Chapter 5
five
Xenia
One Month Later
This isn’t possible.
“What do you mean?” I ask again, cocking my head. My senses are filled with unpleasant scents. Sterile, chemical, with a touch of iron and copper.
The doctor in front of me furrows her eyebrows. “Perhaps you want to call your pack to come? It appears you are in shock.”
My anger ramps up and mixes with my confusion. “I’m unmated.”
Her eyes flick to the mark on my neck. Her mouth opens, but then she shuts it, mulling for a few moments before speaking. “Sure. Miss Rossi.”
The name alone is a stab at my psyche. “You need to check again.”
The doctor's lips flatten into a line. She stands from her desk and even though she is a beta, her scent wafts to me. Strong, sweet, and slightly bitter. Licorice. It’s nearly as unpleasant as the rest of this office, and my nose crinkles in disgust.
The doctor pauses. “If not a pack. Is there someone else you want to call?”
An unrelenting stomachache had brought me to this urgent care clinic. Nearly an hour and numerous tests later, this crock was trying to convince me of the impossible.
“Yes.” Digging through my bag, I retrieve my phone and dial Serena.
“Xenia, what’s going on?” Her voice is off, but I push that aside, focusing on the task at hand.
“I went to urgent care with a stomach bug. This doctor is trying to convince me of the impossible. Can you please talk to her?”
“Wait Xen—”
I don’t listen, pushing the phone into the doctor’s hands before me. She steps back with it and turns around, speaking in a hushed tone.
I don’t like that.
Fidgeting, I pluck at a stray piece of wool on my sweater. The material is not my favorite, but I didn’t have many options. Florida decided to have one of its rare cold days, and my winter clothes are lacking.
“Here, she’s going to speak to you.” The doctor’s voice is kinder this time, her eyes filled with a familiar emotion that I hate.
Serena told her about Tony.
Snatching the phone back, I retreat as far as I can into my chair. Bringing my knees up, I wrap my free arm around them.
“Xenia, I need you to listen to me. The doctor is telling the truth. I am so sorry.” Serena’s voice cracks. “I was supposed to take care of you, but instead, instead—” She hiccups. “But we’ll figure this out.”
An icy bucket of salt water spills over me.
A burning shock to my system.
I want more than anything to scream. To argue. To fight her.
“I’m…I’m…”
My attention finds the doctor before me, she sets the paper on the desk face up.
There is a single large bold word that stares back at me.
“You are,” Serena purrs in my ear. She attempts to comfort me through the phone as she confirms my worst fear.
Pregnant.