Unexpected Surprise - Chapter 6

Lavina – POV

It was my best friend Leo, who is not only a wolf shifter but also a business partner. "Hey, how are you?" I was surprised to see him after so long. "You seem to have disappeared for five years, and now you show up out of the blue," I said as I hugged him, and he hugged back, his sturdy frame a testament to his well-built body. As we broke the hug, my eyes met his light green ones, and I noticed his brown hair that matched well with his fair skin.

"I was busy building empires around the globe," Leo said. I smiled at his response. Alice excused herself as she was called by James. "You look radiant, Lavina," he said.

"You're always such a flirt," I said, but I couldn't help but blush at his compliment. Leo had a way with words.

"I always speak the truth, you know that," Leo said.

"You look sharp in that suit," I said, returning the compliment. Leo's smirk, accentuated by his one-sided dimple, made him look even more handsome. "Well, it's a surprise seeing you at the engagement party. You tend to avoid public appearances," I observed.

"Who could miss my first cousin's engagement?" he replied. I nodded, understanding that Leo was the cousin and brother of Archer.

"You're here alone, not with a mate?" Leo inquired.

"I divorced my mate," I added with a faint smile. Leo didn't press further; he just gave me a sympathetic look for a few seconds. "Well, I am looking to invest. Do you have any good film projects you suggest that could be profitable?" Leo changed the subject, and I gave him a rundown of a few projects which Leo found interesting.

"Why don't we get back to the party?" I suggested, and together, Leo and I walked back into the engagement ceremony, where people enjoyed the food and music. Leo stood by me even when others approached him; he politely declined their invitations, and I didn't feel so alone. As I sipped my drink, my eyes landed on Archer, who was staring at me blankly. I averted my gaze, feeling the intensity of his look. The party atmosphere didn't align with my mood; I wasn't in a joyous state of mind. But chatting with Leo helped pass the time.

"I'm taking my leave," I said, bidding farewell to Alice and her family, as well as to Ella and Darcus.

"Mind if I accompany you?" Leo asked. I nodded. Leo was a gentleman; he dropped me off at home, safe and sound. I walked into my lonely apartment, and for some reason, tears started pricking my eyes. I didn't know why I felt like crying, but I did. The next thing I knew, I felt nauseous and ended up puking my guts out, feeling utterly drained. After cleaning up and drinking some water, I realized this was the third time in five days that I'd felt this sick.

"Ryu, why am I feeling sick? Please check on my health once again," I asked my dragon.

"I'm on it," my dragon replied, and I felt warmth spreading within me, but it seemed the power diminished before it really began.

"What's going on?" I asked my dragon, Ryu.

"My power seems to be blocked for some reason," Ryu's voice came in a low whisper.

"How is that possible?" I asked. "Our power being blocked can only happen if I'm under a stop spell cast by someone."

"I can't pinpoint the cause of it, Lavina," Ryu said. "I'm trying to." Ryu attempted to use her power again, but I felt nothing. Then I heard the doorbell ring. I felt heavy with each step I took toward the door, dizzy, and as I opened it, I saw Leo, who looked at me with concern.

"Why are you here?" I asked in a whisper.

"To return your handbag; you left it in my car," Leo said. "What's wrong with you?" Before I could answer, darkness overtook me.

*****

I woke up to find myself in unfamiliar surroundings, surrounded by the beeping sounds of a machine. I saw Alice with a concerned look on her face. "Where am I?"

"You're in the Dragon infirmary," Alice said. Nancy walked in with coffee but set it aside when she saw me awake.

"What happened to me?" I asked, feeling hazy. The doctor entered, and I noticed the dragon symbol on his coat, indicating I was in the Dragon Realm.

"You had low blood pressure, fainted, and also experienced a power blockage, which caused you to pass out," the doctor said.

"Why the power blockage?" I asked, confused.

"You're pregnant. That's often a reason for power blockage," the doctor revealed. I blinked in shock, trying to process the news. Alice and Nancy looked at me with surprise as well.

"I'm pregnant?" I echoed, seeking confirmation.

"Yes, Ms. Lavina. Dragon healers often face power blockage during pregnancy; these symptoms are common," the doctor explained calmly. "You're two weeks pregnant."

"Can you identify if the baby's power is that of a wolf or a dragon?" I asked. Alice and Nancy's faces showed their curiosity piqued by my question, and the doctor used magic to scan for any glimpse of the baby's power within me.

"It's hard to tell, Ms. Lavina, since you are such a strong healer. I can't pick up on the baby's power yet. Also, it's too early to say," the doctor said.

As the reality set in, I reflected on recent events. I had drunkenly slept with Keenan before breaking off our mate bond – a stupid mistake. And the second mistake? I had slept with Archer, also while drunk. Now, the looming question was: who is the father? Is it my ex-husband and mate, or is it Archer, the result of a one-night stand?