Page 34 of Rescued by the Alpha

Nic drew his eyebrows together. Boys? He glanced at Elam who appeared confused.

“Did she know we were coming, or…?”

Nic smirked. “She’s like that. You get used to it after a while.”

They entered Asha’s home, and like before, she sat in her chair by the wood stove, knitting away at something which she quickly set aside when her gaze landed on Elam. Her jaw dropped open, her eyes widening. She covered her mouth with both hands as she continued to stare at Elam in silence. Nic was just about to speak when she held her hands out, which revealed her wide smile.

“Oh my. Let me have a look at you, Nic’s mate.”

Elam darted his eyes to Nic, who gave him a quick nod. As Elam took tentative steps toward Asha, Nic watched in curiosity. Asha looked upon Elam with wonder as she clasped his hands then drew him closer.

She continued to smile at him then finally spoke. “What is your name, omega?”

Elam opened his mouth to reply, croaking before he could get his first words out. “Elam, ma’am.”

She laughed, still hanging onto his hands. “Please call me Healer. Most folks do. You’re not feeling well, are you, Elam?”

“No ma…Healer, I’m not.” Elam turned to Nic before returning his gaze to Asha. “Nic and I are both worried that something went wrong when he turned me. I guess it’s been a long time since any humans were claimed?” Elam visibly swallowed. “So maybe bad side effects have been forgotten about?”

She tsked and shook her head. “Oh no, don’t concern yourself with that. There haven’t been any negative results of being turned that have been recorded in our quite long history.” She tilted her head, still smiling. “May I touch your abdomen?”

Nic’s hackles rose, but he knew she needed to attend to him if they were to get any answers.

A crease formed between Elam’s eyebrows. “S-sure. If it’ll help.”

Elam had already unzipped his jacket and Nic watched as she placed her palm against his jeans. Elam glanced his way again and Nic offered what he hoped was a reassuring smile. After about a minute of her leaving her hand in place, her eyes closed as if she were searching her mind for something, she finally drew it away, then placed it across her heart. She turned to Nic.

“Well, I think you too should have a seat.” She gestured to the one remaining chair. “Get comfortable too.”

Nic removed his jacket while Elam did the same then Nic dropped onto the big chair, bringing Elam down onto his lap as he did. Elam gave him the side-eye as if being perched on Nic’s lap in front of Asha was embarrassing. Nic encircled Elam’s waist then tugged him back.

“This okay?”

They locked gazes and something in Nic’s expression must have spoken to Elam, because the tension finally left his body and he nodded, relaxing against Nic’s frame. Nic returned his attention to Asha who regarded them with what could only be described as delight.

“Well,” Asha said as she settled back in her own chair. “I never thought this would happen in my lifetime. The prophecy has existed so many centuries, but most have considered it nothing more than a fable. Tell me, Elam. What sort of symptoms have you been experiencing?”

As Elam listed off what he’d been going through since being turned, Nic pondered Asha’s cryptic remark about whatever ‘this’ could be that was happening in her lifetime. Gay shifters had found their fated mates before, so he doubted she was referring to that.

When Elam concluded with his episode of vomiting that morning, she nodded, her smile as broad as ever. “Congratulations are in order, boys. You’re going to be parents in about six months.

Possibly five. From what I remember from the chronicles in the ancient texts, males have shorter pregnancies.”

Nic’s blood froze as Elam burst out laughing.

Oh hell. It makes sense. The unrelenting pull, Elam’s heat, how slick he was, the knotting, his symptoms. The tales of their male ancestors having the ability to bear children had always been deemed nothing more than a fairytale legend, but Nic knew in his gut that Asha was right. I’m goingto be a fucking father. With Elam. Elam is going to give me an heir.

Nic’s chest went tight as tears sprung to his eyes. He sniffed and swallowed them down, clearing his throat as he fought to regain his composure.

Elam had finally brought his laughter to a few remaining snickers and was repeatedly wiping his finger under his eyes. After he stopped chuckling he glanced at Nic then back at Asha then to Nic again.

“Wha…?” Elam sucked in a sharp breath as he sputtered out another sharp laugh. His gaze landed on Asha. “You can’t be serious.”

She continued to smile. “Oh, you don’t have to believe me. Your condition will be apparent to you soon enough.”

Elam gaped at her with wide eyes then jerked out of Nic’s embrace, startling him as he leapt to his feet. “I’m not going to listen to this nonsense.” He whirled around to face Nic, his gaze radiating panic. “I’d like to leave. If you don’t want to yet, that’s fine. I’m sure I can find my way back to your sister’s place on my own.”

Nic jumped from the chair. “Wait!” He ran both hands across the top of his head in frustration.