Pregnant With Four Alphas' Babies: Read Chapters 1-5

*Rose*

“Four million dollars? Isn’t that an awful lot of money for only a few months’ worth of work?”

Quiet voices filter into my ears from the living room, and I pause to listen, hoping that my parents are not discussing me.

Then… I hear my name, and I know that they are talking about me. Again.

“Rose is a fine young woman,” my mother is saying. “Any Alpha would be happy to have her.”

“I know, I know,” my father agrees. “I definitely think it’s worth it for us to send her.”

An Alpha having me? I don’t know what this is about, but at least it’s not about a job.

The last time I stumbled upon my parents discussing my fate, I was sorry I’d overheard any of it. At the time, they were going on about a new job for me. That didn’t seem bad at first, but when I finally had to report for duty, it was at a sewage factory. It turned out to be hard work, but I just plugged my nose and dealt with it. I may have been the daughter of an Alpha, but I had to do something to help out with my family’s crushing debt.

“I know that it would be the answer to all of our prayers, Karen,” my father adds, before confessing, “But I’m worried she won’t be able to do what they want her to do. After all, our little Rose isn’t that bright. She can be a real idiot sometimes. She might not even know which hole to put it in.”

My father's callous words slice through me like a jagged blade, intensifying my confusion over their cryptic conversation. What in the world were they even talking about? The sting of his hurtful remarks triggers a flood of memories, a barrage of insults that he has hurled at me over time. "Idiot" was relatively mild when compared to the other venomous labels he has called me. Yet, despite my attempts to remain composed, a surge of pain rises within me, causing tears to well up and sting my eyes.

Why can’t my parents just love me like the other kids I know who have parents that love them unconditionally?

Alpha Howard, my father, and Luna Karen, my mother, possess a glaring deficiency when it comes to maintaining accurate financial records for the pack. The truth is, the coffers are nearly empty, rendering their task all the more challenging. Everyone within the pack is well aware that they have shamelessly dipped their hands into the funds, redirecting them toward personal projects at home.

The gradual depletion of our natural resources a few years ago shattered any illusion of concealing the pack's massive debt. It became painfully evident that my parents had been the primary culprits responsible for the reckless expenditure.

And so, I stepped up, doing everything within my power to aid them in their dire predicament. I sacrificed and would continue to do so if necessary. The pack holds an indescribable significance to me, despite the horrible actions of my parents. Someone must bear the burden of salvaging our pack and taking responsibility for its future.

As I continue to eavesdrop, a flicker of confidence washes over me, dispelling any concerns of being dispatched to another wretched sewage treatment plant. After all, my previous work at such a facility ended unceremoniously with my dismissal due to an unfortunate tendency to vomit on the job. Irony, it seems, has a peculiar sense of humor.

"This is unlike anything we've encountered before!" My mother's voice resonates with annoyance, and though I'm unable to witness their expressions through the narrow opening of the door where I discreetly listen, I can almost see her rolling her eyes in exasperation. "She's not going to disgrace herself in front of the Alphas!"

"You hope," my dad retorts, catching me off guard. Before I can dwell too much on his words, he continues, "But mark my words, daughters of Alphas and Betas from every corner of the kingdom will vie for this position. Why on earth would they ever select Rose? She's utterly inept!"

So, this conversation revolves around a job. I strive to conceal my frown at my father's profound lack of faith in me. Even though I remain oblivious to the precise nature of their discussion, perhaps his skepticism holds some validity. Maybe I truly lack the capabilities required for whatever task they are alluding to.

The notion of embarking on yet another dreadful job twists my stomach into knots. As torturous as it is to live with my cruel parents, at least within these walls, I know what to expect. Leaving is not a viable option. I am the Alpha's daughter, and abandoning my home prior to marriage would ignite rampant speculation, tarnishing the pack's reputation—an outcome my parents would never permit.

But the intensity of their present conversation leaves my palms sweaty and my head spinning. I longingly yearn for the possibility of escape, a chance to depart this place that has held me captive for far too long.

I want to uncover the truth before forming any judgments, but fear paralyzes me, preventing me from advancing even an inch. I cautiously shift my weight, causing the ancient floorboards to let go a loud squeak. It should have alerted them to my presence, yet they continue their conversation, oblivious to my eavesdropping.

Our dilapidated and worn-out house has deteriorated to such an extent that my subtle movements go unnoticed. Thankfully, they mistake the sounds I create for the usual settling of the foundation—nothing more–and continue speaking.

"We will send her. Undoubtedly, she will find a way to bungle it, but we must make the attempt. It's preferable to letting her remain here and further disrupt our lives," my mother asserts.

"Fine," my father grudgingly agrees. "I'm merely cautioning you not to get your hopes up. It's highly probable that she will disappoint us, just as she has with every task she's ever been assigned on our behalf."

My heart plummets into the pit of my stomach, a feeble throb amidst the crushing weight of disappointment.

Is this truly what my parents think of me?

Whatever dreadful task they are preparing to assign me, it fills me with a sense of terror. Perhaps they are right in their assessment that I am incapable of accomplishing it. After all, I find myself failing repeatedly in the face of their unattainable expectations. At least, that's the narrative I've convinced myself of.

Considering the involvement of other Alphas, it's safe to assume their standards will be equally exacting, mirroring those of my father.

No, I simply cannot bear the weight of this burden. The instinct to escape, to find a hiding place, engulfs me entirely. Regardless of the nature of the task, it feels unbearably atrocious for someone like me to even contemplate attempting it. I can’t wait to leave this place, to distance myself from these overwhelming circumstances.

