Chapter 6

Kelly I was so grateful for Emmett’s support. Its been a month since I ended my pregnancy and he has been checking on me just about every day since. He was the only person who knew, and I planned on keeping it that way. I wish I could say I felt guilty about ending it, but I was more relieved than anything. I was young, I didn’t feel ready to be a mother. I was a princess, I couldn’t afford to have an illegitimate child. Not to mention, I feel like my wolf would kill it just to spite me. Maybe one day things will change, but today was not that day.

“Good morning Emmett.”

“Good morning, are we ready?” He asked, washing his hands and throwing on a pair of gloves.

“As I’ll ever be.” I sighed.

“Alright, legs in the stirrups and relax your knees.” He said, opening some packaging. “This should only take a few minutes.”

“Easier said than done, especially from that side of the room,” I grumbled.

“I won’t argue with that.” He agreed. “I promise I’ll be as quick and as painless as possible.”

“How long does it last again?” I asked as he began working.

“This IUD is good for five years. But it can be removed at any time.”

“Talk me through it again.” I winced.

“First, I inserted the speculum. Then I cleaned the cervix. Now I am measuring your uterus and as long as everything looks good, then I will place the IUD.”

“Measuring my uterus? Shouldn’t you take me to dinner first?” I winced again.

“Hold still.” He said, putting something down and picking something else up. “I’m almost done.”

“Ahh!” I yelled, feeling a quick burst of pain that left just as soon as it came.

“All set. You did great.” He said, removing his tools and peeling off his gloves. “You might feel some cramping, light bleeding is normal too. But you’re set for the next five years.” He shrugged.

“Thanks.” I said, sitting back up. “So about dinner then…” I asked, pushing my luck in the most cringy way possible.

“Kelly, I like you, but you are my patient. It wouldn’t be proper.” He said, refusing to meet my eyes. “I will see you next week for the next drug trial and a string check. Have a nice day.” He said before scooting out of the room.

I sighed, disappointed that Emmett wasn’t willing to bend a few rules, but understanding none the less. I was his patient. He knew my history…or some of it anyway. What would he think when he learned the rest? Best not to go down that road, I suppose. I don’t think I was ready for a relationship anyway. I was a trainwreck at best at the moment.

– – – – – – – – –

Kelsey “Are you ready for tonight?” Mason asked, rubbing my back gently. His brown eyes staring into mine through my vanity mirror.

“I’m worried about Kelly,” I said to my mate, fixing his hair from our earlier shenanigans. “She has been acting really funny since we found each other. I just don’t want to overwhelm her with our news so soon.”

“We are going to have to tell her soon, you’re already starting to show.” He said, rubbing his hand over my tiny bump. “This is good news.”

“Its great news, I know that. I just don’t want to set her off.”

“Kelly seems level headed, I don’t see the problem.” Mason said, kissing my marking spot. “Kylie, on the other hand…”

I snorted at his remark. “It just doesn’t feel right. She found her mate first. She is the older sister. Yet everything seems to work against her.”

“Life doesn’t always work in the order it should.” He sighed. “But I think it’s working perfectly for us.”

“I couldn’t agree more. Alright, let’s go before I change my mind.” I nodded.

“After you, love.” He said, bowing slightly.

We made our way downstairs, it felt odd. Shortly after we found out we were mates and marked each other, my father let us move upstairs. He had the palace renovated over the years, so each of his daughters and the Beta, Gamma, and Delta and their families would have their own separate living spaces that they could grow into. We lived on the first floor to accommodate our mother. Her health didn’t always allow her to move around much, so being on the top floor of the palace was out of the question.

“Kelsey, Mason.” My father greeted us.

“Sir.” Mason bowed.

“Who are we waiting for?” I asked a bit anxiously.

“Take a wild guess.” Kelly huffed.

“I’m here, I’m here.” Kylie said, slipping into her seat, acting suspicious as all hell. Just like always.

As soon as she was seated, servers began approaching the table with food. I quickly stood up and signaled for them to stop, much to everyone’s annoyance.

“Kelsey?” My mother asked.

“There is something we wanted to tell you all.” I said, looking at Mason, a huge smile coming over me. “Mason and I are expecting.”

“Oh! Such wonderful news!” My mother clapped.

“So soon?” My father said, his brows raised in surprise.

“Kels! I’m so happy for you!” Kelly said, running around the table to give me a hug, giving me some relief.

“Congrats.” Kylie sighed, seeming bored as ever.

“When are you due? Do you know if it’s a boy or a girl?” Kelly asked.

“How have you been feeling?” My mother asked.

“We are due in about three months, we want to be surprised and I am nauseous beyond belief.” I chuckled.

“A toast.” My father said, raising a glass. “To the new parents.”

“To the new parents.” Everyone mimicked.

Dinner went smoothly. Everyone was buzzing about the news, asking if they could tell other people, which we were fine with. Kelly seemed very happy for us, and not a fake happy either, thank Goddess. I never wanted anything to come between us. So, being the worrier that I was, I went to her room after dinner to make sure her and I were still okay.

“Kelly?” I said, knocking on her bedroom door.

“Come in!” She yelled. I walked into her room, which looked like it had seen better days. “Hey, whats up?” Kelly asked, pulling down her pajama top that she had just changed into.

“Hey…are we okay?” I asked nervously.

“Yeah, why wouldn’t we be?” She asked.

“I…I don’t know.” I shrugged.

Kelly’s shoulders slumped before she pulled me to sit on her bed with her. “Listen, I know my life is a bit messy, but that doesn’t stop me from being happy for you. You are my sister, my friend. I want what’s best for you, you deserve the best.” She reassured me.

“Thanks Kelly…” I sighed.

“What else is bothering you?” She asked, grabbing my hands, concern etched in her face.

“Why didn’t you tell me you found your second chance mate?” I asked just above a whisper.

“Who told you?” She asked, letting go of my hands. “What do you know?”

“Jonas, but it was only because he was concerned and I got it out of him. He just said you went to his pack to reject him.” I said, praying that she could forgive me for prying into her personal life. “Why didn’t you say anything?”

“I just didn’t want that pitying look from everyone again,” She said in a clipped tone.

“But I’m your sister…” I said.

“I know…” She sighed.

“What happened when you went to his pack? Why were you in prison for a week? Goddess Kelly, I feel like I hardly know you anymore.”

“Keres happened…” She whispered. “I don’t want to talk about it. I think you should go now.”

Kelly never spoke of her wolf, but when she did it was usually a bad thing. If Keres was involved, something awful must have happened.

“Kelly-“

“Please Kels. We are fine, I just have some stuff going on.”

“Alright.” I conceded. “I’m always here to talk.” I reassured her.

“I know, thanks.” She said, giving me a hug with tears in her eyes.

I hardly slept that night between being nauseous and worrying about Kelly. She was my best friend and I felt like I was losing her. Ever since I met my mate, things have been different. I had new priorities in my life. I have a pup on the way. All of which were good things, great things actually, but it was a new phase of life. Change always makes me nervous, good or bad. I hoped Kelly and I would stay close. I hoped she would get her happily ever after like I did mine.