Chapter 44: Stardust Challenge
"Blood test confirms the pregnancy. It's too early for an ultrasound or anything. Congratulations!" She beams at Rex and I.
Our smiles are small and reserved. We glance at each other and our smiles widen. I bury my face in his chest.
"It's all real now, huh?" He says to me.
"Too real."
"So Doc, what's your opinion of Regina participating in challenges."
"Well, the verdict could be death so I'd advise strongly against it."
Rex gave me a smug look.
"Hypothetically speaking," I chime in, "what if it's a shame to gain a pack?"
"Have you already accepted?"
"Yes."
"That's a difficult situation to be in. You all need to talk to Vulpes."
"Will do."
As we walk hand in hand to meet the challenge coordinator, Rex turns to face me.
"You haven't officially accepted against Indicum."
"I have."
"To him, not the coordinator. Since this is a fake fight I'll allow it."
"Oh, like I needed your permission." I growl.
"You're carrying my child." He growled back.
"Are you sure it's yours?" I smile mischievously at him.
"What?" He knows I'm joking but his eyes are murderous. "I will take you right here and now in front of the Goddess and whoever else stops to watch."
I feel my cheeks heat up. "You wouldn't dare."
"Try me."
At the challenge coordinator's quarters, we share our news.
"Congratulations!" He muses his smile not quite touching his eyes. "Being the first female Alpha, you must understand we aren't equipped with rules and regulations for these kind of things."
I nod my head in understanding but Rex is sitting still next to me. His body tense and eyes focused on Vulpes.
"That being said we cannot allow you to jeopardize the life of your unborn child. Tsk. You have a challenge in an hour and another scheduled later on this week. Given the circumstances you may choose a champion to take your place in the Dome."
"Can I fight as her champion?" Rex asks expressionless.
"You are a member of her pack, I don't see why not. Just let me know a few minutes before the challenge this evening what you decide." This time his smile does touch his eyes. "I wish your family all the happiness they deserve."
As we walk back to their lodging in silence, I dissect the last words he said to us. How do we determine the amount of happiness we deserve? What an odd way to congratulate us.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*
"She won't be fighting in anymore challenges. She's pregnant just as you foretold."
"Then her third challenge we will make our move."
"As you command."
"Don't harm her or the child. We need them alive and well."
"Affirmative."
*~*~*~*~*~*~*
"I don't want you fighting my battles for me." I growl at Rex in front of our closest cohort.
His beta disguises his smile with a small yawn. I eye Petram knowingly.
Aqua looks like she hasn't slept a week. "I'll be your champion."
"No." Rex and I both say.
"I'm the best option since Ignis isn't here. It's a sham challenge anyway, right?"
"We don't want to disrespect the alpha and have him change his mind." Rex says sternly. "I'll do this challenge and we can talk after."
"Fine." I acquiesced. "Aqua, go take a nap, you look like shi-"
"You don't need to tell me twice." She leaves immediately.
"Let's go." Rex says, holding his hand out for mine.
I glance at the clock, noticing we have 10 minutes before the challenge begins. Quickly I follow him to the Dome.
"Regina, I love you and I am excited to start our family." He kisses me passionately and walks to the Dome.
I notice he's fully clothed. He will have to strip naked before participating in the challenge.
*Stop thinking of Rex naked you perv.* Praesul teases.
*Wow, pot meet kettle, normally YOU are the perv!* I snap.
*Takes one to know one.*
We watch as the fighting commences.
*Gin?*
*Yes Praesul?*
*Somethings weird about the kid.*
*WHAT?* I start breathing heavily.
*It's fine, just something is different and I can't tell what it is yet.*
*Thanks for keeping me in the loop. I appreciate your help with the pup.*
*Hey, what's a badass Alpha shewolf for?*
*Don't push it.* I joke back.
The fighting goes off without a hitch. Rex fights until the other Alpha yields and we gain a new pack.
"I knew you'd chicken out of our challenge." I could feel Indicum's presence before he spoke behind me.
"I didn't chicken out of the challenge." I say calmly through gritted teeth.
"If you don't fight, no deal."
"Then set your terms with Rex and I as we are both Alphas of our pack."
"Sounds boring."
"If I wasn't -" I stop, not wanting to share my news just yet. "We will come to an agreement and you will lose. Whether I'm in the Dome or not."
With that, I make my way to a Rex. He has a robe around him and he's talking with Vulpes and Pax. They shake hands and Rex comes over to me.
One hand finds my lower back and the other my stomach.
"See little one? Your father is the champion of champions." He says looking down into my eyes.
I laugh but stop when I feel unease. I turn to see Indicum's face, shock written all over it. His eyes are transfixed on Rex's hand over my stomach.
"Not here," I move Rex's hand away, "I am not ready to share with the world yet."
"As you wish."
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