As I hear approaching footsteps, a surge of panic compels me to conceal my eavesdropping. I hastily retreat several steps, finding refuge near the sink. I turn the tap on, its steady stream camouflaging my presence, and grab a glass from the cabinet, filling it with water as if innocently quenching my thirst.

"Oh, there you are, dear," my mom's voice resonates, although the endearment sounds strained, as if it were forced from her lips. "We were hoping to talk to you. Wait—were you listening?"

I face them, feigning nonchalance, taking a sip from the glass before gently placing it on the counter. "No, I wasn't listening," I say, hoping my performance convinces her. She appears to believe me. "What is it, Mom?" I ask, my tone curt and guarded.

"Well, there's an intriguing job opportunity at the castle. King Gene is seeking a truly exceptional young lady to fulfill a specific role, and we genuinely believe you are the ideal candidate for this new position." My father's smile radiates, seemingly genuine, despite having just overheard their doubts regarding my capabilities.

"What kind of job is it?" I ask, longing for clarity amidst the murky waters of uncertainty.

A flicker of unease passes between my parents, triggering memories of the sewage treatment plant and its unpleasant associations.

Surely, they wouldn't subject me to something equally dreadful.

"Well, sweetheart," my mom begins, her voice tinged with hesitation. "It's an exceedingly important job."

Why won’t they just tell mel? Why can't they just say it? "Yes, you mentioned that," I say, my impatience growing.

"The king is currently deliberating which Alpha will succeed him as the next Alpha King once he retires. Since he has no offspring, he intends to appoint one of four Alphas to assume the throne." My father's smile emerges, a glimmer of hope that he might secure the position himself.

That will not be the case.

“All right…” I sigh. “What does that have to do with me?”

Another uneasy exchange of glances passes between them. “The Alpha who takes over the throne will need to have an heir,” my mom explains. “And… that means… they need… a Breeder.”

The water I swallowed a moment ago seems to have come back up, and I find myself choking. No one asks if I’m okay or tries to comfort me as I attempt to breathe. Eventually, I recover enough to ask, “A Breeder? You want me to be a baby making machine for an Alpha?”

I can hardly believe what I’m hearing. I’m a virgin! I’ve never even kissed a man before. I’ve been saving myself in hopes of finding a true love match that will become a fated mate, but from what I’m hearing, none of that matters now.

“That’s right, dear,” my father says. “The pay is excellent, and it would give our pack some much-needed status in the kingdom.”

“But what about me?” I ask, annoyed. “You’re okay with essentially selling my virginity to some random Alpha?”

“Honey, it’s not like that,” my mom says. “It’s an honor. A lot of Alphas and Betas are sending their daughters to try for the position. We are only hoping that you’ll be the best suited.”

I shake my head. “No, please.”

My father’s hand lashes out and slaps me hard across the face. I recoil as my cheek lights on fire. I should’ve known better than to tell him no. This isn’t the first time he’s slapped me. “Don’t you tell me no, you little bitch!” Their fake niceness has already faded away.

I step back, out of his reach. “Mom, Dad, please! You know I’ve always done everything you’ve asked me to do, but you can’t seriously be asking me to do this, to sell myself to an Alpha I don’t even know?”

My dad takes a deep breath through his nose. “I think you’re misunderstanding a couple of things, Rose,” my father says. “First of all, we’re not asking you to do anything. We are telling you. You’ll leave tomorrow.”

“But Dad!” I begin. He holds up a hand to stop me, and I’m not sure whether he’ll hit me again if I don’t stop talking.

“The other thing you’re misunderstanding, Rose,” he continues, “is that you will not be a Breeder for a random Alpha.”

I take a deep breath, hoping that means I won’t be a Breeder at all. “I won’t?” I ask worriedly.

“No, daughter,” my mother says. “There are four Alphas, and they’ve already been selected, so it isn’t random at all!”

My spirits fall as I realize my misunderstanding had nothing to do with not having to become a Breeder. That is still the job they are giving me. It’s just the random part I was apparently wrong about.

“So… I’ll be assigned to one of the Alphas as a Breeder?” I ask them.

Again, my parents shake their heads. “No, that’s not it at all,” my father says, clearly growing agitated again.

I lean back against the kitchen counter, feeling myself grow dizzy and weak in the knees from so much discussion about such a terrifying subject. “What is it then?” I ask.

They have an internal debate about who has to answer that question, and it is my mom who draws the short stick. With a deep breath, she says, “Rose, you won’t be a Breeder to one of the Alphas. You’ll be a Breeder to all four.”

“All four?” The words echo around in my head, but I can’t absorb them. It just doesn’t seem possible. My parents are willing to sell me to all four of them?

I’ll have to have sex with four different men?

“No!” The word escapes my lips before I can even think about it, and once again, I feel the sharp blow of my father’s hand contacting my cheek.

The stinging inside of me is worse than the smarting in my cheek, though. I can’t do this….

That lightheaded feeling envelopes me, and the next thing I know, the world is turning dark at the edges, and I find myself giving way to gravity.

The last thing I hear is my mom saying, “Rose, really?” and then the world goes black.

*Rose*

The journey to Castle Black Rocktakes about two days. We travel by train, me and the escort that King Gene has sent to make sure that I arrive at the castle safely. Some of the packs are in a bit of an uproar over the way that King Gene has chosen the four Alphas to be considered to replace him, and there’s a possibility that they might be willing to take their outrage out on the women coming to the castle.

