My Claimed Mermaid Queen

Chapter Three

Alpha Nate

I looked at the ultrasound screen, unable to process what Ayla had just said. How the hell can she be pregnant already? She had just claimed me.

“As you can see alpha, your pup is growing strong. Would you like to hear the heartbeat?” I jumped, not noticing the doctor was in the room with us.

I looked down at Ayla who was staring at the screen with tears in her eyes. She was biting her bottom lip and her hands were trembling.

“I need a moment with my mate,” I told him, not taking my eyes off of her. She was terrified.

“Of course, Alpha, take all the time you need.”

When the door clicked closed, I knelt in front of her.

“Nate, I’m so sorry, I don’t know how this happened or even when,” she cried. She tried to cover her face with her hands, but I pulled them into mine.

“Baby, I know you’re scared, but I’m right here. Just start from the beginning with what you know. Is this way you were throwing up this morning?” I asked her.

“That’s when my wolf told me. When I was in the Western Kingdom before I was taken, I had spoken with Xander’s mother about birth control. I wanted to claim you, but I wasn’t ready to have a baby. I took a test and it came back negative. I had an IUD inserted, and I didn’t think of it. The doctor here couldn’t find it and suspects it was pulled out during,” she couldn’t say it as sobs consumed her. I sat down beside her and pulled her into my arms.

“It's okay, baby,” I whispered as I looked at the screen while holding my mate. We were having a baby and things just got more complicated.

“Ayla, I know this wasn’t your plan, but I’m so excited,” I told her as I held her tightly. I wanted her pregnant so badly, I just didn’t think she would react this way.

“She's scared. She doesn’t know what’s going to happen, and she's terrified someone will hurt our baby.” Duke whimpered. f**k, I didn’t think about the threat we are still dealing with.

“We are just going to have to keep them both safe,” I assured him.

“Nate, I’m so scared. What if something happens to our baby,” she cried, gripping me tightly. I took hold of her cheeks so she would look at me.

“Nothing, and I mean nothing is going to get to you and our baby. I promise. I know you are scared, but this is such a happy moment. You are having our baby,” my voice cracked as I looked at my mate. I almost lost her and our bond and this baby completes our family.

“I,” she stammered and I shushed her.

“We will take this one step at a time. Okay?” She finally nodded, and I pulled her against my chest.

“I love you so much, baby, and we are having a baby,” I mumbled, kissing the top of her head.

“I love you, so much,” she squeezed me tight.

“Nate,” she murmured after a few moments of us holding each other.

“Mhm,” I answered.

“Do you want to see and hear our baby?” She asked, pulling back. She looked up at me.

I linked the doctor to come back in as I continued to hold my mate. I could feel her emotions through the bond. She was scared, but there was also happiness. I wanted her to be happy and excited that we were having a baby.

“She is having our pup,” Duke howled in my head, his tail thumping.

“I’m excited, too, but right now we need to reassure Ayla. She is going to be a wonderful mother, and we need to remind her of that. She just lost her mother and is going to need support.” I said to Duke.

“Our mate is so wonderful,” he sighed. I don’t think he heard me.

“Alpha, Luna, are you ready to see your baby,” the doctor asked when he entered the room.

“We are,” Ayla answered him.

“Luna lay down again and Alpha, please stand on the other side of the bed,” he instructed. I stood up from the bed and Ayla lay down, lifting her shirt. I walked to the other side of the bed before taking hold of her hand. She looked up at me and smiled.

“Now, Alpha, it's still early, but we should be able to hear a heartbeat,” he said.

“How far along is she?” I asked him. He was squeezing a gel onto her stomach before he looked at me.

“I suspect she became pregnant after the two of you found each other. I’m not familiar with mermaid pregnancies, but your pup measures around eight weeks. And by the dates Luna Ayla gave me, she should be around six in wolf weeks.” He explained. Ayla squeezed my hand as my mind raced.

“I don’t understand either, Nate,” she squeezed my hand again.

How can any of this be possible? Our baby survived the bond being broken and Ayla almost dying. She has been pregnant this entire time.

A thumping pulled me from my thoughts and I focused on the screen that was turned towards us. Our baby was so tiny but their heart was beating so fast.

“It's our baby,” Ayla whispered. She squeezed my hand and I squeezed hers.

“Everything looks good. I would recommend reaching out to a doctor who is a mermaid. This is new to me and I don’t want any surprises.” The doctor said.

“I know someone who can help,” Ayla mumbled as we both watched the screen.

“Good. I will give you some vitamins to take, and I want to see you in a week, so I can monitor the growth. And Luna, I need you to lower your stress level. You have been under so much this past month.” He said to my mate.

“Our baby is my number one priority.”