Entangled

Chapter 17

Author's note: I need a bit of a break from this story, so I might write a FLAMES scene and then come back to it. I promise I'm not abandoning it!

I'm going to miss you. Becky's looking up at the full moon as she thinks it, but it applies to Seth and Sasha as well. She won't be going on the road any longer; on the next episode of RAW, a sneak attack will be staged to explain her extended absence. Then on Wednesday she's going to see a doctor and another witch for a thorough examination. After that, she has no clue. What are pregnant women allowed to do? she wonders as she walks with Seth and Sasha to their favourite shifting spot. It's yet another thing she'll have to ask about at her appointment.

Sasha curls an arm around her waist as they walk. "You should shift first," she suggests, tapping Becky's bracelet with her free hand. "I know Mina gave you that, but if you go first, Seth and I can keep watch for anything going wrong."

Smoothing her shirt over her belly, Becky sighs. She's not looking forward to the weight gain and the big belly, but some sort of baby bump would make it all feel more real. Ever since that first fateful kick, she's felt more movement, but it's erratic. "Maybe I shouldn't," she says softly. "Just to be safe. I know Mina said I could and she sounds like she knows what she's talking about, but... how can it not affect the baby? All that twisting and rearranging...."

"Eleyna said you'd be fine, didn't she?" Seth stops in a small clearing and sets their gear bag down, pulling out a large blanket. "That's two witches saying so, then." He walks over and hugs her from the other side, kissing the top of her head. "You don't have to shift if you don't want to, obviously, but... how do you feel? If you shouldn't be shifting, you'd think there would be some... instinct or something kicking in, right?"

I want to run. Becky's not sure if it's a conscious thought or simply a reflexive response to seeing the full moon. Her muscles feel itchy, prickling and tingling like they're just waking up. The baby seems calm enough at the moment, though that can change in the blink of an eye. "I feel okay," she says at last. "But you two don't have to wait for me...."

"It's fine, Becks." Sasha starts disrobing, dropping her clothes in a neat pile so they'll be easier to gather. "It doesn't take you long to shift, and this way we can see if anything's different. If I spot anything," she adds, shooting Seth an apologetic look, "I'll tell Eleyna when we see her."

When she glances over at Seth, Becky sees that he's undressing too and she knows she can win the argument, but it's not worth the strife. The baby isn't even here yet—is barely noticeable, in fact—and everyone's insecurities are already in overdrive. "Okay," she says simply, peeling off her shirt. They're only doing it because they care. It's a struggle at times not to see the extra questions, quick glances, and constant worry as stifling, but she's trying. When the only thing she's still wearing is the bracelet Mina had given her, Becky crouches down and lets out a long breath. "Thank you," she murmurs, glancing up at Sasha and Seth. "I know I haven't said that as often as I should."

Sasha kneels beside her and gives her a quick kiss, brushing hair out of Becky's face. "You're welcome. Take your time. We're here." She settles easily on the forest floor, unbothered by the sharp twigs and fallen leaves beneath her. Behind them, Seth quickly packs their clothes away and stows the bag up in a tree. "Do you want one of us to shift along with you to give you a boost?" Sasha offers.

Becky shakes her head. "No. I just have to... to not think about it too much, you know?" When Sasha gives her belly a gentle pat, Becky smiles. She's not alone; she knows Sasha and Seth would do anything for her. She just has to get better about accepting their help. When Seth joins them, kneeling at her other side and kissing her shoulder, Becky gives herself a moment to enjoy their bond. Everything will change when the baby arrives—she can feel their dynamic changing already—but she has to keep reminding herself that it doesn't have to be a bad thing. Our pack is whatever we want it to be, she thinks, turning towards Seth and giving him a quick kiss. "Depending on how I feel," she says, "I may run longer than normal since it's my last one. But you two can shift back whenever you like."