Hidden Royalty

Chapter 8 Sickness

It's been two days since I swooned and the doctor still hasn't been able to get here because of a blizzard. I'm feeling much better I just need to get up, I state. I can't lay here any longer. The family has been taking turns watching over me. Katherine had to force Vadik out of the room. I couldn't relax while he was there. They agreed to let me up if I would allow Vadik to carry me down the stairs. I didn't see any alternative so I relented. Isobel and Irene helped me bathe and dress. I noticed all the good food, combined with inactivity was giving me a small belly. I would have to start exercising as soon as I felt better. The twins asked if I needed help with my contacts and I realized I hadn't worn them in several days. No I don't think I'll wear them today, I stated. I had told the twins I didn't need their help getting ready, but by the end of it I was glad they insisted. I didn't realize how fatigued my body was. When Vadik came to carry me down the stairs I blushed fiercely, but didn't argue. I wrapped my arms around his neck and inhaled his scent. Just his smell seemed to energize me. My skin tingled from his touch. It would be so easy to imagine a future here. As we were walking down the stairs I heard a woman whisper that I was probably faking my illness to get Vadik's sympathy. I yanked my head around to see who said it. It was a tall gorgeous blonde with the kind of body any woman would envy. She was glaring daggers at me. I was surprised I was able to hear her. My hearing had always been bad and they were all the way on the other side of the entryway. I guess they weren't whispering as quietly as I thought. Vadic probably heard and just agrees with them. So much for a future here. I'm just a little plaything to him.

Breakfast was uneventful, but I was ready to lay down when it was over. Vadik seemed to sensed my fatigue, because without saying a word he carried me back to bed and tucked me in. His concern touched me. He turned to go and I realized I really didn't want him to. I asked if he would like to stay and talk for a few minutes. His worried look was replaced by a smile that lit up his whole face. I couldn't help but smile in return. I asked about Nikki's mom and I said he must look a lot like her. He laughed and said no he actually looks like his dad. Vadik sees the confused look on my face and explains that his twin brother Alex is actually Nikki's biological father. Alex and his mate died in a car accident while bringing Nikki home from the hospital. Miraculously Nikki survived. Vadik had raised Nikki as his own son. "Alex and I looked nothing alike, despite being twins. Alex was the oldest by eight hours. He was the head of the family. Now I have to try to fill his shoes.". I saw the pain of loss on his face. I grabbed his hand to comfort him and we both fell asleep.

Vadik's POV

I woke up with the sense that something was wrong. I look at my hand in Jenna's and smile. My smile turns to terror when I realize her skin is burning up. She started running a fever while we were sleeping. I had to get the doctor here. I start making phone calls immediately. Calling in favors till I finally found a pilot willing to fly in a blizzard. I offer to pay any amount if he can just get our doctor to us. It took a full day for the doctor to arrive and Jenna still hadn't woke up. I paced up and down the hall waiting for the doctors report. I didn't want to leave my mates side, but the doctor insisted. My wolf was whimpering in the back of my mind. I was just about to burst through the door when the doctor finally came out. My heart skipped a beat from the serious look on his face. He asked if there was somewhere private he could speak with me and my mother while the twins watched over Jenna. I was reluctant to leave her, but I had to Know what was going on so I could somehow fix it.

"First son I need to know have you and Miss Thorne mated?" I was shocked by the question I didn't see how one thing could have anything to do with the other, but I nodded my head yes. The doctor sighed and said he was afraid of that. Come on Doc get to the point. What's going on and how do I fix it? "You can't fix it son. You just have to let nature take it's course." What are you talking about? "Miss Thorne is pregnant." That's not possible. Everyone knows a werewolf and human can't reproduce without a serogate. "Yes that's true, but miss Thorne is no longer human.". Your not making any sense doctor. "When I was living in America I worked as personal physician to a royal family. The Grant family. The alpha of the family was Richard Grant, until him and his entire family were slaughtered by hunters. He had fathered a child with someone other than his mate. She was a human. As you said, a human cannot carry a werewolf pup to term. She died giving birth to a premature child. The child was very sickly and never able to shift. Her name was Jennifer Thorne. Miss Thorne's Grandmother. Miss Thorne is 1/8 werewolf. Her werewolf genes were dormant until you mated. Now she is changing. Her senses have already become heightened.". Changing how, I asked? " I'm not sure yet. All I know is the next few weeks are crucial if her and the baby are to survive. The only thing we can do is to pray that Jenna has the strength to make it through this. Remember she does carry the blood of the Royal family, so anything is possible."

I felt so useless. Jenna was fighting a battle for her life and the life of our child, yet there was nothing I could do. Her fever continued to rage. She tossed and turned in her sleep, even yelling out on occasion. Her nails grew into claws, her canines elongated, her ears began to extend, and I could hear the cracking of bones as her legs contorted, then returned to normal. The agonizing look on her face tourtored me. This went on for two weeks. I only left her side to bathe. I couldn't eat or sleep. All I could think about was my precious mate. Her belly continued to grow. Werewolf pregnancies lasted just over two months, which meant she was almost halfway through. I fell asleep with my hand laying protectively over our growing child. I woke to the feel of her hand on mine. Her normally blue eyes were glowing pink. My mate was alive. I hugged her to my chest. I new I had a lot to explain, but all that could wait. She had survived and that's all that mattered at this moment. I always kept my emotions to myself in the past, but I couldn't contain my happiness and I wept in Jenna's hair.