29: Ada’s POV

The morning after Darius had whisked me away to the beautiful hidden lake and hot springs, I met Aidan in the Royal Gardens. Darius had taken very little persuasion to let Aidan and I converse, but the Alpha King had required more details about what Aidan had wanted to discuss which is why Aidan had delayed his trip home by a few days. I was nervous as I approached him near the entrance to the hedge maze because if what he needed to speak to me about was important enough to delay going home… it was something very serious.

He offered me his arm and I slid mine through, walking in step with him as he led me through the hedges, “You father is planning an uprising,” Aidan stated firmly, tugging me along when my feet refused to move, “You cannot give him the reward for you being surrogate.”

I blinked, nearly stumbling over a small rock. My heart thudded in my chest painfully as fear seemed to sweep through my body. “Have you told anyone else?” My voice was barely above a whisper.

“Of course I have,” Aidan bowed his head, patting my arm, “I spoke to Prince Nikolai in private to try and devise a plan. He asked me to speak with you,” my friend sighed, “I don’t want to burden you with more than this issue, Ada. But there is something else I must tell you.”

I stopped walking and held up a hand, “First answer all my questions,” the beta nodded and I asked, “Was my father devising this plan before he knew I was the surrogate?” When Aidan shook his head and I growled, “Is it actually my father or is it Francine?”

That earned me a look from Aidan. He turned to face me, “You know how things are run in that pack now,” he scratched his head, “It’s your father making the final decision, but Francine’s influence that is getting him there,” Aidan brushed his fingers across my cheek, “I’m sorry, Ada. I wish I had better news.”

My eyes met Aidan’s. He was young — around 24– and had only been my father’s Beta for the last six years. His father had died in battle when he was 16 and the Midnight Pack had gone without a beta for 2 years rather than my father appointing a new bloodline. Aidan was handsome and kind and belonged somewhere other than my father’s pack.

“Have you considered staying instead of going back?” I asked firmly.

“I can’t, Ada,” Aidan grabbed my hand, “I wouldn’t be welcome here with you.”

“Why not?” I scoffed, “Surely the King would be accommodating to a man willing to turn his back on his own pack to save the realm,” tears filled my eyes for some reason, “You’d be safe here. If you go back they could accuse you of treason right along with my father.”

“Because I’m in love with you, Ada Lennox,” his hand cupped my cheek as he gripped my hand with his other hand, “They would have cause to say I committed treason by staying.”

My ears were ringing. In love with me? He’d always been kind and tried to help me when he could, but in love with me? Aidan knew so little about me. How could he claim to feel something so strong? I mean, I felt fondly about him. Thinking about him always gave me a sense of peace. I considered him a good friend. But love?

My vision started to blacken at the edges and I realized I was holding my breath. Cold air filled my lungs as I sucked in a deep breath. I nodded slowly, “Did you tell anyone else *this?*”

Aidan shook his head and took a step back from me, “Of course not. Ada, are you okay? You’re pale.”

Nausea roiled in my stomach. I staggered back, clutching my abdomen and shook my head, “I feel as if I am going to be sick.”

“I didn’t mean to—“

“it wasn’t you,” I held up my hand, “I’ve been having this issue on and off all morning.”

My eyes widened. It wasn’t the only issue I was having. My stomach felt full, my breasts tender and I was having to relieve myself a lot in the bathroom. All of that coupled with the nausea… was I pregnant? So soon after my first unions with the princes. Was that even possible?

Aidan was looking at me with a concerned expression, “Should I get you to the infirmary?”

“That would be great,” my stomach lurched and I hurtled back toward the hedge maze entrance.

He walked me through the corridors to the medical room and knocked. The door swung open revealing a doctor who narrowed his eyes at Aidan, but when he saw me they widened. He swept his arm, indicating for me to answer.

I climbed on top of the exam table and gave Aidan a little wave as the doctor shut the door in his face. The man in the lab coat looked at me, “Hello, Ada. What brings you here today?”

“I think I might be pregnant,” I said softly, trying to ignore the smile that spread across his face.

He asked me a few more questions which I answered, including a list of symptoms, but my mind wasn’t really present. Each time I answered he seemed to get more antsy and excited. I couldn’t help that I was not feeling the same way. Maybe a little, because having a pup would always be something to be excited about. But also being pregnant meant that my time with the three Princes was up and that also meant my future here at the castle was… questionable.

The doctor stuck a needle in my arm and drew a single vial of blood, grasping my full attention again, “The results are easy to read and will only take a moment.”

A nurse appeared, grabbing the vial from his hand. The two of us waited in silence and I tried to keep my mind focused so that I didn’t spiral. How could I not spiral, though, when my mind and heart were so split and so many things had been thrown at me that I didn’t know how to process anything anymore?

The only good thing that came from my recent conversation was that at least Aidan seemed to understand whatever feelings he thought he had could not be openly expressed. Or returned. I only wish I could go back in time and never have him say them out loud to me at all.

It felt like only a few seconds had passed when the door opened. The nurse slid a paper to the doctor and he read through the results. He looked up, face flat, “I’m sorry, Ada. It doesn’t look like you’ve conceived yet.”

The feelings that I thought were conflicting seemed to disappear and there was only disappointment. I had laid with three powerful Alphas. Why wasn’t I pregnant yet? The whole purpose of this was for me to produce an heir or heirs. How many times would we have to go through this process?

I nodded at the doctor and hopped off the table, “Thank yo, doctor.”

As I started down the hall, a guard on my heels, tears pricked my eyes. Somewhere deep down, the disappointment had started to rise and I started to question if this potential child was something I was looking forward to more than I feared.