Chapter 17

2.6K 82 7
                                    


Jackson

Once my father was satisfied with mine and Beth's relationship, he allowed us back home, at the Alpha's mansion. But we were no less under his control. He was still keeping a close eye on us, watching our every move. We kept up the act perfectly. Ben never left my thoughts.

My father had asked Doctor Green and his wife Eleanor to stay in one of the guest wings, to be nearby for Beth. Doctor Green was a widely trusted doctor for the Sylvan Ash pack, his wife was also his nurse. He had always been my doctor growing up, as he was for many others in the pack. He's an older man with brown and grey hair, and blue eyes. He's very kind. A comforting presence to be around, just like his wife. She was a small woman, who had brown and grey hair like Doctor Green's, and striking green eyes. I felt like they had sensed something was off with Beth and I, but they never said anything. The most they ever did was gaze at me with a sad look in their eyes. Like they pitied me in some way.

I was walking with Beth down one of the many halls of the Alpha's mansion. We were going to pay a visit to the doctor today. A check up. They were frequent for Beth, as the Alpha insisted she be watched closely by Doctor Green to ensure the baby is alright. I walked with my arm around her waist, as it seemed my father had eyes everywhere. He had extra guards roaming the home lately. That was far from comforting.

As we reached Doctor Green's wing, Beth knocked on one of the double doors. We were met with Eleanor's smile as she opened the door. As we walked in, I looked around. Not much had changed since I was last here. Doctor Green had brought a good bit of his medical supplies here to have on hand. It almost looked similar to a doctor's office in a couple of rooms in the wing. Beth and I followed Eleanor to a room that had an ultrasound machine in it, as well as a lifted chaise lounge of sorts. Doctor Green wasn't far behind as he entered the room just moments later. At his instruction, Beth hopped up onto the lounge.

"So, how are we feeling? How's the morning sickness?" He asked Beth, though he glanced at me for the first question. I let Beth answer him.

"I've been very nauseous. I get sick almost every morning, and sometimes throughout the day, too," she informed him. He nodded while writing on a clipboard. I wasn't surprised to hear Beth's response to the doctor. I had comforted her through many instances of her vomiting. My father, of course, forced us to share a room, so I always knew when she would run to the connected bathroom in the mornings. Every time I helped her though her sickness, it made me think of Ben. As everything does these days. 

I should be supporting Ben through his pregnancy. My actual mate. Not someone whom I was forced to impregnate. This pregnancy shouldn't be happening. Beth was able to put on a smile for the doctor and Eleanor, or anyone who spoke to her. But I had no happiness to spare. My eyes held an empty look to them the longer I went without Ben. Beth was four weeks pregnant, and my father still hadn't told me anything I was waiting to hear. Beth and I both were waiting to hear. I was growing impatient.

Beth laid back after answering all of the doctor's questions.

"Alright, it might be a little early to hear the heartbeat, but we might can see a bit of a picture," he told us. Beth lifted her shirt, and Eleanor applied to gel to her lower stomach. I stood to the side with my arms crossed as I watched. Doctor Green placed the ultrasound wand on her stomach and moved it around while watching the screen, trying to find the fetus. 

"Ah, here we are," Doctor Green said as he settled on a spot. "There's our baby Ward," I winced at his words.

The screen showed a small, almost pea sized white blip in the middle of a bigger, black blob. It moved slightly. I wasn't sure how to feel. Biologically, this is my unborn child. I never got a chance to see mine and Ben's baby the way I'm seeing this one now. It's unfair. This moment was ripped away from us. I couldn't handle it any more as I walked out of the room, all three of them watching me leave with concerned expressions on their faces. 

I walked to the end of the hall, where there were three large windows. I paced for a moment, breathing deeply. I can't let myself get out of control now. I'm closer now to succeeding my father as Alpha than I ever have been. I still haven't gained all of my strength back, and even if I had, I wouldn't be able to take him. I just need to wait. Just a little bit longer.

My pacing stopped as I caught sight of someone through the windows. Looking down from the second floor, I saw Liam stepping out of his car that had just pulled up in the driveway. My breath hitched at the sight of my best friend. He's okay. At least, he seems to be.

As if feeling my gaze, Liam looked up at me. We locked gazes. This is the first time we have seen each other since everything happened. He seemed shocked for a moment. I gave him a simple nod before returning to Beth. As I walked in the room, Eleanor was handing her pictures that had just printed from the ultrasound.

"Jackson. Everything alright?" Doctor Green asked me. I nodded.

"Yeah. Sorry, I just needed to breathe for a minute," I responded.

"I understand," he nodded. "The baby looks great. Very healthy. Growing a little faster than average, but that's to be expected for Alpha babies," he smiled at Beth and I.

"Good," I mumbled. I raised my eyebrows at Beth, silently asking if she was ready to leave. She hopped down, and smiled at the doctor and his wife.

"Thank you," she told them.

"Of course. Just let us know if you two need anything," Eleanor told us.

We walked out of the doctor's wing, and toward our large, shared bedroom. As we entered, it was almost immediately that a knock rapped against the wooden door. I opened it, and saw one of my father's guards standing on the other side.

"The Alpha requests both of you speak with him in his office," he told me. I nodded and he walked away. I looked back to see Beth looking at me wide eyed. I closed the door and walked over to her.

"I'm sure it's nothing," I assured her, though I didn't believe my own words. I was slightly anxious at the thought of what my father was planning now. I wondered if it was the reason why Liam was here somewhere.

Beth and I walked out of the bedroom, and toward my father's office. I held her hand as we walked, like a couple of professional performers.

Once we arrived, I saw Liam and Beta Vincent were already in my father's office, as well as the monster himself. I felt Beth tense beside me at the sight of the three men. Liam looked at me, his eyes were full of questions that he dare not ask aloud. He glanced between Beth and I several times, as well as our joined hands. Beta Vincent did the same as his son.

"Gentlemen," my father spoke, "Beth is Jackson's mate. She will be Luna of the Sylvan Ash pack," he informed them. Liam's eyes widened slightly as he looked at me. I noticed that my father did not inform Beth of who these two men were. Sexist fucker. 

"This is Beta Vincent, and his son, Liam," I spoke quietly as I looked down at her. She just grinned at the two, who returned the gesture. She was no less tense. The same thing could probably be said for the other two, considering the tension in the room was almost palpable.

"I asked you here because I have something that I feel you should all hear," my father's deep voice reverberated through the room. Beth's grip on my hand tightened. What could it possibly be now? I'm not sure I can hold Atlas back if he's up to his usual tricks again.

"In three days, we will have the crowning ceremony. Jackson, you will be crowned as Alpha, and Liam, you will be Beta," he told us. My eyes widened at this. It was finally happening. 

Our plan worked. 

His Guardian (MxM)Where stories live. Discover now