This entire journey is a little overwhelming, and I still haven’t gotten my mind wrapped around why I’m even going to the castle. The last thing on earth I want to do is be a Breeder–not even for one Alpha, let alone four strangers.

My hands are trembling, and my stomach is in knots as I swallow back bile. I can’t believe I’m even here….

My shoulder still hurts from where my father pushed me onto the train, right before the door closed.

This is the last place in the world I ever wanted to be.

But here I am, sitting next to Delta Sebastian, my escort, on a train speeding toward the castle. I know that there are other women on board who are going for the same purpose, but I haven’t met any of them yet. The escorts all think it would be best if we wait until we get to the castle to get to know one another.

If we even have the chance to–after all, only one of us will be staying. We’re all essentially competitors.

I overhear a conversation between two passengers in front of us. “I suppose some of these pretty girls must be going to the castle to audition for that dreadful Breeder position,” the woman says.

The man sitting next to her, who I assume is her husband, says, “Yes, this is the third train ride I’ve been on this month where there’s been a bunch of hopeful young women about to have their dreams shattered.”

That’s true. My dreams will indeed be shattered if I am selected.

But I look around the train and see lots of girls seemingly much more confident than I am. Bleached blondes, fierce redheads, girls with satiny dark hair–I’d go as far to say that they’re more beautiful than me, and because of that, I’m hopeful that one of them will be chosen, not me.

To be fair, I am not ugly, but I’m not beautiful. At least, no one has ever told me that I am. I have blonde, straight hair, blue eyes, and a decent figure. My nose is a little too long for my face, I think, and there’s a small gap between my two front teeth. When I look at these other girls, I see no flaws whatsoever.

My eyes land on a redhead in a green dress. She smiles at me, and I manage a smile back, but I’m too nervous to keep looking at her. She’s way prettier than I am, which makes me feel slightly better.

Everyone else seems happy about this possibility, though a few girls look a little nervous, but no one looks like they are on the verge of throwing up, like I am.

The redhead is so beautiful, she’ll definitely get the job before I will, which is reassuring, because as much as my parents seem to hate me, at least I would legitimately lose instead of just having to run away to avoid the contest.

But then… maybe that is my best option. I look around the train, wondering if there’s any way I can just hurl myself out one of these windows. We are going too fast for that. That doesn’t mean I won’t continue to consider running away if the chance presents itself.

Whatever is out there in the world, it has to be better than this.

We arrive at the train station near the castle, and we are escorted to SUVs to make the trip to the king’s home, which we can see in the distance. Our escorts are still with us, so we try to keep chatting minimal. I find myself sitting right next to the same redhead. She seems nice. There’s a girl with blonde curly hair across from me, and she doesn’t look so welcoming.

The castle grows larger and larger as we travel toward it. I can hardly believe how huge it is.

Made of stone, it juts out of the ground and has to be at least ten stories tall in places. With turrets and catwalks on the roof, it looks daunting as the sun reflects off of its surface.

We go through a guarded gate, and the vehicle stops out front. I wait my turn to get out and then follow the other girls inside.

We are led to a waiting room, the room lined up with chairs.

“Take a seat,” a woman in a black suit with a no-nonsense face tells us. “The king will interview each of you, and then you’ll go for your examination.” She turns and walks away.

My eyes widen. Examination? There’s a test?

One of the blondes I saw on the train leans over to a brunette and whispers, “What kind of a test do we have to take?”

The other girl laughs. “Our medical examinations, silly.” She rolls her eyes, and I am glad I didn’t ask the stupid question.

Our escorts have left us, so there are just the twelve of us in the waiting area now. We can talk freely, but I’m not sure I want to. It’s not as if we will all be staying here. Only one of us will get the job, and the others will leave. Not to mention, this isn’t even the first group of us–apparently. So who knows if it will even be someone from this group?

“I’m so nervous,” the redhead whispers to me. “I think I’m going to be sick.”

I think about when I threw up at the sewage treatment plant. “Yeah, me, too.”

“I mean… it’ll make such a huge difference to my family if I get this,” she adds.

I try not to stare at her. I don’t really care about how much this will help my family–I don’t want the job. I silently hope she gets it.

The girl on my other side has brown hair and wide brown eyes. “I know,” she says, as if the redhead had been speaking to her. “I just want to get this part over with and find out what’s going to happen!”

“Why don’t they just choose four of us anyway, one breeder for each Alpha?” asks the redhead to whoever was listening. “There are plenty of women here to find four suitable Breeders.”

“That wouldn’t be fair!” says the brunette. “What if one were more fertile than the others? Since the first to breed will be the new Alpha King, it’s only fair to just have one woman!”

They all break into a discussion until the door in front of us opens, and I realize one of us is about to be called in to meet the king.

Looking around the group, I try to guess who it will be.

“Rose Forrest?” the woman in the black suit calls.

I am first?

I am first!

All eyes are on me as I stand, straightening out the red dress I am wearing. My eyes dart to the exit. Do I have enough time to run out that door instead of going into the king’s office?

Not in these damn shoes!

Swallowing back my fear, I walk to the door. I try not to trip over my silver heels. I’m not used to wearing them. My parents insisted that I wear something like this, but I’m used to sneakers and jeans.

