Page 42 of Luna's New Reign
He bows his head before addressing me. “Luna, I’m Dr. Ellis. I was called to check on you, just to ensure everything is as it should be. Will that be alright? I’ll have to touch you and I’d rather not like to get mauled by your mates.” I open my mouth to apologize when he just shakes his head. “No, it’s a common thing. Your mates will become very protective over you, the same way you will become protective over the life inside of you. May I?”
I nod, not knowing exactly what he needs. Dr. Ellis places his bag on the coffee table, digging through for a few different supplies before he runs through a very typical check-up routine. Blood pressure, heartbeat, reflexes. It’s all normal.
“Your health is excellent, Luna,” Dr. Ellis says after a few minutes. “But given the circumstances and the… unique aspects of your condition, I’d like to run a few additional tests. Just to confirm everything is progressing smoothly.”
“Condition?” I echo, raising a brow.
He glances at Asani, then Mateo, who gives him a tight nod. “Your pregnancy,” Dr. Ellis clarifies with a faint smile. “Shifter Omega pregnancies are rare and the magical signature is much stronger than it was a few weeks ago. It’ll likely influence the timeline.”
I blink at him, stunned. “The timeline?”
Dr. Ellis doesn’t answer immediately. Instead, he runs a few quick tests, checking my pulse, taking a small blood sample that he analyzes with some strange device I don’t recognize. A low hum fills the air and then he stops, his gaze flicking to mine as a grin spreads across his face.
“Well, this is remarkable,” he says, almost to himself before turning to face me fully. “Luna, you’re healthy—perfectly so—but your timeline is… shortened.”
“Shortened?” I repeat, my voice faint as the word rolls around in my head.
Dr. Ellis nods, his smile widening as he packs up his supplies. “Because of the magic flowing through you and the nature of your bond with your mates, your pregnancy is progressing quickly. It’s not unheard of for Omegas with strong packs, but your case is unique. You’re about a week along now.”
My heart stops.
“Aweek?” I croak, the words barely leaving my throat. Everyone’s eyes are on me—every single one of them practically holding their breath as they process what’s just been said. “How long…?” I whisper, the question slipping out before I can stop it.
Dr. Ellis’ expression softens, but his answer hits me like a punch to the chest. “Three months. That’s how long you’ll haveto prepare. Shifter Omega pregnancies, particularly ones tied to this level of magic, are faster than average. I’d recommend you take it easy—”
“Three months?” I repeat, my voice cracking as I stare at Dr. Ellis like he’s just spoken a foreign language. My hands press instinctively against my stomach, my fingers trembling as I try to process the bombshell he’s just dropped on me. “What happened to six to nine months? You know, thenormalamount of time?”
The doctor smiles gently like he’s used to delivering this kind of news. “Most human Omegas carry for six to nine months,” he explains, adjusting his bag with maddening calm. “Shifter Omegas, on the other hand, typically give birth in three to six months. But with the magic returning to the packlands and flowing through you, Luna… You’ll be on the faster end,” he finishes. “Your body is changing rapidly to adapt to the magic and your bond with your mates. Everything about you is unique and this child—this pregnancy—is part of that.”
I open my mouth to say something—anything—but nothing comes out. My chest feels tight, my breaths shallow. Three months.Three months.I barely had time to adjust to the idea of being pregnant and now I’m supposed to be prepared for all of this to happen in just twelve weeks?
Maverick is there, his strong arms pulling me against his chest. I let him hold me, pressing my face against his chest as I try to steady my breathing. “You’re okay,” Maverick whispers, his voice soft and steady in my ear. His fingers trail soothingly through my hair as his lips brush against my temple. “We’re right here. You don’t have to do this alone.”
“No, it’s fine. I’m just freaking out a little,” I admit, my voice muffled against him as my fingers curl into the fabric of his shirt.
A faint chuckle rumbles through his chest as his arms tighten around me. “You’re allowed to freak out, kitten. But you’re notallowed to think for even one second that you’re doing this alone.”
The weight of his words pulls me out of my spiral just enough to notice the others.
Dr. Ellis has left, Mateo is at my side, crouched beside the couch, his eyes locked on me, his hand settling over mine against my stomach. He’s reminding me that I’m his—his Luna, his mate, and never alone.
Darius presses himself against my other side. He doesn’t say anything but the way he’s watching me, like he’d tear the entire world apart if it meant keeping me safe, is enough.
Remi perches on the arm of the couch, his hand brushing along my shoulder, the ever-present warmth and affection in his gaze softening the edges of my panic. “Breathe, sunshine,” he murmurs gently. “You’ve got this.We’vegot this.”
And Asani stands at the edge of the room, his sharp eyes softened with something I don’t often see—vulnerability. He steps forward, his fingers ghosting over my knee before he settles on the couch nearby, River resting beside him.
The bond hums between us, a tangible thread of connection that I don’t think I’ll ever fully understand but will always feel. It grounds me as much as their touch does, weaving through me, reminding me that no matter how overwhelming this feels, they’re here.
All of them.
I tilt my head back, looking up at Maverick. His dark eyes brighten to that ethereal white and I hold my breath, waiting for something bad to happen but Maverick’s magic doesn’t feel chaotic this time.
“This child will unite four packs,” he murmurs, his words sending a shiver down my spine. “Bringing harmony where there was division.”
I blink up at him, my heart pounding in my chest. “What?”
“It’s the magic,” Maverick says softly, his gaze never leaving mine. “It’s you, Nepheline. You’re the thread tying it all together. Four packs—Nightshade, Redstone, Sapphire, and the pack of the Forbidden. This child is more than just our future. It’s the future of the packs. The magic knows that. It’s why everything is changing so fast.”