ultimately up to you, Miss Maya. We can provide you with information and resources to help you make the best decision for you and the babies. But the choice is yours."

Maya nods slowly, her thoughts whirling. The prospect of being a single mother to triplets is daunting, to say the least. 

The doctor seems to sense her inner turmoil. "Take some time to think it over," he says gently. "You can check it out in the meantime and come back later to discuss your options in more detail."

Maya nods again, her eyes downcast. As the doctor leaves, she feels a wave of overwhelming emotions wash over her. 

Tears start to stream down

her face, and she buries her head in her hands, her body shaking with sobs.

What is she going to do?