Chapter 67. Pregnant

**67. Pregnant**

***Astrid's POV:***

When we were returning from the place, my mind was preoccupied with the thoughts of Imara and Jack and how they had to be separated. I can imagine her state and how she might be feeling with all the misery that has come her way. I wish I could do something to bring them back together once more, but I can't.

Suddenly, my stomach started churning. At first, I shrugged it off, thinking my thoughts were haywire, and maybe that was the way I felt, but it soon started getting worse. Until Rafael could notice my expression, bile rose in my throat, and I wanted to empty my stomach as quickly as possible. So I did. I made Rafael stop the car and empty the contents of my stomach while he was busy holding my hair and rubbing my back soothingly.

I was thankful to him, but he soon started scolding me for having the strawberries and cream, which I couldn't help but enjoy for our lunch. It's not like I am allergic to it. Attributing the nausea to my mental turmoil, I replayed the harrowing scenes of Jack's demise described by Imara.

But suddenly, it hit me that maybe I could be pregnant. I mean, we have been making love nonstop, and maybe I am pregnant.

We, as werewolves, vampires, or any other supernatural creatures, won't have periods. Yes, that is one good thing that comes along. I know that only because I have read a lot about humans and used to compare myself with them with the possibility of me being a human too, but I too never had my periods. The only possible explanation I could come up with for why we don't bleed is that we are predators, and some way or other our blood gets out of our systems, but during birth we bleed five times more than humans.

Even the thought of it makes me shiver, and I wanted to tell Rafael everything, but I had to be sure myself. I don't want to raise hopes and end up with nothing. I myself think that I am exaggerating. I mean, pregnancy could not be the only reason why I threw up. Maybe I was just tired, so I asked Rafael to take me to Cindy.

"Are you okay, little dove?" Rafael kept asking occasionally, with a worried expression all over his face. He even wanted to teleport us, but as tempting as it is, we don't want to attract much attention.

We entered into our realm and into our mansion. Rafael opened the door for me, and when I was about to get up, he picked me up in his arms.

"You know that I can walk right." I rolled my eyes.

"But you are tired, and as a good mate I am, I feel it is my duty to help my mate with anything and everything she wants." He grinned at me.

He might have mindlinked Bryan, because before I and Rafael could get inside, Cindy came rushing towards us.

"What happened?" Cindy asked, shocked that Rafael was carrying me.

"Nothing to worry about; you know how extra Rafael can be." I rolled my eyes, and Rafael wouldn't let me go till we were in our room.

"She started throwing up, and I had to get her back as soon as possible," Rafael replied.

Cindy was quick to grasp his words and looked puzzled at me, silently asking if Rafael was pointing to something that was on her mind, and I blinked my lashes, giving her a hint of my doubts.

"Okay, Rafael, what is there to worry about?" Cindy rolled her eyes.

Cindy, she is a Lycan, and werewolves and Lycans have strong immunity towards diseases, so vomiting isn't normal for her. "Rafael expressed this, and I felt it was hard to stiffle my laughter, which was trying to escape.

"Maybe it's just something she had for lunch, and you should be more concerned that Astrid hasn't eaten anything. Go ask someone to make something for her." Cindy scoffed, ushering Rafael out of the room. When he was out, I got out of bed. Honestly, Rafael was making me feel like I was really ill.

Cindy turned towards me. "Don't tell me what I think it is." Cindy squealed and started examining me from top to toe.

"I mean, I don't know what to do if I am not pregnant, and I don't want to disappoint Rafael by telling him everything before I am sure I don't know what to do or where to go." I expressed what I was feeling.

"Okay, relax and sit down and do as I say." Cindy said, trying to calm me down, but she was more excited than me, which can be felt in her voice."

She held my hands and started closing her eyes, but I interrupted her once again.

"Where is Eva?" I have seen her even in the morning. "I asked."

"Shh... Let me relax, okay? This is the only way I can be sure that you are really pregnant, and you have to follow whatever I say," Cindy reprimanded me.

"Okay, but tell me where Eva is before everything," I asked her once more.

"She is busy the whole day training." "You know, Rafael teased her, and she wanted to fight along with us all when the situations arose," Cindy explained. "Shh, now follow me as I say." Cindy shook her head.

"Okay," I nodded.

"We don't have any mechanism like humans to confirm the pregnancy, though werewolves can confirm it, but we know Rafael is never going to consent to it." Cindy sighed.

"So for the time being, there is one method of knowing. I don't want to use magic because it can harm the baby. Your inner self and Scarlet are the ones who are going to tell you about it. So close your eyes and relax yourself; your inner self will consent, though I doubt Scarlet can feel it because Lycans form bonds with their babies when they are born," Cindy explained, and I nodded and closed my eyes.

She held my hands in hers to feel the connection through me. "Now concentrate in utmost silence."

I relaxed my body and my mind, and it instantly started playing images of Rafael holding a baby in his hands. Though I couldn't figure out the gender, Rafael's happiness was evident in his eyes. He kissed the baby's forehead and started coming towards me. "Ours," he said, smiling at me. He was about to say something when a knock came from the door and pulled me from my thoughts.

