Goru. The scars from long time ago still deep. Nasty scars over its muzzle and side.

All of my muscles were tight, ready to leap and attack. Omega was not moving on the ground. What had hurt him? Why did I not see him falling? I could not even take one moment to look back behind me to see if omega's chest was rising.

I willed my mind to not think of such things when a strong beast, Goru, was in front of me. It stood on its hind legs suddenly, nearly reaching the height of some of the trees behind it. Bellowing out, it slammed its front paws back onto the ground. I heard screams behind me, but ignored them.

Had to protect mate. And now, had to protect brothers. Family. Pack.

I booming snarl left me in turn, suddenly feeling a strong power like my own on either side of me.

Multiple snarls and warning growls echoed next to me. Ethan's strength thrummed dangerously like mine from him, as did Griffith's. Beckett was next to Ethan, looking ready to pounce with teeth bared. I felt the ground tremble, multiple howls coming from the pack house area. Were the warriors coming to help?

I snarled nastily, getting onto my back paws before pounding my front paws into the ground in return. Warning Goru right back. Its scent must have been what caught my attention while our group traveled down from the Overlook! But why did it follow? Why did it bother coming down from high in the mountains where I was sure it lived?

Goru looked even larger in size now, barrel chest heaving as saliva dripped from its maw. Beady black eyes looking over the other wolves, my family, standing at my sides. I hunched my shoulders down low, taking a careful step forward. I could feel Ethan nearly moving in sync with me on my blind side. The first move would be mine; whatever happened. Goru's muzzle scrunched in defiance, a low grumble leaving it, but made no other outward move. I could see its own hackles start to go down, its eyes on my own. It almost seemed like Goru was watching me. Why? What was it waiting for?

A high pitch whine caught my ears, making them twitch towards tiny sound. My eye darted to a spot behind Goru, seeing a tuft of brown fur that was partially hidden in a bush by the forest line. Goru seemed to recognize the sound as well. A nasty snarl left Goru in warning, lifting up its chin at me. That seemed odd. With a chuff of hot rancid air out of its mouth, Goru turned slowly from me, heading towards the tuft of fur instead.

Goru picked up the small tuft by its scruff, said cub whining again. I kept my ears pricked forward, nose breathing in Goru's scent deeply. It would not get passed me and hurt any in the pack. I did not move, feeling my gold eye thrum. A small part of my head wondered if Goru had caught my scent up towards the Overlook. Perhaps it scented the other wolves in my group. Was Goru curious? There would always still be a deep respect I would hold for Goru. One who was also a dangerous, lonely beast. Though perhaps, not so lonely anymore.

A clean wind swept across the open area, Goru long gone now. I turned tail and hauled across the pack grounds, desperate to get to my omega. My heart nearly ripped through my chest not seeing Theo where he had fallen on the ground earlier. A panic nearly blinded me before following omega's scent towards pack house. I nearly barreled through the many wolves that had somehow ended up behind me when Goru came from the forest. Perhaps Griffith called them to come help, in case Goru decided to attack; though I was sure that pack did not like me still. I could not think of the reasons why right now, desperate to find my omega. To have him in my arms. To look into his forest green eyes.

As I raced through the pack house, ignoring the gasps from the other wolves inside, I raced up the stairs, realizing that omega's scent was with Healer Sarah! I was grateful for this, but my worry could only increase. Omega had to be okay. He just had to be.

I slammed through the Healing wing door, omega not moving from a small bed. Grant and Silas were guarding omega in their wolf form, both hunching down as if to spring when I flew through the door. Healer Sarah had just stuck a strange object in omega's ear. All three seemed to freeze for a moment, Grant and Silas bowing their heads as they moved slowly away from my omega. Sarah's head was bowed as well. Unbeknownst to me, my hackles were raised in warning to all that were close to Theo.

I hurried to the opposite side of the bed Healer Sarah was on, nosing under omega's small chin. I whined low in my throat, my large head laying on omega's chest to hear his heart. My wolf size was large, my head nearly too big for omega's small chest. I tried to ease my heart with the rise and fall of his breaths. Something gave a beep, my head lifting to see Sarah pulling the object from omega's ear.

