Rejecting The Alpha Twins - Chapter 188: Chapter 188

Liam Pov
“Congratulations.” My mother-in-law beamed, hugging me from behind and taking me by surprise as I stood at the kitchen sink, holding a glass of water to my lips. I was unused to such affection from her, even though I had grown accustomed to her presence and the fact that she had literally come back from the dead. Her mates, on the other hand, they were still getting used to it. I doubted they ever would, but I was happy for them all. The thought of my mate being ripped away from me, from dying, was more than I could bear. I could only imagine how they had felt when the bond between them severed while Regan passed away.
I turned and raised a brow at her, but she wasn’t finished yet. She was practically bouncing up and down with excitement, a secretive smile curved on her lips. I wondered what on earth she was talking about and why she was congratulating me. Was it due to the merger of the two packs? Was it due to all the hard work and overtime I had been doing lately? I didn't understand it, but I was not about to offend her by asking for clarification. Instead, I sought to include her in my conversation, wanting to grow a bond with Regan as my mate drew closer to her mother.
“It’s been a hard road,” I exhaled as she nodded at me, “but I think that given time, everything is going to work out for the best. It’s an adjustment,” I told her honestly as she smiled at me, “but in the end, everybody should be happy.”
She flung her arms around me again. “Of course. Why would you think differently?” she asked teasingly.
I gave her a sidelong glance. “Isn’t it strange for you? I don’t mean to be rude, but…” I trailed off.
There was no polite way to put it. I mean, no matter how you looked at it we were responsible for the loss of her pack and pack members.
I mean, it had been her pack before we took hold of it. Most people would be mourning the loss of their pack or even angered by it. Regan was so accepting of it that it was hard to believe sometimes. She was exuberant about the whole experience. It was a shame she couldn’t use some of that energy to rein in her other mates, who were currently giving me a headache as they tried to take over despite no longer being the leaders. I figured they were having trouble trying to find a purpose and had accordingly given them jobs to make them feel important, but it hadn’t exactly changed things, and there was tension between us all. My poor Beta did nothing but continue to complain about the numerous headaches he was experiencing as he played referee to us all. I owed him a raise. I owed him a lot more than that.
“It will be an adjustment given how busy you are," Regan's voice is knowing, and her voice is sincere. I gulped down some water and turned to face her fully.
She looked at me eagerly, taking me aback.
Well naturally it was an adjustment but I was up to the task. As was Fiona.
“We are busy,” I admitted, “but Fiona seems to be the one dealing with all of it. She’s exhausted,” I dared to admit.
I felt as though my poor mate was being pushed to the limit these days.
I had seen the dark circles underneath her eyes and the wan complexion. Her hair was tied up in scruffy ponytails these days, and her clothes were practically hanging on her as though she had recently lost some weight. I felt as though I was slowly killing her, and it made the guilt gnaw away on my insides. I didn’t want to put any more on Fiona’s plate than there already was. Thank goodness, I thought to myself again, she wasn’t pregnant because now was definitely not the right time. Maybe later, moon goddess allowing, but not now. I would like nothing more than to have a child with my mate, my thoughts instantly flashing to a miniature image of Fiona and a darling little girl who looked just like her.
“Oh, you two will be fine,” Regan gushed, standing back and observing me with a critical stare. “But I have to say you’re not looking exactly on top of the world.”
That was a bit of an understatement. I felt anything but revitalized lately as I continued to deal with the pack business.
I frowned. “Given the circumstances, the amount of work that still needs to be done…” I trailed off, everything that still needed to be rectified hovering inside my mind.
It was constant. Neverending. Tiring, and I was concerned for my mate's welfare.
She waved a dismissive hand at me and gave a nonchalant shrug. “The work will get done in time. You have us to help you…” she added with a grin. “I mean, just look how helpful my mates are being.”
Helpful was an understatement as they were proving to be more of a hindrance. I sighed, and Regan put a sympathetic hand on my arm. “You look exhausted. You should go and get some rest with your mate. I know Fiona hasn’t been feeling particularly well lately.”
I knew that too. Fiona had been throwing up of late, and it concerned me. Apparently so much so that even Regan had noticed that something was amiss with her daughter. I felt like a right bastard, standing there and acknowledging that Fiona needed much more care than I was currently providing her. I aimed to do better.
“I’m about to. I was just grabbing some water,” I motioned to the glass I carefully placed in the sink, “and then I was going to check on Fiona. Was there something you wanted, Regan?” I asked, still perplexed by her attitude.
She shook her head, her hair bouncing slightly. “I just wanted to congratulate you and wish you both the best of luck. Why, I remember when I was pregnant with Celeste…” she began, and I interrupted,d bewildered by the sudden change in subject.
“I beg your pardon, but what does being pregnant with Celeste have to do with anything?”
She blinked at me. “Well…I just thought, given Fiona’s condition,” she stammered, her eyes widening in shock.
Fiona’s condition? I eyed her and saw her blanch, the blood draining out of her face.
“She didn’t tell you, did she?” she whispered between trembling lips.
Now I knew something was going on. What wasn’t Regan telling me, and why was my mate trying to keep something from me? I glared at her and saw her take a step backwards. My voice was like silk as I spoke.
“Regan, what condition? Is there something I should know about my mate?” I purred, stepping closer and watching her body begin to tremble.
I hated secrets as well, Fiona knew. I stared down at Regan with a challenge in my eyes.
“Well, um, it’s just that you know…” she said weakly, trying hard to maintain her composure, “I just meant with her being sick and all.”
“You meant more than that. Otherwise, you wouldn’t have congratulated me,” I said darkly.
I had suspicions beginning to lurk inside my mind, even as I stared down at Regan, daring her to tell me everything.
She flinched. “Please, Liam, I can’t break her confidence like this. She’ll never forgive me, and I’m already trying to make up for past hurts. Don’t force me to tell you, “She cried, whimpering slightly.
“But you do know something,” I shook my head at her, “what is it, Regan?”
She bit her lower lip. “I can’t tell you. You’re going to have to find out from Fiona on your own this time, Liam. I do know, however, that she had every intention of telling you so, I’m surprised that she didn’t.”
“Why is she keeping secrets from me?” I asked, pained, “We tell each other everything. What’s changed?” I mused, doubting my ability to read my mate.
“Maybe she’s afraid,” Regan suggested, avoiding my gaze, “maybe she’s worried about how you will react to her news, so she’s keeping it to herself.”
“But I would never…” I growled in frustration.
Since when did Fiona fear me or my reactions? It made no sense. I gave another low growl and then headed towards the stairs, my head swivelling towards our bedroom as Regan hastily made her exit.
As I drew nearer towards my mate, my nostrils flared, and as I opened the door to the bedroom, the answer finally came to me as I smelt the change in her scent, not to mention heard the distinct sound of a teeny tiny heartbeat that was beating in conjunction with hers.
“You’re pregnant?” I said out loud and watched my mate slowly turn her head, her eyes bright red from weeping.