N/A~ Hello, loves. I hope yall are doing well. Here with a quick PSA, there will be a bit of pov switching. Other than that, please enjoy.

~Ayan Pov~

“Ayan Izki?”

I stood with my mate’s help. “Here.” 

The nurse smiled and welcomed us to the back. “Please follow me.” 

The young lady held the door open for us as we walked threw. The yellow pastel that covered the walls had calm and welcoming energy.  

Just what I needed. This appointment wasn’t bad or anything. We’re just to hear the baby’s heartbeat and ensure the pregnancy is viable. To make sure our is alive and growing. 

Totally not nervous or anything.  

“Bunny, I can practically see the steam coming from your ears.” 

I bit my lip and sighed. “I might be a little nervous.” 

Aithne raised a brow, humor lighting up in her eyes. “Just a little?” 

“Shut up,” I grumble. 

 “It’s totally normal to be nervous for today’s type of appointment. Most first-time parents are.” nice young nurse lady commented. 

She smiled and led us down the hall to a door on the left with the number 6 painted on it. “Take a seat. The doctor will be right with you guys.”

I hopped on the exam bed thingy and took a deep breath to ground myself. 

Everything would be okay. I’m 12 weeks, I still feel pregnant, and there will be a heartbeat. My baby was fine. 

Aithne came to stand by me and lay a hand on my back, rubbing soothing circles. “Why are you so nervous? Do you think there is something wrong with the baby?”

Aithne’s hand broke through some of the tension in my back, and I relaxed a little.  

“I don’t know,” I said, leaning more into her touch. “I just have this feeling I can’t shake, and I  don’t know if it’s about the baby or something else.” 

“Do you think it’s anxiety, maybe?” 

I shook my head and sighed again. “I told so two, but my wolf can’t shake the feeling either.” 

I pulled back and looked up at my mate. “ you think I’m crazy, huh?” 

Aithne pulled me close. “not about this” 

“What you do mean.” 

“You’ve always listened to your instinct, and if they’re telling you something is wrong, then maybe there is.” 

My heart sped up and pulled back again. “Do you think it’s the baby?” 

Aithne met my eyes. “Do you think it’s the baby?” 

I paused. I took a second to think. “No.” 

“Then it isn’t the baby.” 

“Just like that?” I questioned.

“Just like that.” aithne agreed. “Baby, whatever it is, we will face it together.” 

I leaned back into my mate and let her words sink in. “together.” I whispered.  

“And Ayan,” Aithne spoke after a while.

“Yes.” 

“I will always protect you. Always” 

My heart swelled with love and… just a bit of dread. “I know.” 

Just then, there was a knock at the door. “Knock knock.’  

Finally, let’s get this show on the road. 

***

“Do you feel better now?” I asked my mate. 

He sent me a gummy smile. “I do. Her heartbeat is so strong.” 

He smiled lovely at the black and white picture in his hand. I couldn’t help but smile as well. Our daughter was everything she could be at the moment. Healthy, strong, and growing at the rate she should. 

We were truly blessed. 

‘Hey, do-” I started but was stopped when my phone rang. “Hold, let me get this. Hello?” 

“How did it go?” 

I sighed. “How did you even know we left the appointment,” I asked, not even surprised.

“I have my ways.” 

“He stalked your location through find my.” herny said in the call’s background. 

I laughed. “I’m not surprised.” 

“Sooooo.” Owen drawled. 

I met my mate’s eyes. “Our baby girl is healthy and happy where she is for now.” 

I pulled the phone back from my ear as a scream irrupted, and an “I fucking call it.” came right after.

“It seems I owe my mate $50 bucks, thanks,” Owen muttered. 

“Your fault for betting on our kid, dumbass.”

Ayan shot me a warning glare. “Language.” 

I smiled and mouth sorry, and we walked to our car, and I held the door open for him. 

“Is there any other reason you were calling, or can I hang up now,” I asked as I slid into the driver and bucket up. “Im about to start driving and would rather not be on the phone with you. I do.” 

“Ouch.” 

I rolled my eyes. “Owen.” 

“Yes, actually, there is a reason for my call.” Owen sighed like a man tired of sighing. “the council bumped the interviews up.” 

“What.” 

“I know.” Owen agreed. “The first round of interviews is on Monday. We have five candidates to look at.” 

I grinned my teeth together. “Fucking boomers.” 

“I know, but the pack can’t survive without three alphas, and since….”

I sighed at the unspoken word and forced myself to relax in my seat. “okay, I’ll be ready. Thank you for the heads up.” 

“No problem…… Congratulations on the baby girl. Why don't you and Ayan come over for dinner?” Owen offered. 

I laughed again. “Owen, please don't think for one second I don't know about the surprise baby shower you and Henry have waiting for us.” 

Silence confirmed my answer. 

“You should know by now my father-in-law can't hold water.” 

