A/N:
I'd want to apologize for the long wait to this chapter. My muse took a hiatus. Thank you all, my faithful readers, for being patient with me and for sending me your comments and feedbacks, while I was in a lull.
Once more I want to thank my wonderful editors: Lunarosa and Mapili50 for their assiduous and priceless help in this chapter.
Enjoy!
Chapter Ten
Alex tumbled once again as Jake hurled her onto the mat. She had been working out and training with her brothers every morning since they came to visit. It was early yet, so the gym was free of the pups who usually loitered and worked out on the other side of the mat, where all the weights equipment were located. Rance and Andrew were standing to the side. Andrew had a frown creasing his brows, arms crossed over his big chest, as he watched Alex roll nimbly to her feet.
He and his brothers had been on the estate for several days. The wolf shifters, as he had observed, were reservedly open and friendly to them, although he could sense they were also wary of their presence in their midstβas they should be, since he and his brothers were humans. No doubt, if they were not related to Alex, their knowledge of pack's existence would have signed the human brothers' death warrant. He would not delude himself that these beings are as they seemed. He was too cautious not to assume they were half-beast, therefore were likely prone to the instincts of their feral side. Any animal threatened in any way would lash out, so wouldn't these seemingly normal beings if put to the test?
Watching Alex interact with Rance and the inhabitants of the estate almost eased his vigilance, but just one show of animosity toward his sister, and all hell would break loose. She may think that she's a mighty alpha with all these mysterious powers, but to him, she was still his sister who needed his protection. That thought brought him to his present concern, prompting him to quietly ask Rance, "Shouldn't she be taking it easy?".
"What do you mean?" Rance asked abstractedly, keeping his eyes on Alex as she attacked Jake with a series of punches and kicks.
"Aren't you concerned about the baby she's carrying? I wonder if this level of activity is good for her in her condition.".
The tone of Andrew's voice pierced Rance's absorption in observing Alex. He didn't like the way that Andrew was implying neglect of his mate. Turning completely toward his mate's brother, and his emerald eyes brimmed with annoyance and a touch of anger.
"I care about Alex more than you can comprehend. One way of showing my care is ensuring her ability to defend herself, if necessary. We are a hardy bunch; there is no danger to her or the baby in her womb. Our females are not fragile or prone to miscarriage as humans are."
"I still don't think it wise to risk it. Even if she is now a shifter with a hardy constitution, what if because she was once human she should therefore take more care than a normal female shifter in her condition?"
Rance looked thoughtfully at Andrew, trying to gauge if he was just being aggravating or sincerely concerned of his sister's welfare. After some moments of quiet consideration, Rance appreciated the wisdom of Andrew's words. He abruptly nodded and acknowledged the wisdom of his advice. Much as he was certain that Alex was perfectly safe training and working out even carrying the Promised One, he'd not risk his mate's and pup's health on it.
Turning once more towards the mat where Jake and Alex were sparring, he sauntered casually towards the two.
"Alex, it's time to take a break," Rance called out mildly.
Alex glanced at Rance with a questioning look. Usually Rance would work her out till she was ready to drop. Her sparring with Jake did not even cause her to break into a sweat yet.
"What's up? We're just getting warmed up," she asked Rance once he'd reached her. Jake looked on with curiosity, but not much interest.
"I just thought we should cut it short since your parents are coming today, remember?"
"Yeah, but that's not until later. If I know Dad, he'll take his time driving down here. And besides, they'll be staying till they leave for their trip to their European cruise next week."
Andrew joined them, "I believe you should take it easy considering your condition, don't you think?"
"Huh-?" For a moment Alex was at a loss as to what he was talking about, until she realized that he was hinting at her pregnancy. "Oh! But I doubt there's any danger."
"Are you completely sure?" Andrew persisted.
Looking up at her mate's face, she tried to discern his stand on the matter.
"I guess it won't hurt to be cautious," she finally conceded, albeit reluctantly.
Taking her hand, Rance steered her away from the mat. "We'd better get Armand to look at you again." He handed her a towel to wipe off as Alex fell in step with him, leaving her brothers as they got ready to spar.
"I'll see you guys later for breakfast!" she called out over her shoulder to her brothers.
With an absentminded wave from Andrew and a grunt from Jake, she hurried off with her mate.
"What's going on?" She demanded, after they were out of hearing from her siblings.
"Nothing," Rance responded with a casual air.
Alex stopped abruptly and yanked at the hand Rance was holding. Turning, Rance looked back at her. "What gives? Usually, you won't get satisfied until I've rolled more than a dozen times on those mats. And now, I've barely broken a sweat. So --?"
Sighing, since he knew he Alex would persist until she got her answer, he finally told her of his conversation with her brother.
"Andrew pointed out that since you were a newly turned human we should take better care of you in your condition."
"In my condition?!" Alex shook her head in a show of frustration. "For your information Mr. Big Bad Wolf, human women don't just stop working out or training the minute they find themselves pregnant. And what does my brother know about pregnant women anyway? Unless a woman had health problems or has trouble carrying to term, she continues to do normal and regular things in her life. Besides, I'm now a wolf shifter. Our constitution is way better than that of a human," she huffed.
"I know. But I thought we should go and visit Dr. Armand to be truly certain. I'm not going to make you stop training. I just want to have an expert's opinion to put my mind at ease, not to mention your sibling too," Rance quietly replied.
Lately Alex had exhibited a short temper and a marked increase in her libido. She got frustrated fast and her aggressiveness tended to flare hot. Although the episodes were short lived, it was becoming a concern for him. Maybe it had something to do with her rioting hormones and pregnancy, maybe not. Seeing the pack doctor would be a good opportunity to find out about it.