Chapter 217

Chapter 67: Ayla I watched Kingston pace the floor as I nursed my ginger ale, trying to settle my stomach.

“Kingston, calm down,” I urged him. “It’s not like that and you know it. No one is going to take your pack from you.”

Kingston scoffed. “Like I would ever let that happen,” he spat. “But I wouldn’t put it passed him to try.”

“That’s not fair, Kingston,” I argued.

“Is it?” he replied sharply. “He sure had not trouble taking you from me.” As soon as the words left his mouth his expression changed. “I’m sorry. That was unfair. And uncalled for.”

“Yeah,” I said, crossing my arms. “It was.”

Kingston sighed and dropped into a chair across from me. “I’ m sorry. It’s not every day you find out your biggest rival is also the rightful Alpha to your pack.”

“He doesn’t want your pack, Kingston,” I assured him. “We’re happy right here with our own. In fact, it would be better for everyone if we kept this a secret. With the Waar Pa k believing that I am going to take down the Alphas somehow and make myself some kind of queen, anything that would suggest the Greytooths are gaining more territory could be... Well, it could be really bad.”

With another heavy sigh, Kingston rubbed his face, leaning his head back against the chair. “I know that,” he said. “You know I wouldn’t do anything to put you in that kind of danger.”

I raised an eyebrow. “Do I?”

Kingston winced, knowing exactly what I meant. “Yeah, I guess you wouldn’t,” he conceded with a sigh. “Ayla, I’m truly sorry about that. I... With the state of mind I was in, I convinced myself you would be fine. That Theo or I would get to you in time. I really am sorry.”

I sighed in return, my stomach turning as a wave of nausea hit me. I breathed out slowly, trying to control my gag reflex.

“Everything worked out in the end,” I said. “I can forgive you, but it does change things, Kingston.”

“I know,” he admitted, looking back at me. “Ayla, are you okay? You’re flushed.”

“I’m fine,” I insisted.

He still didn’t know about the pup. Theo and I didn’t want to tell anyone else yet. I was enough of a target as it was. Theo was afraid my being pregnant would accelerate whatever plans they may have.

Kingston stood up and came to my side, pressing a hand to my forehead.

“Ayla, you’re pale and clammy,” he said. “You look like you’re going to be sick. Come on. I’m taking you to the infirmary.”

I put a hand on his arm. “No, no, I’m fine,” I insisted. “I promise.

It’s nothing. I’ve just been pretty stressed lately. As I’m sure you can imagine.”

He tipped my chin up to look at him and a terrible smell washed over me. I jumped from my seat, pushing him out of the way as I rushed to the bathroom. I don’t know how I managed to lock the door before falling to my knees in front of the toilet, throwing up everything that was possibly in my stomach. I couldn’t imagine there was much left. The past two days had been the worst. I had barely eaten anything all day because I didn’t think I could keep it down.

‘Baby,’ Theo’s voice came through the mind-link. He had been feeling my symptoms more when we were apart. ‘I think it’s time we saw the doctor about this.’

‘I have an appointment next week,’ I said. ‘It was the earliest they could get me in.’

‘Not for the Luna, it’s not,’ he growled.

‘You know I don’t like using my status to get favors.’

‘This is different,’ Theo insisted. ‘I’m calling them. End of story.’

He cut the link as I threw up again, and I honestly didn’t have the strength to argue.

“Ayla,” Kingston called through the door as he knocked. “Are you okay? What the hell?”

“I’m fine, Kingston,” I replied.

I was feeling better now that I got it out, but I knew it wouldn’t last. Sure enough, by the time I splashed some cool water on my face and cleaned up, my stomach was uneasy again. Kingston was still at the door. I took some deep breaths to gather myself before leaving the bathroom.

“Ayla, this isn’t okay,” he said sternly. “This is all too much. I get that Theo won’t suggest it, but I really think you should consider going away for a little while.”

I stopped in my tracks and looked at him. “Absolutely hot. Not with everything going on.”

“You need to get some rest and take care of yourself,” he replied. “All of this stress is making you sick. You can’t keep going like this, Ayla. I think you should go with Alpha Harden when he leaves. I’ll have him talk to Theo...”

“It’s not stress,” I blurted out in frustration. I hid a grimace, hoping I hadn’t said too much.

“Then what the hell is going on?” Kingston took my arm, his grip earnest but gentle. “Ayla, are you sick?”

I met his eyes and saw the genuine concern and fear behind them. I sighed, feeling terrible about worrying him like this. But I didn’t think the truth would be any better. Still, I felt like needed to tell him. I rested my hand on his.

“No, Kingston,” I said with a small smile. “I’m pregnant.”

Kingston froze for a moment, our eyes holding each others. I couldn’t read his expression. So I was shocked when his arms were suddenly around me, squeezing me tightly.

“That’s amazing news, Ayla,” he whispered.

His words were entirely and completely genuine. I felt tears start to sting my eyes as a lump grew in my throat.

“Really?” I gasped.

He pulled away, holding my face in his hands as he looked me in the eye. “Of course it is,” he said with a smile.

“But...”

“Ayla, I let go of any notion of you carrying my pups the moment Theo marked you,” he interrupted. There was still a touch of sadness in his words, but there was no bitterness. “No one in this world deserves to be a mother more than you. I’m happy for you.”

He kissed my forehead. It was sweet and loving and purely innocent. A s ob escaped my lips and tears ran freely down my cheeks, but I was laughing through it.

“Now, stop those tears,” Kingston urged, wiping my face. “You’ll get me in trouble.”

“Sorry,” I sniffled. “Hormones.”