Beyond Rejection.

Within Reach

Levi.

I watch her process the bomb I just dropped.

"I rejected you and you rejected me. It is simply impossible". She whispers in a sleep muffled voice.

She looks horrible, like she has not slept in days. Is it because of the baby, or is it her own doing?

She falls asleep on the seat beside me and I smile.

There is something cute about her being swollen and helpless with my child.

I park the car and turn around to open the door for her. She is still asleep. I feel guilty about waking her.

"Anastasia, we're here". I say as I tap her gently.

Her eyes shoot open. They are blood shot.

She refuses my offer of assistance and walks drowsily past me.

The pack nurse I had requested earlier is waiting at the door with a smile.

"Good day, Miss Purrey. You look radiant". The nurse says.

"Thank you, but I don't feel radiant at all".

"This is Greta, your nurse. She will be here during working hours to assist you with anything you might need". I say.

She rolls her eyes at me and enters the house. I and Greta exchange glances.

We both enter after her. Her bedroom is downstairs, next to mine.

Greta helps her settle her things. She is very quiet. She does not say a word all day. Greta reports to me that she only eats half of the food she is given.

I see Greta off and walk to her room. I knock. There is no response. I open the door and walk in.

I hear the slurpy sounds of water coming from the bathroom. I knock softly.

"Come in". She says softly.

I open the door and walk in.

I can tell from her expression that she had thought it was Greta.

I just stand there quietly and watch her. Her scent wafts to my nostrils.

The bubbles cover her up to her chin. All I can see is one of her knees poking out of the surface of the water.

"What are you doing here?" She asks.

I shrug.

"Just checking on you". I say.

She rolls her eyes at me.

"Infringement of personal space and privacy is not part of our agreement". She retorts.

I get serious.

"Why are you not eating and sleeping well? Do you want to harm our baby?" I ask.

Her eyes soften.

"You should ask the baby instead. I can't have more than a few minutes sleep at a time because I always feel so restless. As for food, I feel like I will throw up if I force myself to eat beyond my limit. I would never want to harm my baby". She says.

She is still talking like the baby is only hers.

"I want to spend some time with my son. Get out of the tub already". I say.

"Get out then. I'm not coming out with you standing there". She spits at me.

I shrug again.

"I still remember what every part of you looks like. It is foolish to still be hiding". I say.

"Would you like it if I walk in on you while you are in the shower?" She asks.

I grin.

"Walk in anytime, anyday". I drawl.

Her eyes flare up.

"Moron!" She curses as she comes out of the water.

The sudsy water cascades down her glowing skin. The dim lights give her an ethereal glow.

Her body is different from what I remember. Her collar bone is sticking out , her ribs are visible and there is a soft tiny bulge at the base of her abdomen.

She quickly wraps a towel around herself and walks past me into the room.

I follow her. She slides on a pair of panties and a long night shirt and climbs into the bed.

She glares at me. I love tormenting her.

"I loved the show". I tease.

She just rolls her eyes.

I sit down on the bed beside her and place a gentle hand on her lower stomach.

She guides my hand lower until it is resting on the tiny bulge.

"Hey little man. It's daddy". I say.

She looks away in an effort to give us some privacy.

"I know the circumstances around your conception are not the most favourable, but neither your mom or I planned it this way. I want you to know that I love you".

I rub her stomach gently.

"Good night". I say and kiss the soft nub.

She reacts to my touch but says nothing.

Being this close to her is driving me insane.

"Would you like a light snack or something?" I ask.

"Maybe some chips. On your way out, please switch on the TV". She says.

I nod and head to the kitchen.

I grab the most healthy pack of chips that I have and return to her room.

I hand them to her along with a canned drink.

"You can stay with us, just till I fall asleep". She offers.

I can tell she is trying to be nice, the pregnancy must also be messing with her head.

I climb in beside her. I sit above the covers.

We stay together like that for a very long time, then, I notice her dosing off. I take the remaining bottle of soda and the empty packet of chips from her.

After discarding them, I return to her room to switch off the TV.

I hear the sound of someone puking in the bathroom.

I rush into her room and find the bed empty. Is it because of the soda? I had learnt that pregnant women easily get nauseaus.

I enter the bathroom and find her on all fours, heaving out everything she has probably eaten this evening.

I pull out several paper towels and hold them out to her. She stares at me warily before she accepts them.

She wipes her mouth and flushes the toilet.

"Thank you". She murmurs.

She is getting thinner and thinner by the second.

"I will get a doctor to look at you tomorrow". I say.

She just throws the paper towels into the trash bin, washes her hands and leaves.

I watch her sleep.

The next morning, I wait outside as one of the doctors in my pack arrives.

"Alpha Levi". He says.

I nod at him.

I lead him to the foyer and ask him to wait. I go into her room to check on her.

All the drapes are drawn. Her room is very dark.

My blood runs cold. I can't sense her or smell her.

Where is she? Where did she take my baby to?

As I leave the house, Greta is just arriving.

I rush into the forest to search for her.