Cindy opened her eyes too. "Did you see that?" Cindy whispered.

Tears welled up in my eyes, and I nodded.

"Gosh, I am so happy for you." Cindy came forward and hugged me tight. "Astrid, you are really pregnant. We are going to have a little life among us. I haven't witnessed the birth of any baby after Rafael left since I had to leave. God, I am going to have a mini-Rafael and Astrid. I am so excited." Cindy squealed, ignoring the knock coming from outside.

I was so overwhelmed that forming a coherent word seemed impossible. The realization that I was about to bring life into this world left me in disbelief.

"We first need to find a doctor who is also a supernatural being, preferably a vampire or a werewolf. Anyone else will do, but they must have knowledge of our kind. In Fiona's case, pregnancies among supernatural creatures last only 4-5 months, and someone who understands our situation can explain things better," Cindy explained. I nodded.

"Astrid, Cindy, are you both there? Open the door," Bryan called from outside.

"I guess it's time to tell the father." Cindy grinned, and I wiped my tears away from my face.

Cindy opened the door, and Rafael and Bryan came inside, carrying a tray of food in each hand.

"What were you both doing, locking the door from inside?" Bryan looked weirdly at me and Cindy, who was grinning like an idiot.

"Little Dove, why were you crying?" Rafael quickly rushed by, cupping my cheeks.

"Ahm... Don't worry, you have to witness that a lot in the coming days," Cindy grinned.

"Huh?" Rafael frowned.

"Okay, you have to discuss this alone, but do you know anyone who is a doctor like us?" Cindy asked.

"Is it that serious?" colors drained Rafael's face.

"Just tell her, and we will discuss everything in a while." I encouraged him, feeling excited and wanting to already tell him everything.

Yes, there are two more covens under us. When our vampire population increased, we formed two additional covens. They consist of cross vampires—offspring of vampires—and werewolves or shifters. The head of the Werevan Coven has a son studying to become a doctor. Maybe he can help us," Rafael explained, not leaving space for us to question anything.

"Okay, perfect. Call him and ask him to come immediately, or dial me the number. I will speak." Cindy took the phone and went outside. "Enjoy your time, guys, and I am so happy for you." Cindy blew me a kiss and went outside.

Okay, before you start, tell me one thing. Didn't you tell me that vampires can't reproduce well except for royals?" I raised my doubt that I would forget it later, so I thought it was better to ask when the topic had arisen.

"Vampires can't, but werewolves and shifters can. Male vampires with mates from other species can reproduce, but the same doesn't apply vice versa. Female vampires cannot reproduce with other species," Rafael explained. "Now leave all these things and tell me what is happening. It is really messing me up."

I smiled and took his hands. The vision that I had just seen couldn't leave my mind. "Rafael, what do you feel about kids? Do you love them?" I asked, not knowing where to start the conversation, but first I wanted to know whether he wanted kids or not.

"Yes, they are like a bundle of joy, and I really adore them, but why are you asking this all of a sudden?" he frowned.

I took his hands and placed them on my belly, and his eyes instantly widened. I knew he might have already had his doubts when I brought up the topic, but he might be waiting for confirmation. "Then I think we are ready to welcome a new life into this world." I smiled, trying hard to hold back my tears.

Rafael kept blinking at me, and after a while, when I nodded, he stood up, pulling his hair in the process. "Holy sh*t, you are not kidding with me, right?" Rafael started muttering.

"Yes, Rafael, I am pregnant," I cried.

"I am going to be a father; I am going to be a father," Rafael kept repeating. "We are going to have a child. God, I am so happy. Tell me I am not dreaming, please."

"This is true, Rafael. We have created this miracle who will be in this world soon." He came forward and kissed me.

"This is probably the happiest day of my life. You don't know how happy you made me." He kept showering my face with kisses.

If I had known Rafael loved kids so much, I think I would have informed him when I just had doubts. I started telling him how I got to know him, and he kept listening attentively to everything.

"The vision, Rafael, was so amazing. You were holding our baby." When I said that, he got emotional.

He was about to say something when a knock came on the door. "I think it's the doctor. You know, Cindy said our pregnancy is different, and we would like someone of our kind to help us out," I explained while he was opening the door.

"This is Charles, our doctor." Cindy introduced them, and in came a handsome guy who looked no more than twenty-five.

"Your highness, I am so glad you thought I was worthy of your service. How can I help you?" Charles asked. He looked so polite, but he was emitting a strong aura.

"Thank you for showing up at such short notice," Rafael expressed.

They shook hands, but I could notice that Charles was getting a little uncomfortable. He looked towards me and smiled politely, coming towards me, but before he could ask what the problem was, Eva came rushing towards my room.

"What happened to you As..." Eva was about to start asking questions. She was panting, and I knew she came running for me after she got the news.

Charles turned around, and his and Eva's eyes met. "Mate!" They both said it in unison.

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