I walk into a large office and see an older man sitting behind a huge desk. He has gray and brown hair and a tight-lipped expression on his face, no smile. I bow as I’ve been taught. “Your Majesty,” I say.

“Sit, girl,” he says to me, and I walk to one of the chairs across from him. “What is your name?”

I tell him. “Rose Forrest, sir, from Elm pack.”

“And how old are you?”

I swallow hard. “Twenty, sir.”

“And have you found your wolf?”

I shake my head. “Not yet, sir.”

He looks disappointed. I’m not twenty-one yet. If I haven’t met my wolf by then, I will be worried.

“Why are you here, dear?”

My parents prepared an answer for me, but it isn’t the truth, so it will be all jumbled if I try to recite it. So I tell the truth. “My parents wanted me to come, sir.”

“Your parents? You don’t want to be here?”

“Uh… it is an honor to meet you, Your Majesty, but I am here because my parents wanted me to come. They believe this will be a great honor. Which it will be!” I add. “But… they are the ones who are most excited about the potential.”

I wish I could tell him how awful I am, but I don’t know if my parents will get information about my answers, so I have to be careful not to sound like I’m trying too hard not to be chosen.

He stares at me for a long moment, his dark eyes seemingly unimpressed. “Have you been with a man before?”

I shake my head. “No, sir. Never.” My cheeks flame up at the question. I hope he doesn’t ask me any more intimate questions.

He looks down at his desk where he has a list of questions. He asks me, “Have you found your fated mate? Or do you have a man at home that you are in love with?”

“No, Your Majesty,” I tell him. “I have no fated mate, nor am I in love with any man. I’ve never even been on a date with a man.”

I realize once the words have escaped my lips that I’ve spoken too much. I hope he thinks there’s something wrong with me. I can’t tell him I don’t have time to date because I’m too busy trying to earn money for my parents. I certainly won’t mention the sewage treatment plant.

He looks me over, and I feel myself turning red in the face. A moment later, he says, “You may go.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty,” I say, standing. I bow and back out of the room as I’ve been taught.

When I’m in the hallway, the woman in the black suit says, “Head straight down that hallway to the nurse.”

“Yes, ma’am,” I say. I hazard one last look over at the other girls. The redhead smiles at me, but I can barely get my mouth to cooperate enough to smile back at her.

I head down the hallway to the nurse, dreading the examination that will be next. If the king doesn’t like me, why even bother with this?

My mind is swimming as I think about what will happen to me next. The last thing I want is some stranger’s hands all over my body.

Tears cloud my eyes as I continue to walk. I wipe them away, but more just replace them.

Why can’t I just go home?

With tears clouding my vision, and terror beginning to well up inside of me, I’m not paying attention to where I’m going, and after a bit, I start to wonder if maybe I passed the examination room.

I turn around and look back, but I don’t see anything. When I turn around again, I begin quickening my pace, until suddenly, I collide into a solid wall.

Made of muscle.

*Rose*

Whatever I’ve run into, it’s solid as a rock and jars me backward, almost making me fall flat onto the stone floor of the castle.

But at the last moment, as I am tumbling backward, a hand stretches out and grabs my arm, keeping me from toppling over and pulling me back to my feet.

With tears still in my eyes, it’s hard for me to see what’s happening. I wipe them away with my free hand and look up into a pair of blue eyes so intense, I think I might have wandered into another realm. I’ve never seen a shifter with eyes like his before.

“Are you all right?” he says, but he’s not the one who is holding on to me. Next to him is another man with rich chocolate-brown eyes and a concerned look on his handsome face. His fingers are wrapped around my upper arm, and his other hand is extended, in case he should need to help me find my footing again, I assume.

I’m fine now, though. Just shocked. “Y-yes,” I manage to eke out, looking from one of them to the other. Never have I ever seen even one man this handsome before, and now I’m staring at two of them.

The one with the blue eyes is a bit taller than the other, with sandy blond hair and an intense stare. They are both muscle-bound, but I would say he’s a little leaner than the other one. My brown-eyed rescuer has dark hair, a closely trimmed beard, and mustache. He is a little shorter than the other man, but his shoulders are wider.

Both of them are made of pure muscle and dressed like royalty in nice suit pants and white-button down shirts. The blond has on a matching black jacket. Their suits probably cost more than my house.

“Sorry,” the one I’ve run into, the one with blue eyes, says.

“It’s okay,” I say back to him. He’s clearly a man of few words. He seems nice, though. I am surprised at how nice people are here–for the most part. Not everyone, though.

They are nicer than my parents… so far.

“Do you need help with something?” the other one asks. He gives me a polite smile, and for a moment, I think he might be checking me out. His eyes drop down to my chest and then lower, making it to the floor before they slowly filter back up.

“Uh… I’m looking for the… medical examination room,” I stammer as he finally releases my arm. My bicep suddenly feels cold without his warm fingers there, and I can feel little pulses of electricity leftover from his touch.

“Down there,” blue eyes says, pointing over his shoulder. So I haven’t gone far enough.

“Thank you,” I manage to say. I want to speak more, but I can’t get any more words out.

“You look upset,” the dark-haired one notices. “Is something troubling you, miss?”

He’s so polite, it takes me by surprise. Even though my father is an Alpha, I’m not used to being treated like I matter. “Oh, uh, I’m fine,” I admit. “Just… nervous, I guess.”

“You here for the position?” the blond asks.

He doesn’t have to specify which position. We all know what he’s referring to. I nod my head.

