Chapter 33

I was allowed to go back to the manor after a blood pressure check, but Elroy was adamant that I rest for the remainder of the day. I gave up a token protest, not wanting to be taken from the investigation, but to my surprise even Astor backed up his brother.

"I'll look into Midnight Echoes," the younger man said, “and I’ll have that info for you when you come back tomorrow. How’s that sound?”

I blinked in surprise, searching his face for any sign of the judgment or pity I expected. He’d seen me have a breakdown, after all, and he hadn’t exactly thought highly of me before that. I didn’t see any; if anything, he seemed to almost…respect me.

And honestly, I did need to rest. I knew it, I just didn’t want the investigation to fall behind, so this was the best solution all around.

"Thank you," I managed. "I appreciate that."

Elroy cleared his throat, settling into the chair beside his bed—which he’d quite determinedly set me in for now—with an armful of paperwork. "I'll stay here and work on these reports. You can head out now, Astor."

Astor frowned, clearly displeased at being dismissed, but he’d basically just followed us into the Ruby Room while Elroy was too busy fussing over me to notice so he’d been here longer that I’d have expected. Honestly, given the strained relationship between the two, the high tension with my state, and the territorial nature of Alphas, I was surprised the dismissal didn’t involve bloodshed.

Astor knew it too, so he just met my eyes and gave me a curt nod before heading out. I sighed, relaxing.

“You know, I don’t need a babysitter,” I mentioned, not that I thought it was going to help me. The stubborn set of Elroy’s jaw told me he was ready and willing to start—or end—a fight if he needed to, so he was staying here.

Elroy frowned at me like I’d spat on his mother. “You don’t seem to remember most of it,” he said sternly. “Or how long it took to calm you down.”

I cringed. That…was true, time hadn’t held much meaning there for a while. Had it been that long?

Elroy just returned to his paperwork.

As if on cue, a soft knock preceded Jordan's entrance, a tray of steaming tea balanced in her hands. She looked worried.

"I heard what happened, Luna. Thought you could use a pick-me-up," she said with a smile. I couldn’t help but smile back.

“Thank you, Jordan, I appreciate—"

The moment the aroma hit my nostrils, my stomach rebelled. I lunged for the wastebasket by the bed, more out of instinct than any rational thought, retching violently and suddenly. I’d never been so confused by vomit before.

Except this was pregnancy, wasn’t it? Yeah, it was. Not great timing, baby.

"Olivia!" Elroy's voice was sharp with alarm. He was at my side in an instant, one hand rubbing soothing circles on my back while Jordan rushed for a water bottle.

When the nausea finally subsided, I raised my head, meeting Elroy's worried gaze. The tenderness in his touch made my wolf purr with contentment, even as the rest of me turned bright red in embarrassment. Great, now he was really going to hover.

"That's it," Elroy declared, his tone brooking no argument. "We're going to see my mom right now."

I couldn’t tell if I wanted to cry or roll my eyes. I just wanted to sleep. "Elroy, I'm fine. It's just the smell of the tea--"

"No excuses," he cut me off, already holding out his hands to help me up. "You need to be checked out, for the baby.”

Damn him, using the one argument that would get me paranoid enough to go along. I knew there was nothing wrong, that this was a normal part of pregnancy—one I really should have known was coming, but oh well—but now he had me worrying over what if it’s not? What if something’s wrong and the baby needs help?

So defeated, I nodded weakly. "Alright, but only if you agree to calm down afterwords. I literally just left the hospital, there can’t be something wrong already.”

Elroy didn’t bother replying as he guided me towards the door, and I couldn't help but lean into his solid warmth. I felt like I was doing something wrong, taking comfort in his touch when he was just worried about the child I carried, but for now, I relished in it. I allowed myself this moment of weakness, savoring the feeling of being cared for, even if it was built on a lie.

As we approached Apothecary Iris's quarters, Elroy's hand remained firmly on the small of my back, guiding me as if I might shatter at any moment. His touch sent conflicting waves of comfort and frustration through me.

"I can walk on my own, you know," I muttered, even as my traitorous body leaned into his warmth.

Elroy's lips quirked in a half-smile. "Humor me, Olivia. Please."

We reached the apothecary's door, and Elroy raised his hand to knock. Before his knuckles could make contact, a harried-looking messenger came sprinting down the hall.

"Alpha Elroy!" the young wolf panted. "There's an urgent situation. Your presence is required immediately."

Elroy's face twisted with a combination of frustration and disgust, as if the emergency should have had the decency to work around his schedule. I had to admit, though, it was bad timing. I’d…rather he be in there with me, honestly.

"I can't leave my Mate right now,” he growled, “Surely someone else can handle it?"

The messenger looked like he was completely out of his depth. “That’s…all I know sir,” he said worriedly.

I placed a hand on Elroy’s chest, purely to keep up appearances and not at all because my heart fluttered at the contact. "Go, Elroy. The pack needs you more than I do right now."

His eyes searched mine, worry and tension etched in every line of his face. "Are you certain?"

"It’s just a routine chat," I assured him, “I’m only coming to calm you down. I'll be fine."

Reluctantly, Elroy nodded. He hesitated for a moment, then pressed a swift kiss to my forehead that left me reeling. For appearances, I was sure.

"I'll be back as soon as I can," he promised, before turning to follow the messenger.

As I watched him go, I couldn't help but wonder at the intensity of his concern. It seemed excessive, even for an Alpha protecting his pack's future. I shook my head, pushing the thoughts aside as I knocked on Iris's door.

The protectiveness should rankle me, or at least rankle me more, but my wolf was cooing happily and I couldn't help but admit that it was nice to be cared for. But when he acted like this, how was I supposed to remind myself that he was worried about the baby, not me?