Chapter 28

(Ronan’s POV)

Despite my earlier misgivings, I had to admit, seeing Julia back at work and in her element was amazing. As always, I found myself marveling at her ability to juggle a dozen tasks at once, and to make it all look so easy.

Of course, now that we were so close, I had a behind-the-scenes look at how Julia handled it all. I knew I worked hard, but Julia…she never seemed to stop. She reviewed documents while we drove home and fielded phone calls while eating dinner.

Julia’s laptop only closed when she went to sleep, which she didn’t do enough of, in my opinion. I knew I had told her I would step back and let her take charge of her own life, but I couldn’t stop myself from worrying.

This concern was what led me to frequently call Julia’s doctor, asking questions about everything from diet and fitness, to whether or not it was damaging to the pup for its mother to be constantly staring at screens.

Finally, Julia’s doctor asked me if I would just rather come in and meet face-to-face, rather than call constantly. “I understand your concerns and want to help you navigate Julia’s pregnancy,” her doctor said kindly once we sat down to meet.

“Thank you,” I said. “I know I’ve been a little…over the top with my requests, but I want to avoid anything that might lead to another collapse.” Her doctor nodded, then said, “So, tell me about your specific concerns.”

After that meeting, I left with a folder full of documents about the proper way to handle a pregnancy, including fitness tips, which prenatal vitamins to take, and the proper diet. I made sure that my house staff implemented the changes to the meals right away, with a focus on avoiding any more allergic reactions.

Julia’s allergic reaction had affected me more than I let her know, even though it was relatively minor. It was just a small rash, and yet, it brought back so many memories of my own allergies and the complications they brought on.

It really is strange, I thought to myself. Julia said she’s never had a problem with almonds before. I know pups can change their parent’s bodies, but it is odd that her baby would cause her to have the same allergy I have.

I couldn’t stop thinking about the allergy. I wanted answers, but didn’t know how I would get them. Then, I remembered the genetic test the doctor had told Julia and me about. He had said we could find out more about the baby, but there was a risk — to both the pup, and to Julia.

But really, how dangerous could it be? I wondered. If the hospital still administers the test, then how bad could it really be? Tyler’s voice immediately piped up. No. No, absolutely not. I can’t believe you’re even considering this right now!

You can’t do anything that might harm the pup, my wolf said, as if I needed reminding of how devastated I would be if something happened. If something happened to the pup, or to Julia, you would never forgive yourself, nor should you. You can’t have the doctor conduct the test.

I hated it when Tyler was right. I couldn’t make Julia take the test. For one thing, it was an unnecessary danger. For another, I had told Julia I would respect her decisions. If she didn’t want to undergo the test — and I had a feeling she wouldn’t — I couldn’t make her.

Instead, I chose to focus all my nervous energy on other projects. Like, for example, my search for the witch. I had allowed efforts to find her to lapse over the past few weeks, as the merger and Julia’s pregnancy took precedent.

However, if I could finally find the witch, that would put at least some of my worries to rest. I couldn’t shake this odd suspicion that Julia was tangled up in all of it: the witch, the curse, the mysterious woman who had shared my bed.

If I could just find the witch and force her to reverse the curse, I could find my true mate and prove that all of these strange and confusing feelings I had for Julia were just some cosmic coincidence.

So, I ordered Alex to double his efforts to find the witch and threw myself into work — and Julia. I tried to be subtle, but I’m sure she picked up on my many questions about her health, as well as the frequent visits I paid to her office to check in on her.

Julia, as always, handled it all with grace. Even her newfound fame and social media attention didn’t seem to throw her off her game. She took it all in stride, and I often found myself marveling at how strong and capable she was.

(Julia’s POV)

My life had turned into a whirlwind. I was completely and totally focused on the merger, and was heartened to see how well it was turning out. The employees from Pack Theta we were absorbing seemed excited to join our team, and I was beginning to make new friends; a novelty for me, who never seemed to have many work friends.

I was also still juggling my recent fame. I was constantly inundated with messages on social media about how inspiring and moving people found my words, and other pregnant werewolves posted about me, naming me as a hero for those struggling to be taken seriously in the workplace.

I did a few more interviews, too, telling newspapers and websites about my journey through PackHouse, starting as a low-level employee and working my way up to Acting Beta, all through hard work and determination.

I made sure to stress in all my interviews that working hard and consistently was the most important part. “While there is a level of talent involved,” I told one reporter. “I want people to know that in the end, commitment and the willingness to roll up your sleeves and put in the effort is what will get you far in the business world.”

Through it all, I relied on Ronan, who was making my pregnancy his second full-time job, it seemed. He tried to act casual about it, but I knew his frequent visits to my office were subtle ways to check on me and see where my stress level was at.

He had also ordered his chef to start making me healthier meals, and made sure I took my prenatal vitamins every day, without fail. I was touched by his care for me, both at home, and in the office.

Ronan consistently made sure that everyone at work knew he supported me and trusted me to make the best decisions for PackHouse. Any gossip about me had disappeared, and everyone at the office treated me with respect.

It was incredible to have someone in my life that believed in me like that. Ronan had shown me, time and time again, that he had faith in me and trusted me with his business, as well as his own secrets.

Even though I had promised myself I would never reveal the truth about my pup to Ronan, my resolve was starting to falter. Ronan has proved to me that he trusts me above anyone else. Shouldn’t I show him the same courtesy?