“Cool,” the other one says. My eyes go to his face, and he is grinning at me. It is a lopsided grin that might look creepy on some guys, but when it is someone so attractive wearing that expression, it is endearing.

I want to ask him what he means by that. Why is it cool? Why does he care why I am here? He looks like he must be someone important, but I don’t dare try to guess who. He could be a Beta or one of the king’s advisors for all I know.

“I apologize for running into you, sir,” I say to the man who has likely left an imprint of his pec on my forehead.

He snickers. “No problem. It’s Mark.”

“Mark?” I repeat, like my mouth has never formed those sounds in one string before.

“That’s right. That’s my name.” He is still smiling at me, but it seems like something I’ve said or done has amused him.

“And I’m Tristan,” the other one says.

“Hi.” That’s all I’m capable of speaking. I feel lightheaded, either by their handsomeness or because I’d hit my head moments before. I can’t tell. Maybe both.

They exchange amused expressions before Tristan asks me, “What is your name, sweetie?”

Sweetie? I don’t think anyone has ever called me that before. It sounds nice when he says it, though. “Uh….” My name won’t come out of my mouth. It’s as if I don’t have one.

“You do have a name don’t you?” Tristan asks me, and they both chuckle again.

“Yes,” I finally get out. “It’s Rose. I’m Rose.” I can feel my face turning the same shade as my dress. How can I not remember my own stupid name? My father’s right. I am an idiot.

“That’s a beautiful name,” Tristan says. “Like a flower.”

I arch an eyebrow. It’s exactly like that, but I’ll take the compliment. “Thank you, sir.”

His smile widens. “And you’re so polite, too. Well, Rose, we won’t keep you. I’m sure you’re in a rush to get this examination over. But it sure was nice to meet you.”

I nod. “You as well.” I look from one of them to the other. Mark nods at me, too, like he agrees.

Still feeling flushed, I step around them and continue on my way, but I only make it a few steps down the hallway before I’m compelled to turn and look back over my shoulder at them.

They haven’t moved, and they are both staring at me. Tristan waves. I don’t lift my hand, though. I’m so embarrassed at being caught peeking….

I turn around again and rush off, hoping my face isn’t as red as it feels. My cheeks are scorching.

As I walk, I ponder who those two gentlemen might be. They were so handsome and well-bred. I have to wonder. Is it possible they might’ve been two of the Alphas?

“Surely not,” I mutter to myself. Alphas wouldn’t want to have anything to do with someone like me. The fact that they seemed to think I was attractive is astonishing to say the least. None of the boys back home ever looked at me twice. But then… I was the Alpha's daughter, and they probably feared my father.

I arrive at the examination room and pause outside, taking a deep breath.

I don’t want to go in. The idea of some stranger probing my body, touching me in places I’ve never even touched myself… it’s horrifying.

For once in my life, home seems like a better place than where I am.

I look around. Is there any place for me to run to? Maybe I could hide and then just hop back on the train when it leaves the castle.

But no… I have no choice but to move forward. My parents are expecting this of me, and even if I don’t feel that I owe them anything after the way they’ve treated me, I’ve agreed to do this for my pack. I just don’t understand why it is always me who has to take on these horrible situations for them.

For my pack’s sake. That’s at least enough to keep me motioning through the steps.

Somehow, I manage to get my feet moving forward again, and I walk through the doors, into the examination room where everything is white, sterile, and smells like bleach.

All thoughts of the two handsome gentlemen are brushed aside, and all I can think about is how badly I want to get out of here. I don’t want to go home, back to my awful parents, but I do want to leave.

The thought of running away comes to my mind again. Would living on the streets be so bad compared to living with my parents? Somehow, I doubt it.

But I can’t get away now… so I have to continue.

A woman dressed in a nurse’s uniform comes out from behind a desk. “Ah, there you are!” she says, pursing her lips at me. “We’ve been waiting for nearly ten minutes.”

“I-I’m sorry,” I stammer. So much for everyone here being nice.

“Did you get lost, dear?” she asks, and when she says “dear” it does not sound like a term of endearment.

I nod. “Yes, sorry,” I mutter.

She shakes her head at me. “It’s really not that difficult. Just down the hall from the king’s office.”

“Yes, ma’am,” I stutter.

She shakes her head at me. “Rose Forrest?”

I nod again. It’s better than having to speak since my words have been failing me today.

“Very well. Go into examination room two, strip down, and put on a gown. Your doctor will be in shortly.”

Again, I find my eyes fixated and my feet unable to move. I am staring at her like she’s just told me to cut my own head off with a butter knife.

“Well?” she demands. “Are you stupid or hard of hearing?” she asks, reaching out and grabbing my shoulder and giving me a shove.

On my wobbly heels, I am not prepared for this, and I careen forward, almost face-planting on the stone floor. Somehow, I manage to catch myself on the wall before I fall and knock my teeth out.

She grumbles, “May as well take that one off of the list.” Then, raising her voice she yells, “Go!”

I figure out how to get my feet untangled and moving again, making my way down the hallway. I can’t remember which room she said to go into, though, so I head for the first one and hope that’s right.

Forget what I said before about doing this for my pack! It’s terrible here, besides Mark and Tristan of course, but surely, they don’t have a big part in all this.

I have never been happy living at home with my parents. They are always so mean to me, and they make me feel like I can’t do anything right, but at this moment, more than anything in the world–I just want to leave here, even if it means I have to go back to them.

I’d even go back to the sewage treatment center if I had to.