“Be here by 7:15 sharp.” was the only response I got before he hung up. 

“Dumbass,” I muttered, amused.

A flick to my forehead readjusted my attention to my mate. 

I raised my eyebrow. “Was that supposed to hurt?” 

His glare and warning rumble told me not to push my pregnant mate's buttons. 

I reach into my pocket and pull on five bucks before handing it to ayan. “I'm sorry. I'll do better.” 

He immediately calmed down. “Please, I don't want our babies to have a foul mouth by the age of three.” 

“She won't,” I promised. 

I started the car. “Any request stops before we head to our “baby shower,” I asked. 

“McDonald's, please.” 

“McDonald's is it.” 

***

“Is it that good?” I asked my mate as he chowed on a hamburger covered in tartar sauce. 

“Mmmm mm” was what I got. 

I looked away and focused on my food. 

Ayan wanted to eat together but was too impatient to wait til we got the “baby shower,” so consuming in the parking lot was the next best thing. 

His cravings a new level of… creativity. I certainly wasn't going to call it anything else. 

“So, did you know about this?” I asked after we were done eating. 

The innocent look I got told me he did. 

“Well,” Ayan said, wiping at his chin. I look away briefly while trying not to grimace at the chuck of mustard and tartar sauce hanging off. 

“I knew they were planning something. I just didn't know what.” 

“Mmmmm. Who's all going?” 

Ayan looked away, and I instantly grew suspicious. “Just a couple of people. Friends and family as such,” he muttered. 

“Did you invite her?” I asked, cutting straight through the bullshit. 

Silence met my question. 

“Ayan,” I warned. 

“She’s your mother,” he pleaded. 

I closed my eyes and counted back from ten. Once I knew I wouldn't lash out at my pregnant mate. 

His guilty face did little to simmer my annoyance. 

“I’ll drop you off and pick you up when the party's over.” 

Ayan eyes shot to my face. “What.” 

I looked back at him. “Did you think by going against my wishes, I would magically just give in, and all would be well?” 

“No-” 

“You know what she did and how I feel about her. She is on the council side, not mine; she has no place in my life or my daughters.” I continued, not caring I cut him off. 

“She's your-”

“I don't care!” I snapped. 

When I saw the hurt look on ayan face, I closed my eyes again and took a deep breath.

“Just because she is my mother, a title she doesn’t deserve,” I stressed. “Doesn’t give her a free pass. I could’ve died that right. There should have been enough to stop her in her tracks.”

My eyes watered. “It hurts me that you would even give her the benefit if the doubt. Do my feelings not matter?” 

“They do!” Ayan cried. Fat tears ran down his face, and his breath was picking up. 

“Then why?!” I demanded. “Why did you do it?”

“I’m sorry, alpha, I’m sorry.” ayan said in hysteria. 

At that moment, I dropped all my anger. I unblocked my seatbelt got out of the car, and ran to his side. I opened the car door and hugged him tightly. 

“It’s okay. It's okay. I’m not mad anymore.” I reassured him. 

My mate was everything and seeing him fall into his instincts made me the biggest ass in the pack. 

“Please forgive me, Alpha. I'm sorry.” 

“Ayan.” I grabbed his face and pushed my love and reassurance until the bond.” You are forgiven.” 

“Please calm down, my love. It’s not good for the baby.” 

For the next few minutes, we worked on this. He called and settled ultimately. We sat in silence. We were going to see your circles on his back.

“I’m sorry,” I said after some time.

Ayan didn't move from his place on my chest. I didn't force him to reply and waited for him instead. 

“Will you still go?” he said softly. 

“Yes. For you, I will go.” 

All thoughts of my mother were pushed to the back of my head. I would do anything for my Omega. Anything. 

“Let's head out,” I said, pulling back. 

“Okay.” Ayan Sniffed. 

“Hey, I will do anything for you.” I looked him

In his eyes, “I love you.” 

He smiled. “I know. I love you too.” 

“We'll talk more about this another time but with better communication.” 

Ayan nodded, and I closed the car door. 

“The itsy-bitsy spider went up the water spout.” someone sang. 

I turned to look for the noise and found a man standing less than 5 feet away.

“Who are you!” I demand, Going on guard

The hairs on my neck stood up, and I knew he wasn’t a friend.

My claws and fangs started to grow, preparing for a fight.

The man smiled. “No need for that. I'm just here to finish what Darius was supposed to finish.” 

I snarled. “If you think for one second I'm gonna let you near Ayan, you are fucking mistaken.” 

The smile on the man’s face widened. “Fortunately, Ayan was never the true target.”

“I didn’t let the confusion show on my face. Then who?” 

“You.” 

It only took a split second. I barely saw the man move. His movements were way too fast. I didn’t see the gun he wiped out from behind his back. I didn't see anything. 

I was looking at him one moment, and the next, everything was back.