Chapter 159

Aria

I woke up to the sound of retching coming from down the hall.

My eyes snapped open, and I was instantly alert, worry flooding through me as I recognized Bella’s distress. I glanced at the empty space beside me—Darren must have gotten up early.

Throwing off the covers, I padded down the hallway in my sleep shorts and tank top, not bothering to grab a robe. The sounds grew louder as I approached Bella and Liam’s room. I knocked softly before pushing the door open.

Bella was hunched over a trash can, her knuckles white as she gripped the edges. Liam was kneeling beside her, holding her hair out of her face.

“It’s worse today,” he said without looking up. “The tea isn’t helping at all. She couldn’t even make it to the bathroom.”

I crossed the room and crouched on Bella’s other side, placing my hand on her back. “Hey, Bells. Bad morning?”

She groaned, spitting into the trash can. “This baby hates me.”

“I think we need to take her to the clinic,” Liam said, his eyes meeting mine over Bella’s bent form. “This isn’t normal.”

“I’m fine,” Bella protested weakly, but another wave of nausea hit her, and she dry-heaved into the trash can. I winced at the painful sound.

“Yeah, you look fine,” I said dryly, rubbing circles on her back. “No, Liam’s right. You need to see someone.”

Liam stood up. “I’ll call the clinic to let them know we’re coming.”

As he stepped away to make the call, Bella looked up at me, her face pale and slick with sweat. “Can you take me?” she asked quietly. “Liam has to help Darren prepare for the Alphas’ arrival. It’s important.”

I nodded without hesitation. “Of course.”

“I don’t have to be there,” Liam said, overhearing us as he hung up the phone. “You’re more important.”

Bella shook her head, wincing at the movement. “No. You need to be there. Aria can take me. Right, Aria?”

“Absolutely,” I assured them both. “I’ll take care of her, Liam. Promise.”

Liam looked torn, but eventually nodded. “Alright. But call me the second you know anything.”

I helped Bella to her feet, my arms steady around her waist. “I’ll get dressed and grab my phone. Meet you at the front door in five?”

Bella nodded weakly as Liam helped her toward the bathroom to clean up.

Back in my room, I quickly threw on jeans and a sweater, then grabbed my phone to text Darren. I wanted to let him know what was happening before I left. After sending him a quick text, I headed downstairs, where Bella was wobbling by the front door.

The walk to the clinic wasn’t easy. Bella kept having to stop, dry heaving into a bag I’d found for her in the kitchen. Finally we arrived at the clinic, and I stayed by her side as the doctor whisked her into a private room. Dr. Edward was still in the pack territory, and I was glad to see him on duty this morning.

“Maybe it’ll be twins,” I said, trying to lighten the mood as Edward checked her vitals. “Double the morning sickness, double the fun.”

Bella glared at me. “I will actually murder you.”

I laughed, relieved to see some of her usual spark. “I’m just saying, Liam would probably faint from pride.”

“And I would faint from exhaustion,” she grumbled, but there was a hint of a smile on her lips.

After running some tests, Dr. Edward returned. “Hyperemesis gravidarum,” he said, nodding. “It’s severe morning sickness. Not uncommon, but definitely not pleasant.”

“Is the baby okay?” Bella asked, her hand instinctively going to her belly.

Dr. Edward smiled reassuringly. “The baby’s fine. It’s you I’m worried about. You’re getting dehydrated, which is why you feel so weak.”

While Dr. Edward set Bella up with an IV to rehydrate her, I checked my phone. Darren hadn’t answered my text, although he had read it. I was surprised not to hear from him. Normally, he would come running over something like this, or at least give me a call.

Figuring he was just busy, I slipped my phone back into my pocket. Dr. Edward gave Bella some special medication, and once she was in better condition, I took her back to the pack house. The journey back was far easier than the one to the clinic, and Liam was waiting for us as we approached.

“What did they say?” he asked, hurrying up to us. He looked breathless, like he’d been running around all day and had just rushed here to check on her.

