Perfectly Yours: An MMF Betaverse Novel

15. ELLIE

ELLIE

“Psst, Ellie!” Tati swats me on the back of my head and I jerk forward, nearly colliding with the mirror. I swivel around to scowl at her, my hand pulled back to retaliate before my action registers and I calm. “Fuck! I can’t dance with a black eye if you hit me. Come here.” She quickly moves us to a quiet corner, Tati waving some of the other girls away as they laugh at our antics. “Now, you were all jumbled on the phone when I asked if you wanted to get a bite to eat before our shift. I also swear you said something but I need you to say it to my face.”

My head hangs as the shame washes over me. Between meeting Ms. Astor and finding out that I might be pregnant, I needed proof. Undeniable proof. And that meant visiting a doctor. Carleen wasn’t home when I left so I didn’t have to explain to her why I was leaving so early. Still, that didn’t make it any easier to walk into the office and ask for them to check for real.

Dr. Kelly returns after several minutes as I sit huddled in the main chair, my knees pulled tight against my chest. A soft smile sits on the Beta’s lips as she sits across from me. “You’re pregnant, sweetie. Assuming that it happened directly after that night, you should be nearly three weeks along, give or take.” My heart drops into my stomach, the doctor patting my knee as she catalogs my response. “I assume this wasn’t planned? It’s not the end of the world. There are several options you have going forward. Let’s go through a few more questions, alright?”

I nod.

“You mentioned having some nausea. That’s perfectly normal. Tiredness too. Experiencing anything else out of the ordinary?”

I scrunch up my nose, thinking over the last week or so. “No. I just don’t know why I’m having symptoms now.”

“Betas generally start having symptoms much earlier than Omegas. I couldn’t tell you why but everything from nausea to when you start showing, it happens faster in Betas. It’s also a little more sporadic.”

I hate that. At least morning sickness won’t be a constant thing to deal with. I also didn’t even think about the other part—the part when I start showing, the moment when everyone knows I’m carrying a child and starts asking who the father is. I suck in my bottom lip, chewing on my angel piercing. “How soon would I start showing?” I should have done my homework before coming here.

“Depends on a lot of factors. As early as 8 weeks, earlier for twins. You might start to feel a little bloated in the next day or two but it’s different with every person that walks into the office. We can do an ultrasound in a few weeks if you like.”

So, I have time to figure out my life before the world knows I’m pregnant.

“Any longing? Pining?” Dr. Kelly chuckles and leans back in her chair. “Sweetie, that’s normal too. This happens with most couples or packs, especially when they’re mates. Our biology craves being accepted and together. You’ve got a little piece of someone else inside of you and it’ll manifest in wanting to be near your mates, to touch them. You might have what we call flares, moments where the need climbs. Most of us don’t really have an issue as the pregnancy progresses but the first few months can be a challenge. Weeks for a Beta.”

Embarrassment floods my face. “I’m-”

The doctor nods, reaching for a few papers laying on the counter beside her. She hands me the pamphlets and waits for me to take them before speaking again. “There’s a lot of support for single mothers. Programs, support groups, you name it and if there’s another route you choose, those options are there for you as well. I know this is a lot to figure out but take your time. Think about it and then come back in two weeks for a checkup.”

There’s no judgment from her and it just makes this situation that much more real.

“Ellie, you weren’t lying, were you? Fuck, by who? Wait-”

I reach over and clamp my hand over her mouth to keep her from shouting it in the dressing room. I like the girls here well enough but not enough for them to know my personal business. Lewis is also always around the corner and this one thing might disqualify me from the stage. Fuck if I’ll be stuck waitressing drunk men all night my next shift like I got stuck doing tonight.

Tati’s tongue darts out and licks my palm and I pull away, the woman giggling at her antics. “Alright, so what now? Have you told them?”

“Seriously? That is the worst idea. They’ll think I trapped them into some shit. I also don’t know what I’m going to do just yet. I… can’t afford a kid.” My hand falls to my stomach as if I can feel the child in there. The lingering need to have Macon and Savin at my side is growing even as I ignore it. “Let’s just get through the next few days, alright? I’ve got to focus on one day at a time.”

My friend nods and pats my shoulder before shooing me toward the front. With my set over, Lewis offered a few more hours serving tables. I’m not ecstatic about it but cash is cash and if I’m moving out anytime soon, every little bit helps. Double-checking that all the important body parts are covered, I nod and step up to the bar to grab any lingering orders.

“Haven’t seen you up here in weeks, Ellie. What gives?” Kai asks, wiggling his brows.