I close the curtain and spy the gown on the table. With a deep breath, I reach around and unzip my dress.

The torment is just beginning.

*Rose*

I am naked, on a bed, and my legs are spread wide open. This is how I wait for the doctor. How attractive….

The lovely nurse from before has just left. She came into the examination room to check on me, saying that she wasn’t sure I could manage by myself since, clearly, I have rocks for brains, and when she arrived, she said that the doctor would be in in a moment, so I may as well go ahead and put my feet in the stirrups.

That was at least five minutes ago.

Thankfully, I have a sheet draped over my legs, and the gown I have on covers the top of me.

I stare up at a bright light, wondering if this might burn my corneas if I have to stay here much longer. That would be a great excuse to use to get sent away. Maybe then, I’ll have the opportunity to run away and strike out on my own.

I am imagining the doctor will be an eighty-year-old man with cold hands and the same attitude that the nurse had. That would be my luck.

Why is it that no one who works at the castle is nice?

Tristan and Mark are nice…. Mark was quiet, but not in a rude way. And Tristan was overly friendly. I like them both, but they aren’t workers here, it seems. Perhaps in another life, we could be friends–or something.

I can’t help the physical reaction that happens inside of me when I think about either one of them. I start to feel myself becoming damper and damper between my spread thighs, and a tiny ache begins low beneath my belly.

Realizing I don’t want the doctor to catch me in such a state, I decide to think about something else–anything else. The last thing I need is for the doctor to realize something has me excited.

I envision myself back at the sewage treatment facility and how embarrassing it was the day that I threw up.

There, that does the trick. No matter what happens, I must keep my mind off of those two guys I bumped into until this examination is over so the doctor won’t see the evidence of my true feelings.

A few moments after I’ve steeled my resolve, I hear the curtain fly open. “Hello!” a friendly female voice says, and I look up to see a small woman, perhaps only about five feet tall, with dark hair pulled back in a bun and small spectacles balanced on the end of her nose. She is wearing a lab coat and carrying a clipboard.

“Hi,” I manage to get out of my dry mouth. Talking is not my strong suit today.

“Sorry to keep you waiting, dear. I’m Dr. Pendergan. How are you, honey?” She smiles down at me, standing near my head.

I don’t know how to answer that, so I finally give her the truth. “Terrified.”

“Oh, dear!” she says, patting my shoulder. “I’m so sorry. I know this isn’t easy. But I’ll try to have you out of here as quickly as possible, all right?”

I am beginning to think I have gone into the wrong examination room because she is awfully nice, and so far, I haven’t had the sort of luck that brings me nice people. Well, other than the two muscle men.

“Okay,” I say, hoping she’s telling the truth so I can leave.

“Now, I just need to check a few things, dear, make sure you’re in good shape if the king decides to make you our lucky winner.” She smiles at me like I am here for some sort of a contest and not as a favor to my entire pack. But then… I suppose most of the other girls would think of themselves as winners if they are chosen.

Not me. That would make me the biggest loser.

“All right. First I’m going to do a physical exam, and then I’ll use the ultrasound machine. I’ll have Nurse Nancy come in to observe so you can feel comfortable that everything is fine, all right dear?”

I nod, but if Nurse Nancy was the mean lady I’d met before, I don’t want her in here.

Dr. Pendergan sticks her head out of the curtain and calls for Nurse Nancy. A moment later, another older woman walks in. It isn’t the same nurse as before, thank the Moon Goddess.

“All right,” the doctor says, and I focus my eyes on the ceiling trying to put myself somewhere else as she goes about her physical examination.

It’s not as bad as I think it’s going to be. She basically just checks to see whether or not I am a virgin. Satisfied that I am, she moves on.

“Now, this ultrasound machine will just give us a good look at your reproductive organs,” she says. “Sorry the gel is cold.”

My gown is pulled up, but the sheet is still over my bottom portion, and she’s told me I can take my feet out of the stirrups, thank goodness.

She’s right–the gel is cold. She rubs it all over my stomach with a wand, and then the machine comes to life, and her eyes are glued on that as she moves the wand around.

After a few moments, Dr. Pendergan makes a sound like she’s trying to suck all of the oxygen out of the room.

Alarmed, I turn my eyes to the screen. I hadn’t been watching before because I have no idea what I should be looking at. I still don’t.

“Nurse Nancy, do you see what I see?” Dr. Pendergan says, her voice a sharp whisper.

Nurse Nancy comes over next to me and stares at the little screen. She inhales loudly too.

“That’s… amazing!” she says.

“I know!” Dr. Pendergan agrees. “One in a million!”

I swallow hard. I have no idea what they’re talking about, but it sounds like they are happy about it. All I can think about is that whatever is on that screen is probably not helping me earn my ticket out of this awful place.

Dr. Pendergan puts the wand down, clicks off the machine, pulls out a few photographs she’s apparently printed, and turns to me as Nurse Nancy wipes the gel off of my skin. “Have you ever had an exam like this before, dear?”

I shake my head. No words are coming out of my mouth.

“Well, you have a very unusual anatomical trait that most women do not have. You have two uterine horns, dear, like a wolf. Most shifters only have one uterus, like a human.”

“Ookay,” I mutter. “So… what does that mean?”

“It means your chances of conceiving are very, very good,” she says with a wide smile.

I can only stare at her.

Selfishly, this is terrible news for me.

There’s a bustle around me as they discuss what to do. I am in a trance, wondering exactly what this means for me.

