The Imperial Wolf Series Books 1-3
Chapter 80

Erick POV

something

else.

It has been almost a month since Kate and I have started to reconnect on every level. The past week has been frightening for all of us. She is tired and not getting out of bed. There is no sign of the wolf. I do not think that is what is wrong with her, and it has to be Meaghan stayed overnight with us last night to help with baby Belle so I can tend to Kate. I have not slept much. I watch her sleep and worry for her. I have had enough today. I am taking her to see the pack doctor. I am afraid there is something wrong with her. I sit in my office with baby Belle while Meaghan cooks breakfast for us. Levi is playing in the playpen, and baby Belle is sleeping. Trip will be by later with John. I have a long list of business for the two of them to tend to for me today.

I am trying to let up on Trip at Kate's request. She thinks he has learned his lesson. I am not so sure I can trust him again. I am not sure I want to trust him again. The thing with Cassie leaving and not knowing where my brother still pisses me off when I think about

it.

"Breakfast is ready, but Kate does not look so good. She is so pale, and I cannot wake her," Meaghan says as she comes into my office frantically.

"I am taking her to the pack doctor. Like it or not, she is going," I say.

"I can take care of everything here, just go," Meaghan says.

Trip and John come into the front door as I am going up to get Kate out of bed. I do not have time for them at the moment. When I get to the bed, Kate is pale.

"Kate," I say to her. She opens her eyes and looks at me. She smiles and then goes back to sleep.

I pick her up from the bed and carry her downstairs. I take her straight to my truck. This is it. I am not losing her all over again. I do not know if it is the white wolf or if she is sick, but I need to find out. John rushes out to the truck as I put Kate into it. "Is everything okay?" John asks.

"I do not know. I am taking her to the pack doctor. Call him and let him know I am on my way with her. I want him ready," I say.

"Yes, Alpha," John says.

I drive Kate straight to the pack doctor. Tibo is waiting for me outside when I pull up. I carry Kate into the house and back to a room to be looked at by Tibo. Tibo and his nurse get right to work on her.

Tibo shines a light in Kate's eyes and begins to exam her. His nurse tries to do bloodwork, but it is proving to be difficult. After many tries, Tibo is finally able to get some blood from Kate.

"I will be back in a few minutes," Tibo says.

Tibo leaves me sitting with Kate. It is almost an hour before he comes back with her results. I am literally biting my nails, waiting for him to come back. Kate still has not moved.

"Well, Alpha, I am going to show you what is going on with your sweet wife," Tibo says, smiling.

The nurse wheels in a machine and sets it beside Kate. What the hell? The machine has a small screen on it.

"This is an ultrasound machine," Tibo says.

Tibo raises Kate's shirt and slides her pants down to expose her stomach. He puts some jelly on her and then turns on the machine. I move closer to see. He glides the wand attached to the machine across her stomach. "That Alpha is a baby, congratulation," Tibo says.

"What! Why is she so out of it?" I ask.

"I do not know. She is exhausted. I am going to prescribe her some vitamins. We do not know how she did in her first pregnancy. Only she can tell us that. Hybrids are so different in their pregnancies. She had not tapped into her vampire form when she was pregnant with Belle, so this is going to really be hard on her. Honestly, we need someone who knows more about hybrid pregnancy than me," Tibo says.

"I know someone. So I should just let her sleep," I say.

"I guess that is all we need to do, for now, let her sleep," Tibo says.

"Can I take her home?" I ask.

"Yes, take her home, let her rest. Let me know if she needs anything. I will do my best to help her," Tibo says.

I carry Kate back to the truck. When I get into the truck, she sits up and looks around.

"Where are we, Erick?" she asks.

"I brought you to the pack doctor because you have been sleeping for a week," I say to her.

"Oh, I am exhausted," Kate says. She lays her head on me and goes back to sleep.

I need to take her to Isabella or, better yet, have Isabella come to her. I drive back to the house. John comes out to help me with her when I pull up. "Is she okay? Is it the white wolf?" John asks.

"No, it is not the white wolf. Send Trip to get Isabella. I need her now," I say to John.

"Yes, Alpha," John says. He rushes off to get Trip to send him on my errand.

I carry Kate up the stairs and lay her on the bed. She opens her eyes for a moment. "I am so cold," she says.

I cover her up with a warm blanket and then kiss her forehead. I go down to check on Meaghan and Belle. Belle is sleeping, and Meaghan is cleaning.

"Is she okay?" Meaghan asks. She is actually concerned and not worried about the wolf.