"He has a small fever, but nothing that is concerning just yet. I think it would be a good idea to draw blood from him again," Sarah said, eyes darting up at me, before lowering once more.

I whined low, brushing my large cheek against omega's forehead that glistened a little with sweat. Looking back at Healer Sarah, I slowly lowered my head to rest against omega's side. I did not like when she took blood from omega, but medicine had helped omega's throat before.

The she-wolf let out a relieved breath, hurrying about the room. I sat on the cool floor as I pressed my snout further against Theo's waist, almost tucked under him, breathing in his sweet scent deeply. His scent shifted back and forth between bitter with sick and sweet. Did not like.

A warmth pressed against my side, looking over I saw Silas. His head was tilted all the way back so his snout was pointed up at me. His chin was trying to reach my shoulder. I chuffed at him, nudging him in thanks for taking care of omega. Grant seemed to already be gone, Silas curling up next to me as I rested my head back on the bed.

What was wrong, my omega?

*

It felt late in the day. I tried fluttering open my very tired eyelids. Streams of purple and dark blue light came through the window of the room I was in. It was getting closer to last light outside from what I could tell.

Furrowing my brow, I peeked around the room I don't remember coming to. How did I get here? I could scent that alpha had been in the room, but I did not see my big mate anywhere. His scent was saturated in the room, so I knew he hadn't gone far.

Seeing several medical looking machines on a countertop far away, and the scratchy feeling of the sheet I was on, I assumed I must have been in the medical wing.

Groaning low, I pushed myself weakly onto my elbows. Rubbing at my tired eyes. I hoped it would stop their sleepy behavior. I wanted to see alpha before falling back asleep. Callan must have brought me to Sarah in a panic.

Goddess, what was happening to me? I've felt off ever since taking that antibiotic medication and I had no idea why.

"Thank the Goddess!"

I whipped my head up to see Sarah hurrying over to me. She puttered around me feeling my forehead, flashing a light in my eyes, and feeling around my throat.

"Your temperature has been fluctuating and I already took blood samples about an hour ago," Sarah said quickly. I blinked hard several times to get the sunspots to go away from her small flashlight.

"Cal-" my voice hoarse.

"Was convinced by his brothers to grab a plate of food for himself and you. He should be back up here in a few minutes."

I sleepily yawned, slowly laying back down onto my pillow. It felt so difficult to try and keep my eyelids open. Callan, my sweet alpha, would be even more worried if he didn't see me awake though. So I valiantly tried to keep myself from passing out.

I could hear Sarah moving about, slowly starting to drift off. Until said she-wolf started to shake my shoulder. I groaned tiredly, half wanting to cry. I really just wanted to sleep!

"Sorry Theo, but, um, your blood results came back a little while ago."

There was something in Sarah's voice that caught my attention, making my eyelids drift open. She looked like she was trying not to smile, or maybe jump around. Maybe she was nervous? That idea suddenly made me nervous too.

"Is something wrong? Do you know why I haven't been feeling good after taking the medicine?" I asked carefully, slowly sitting up again. If I was still laying down I would have been tempted to fall asleep.

"I think, well, it's-"

*

I was stunned. I moved so I was sitting with my back against the backboard. I could barely feel the blankets I was under. The door to the healing room opened, my alpha carrying two plates ladled with food. My mind had wandered too far to determine what food my alpha grabbed.

Alpha's head snapped up, having been concentrating on not spilling anything, gold eye growing round. With a quick pace Callan was suddenly there the plates on the nightstand next to me. Callan himself was holding me against him, his nose buried against my mark. I could feel his large, warm fingers spread apart against my back as he tried touching and holding as much of me as he could.

"Omega, my omega," Callan's voice whisper soft. I sighed sweetly at the warm kisses he was leaving over my mark, under my jaw, over my cheek, and finally against my lips. Our kiss was lingering, a comfort that made my chest warm.

"Omega, Theo," Callan's voice suddenly very serious and dripping with worry, "Should have said not feeling good! Would have stopped! Even if only few feet from pack house. I would carry. I would-"

"Callan, honey, I didn't feel that bad. Just tired," I said, cutting off my dear alpha's panic. I cupped Callan's cheek, brushing my thumb along his very evident five o'clock shadow. My love hadn't even had the proper time to shave yet. He didn't particularly like being all scruffy. His golden brown eye seemed to be imploring into my forest green.