“Get dressed, dear,” Dr. Pendergan tells me, and then they both leave. And I am alone.

With my two uterine horns….

I pull myself up off of the table and get dressed, sitting back down to hook my shoes. A few moments later, Dr. Pendergan calls, “Are you dressed, dear?”

“Yes,” I tell her, and she pulls the curtain open.

“The king would like to see you immediately, honey. I will walk with you.”

My head rocks back and forth, and I press my feet to start moving like I’m some sort of automaton or zombie.

Dr. Pendergan is overjoyed as she walks down the hallway with me. She is practically humming with excitement. I don’t know what to think about any of this. Perhaps King Gene will think I am some sort of an abomination from how I’m walking and send me straight home.

We do not enter the king’s office as I expected. Instead, we head towards a large auditorium, and Dr. Pendergan walks me up on stage.

Bright lights shine into my eyes, but as I look out at the crowd, I can tell that there are dozens, maybe hundreds of people out there. I can’t see many faces, but I can see the front row. I recognize the red-headed girl I spoke to before and that blonde who was so stuck up.

Why are all of these people here?

Why am I here?

“This is her?” King Gene says to the doctor as we walk over to him. He looks shocked to see me again so soon.

“Yes, Your Majesty,” she says and hands him the pictures.

He looks at them and makes the same annoying ‘ahh’ sound like the doctor and nurse had done. “Very well,” he says. “Thank you, Doctor.”

Dr. Pendergan nods her head, and then steps back beside me as King Gene quiets the crowd.

“Ladies, gentlemen, and all citizens of the kingdom,” he begins as the crowd quiets to a hum, and I find myself looking out at the audience as well. “It is with great pleasure that I announce to you that our Breeder has been found!”

*Rose*

I look around. Is there another woman on the stage? Who is she?

Then… he answers the question for me. “Rose Forrest of Elm pack!”

He is gesturing at me….

I’m the Breeder? Because of my stupid abnormal uterus? That’s all it takes? Really?!

Am I really going to be the Breeder for four men??

I don’t even know how to react. My knees are threatening to give way. All I want to do is to run down off of the stage and hide somewhere–anywhere.

But I’m here, and I can’t. There are guards for one thing. Also, my parents would murder me if I came home now. News travels fast here and when they found out I had been selected and had managed to outrun the king’s guard, they wouldn’t accept me back in their house. They would beat me out in the streets like a stray dog caught stealing food.

I try to refocus my attention on the room around me. Many people in the crowd are clapping and cheering, but on some of the other girls’ faces, I see outrage.

“Thank you all for coming,” King Gene continues. “Now… you may all go!”

For a moment, I hope that I am somehow included in that statement.

But it doesn't last. He turns to me and says, “Except for you, of course.” A wicked smile pulls

back his parted lips, and panic washes over me.

Dr. Pendergan stays with me, and I notice a couple standing down at the bottom of the stage. Still, my heart is pounding in my chest. I wonder what in the world is going to happen to me now.

“Well, I must say,” the Alpha King begins as soon as we are mostly alone, “when I met you earlier, I was not expecting you to be the winner.”

I can only stare at him. Believe me, I wasn’t either.

“But once Dr. Pendergan told me of your unique situation, well, how could I choose anyone else?” He smiles at me again, and like before, I feel my stomach tighten. I don’t like that smile.

It’s… creepy and makes me question his sincerity.

“I think that she’s a bit overwhelmed,” Dr. Pendergan says, resting her hand on my shoulder.

“Perhaps we should let her have a rest before you introduce her to the Alphas?”

King Gene is still staring at me, and I’ve felt his eyes wandering along my form as the doctor is speaking. When that handsome man in the hallway did that earlier, it made me feel attractive and beautiful. But this makes me feel almost as creepy as his smile.

“Yes, yes, of course,” the king finally says. “Beta Adam! Can you and Shelby escort Miss Rose to her room?”

“Yes, Alpha,” the man who is still standing at the edge of the stage answers. I look at him closely for the first time and see he isn’t much older than me. I had no idea that the Beta was so young.

Perhaps he hasn’t been the Beta for long? No one ever speaks of the Alpha King’s Beta.

He gestures for me to meet him at the stairwell, and I realize, with the king in the room, I’ll have to back down the stairs.

In these shoes, that seems dangerous.

I’m not supposed to turn my back on the king, though.

Thankfully, before I make it to the edge of the stairs, the king turns and walks off in the other

direction.

Thank the Moon Goddess!

Beta Adam offers me his arm, and I take it. He helps guide me down the stairs as I hold up my gown with the other hand.

“Hello, Miss Rose,” he says to me in a kind voice. He is quite good-looking himself, though not as handsome as the men I met in the hallway. He’s tall and strong with reddish-blond hair and kind green eyes. My body doesn’t feel a spark when I’m around him, but I’m happy to at least have another friendly face to add to my circle seeing as I might be stuck here for a while.

“Hello,” I say to him, realizing I’m shaking a bit. I’m so nervous about all of this. I can hardly even wrap my mind around what’s happening.

“This is my wife, Shelby,” he says and the woman who was standing near him earlier walks over. She’s adorable, with a button nose and apple cheeks. Her hair is a bit more brunette than his but still with shades of red. She has a smattering of freckles across her nose. I think she is probably just a few years older than me.

“Hello,” I greet her. “It’s nice to meet you.”