“Needed some extra cash but I’m wishing I had offered to clean toilets or something. Everyone gets so rowdy at the end of the night.” A quick survey of the front room shows me chaos unfolding and businessmen salivating over the girls shedding their clothes on the stage. There’s a few respectable tables but with my luck, I won’t be assigned to them.

“Well, take this. Table 15. They tip well.” Kai blows me a kiss and I grab the tray of tequila shots, frowning as I get closer. It’s Nathan, the man from that night. The one that Macon told me to stay away from. I can’t do anything now so I steel my nerves, hold my chin up high, and march over to the table to deliver their shots.

I place the tray on the edge, sliding the little glasses onto the wooden surface. “Men,” I throw on my customer service smile, popping out my hip to give them something to stare at. My crop top and short shorts leave little to the imagination but cover me up enough that I could legally walk outside. Nathan grins up at me, grabbing my hip and pulling me over to his side.

“Never thought I’d see you again! You slunk away with that Astor boy.”

I snort because Macon is no boy. If nothing else, his cock proved that. “I did not slink away with anyone. You just couldn’t understand that I wasn’t interested.” The others whistle, laughing at my dismissal of Nathan’s touch when I drag his hand from my waist and set it back on the table.

“Ah, darling, you see, I have eyes and you might not have left at that moment but someone saw you crawling into a room late that night.” He grins at my shock before grabbing his shot and downing it. “If you’re waiting for a payout or a story, you’ll be waiting for a while. I’m surprised they even let you in the room.”

I’m not a fan of this conversation, not just because I don’t want to have it but because it’s unfolding in front of others who were also at that party. I’m also a Beta, an outsider, and someone who has no business butting their nose into the Astor’s relationship. That night was never supposed to happen the way it did and now I’m paying for it.

In more ways than one.

“Be careful, girlie. They’ll ruin you in a heartbeat.” Nathan pushes to his feet, leaning forward to caress my cheek when I grab that wandering hand and twist it. He grits his teeth, eyes flashing in anger as he raises his other hand in response. I launch a cheapshot at his dick with my foot, earning me a groan. He releases me and bends over, whispering that he’ll have my job for it.

Just as I’m about to lay another blow, his friends watching but not helping, Tati has an arm around my waist. Kai is on the other side, standing taller than I’ve ever seen him, a fierce expression plastered on his face. “I think it’s time for you to end your night.” Nathan tries to protest but Kai shakes his head. “Everyone in this entire room saw you touch one of the girls first. Raising your hand against them is a punishable offense, one that usually bars you from entry.”

Fuck, this is bad. I tug against Kai’s shirt, shaking my head. Barring him from entry might result in him blabbing to anyone who will listen about my late rendezvous with Macon and Savin. I don’t need to deal with that right now.

“However, tonight, I’m feeling lenient. Find a different club to enjoy yourself and you,” Kai whips around to face me. His smile betrays his words, letting me know he isn’t angry. “Go home and cool off. We don’t need our girls punching the patrons.”

I hold back a laugh as Tati drags me to the back room to gather my bag. “Thanks.”

“Don’t thank me. You were about to deck Nathan Fox. That man has more connections than anyone. I was saving you from a lifetime of hurt.” She raises an eyebrow when I just stare at her. “Girl, he’s not a fan of Macon Astor or Savin for that matter. He’s been trying to grab Savin for a while but he’s bad news. Finding out that you might have spent a night with them—he’ll run that shit in a newspaper so fast.”

A frustrated groan falls from my lips as I dig into my bag and slip on a pair of pants so that I don’t chafe while riding my bike. I’ve definitely stepped into a world I don’t understand. I say my goodbyes, Lewis nodding to me on the way out. Goddess, I’m failing at this.

My body flushes with heat and I bite back a moan as I scurry outside to my bike. Dr. Kelly mentioned that things would be weird this early in the pregnancy because I’m a fucking Beta. Need courses through me as I race home, not stopping until I’m locked in my room, clothes shed, vibrator resting against my clit as I hum with relief. The vibration runs through the metal piercing just above, my body yearning for more than I’m giving it.

The lights were off when I returned so either Carleen is still out at her event or fast asleep. I throw a hand over my mouth as I resituate my vibrator at my entrance, my eyes rolling into the back of my head as the tip slides in. Goddess, that feels amazing.

My mind wanders to Macon as I stuff the silicone inside, fucking myself furiously with something that barely holds a candle to his girth. Tears gather in my eyes as I move my hand to massage my breast, needing their touch, the friction, and a whole lot more force. It isn’t enough.

Macon and Savin’s names tumble from my lips in a hoarse whisper as I fuck myself to an orgasm, whimpering when the pleasure barrels through me and I sag against the mattress. Dr. Kelly mentioned that my need for my mates would heighten but she never mentioned that it would be insatiable.