"Fell like Grandfather," Callan's voice suddenly shaking. Tears stung the back of my throat, a whine leaving me. My arms flung around his head to hold him close. I pressed my lips against his temple, tangling my fingers into the back of his shirt collar; which faintly scented like Ethan.

"Didn't mean to scare you like that alpha, my alpha. I couldn't help be tired. I'm sorry," I choked out, sniffling to abate any of the tears wanting to leave me. Callan only seemed to bury his head further against my mating bite and part of my chest. Combing my fingers through his dark tresses, I could feel his heart, our scents, calming.

I heard a soft scuff of a shoe, Sarah bowing her head slightly in our direction as she quietly left the room; closing the door behind her. My heart rate started to pick up, knowing my alpha would ask me what is wrong in a second.

Indeed, Callan lifted his face from the crook of my neck. He knew Sarah had been in the room from her scent, before she quietly left. I cupped both of his cheeks in my small hands to stop any questions from pouring out of his mouth just yet. I knew that the day had caused a lot of stress for my alpha because of me.

I took in a deep breath, Callan slowly closing his mouth, seeing that I was about to speak.

"Healer Sarah said she took some of my blood to test," I started to say slowly. Callan nodded his head, that he indeed knew. I nearly giggled at Callan trying to keep his cheeks in my hands when he nodded.

I gazed into Callan's eyes. A deep, strong gold that had my heart flutter. It was so expressive and warm whenever his gaze was on me. The iridescent pearl of someone who has gone through hard times and come back stronger for it. The pulse of his bite on my neck, the thrum of our bond that echoed as one within our hearts.

"I'm pregnant, Callan," My words tumbling from my mouth. My breath hitching in my throat; my mouth was not used to that word. Callan furrowed his brow. His lips slowly pursing. He was looking at me like he was trying to find something. Solve a puzzle. Slowly, ever so slowly, Callan's eyes started to grow wide. Until they became red-rimmed.

"Omega? Omega," Callan's breath hitching, voice starting to shake.

"My omega, a-a little one?"

My smile bloomed, nodding my head quickly as my own eyes filled with tears.

"Pregnant means that a little one is growing inside my belly," I breathed, my smile growing wider as I placed a hand delicately over my tummy. The action was jarring, still in shock at Sarah telling me the news merely minutes ago.

A half sob left my alpha's lips, tears clumping his dark lashes. Callan suddenly smushed his face against my belly, shoulders shaking.

"Omega."

Callan's voice was shaking and muffled, his fingers trembling. I could feel them from where he had snuck them underneath my shirt. The way Callan called to me had me crying too, hugging my alpha around his bowed head.

"My alpha," I whispered, my breath fluttering Callan's dark hair. Warm lips suddenly pressed against mine. My toes curling at the heat and want. Happiness was soaring through my bond from my alpha. The brush of a tear delicately fell on my cheek.

I pulled away slowly from the kiss, reaching up to brush a stray tear that had left my alpha. His smile was so wide, eyes crinkling at the corners.

"But Omega," Callan's voice still soft, frowning once more, "why tired? Why still smell bitter with sick?"

"What did your Grandfather tell you about little ones?" I asked curiously.

"Was called word before, preg-preg-"

"Pregnant, that's right alpha. Growing a little one takes a lot of energy. Makes you tired too. Since I wasn't eating well because of the medicine before, I was more tired than I should have been. Some foods upset my stomach now because baby doesn't want it either. There are also science things in my body called hormones. We can learn lots of science stuff while the baby is growing, my alpha."

Callan bit his lip, pulling slowly away from me.

"Omega... should I not touch?"

My heart squeezed in my chest, Callan's hands slowly pulling away from me. Like it physically hurt him to move away from me.

"My alpha? Why would you ask that?" An angry lilt in my voice, Callan's head popping up in surprise at my tone. I quickly snatched his hands so I cradled them in my own, kissing over the calluses on his fingers and palms.

