Pregnant

Isabella paced around the room, each second that passed by making her heart race. Her gaze lingered to the test before she took it off and tried to steady her heartbeat.

“You can't get excited, you can't hope yet,” she whispered to herself.

It was going to be the tenth time she had taken the pregnancy test within the space of one year and the answer had been the same every time.

Negative. Only one line.

But now, Isabella wiped her mouth at the stench of the food she had just spit out. Now she was just waiting.

But what if it was just another fever and here she was getting excited? What if she was just about to break her own heart again?

“Now or never,” Isabella whispered and at once reached for the pregnancy strip and, the world paused around her.

The strip swayed in her eyesight as she struggled to focus before a scream tore out of her mouth. “Oh my!” Isabella screamed, her feet carrying her in the air.

She took her gaze back to the strip and another scream tore out of her throat, accompanied with the tears that spilled out of her eyes, “it's positive. It's positive.”

“Oh moon goddess, thank you, moon goddess, thank you,” Isabella's feet failed her as she crashed to the floor. She had waited, weeks, months for such a miracle.

And now it was here. Now she could remain Luna.

Now the pack wouldn't have to banish her. Now she could stay and enjoy the seat that was rightfully hers with her husband.

She grabbed the strip and just as she made her way out of the bathroom, she heard the knock which was followed by the entrance immediately.

Isabella knew it could only be one person. Elara. The Alpha's sister— her sister-in-law. The only woman that didn't shame her when the pack did.

“Isabella!” Elara exclaimed, her eyes narrowed, “your voice was high pitched! What were you thanking the moon goddess for?”

“Elara,” Isabella whispered as she held the strop behind her. The news was the one her beloved husband, Alpha Lucas had waited for for years. Should she wait until he's back — or should she spill it first to the woman that has been there for her?

“I—”

“Show me!” Elara ordered and slowly, Isabella pulled the strip from behind her.

“I'm pregnant.”

The world thinned and Isabella watched as Elara's eyes bulged. “What?”

“I'm pregnant,” Isabella repeated as she broke into tears, “it finally happened, Elara. I am finally pregnant.”

“Oh my god,” Elara dashed towards her immediately, her arms encircling her, “congratulations! I wish the Alpha was here.”

“Me too,” Isabella sniffed, “Me too Elara,” Isabella beamed as she pulled away, “this will do it right? This will finally make them silent. This would stop the murmurs, would it not?”

Isabella wiped her face as tears spilled out of her eyes remembering the way the pack would whisper behind her, the way they would point hands at her and scorn at her.

“I would never have to worry, would I? I'll be fully accepted now, right? No more discrimination?”

“Oh my dear friend,” Elara pulled Isabella into a warm embrace, “that should never be your worry. They don't matter. Only the Alpha does.”

“Yes,” Isabella nodded and wiped her face, “perhaps this would restore our relationship,” she clasped her hands together, “moon goddess please bring Alpha Lucas back home, would you?”

“He would be safe.”

“We haven't been able to reach them for 2 days, Elara,” Isabella's voice cracked and Elara sighed as she guided her friend to a seat.

“You forget who the Alpha is. He can handle any danger that comes his way.”

“I hope so,” Isabella whispered and took her hands to her tummy, “Lucas, please stay alive for the sake of the babies.”

“Ssh.” Elara whispered and looked around, “you can't let this go out. You can't call them babies yet,” her eyes darted around, “you know how the pack is currently Isabella, you can't keep mentioning these words.”

“Yes,” Isabella nodded sharply as she blinked. Since the Alpha has been on a mission, the pack has been in the hands of the council and they didn't allow her to interfere. They never allowed her to take control.

And that… that scared Isabella the more. What if they were behind her mate's disappearance? No. Isabella shook her head. Lucas was on a mission. He hadn't disappeared.

She nodded in affirmative and sniffed, “yes, thank you Elara.”

“I will leave you to rest,” Elara held her face, “we'll talk better at night.”

“Yes, thank you,” Isabella stood immediately and headed to the door while Elara walked after her, “rest also, Elara and start preparing to be a godmother,” Isabella whispered and at once pulled the door open.

As soon as the door was opened, her eyes narrowed, finding a maid at the door, “why are you here?”

“I…” the maid smiled, “I brought the drink Miss Elara asked for.”

“In my chambers. That's what I mentioned,” Elara reached for the drink, “this is not my chambers.”

“Apologies,” the maid bowed immediately, “forgive me, Miss Elara.”

“Leave,” Elara rolled her eyes and gulped the drink. Through the corner of her eyes, she saw the maid wait, “what is it?”

“There is… I have another thing to say, ma'am.”

“What's it?”

“The councils… they're having a meeting.”

“What?” Isabella stepped forward immediately. “A meeting without my presence?” She looked to Elara, “and without Elara's presence? She's a part of them.”

“That… that's not all,” the maid's gaze dwindled.

“What more?”

The maid exhaled, hands crossed on her chest, as she dropped the bombshell, “someone… has occupied the Alpha's seat,”