"Yes, she will be fine. Where is Levi?" I ask.

"Trip took him with him to get Isabella," Meaghan answers.

"It is not the wolf, if that is his concern," I snap at her.

"No, he took him so I can focus on the house," Meaghan says.

"I need you to stay a few nights until Kate is up and moving. I will not know how long until Isabella sees her," I say.

"Yes, Alpha. I am happy to help Kate," Meaghan says.

Meaghan and Isabella are probably the only two people in her corner right now. Trip comes back with Isabella. She goes straight upstairs to check on Kate. I follow her up. Isabella sits down with Kate and starts talking to her. "I took her to the pack doctor this morning," I tell Isabella.

Isabella looks back at me. "You could have saved the journey and just called me. I already know what is wrong with her, Alpha," Isabella says, smiling.

"Yeah, well, I was scared. She has been sleeping a lot lately. I was afraid something was wrong," I say.

"She will be back to herself in a day or two. She needs rest. This is different. She is a hybrid now. Her body has a lot of work to do," Isabella says.

"Can you stay here and be with her for now?" I ask.

"Yes, Alpha, I will stay and be here for Kate. You know I love her," Isabella says. Kate opens her eyes and looks at Isabella.

"Isabella," Kate whispers.

"Hey, love," Isabella says to her.

"I do not feel like myself. Am I okay?" Kate asks.

"Oh my sweet girl, you are perfect. Your husband has something to tell you," Isabella says.

Kate lifts her head and looks at me. "What is going on?" Kate asks me. She is confused.

I sit on the side of the bed with her. I take her hand. "Kate, you are pregnant," I say to her.

"That explains why I am so tired," Kate says.

"Tibo was not sure why you are so tired. He is not familiar with hybrid pregnancies. So we need to know everything from when you were pregnant with Belle," I say to her.

"Well, that will be different. She had not taken her vampire form yet. This will be a little bit different than when you were carrying Belle. At least, you will be with the people you love," Isabella says.

"I am just so tired, and I want to sleep," Kate says.

"Sleep child, we will watch over you. Rest all you need," Isabella says.

Isabella waits until Kate falls into a deep sleep. "Come with me, Alpha," Isabella says.

Isabella takes my hand and motions for me to follow her. We go downstairs, where everyone is waiting to see what the hell is going on with Kate. Trip and John are both anxious. Meaghan is concerned but not anxious about the situation. "She is pregnant," I say to the three of them.

"Listen up; I was pregnant as a full hybrid with my second son. She will need a lot of help. She is vulnerable to the white wolf and his deception now. He will try to come in her mind and talk to her while she is out of it, but Kate is so determined to keep him away from her mind that I think she will be fine," Isabella says.

"So we have to be on guard for the next nine months," Trip growls.

"Nine months, this is a hybrid baby. It will not take nine months," Isabella snaps.

"How long?" I ask Isabella.

"How far along is she?" Isabella asks.

"I do not know. Maybe a month," I guess.

"Well then, we have at least two months, maybe. It all depends on Kate. Her body is working hard to grow that baby and get this over with. Hybrid pregnancy lasts at the max of four months, the least two months," Isabella says.

"I will stay here until the baby comes and help," Meaghan says.

"The hell you say. You will not be staying here away from Levi and me," Trip growls at Meaghan.

I have had enough of Trip. This is the last disrespect I will ever allow from him. I rush toward him. I push him up against the wall.

"Number one, you will not talk to your wife like that in my presence or my absence. Number two, Meaghan and Levi will be staying here on my authority. Number three, you get your a*s out of here and go find Cassie and Austin. I do not want you to return until you have them both in custody. I do not care if it takes ten years," I growl at him.

Trip cowers down. He is not happy about my direct order, but he bows down to me. I let go of him and move away from him. I do not want to kick his a*s with my daughter in the room, but I will beat him into obedience if I have to; this shit with him is over. "Yes, Alpha. I will leave now," Trip says. Trip looks at Meaghan and Levi. He does not say goodbye to his wife or child. He just leaves.

"Do you want me to talk to him?" John asks.

"No, he will either do as he is told, or he can go somewhere else. I cannot have the wolves that work closely with me acting the way he does. I am done with it. Pick you another wolf to be your second in command, John. Trip is done being in the inner circle of this pack," I say.

"I am sorry, Alpha," Meaghan steps up.

"No, you will retain your rank. I am sorry that your husband is an a*s," I growl.

"Isabella!" Kate screams from upstairs.

Isabella runs up the stairs at vampire speed to check on her. This is not going to be easy. I know we can get through this.