Fated to my Enemy by Diane Doherty

Book Two Chapter Forty Future Alpha Aspen Once | checked on Mom, | pulled Tessa into my arms. Everything faded away as | held her tightly against me. For three months | have waited for this moment.

“Are you hurt?” | asked as blood soaked through my clothes.

“It’s not mine,” she mumbled with her face burrowed in my chest. “I’m so sorry,” she cried. Her body shook as sobs consumed her.

“We can talk later. Let's get you cleaned up,” | told her. She pulled back and looked up at me. There was so much pain in her green eyes.

She took my hands from her hips and moved them to her stomach.

“I'm pregnant.” “Mate,” Bliz howled in my head. His tail was thumping as he yipped in excitement.

“I'm sorry. | didn’t know when | left. | didn’t want you to get hurt,” she rushed out but | didn’t let her finish as | crushed my lips to hers. | couldn’t smell it through all the blood, but her scent was mixed with mine. There was no doubt this child was mine.

Chapter Forty 288 Vouchers “Tess,” Sarah called out. | pulled my lips away and rested my forehead against hers.

“You should have told me. | would have protected you.” “But you didn’t know | was your mate. | didn’t want to drag you into my family mess,” she cried.

“I love you, Tessa. | have spent the last three months searching for you. Mate or not. Baby or not. | love you,” | confessed. | wrapped my arms around her and held her tightly as she sobbed.

“I'm so sorry.” She gasped when | lifted her into my arms. | wasn’t going to let her walk back. She has been through enough.

| kissed her forehead when she relaxed and rested her head on my shoulder.

I still didn’t know the whole story, but it wouldn’t change how I felt about her. She was mine. And she was carrying my pup.

Fuck. She must have been terrified when she found out and | wasn’t there. She shouldn't have had to do this alone.

“Aspen,” she whispered, caressing my cheek. | turned my head and kissed her palm.

“Let’s get you and baby checked out and then we can talk.” “Okay.”

Chapter Forty 1288 Vouchers Sarah walked besideand we walked out of the forest together. The rendezvous point was just up ahead. The area was chaotic as | stepped up to the open hatch of an SUV. | placed Tessa down and helped her take off her vest.

“We are going to need a medic over here,” | called out.

“Aspen, | told you, I'm fine. None of this blood is mine,” she exclaimed, but | ignored her. She was pregnant and as much as | appreciate what she did for my mother, she shouldn't have put herself in danger.

“Sis, there you are.” Alpha Titus cup beside me.

“I'm okay. | only cut my hand to help Luna Orion, but | think her saliva healed it.” She held up her hand.

“You're her brother and you just let her go in there. Pregnant.” | growled.

“No, Aspen. | made him. | was the only one who could heal your mother.” Tessa grabbedas | glared at her brother. Sarah stepped between us and the alpha stepped back with his arms. wrapped around her waist.

“Aspen, don’t blhim. This was our plan,” she pointed between her and Tessa.

“She's right, Aspen. | couldn’t let him hurt your mother. He wanted me,” my attention snapped to Tessa.

“What do you mean he wanted you?” | demanded.

Chapter Forty 1288 Vouchers “Aspen,” Landon called out. “Sarah?” Alpha Titus growled before pushing Sarah behind him.

“Everyone stop,” Tessa yelled, standing up, she placed her hand on my chest. “I did this. | was not going to let him hurt your mother and sibling. Neither one of them had a say. If you want to be mad at someone, then you'll be mad at me.” “But.” “No, buts, Aspen,” she glared up at me. “I couldn't let you lose another mother,” my heart twisted painfully. She was willing to give up her life and the life of our child for me.

“Don’t say that,” | pulled her against my chest and she wrapped. her arms around me.

“Did someone call for a medic?” A man stepped forward.

“I did.” The others stepped back to give him sroom.

“Miss, how far along are you?” he asked my mate.

“What?” Landon exclaimed.

“Landon, I'll explain. Let's give them sspace,” Sarah said as | helped my mate to sit back down.

“Fourteen human weeks,” she answered.

“Is this your first pregnancy?” She nodded.

“Any complications?” he questioned as he took her blood Chapter Forty pressure.

“I've been nauseated, but | haven't been able to see a doctor.” My chest rumbled and she squeezed my hand. “I heard the heartbeat yesterday.”

“Okay. Your blood pressure is a little high and with being almost half done with the pregnancy, I want to take you to the hospital to get checked.

Have you experienced any cramping or bleeding?” “No,” | let out the breath | was holding in.

“That's good. | have an ambulance waiting. Are you able to walk?” | didn’t wait for her to answer him as | scooped her in my arms.

“Aspen,” she gasped, “I can walk.” “And | don’t want you to.” | kissed her nose.

“Are you the father?” The medic asked as | followed him.

“Yes,” | replied. Tessa caressed my cheek and | leaned into her touch. | never expected any of this when I would dream of finding her again. It explains why | felt this pulled towards her from the first moment our eyes met. She was always meant to be mine. “You can lay her down,” the medic said as | stepped up into the back of the vehicle.

“No need.” | told him as | took a seat. Tessa chuckled in my arms.

“I swear I'm okay, Aspen,” she looked up at me.

Chapter Forty

“This is for me, baby, it's been a long three months.” | settled her in my lap before running my hand under her black shirt and over her growing bump. The medic closed the doors and settled in his seat before the ambulance took off towards the hospital.

| was feeling anxious about seeing my child. She said she hadn't been to the doctor yet.

“Baby’s heart rate is steady, Aspen.” | closed my eyes to see Bliz smiling. The thumping of his tail was givinga headache.

Tessa placed her hand over mine and gasped when something hit my palm.

“Was that?” | opened my eyes and looked down at my smiling mate.

“Baby's first kick.”