“You, too,” she says with a smile, and instead of shaking my hand, she loosely wraps her arms around me, like we are already long-time friends. “I’m so excited to get to know you!”

Dr. Pendergan pats my back and says, “I shall see you soon, dear,” before she heads off to the

exit.

I’m not sure if he’s talking to me or Adam or all three of us, so I say nothing, but when he withdraws his hand to carry along on his way, my arm feels cold, like it’s meant to have his hand on it.

Shelby giggles. “Isn’t he dreamy?”

Before I can respond, Beta Adam clears his throat. “You know I can hear you, right?”

“Oh, Adam!” she says rushing up to grab his hand. “You know I think you’re the dreamiest of all!”

Poor Beta Adam. He looks over to me for backup but I don’t want to lie. I remain silent.

By the time Shelby returns her attention to me, I feel it’s too late for me to speak. So I say nothing.

But yes… I do think that man was dreamy.

Whoever he was.

A few minutes later, we arrive at a large wooden double door, carved with flowers and filled with gold inlay.

It’s beautiful.

“Here we are,” Beta Adam announces, pushing the door open.

I stand outside and stare for a moment, first at the door… and then at the room.

It’s gorgeous–and huge. I think most of my house back home would fit in here.

There’s a living room area with a large plush red sofa set before an expansive television set.

The sitting area is nice and inviting, despite the bold colors. The rug on the rich wooden floor is also red with gold accents. My eyes follow it over to the bedroom area where a huge four-poster bed with a red canopy and matching silky red bedspread invites me to collapse and take a nap.

All of the woods are a rich brown color with red tints.

Behind Beta Adam, there are three huge floor-to-ceiling windows with matching red and gold drapes. I can’t see outside just yet because of the angle, other than the bright azure sky. I can’t wait to rush over and see if there’s a garden view. That would be lovely.

“This is great, isn’t it?” Shelby asks. “The king had it done up as a second Luna suite. Oh, and in there is your bathroom! All white marble with a jetted tub big enough for at least two! Who will be the lucky man?” Shelby giggles coquettishly.

My eyebrows arch. I would love to sit in it… alone if possible.

I notice that the room matches my dress and wonder if that’s just a coincidence. It would have to be, I suppose.

“It’s beautiful,” I tell them.

She walks over to an armoire and pulls it open. “There’s a ton of clothes in here. I think you will find that everything is in your size, but if not, let us know, and we’ll get you the right fit.”

All I can say is, “Thank you.” It probably makes me seem unappreciative given the room that was just offered to me, but, you know, I didn’t ask for any of this.

She smiles at me and closes the armoire door.

“Well… I’m sure you’re probably tired,” Beta Adam says. “We’ll get your luggage from your escort and make sure that you have your things from home.”

I haven’t brought much, but I would like to have the little I did pack. “Thank you.” That seems to be all I can say.

“Of course. You’ll have some servants, but we’ll give you a chance to rest before we bring them in to meet you. If you do require anything, just pick up the phone and dial nine.” He gestures to the gold antique-style telephone on the nightstand.

“Thank you….”

He smiles at me and then gestures for Shelby. “Come on, honey.”

She walks back over to me first. Wrapping me up in another hug, she squeezes tighter this time.

“I’m so glad you’re here,” she says before the two of them give me a little wave and leave the room.

I am alone–and I feel it. Even though Shelby is nice, and I’ve met some very attractive men who seem to be interested in me, it doesn’t matter because I have no idea who they are. And I still haven’t met the four men I’m meant to bed.

My eyes go to that piece of furniture. All I want to do is fall asleep and wake up back at home.

I sit down on the edge and take off my shoes, but I’m too afraid to change clothes since I have no idea when I might be summoned. I lay down on top of the blanket that matches my dress and close my eyes, wondering what will happen next.

*Reece*

I’m almost late.

I didn’t really have time after the king’s announcement to duck out of the auditorium and make it all the way back to my room, but I realized I was underdressed when I saw the other three Alphas standing in suits in the back of the room. When the king asked us to meet with him, I figured I shouldn’t be the only one in jeans and a polo.

So… I’d rushed back to my room to change. Now, I have to rush to get back to the king’s office for our meeting.

But I’m glad I went.

It gave me a chance to see the girl up close.

She’s beautiful… and even though I know she’s nervous and probably a little scared, it’s quite clear that she is as attracted to me as I am to her.

That will come in handy…. If King Gene said that I had to bed an unattractive woman just because she was the healthiest of the pack or the most well-bred, I would protest.

But this girl was gorgeous, and I didn’t even care whose daughter she was at this point. I just wanted to see her again. When my hand rested on her arm, I felt a warmth radiate up to my elbow. It was like I was meant to touch her.

I rush into the room with less than a minute to spare and find I’m the last one to arrive.

“Hey, Reece!” Tristan says, a crooked grin on his face. “Nice of you to join us.” I growl at him and take my seat at the end, on the other side of Mark. The others look amused, except for the king. He doesn’t seem annoyed that I’m almost late, but he isn’t happy either.

But then… King Gene is never happy.

“Sorry, Sir,” I mutter.

“You’re fine,” he says. “I just wanted to go over the rules with the four of you, to make sure you’re clear on my expectations and what I plan to do in terms of determining who will be my heir. All four of you have proven yourselves to be loyal to me. You’re good leaders, brave warriors, and attractive men. A child any of you produces with this girl will be an asset to the kingdom. So… that’s it. That’s how we will decide the heir.”