"Omega, I do not want to hurt. Love so much with whole heart, but Omega is small and little one is even more small. I am big and strong and do not know how to take care of little one-"

"And you are absolutely perfect for keeping me and the little one safe by being so big and strong," I said quickly, pressing my fingers against his lips, "and I have never taken care of a little one before either, Cal. I have never had a little one in my belly before."

Callan nervosuly bit his lip, causing me to card my fingers through his hair to try and ease his worries. I gently tugged him closer to me so he wasn't so far. Apprehension still ran across our bond.

"We'll learn together, my alpha. My softest of alpha's," I whispered, giving out a soft purr that tumbled against my alpha's lips. I felt a near rumble leave my alpha in turn, his shoulder muscles slowly starting to ease.

"So do not say you will not touch me. I love you and always want your touch. The baby will know it is you that is touching me, even deep in my belly. It will love your touch too. You will never hurt me because you have never hurt me. Not ever, since the moment I met you."

I kissed my alpha warmly who sighed gently against my mouth.

"Always touch me, my alpha," I whispered. Callan rumbled soothingly, his large hands slowly coming up to sneak under my shirt. His warm palm cupped the small swell that neither of us had even noticed. His thumb made slow circles against my belly, his other warm palm holding my side. It felt like a buzz ran under my skin from his warm palm, nearly making me want to burrow all of my being against him.

It was long minutes of both of us reaffirming our bond. Of my alpha making sure I was really in his arms and fine. Callan pulled away slowly from me, making me grumble since I had been nuzzling into his hair; and he was my personal heater.

"Omega, food," Callan speaking softly, reaching over to grab one of the plates he had brought and glass of water. It looked like spaghetti with veggies in tomato sauce and toasted garlic bread. My stomach gave a curious squeeze as Callan dragged a small chair over to the bed so he could sit right next to me. The food was warm, though I felt it needed a few more spices, but it hadn't made me nauseous; thank goodness. My alpha seemed to make sure I had eaten a few bites from my plate before digging into his own.

I was hungrier than I thought, quickly finishing my food. My stomach was happily full, Callan nuzzling against my neck in relief; my mate having finished his own plate as well. I could easily tell how happy he was that I had eaten something.

"My alpha, let us go back to the guest house. I want to lie in our bed together," I said, feeling myself grow sleepy from all of the food I had just eaten. I swung my legs over the side of the bed, Callan lifting them up again to put them back where they were. I furrowed my brows in confusion, Callan shaking his head.

"Want to speak with Healer Sarah first. Do not want you to leave if something still wrong," Callan said, voice stern, crossing his muscular arms. I pouted, grumbling, crossing my own arms.

"Be right back, omega."

Callan smiled with relief, kissing away my pout. Since I hadn't argued with him outright, Callan knew he made a valid point. He lifted my hand into his, kissing my knuckles warmly. My heart fluttered at the action, my alpha hurrying out of the room with our dishes as well. I flopped back onto the bed I was on, half tempted to fall asleep right there. But I meant what I said. I wanted to fall asleep in our bed with my alpha's arms possessively around me and-

My eyes snapped back open, resting my hand on my belly ever so carefully. I wanted to wake up tomorrow and find Callan's hand on my tummy. Flushing at the idea, I fanned my face quickly. I don't know why the very idea was making me giddy!

It couldn't have been more than ten minutes, my alpha and Sarah walking through the door.

"I will let you go back to the guest house for now, Theo," Sarah began, reaching over for the thermometer to check my temperature again.

"His temperature will keep fluctuating for a few days until his body gets used to carrying a baby, which is perfectly normal. If his temperature stays high though, he will need to come back."

Callan nodded, suddenly scooping me up into his arms, blankets and all. I wrapped my arms around his neck, nuzzling against his throat, making a confused sound.

"Cal, honey, lets leave the sheets here."

"Is cold outside omega. You don't have coat anymore," Callan frowning, holding me tighter against his furnace like body.

"You can return the sheets tomorrow, it's fine," Sarah added, waving her hand nonchalantly. I flushed at my alpha's overprotectiveness already, rubbing my cheek against his chest.