“That I’m growing a parasite that’s trying to suck all the life out of me,” Bella deadpanned.

Liam’s eyes widened in alarm, and I couldn’t help but laugh. “She just has severe morning sickness,” I explained. “The baby’s fine, but Bella needs to rest today.”

Liam nodded, relief washing over his face. “I’ll take her upstairs. Thank you for taking her, Aria.”

“No problem. But, hey, where’s Darren?”

Liam frowned. “I thought he was with you.”

“What? No, I thought he was with you. He hasn’t answered his phone all day, nor has he Mindlinked me.”

The Beta looked confused, but I quickly brushed it off when Bella began to get woozy again.

I spent the remainder of the morning taking care of Bella, bringing her bland foods that Dr. Edward had suggested, helping her change into comfortable clothes, and just sitting with her while she dozed on and off.

Once Liam was available to keep an eye on Bella, I decided to track down Darren. I checked all the usual places, but he was nowhere to be found. No one I asked had seen him since early morning. I couldn’t find Raven, either, which was odd. I thought she would be setting up the stage for the kids’ play, but she wasn’t there.

My worry was beginning to edge into annoyance, then worry. It wasn’t like Darren to disappear like this, especially on such an important day.

Finally, after checking the entire village, I returned to the stage in the village square. My footsteps halted as I came to the edge of the square.

There, on the stage, was Darren. With Raven.

They were laughing as they hung flowers and pine branches around the stage. Raven said something I couldn’t hear, and Darren threw his head back in laughter, his whole face lighting up. Something cold and sharp twisted in my chest at the sight.

I walked down the center aisle, my hands curling into fists at my sides. Darren looked up at the sound and broke into a smile when he saw me.

“Aria! I was wondering where you were.”

“I’ve been looking for you all morning,” I said, unable to keep the edge from my voice. “Didn’t you get my texts? I tried Mindlinking you, too, but you didn’t answer.”

Darren’s smile faltered. He pulled out his phone and grimaced. “Shit, it’s dead. I forgot to charge it last night. And Raven and I were out in the woods, gathering these, so I guess I was too far to Mindlink.” He gestured to the flowers and branches. “What’s wrong? Did something happen?”

“Bella’s really sick. I had to take her to the clinic this morning.”

“Is she okay?” Raven asked, moving to stand beside Darren.

I nodded, trying not to be annoyed at her interjection. “Severe morning sickness. She’s resting now.”

“I’m sorry I wasn’t there,” Darren said, stepping forward to take my hands in his. “I should have been there for you both.”

“It’s fine,” I said, calming my bristling wolf. Now wasn’t the time to get jealous again. Still, collecting flowers and branches felt like a task that could have waited. “But I thought you had more important things to do than collect stuff for the play.”

Raven’s shoulders stiffened behind him, and I wondered if I had struck a nerve. Darren sighed. “I was up early, so I finished the other stuff. I didn’t think…” He shook his head. “I’m sorry. I should have checked in.”

Before I could answer, he leaned in and pecked me on the cheek. I blushed slightly and leaned into his warmth, savoring his scent. He kissed me again, deeper this time, and for a moment, I forgot about Raven, about the summit, about everything except the feeling of his lips on mine.

When we pulled apart, I caught sight of Raven over Darren’s shoulder. She was watching us with an odd expression on her face.

As if sensing my gaze, she quickly looked away, busying herself with the set dressing. But I couldn’t shake the feeling that I’d seen something important in that brief moment.

What if my wolf’s instincts had been right all along? What if Raven’s friendliness was just a cover for something deeper—a desire for what was mine?

My wolf stirred restlessly beneath my skin again, a feeling that was becoming all too familiar these past few days. I decided, then, that I needed to tell Darren about my feelings. He’d probably say something helpful, something reassuring.

But just as I was about to ask Darren to take a walk with me, one of the pack warriors strode up to us, gesturing toward the front gates.

“The first Alpha has arrived,” he said, and my stomach twisted.

Without hesitating, Darren and I moved to greet our guests. My ridiculous jealousy could wait until later, I supposed.