Another mate

Terra

The bell on the café door jingled as another customer walked in. I plastered a smile on my face, willing myself to get through another shift.

"Welcome to Sunbeam Café, what can I get started for you?" I recited in a chipper tone.

The man rattled off his order, oblivious to my inner misery. I nodded politely and got to work making his latte. Just six more hours until freedom.

I still couldn't believe this was my life now—slinging coffee and pastries at Moonbeam Café in the tiny town of Willow Creek. A far cry from my days as Luna back home. Here, no one knew who I was or cared about my tragic fall from grace. I was just Terra, the quiet new girl who kept to herself.

And that was exactly how I wanted it. After Nathan so cruelly chose his mate over me, I had shifted into wolf form and run until I collapsed, desperate to escape the excruciating heartbreak. When I finally shifted back two days later, I found myself near the outskirts of Willow Creek, hundreds of miles from the Crescent Moon Pack.

With no money or resources, I'd stumbled into town and begged the café owner for any job she could offer. Luckily she took pity on me and gave me the evening shift waitressing and cleaning up. The pay was pitiful, but it kept me fed and sheltered for now.

I still wore Nathan's diamond mating ring on my finger, the sole remnant of my old life. Part of me desperately wanted to pawn it and start fresh, far from the memories it carried. But letting go completely terrified me. Despite everything, I wasn't ready to sever that last tie. Pathetic, I know.

So here I was, just barely scraping by. Existing, but not truly living. The gaping hole Nathan left in my heart remained raw and bleeding. Some nights when the pain became too much, I shifted and ran through the woods, howling my anguish at the moon. In the light of day, I simply carried on, trying not to think about the past or future. Just getting through each shift, each day, was enough for now.

As I wiped down tables after closing, a wave of nausea hit me for the third time that week. I steadied myself with a groan. What was going on with my body lately? I'd been having strange symptoms—fatigue, cramps, dizziness. Probably just stress messing up my cycle. But part of me worried it could be something more serious.

I debated seeking medical help, but the thought of explaining my situation to human doctors made me cringe. No, I just needed to push through. My next paycheck should be enough to cover an appointment.

Until then, I had little choice but to endure the discomfort and pray it wasn't life threatening. For now, all I could do was wait.

Over the next week, my symptoms only got worse. I was nauseous all the time now, my sense of smell strangely heightened. My breasts became sore and swollen. When I started having cramping and spotting, I knew I couldn't delay anymore. As soon as I got paid, I was going to see a doctor.

The following Saturday couldn't come soon enough. The minute I picked up my meager paycheck, I headed straight for the town's clinic. Luckily they took walk-ins.

I fidgeted anxiously in the waiting room, praying I could afford whatever treatment I needed. Maybe coming here was a mistake. But it was too late to turn back now.

"Terra?" a nurse called.

I followed her back to an exam room. "The doctor will be right with you," she assured me before exiting.

Alone with my spiraling thoughts, I perched on the edge of the exam table and tried to breathe. A gentle knock came a few minutes later.

A handsome, brown-haired man in a white coat entered, scanning my chart. "Hello Terra, I'm Dr. Collins," he said kindly, shaking my hand. "What seems to be the problem today?"

I described my symptoms, my face burning. The doctor listened patiently, asking questions now and then. When I finished, he nodded.

"Given your symptoms, the first thing I'd like to do is confirm whether you're pregnant or not," he said. "Would that be all right?"

I froze. A pregnancy test. I should have realized. But hearing him say it out loud made it suddenly, terrifyingly real.

"Y-yes," I stammered after a moment. "Please, go ahead."

Dr. Collins talked me through the exam, keeping up a stream of calm chatter as he worked. His competence and compassion put me slightly more at ease. After finishing, he gave my shoulder a gentle squeeze.

"Just relax here while we run the test. I'll be back very soon."

As soon as he left, the panic returned full force. Pregnant. I might actually be carrying Nathan's child, a permanent piece of the life we'd shared. Could I really raise this baby alone, without him? The very idea overwhelmed me.

My chaotic thoughts screeched to a halt when Dr. Collins returned, clipboard in hand. The kindness in his eyes told me everything I needed to know before he even spoke.

"Congratulations, Terra. The test came back positive. You're going to have a baby."

The scream building in my chest died on my lips, coming out as more of a strangled sob. Pregnant. A swirling vortex of terror and wonder threatened to swallow me.

Dr. Collins squeezed my shoulder again. "I know this is a lot to take in. But try to stay calm, all right? Everything is going to be okay."

I wanted to laugh. How could anything ever be okay again? But I simply nodded, afraid if I opened my mouth I might begin hysterically laughing or crying.

In a daze, I let the doctor review next steps—prenatal vitamins, diet and exercise guidelines, follow-up appointments. I clung to his assurances that my pregnancy seemed perfectly healthy so far.

"Do you have any other questions before you go?" Dr. Collins asked gently.

I mutely shook my head, knowing I wouldn't be able to speak past the lump in my throat.

"All right. Take care of yourself, Terra. And remember, you're not alone in this."

I somehow managed to hold myself together until I made it outside. But as soon as the clinic doors closed behind me, the panic I'd been barely containing burst free. I collapsed onto a bench, sobs wracking my entire body.

Pregnant. Carrying Nathan's child, a baby I never thought we'd have. Part of me wanted to sink to my knees and thank the moon goddess for this miracle. But the rest of me was utterly terrified.

How could I raise a child alone, with no money or support? As painful as it was, perhaps terminating the pregnancy was the only merciful option. I wrapped my arms around my still-flat belly and wept harder. No, I couldn't bear to lose this last remaining piece of my mate.

The sky darkened as I sat there struggling to regain control. In the distance, I heard the clinic doors open and close again, followed by approaching footsteps. I quickly scrubbed the tears from my cheeks.

"Oh! I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to..."

I glanced up to see Dr. Collins hovering over me, looking concerned. Embarrassment flooded me. He must think I'm a complete lunatic, sobbing outside his clinic.

"It's okay," I said hoarsely. "Just...processing the news."

He nodded, compassion shining from his kind brown eyes. "That's understandable. A pregnancy can be overwhelming even under ideal circumstances. Please don't hesitate to reach out if you need any support during this transition."

I tried to smile. "Thank you, that's very kind."

He gestured to his car. "Can I offer you a lift home? It's rather cold tonight to be walking."

Home. I nearly laughed again. I didn't have a home, not anymore. Just a makeshift den in the woods where I curled up in wolf form.

"I'm not far," I said vaguely. "But thank you. I'll be okay." I stood and hurried off before he could press further.

After the doctor drove off, I slipped into the woods and shifted, grateful for the escape of my wolf body. Leaves and twigs cushioned me as I curled up beneath a large oak tree. Sheltered there with my arms wrapped around my belly, surrounded by the scents of the forest, the anxiety finally began to ebb.

Tomorrow I would figure out my next steps. But here, in this moment, I could feel hope flickering again inside me. No matter how hard things got, I wasn't truly alone anymore. I had a precious piece of Nathan growing safely inside me. And for now, that was enough to keep me going.

Somehow, everything would work out. It had to.