The Professor's Mate Clause novel Chapter 125

Chapter 125

FREYA’S POV

The pregnancy test sits on the bathroom counter between Adrian and me, both of us staring at it as might explode.

Three minutes feels like three hours.

We returned from our honeymoon yesterday, and the nausea hasn’t stopped If anything, it’s gotten worse, accompanied now by exhaustion that hits me in waves and a heightened sense of smell that makes walking past the kitchen during breakfast prep an exercise in willpower.

All signs point to one conclusion, but confirmation makes it real in a way speculation doesn’t

“How long has it been?” I ask, my voice smaller than I’d like.

Adrian checks his watch. “Two and a half minutes.”

I reach for his hand without thinking, needing the anchor of his touch. Through the bond, his emotions are a complicated tangle of hope, fear, excitement, and protectiveness so fierce it steals my breath.

“Whatever it says,” he murmurs, “we’re okay.”

“I know.”

But my heart hammers anyway.

The timer on Adrian’s phone goes off, a gentle chime that might as well be a gunshot for how we both jump. He silences it quickly, neither of us moving to pick up the test.

“Do you want to look, or should I?” he asks.

“Together.”

We lean forward at the same time.

Two lines. Clear and unmistakable.

Pregnant.

The word echoes in my head, too big to fully process. I’m pregnant. We’re having a baby. A whole new life is growing inside me, half Adrian, half me, wholly ours.

“Oh,” I breathe.

Adrian makes a sound somewhere between a laugh and a sob, pulling me into his arms so tightly I can barely breathe. “We’re having a baby.”

“We’re having a baby,” I repeat, testing the words. They feel surreal, impossible, perfect.

He pulls back just enough to cup my face, his expression awed. “You’re carrying our child.”

Tm terrified,” I admit.

“Me too” His smile is shaky “But also God, Freya Also so happy I don’t have words for it

Through the bond, his joy floods into me, bright and warm and overwhelming let it steady the fear t remind me that we’ve faced impossible things before and survived

We can do this too.

“We need to see Dr. Chen,” Adrian says, already shifting into planning mode. “Get you checked out properly, make sure everything’s progressing normally, establish care protocols-

“Adrian.” I press a finger to his lips, stopping the stream of words. “Breathe.”

He takes a deliberate breath, then another, some of the panic easing from his expression.

“We’ll see Dr. Chen,” I agree. “But maybe we take a minute first? Just to be us before this becomes pack

business?”

Understanding softens his features. He nods, leading me back to our bedroom and pulling me down onto the bed beside him. We lie facing each other, his hand finding my still-flat stomach.

“Hi there,” he whispers to my belly. “I’m your dad. I’m completely terrified and absolutely certain I’m going to mess this up somehow. But I promise I’ll love you fiercely and protect you always. You’re already the best thing I’ve ever helped create.”

Tears burn my eyes. I cover his hand with mine. “And I’m your mom. I’m probably even more terrified than your dad, and I have no idea what I’m doing. But you’re wanted. So wanted. And you’re going to grow up knowing exactly how hard we fought to make a world where you could exist freely. Where you can choose your own path. Your own mate. Your own everything.”

Adrian kisses me, soft and reverent, his hand never leaving my stomach.

We stay like that for a long time, just breathing together, letting the reality sink in. Our family is growing. The future we fought for is literally taking shape inside me, cells dividing and multiplying, creating something entirely new.

Eventually, we do go see Dr. Chen.

He’s in his office reviewing patient files when we arrive, but he takes one look at our faces and knows.

“Well?” he asks, setting his paperwork aside.

“Pregnant,” I confirm.

His smile is brilliant. “Congratulations! Come on, let’s get you examined.”

The ultrasound is strange and wonderful. The cold gel on my stomach, the wand pressing against skin, the screen flickering to life with grainy black and white images that seem meaningless until Dr. Chen points.

26 Jonus

“There,” he says, indicating a small pulsing spot. “That’s the heartbeat.” I stop breathing

That tiny flutter on the screen is our baby’s heart Beating. Living. Real

Adrian’s hand tightens on mine, his eyes locked on the monitor.

“Everything looks good,” Dr. Chen continues, taking measurements and making notes “I’d estimate you’re about eight weeks along. Due date would be early spring.”

Eight weeks. Two months. We conceived right around the time of the coronation, when everything was changing and the future felt possible for the first time.

“Is it safe?” Adrian asks, his voice tight. “The pregnancy, I mean. Given everything Freya’s been through. The war, the injuries, the stress.”

Dr. Chen’s expression is kind. “Luna Freya is young, healthy, and strong. Her healing abilities as an Alpha female will help protect the pregnancy. But yes, we’ll monitor closely. Regular check-ups, proper nutrition, rest when needed.”

“Rest,” I repeat skeptically. “With the continental gathering in six weeks?”

“You’re pregnant, not dying,” Dr. Chen says firmly. “You can still work, still lead. Just be sensible. Don’t overdo it, listen to your body, ask for help when needed.”

After the appointment, we walk back to our quarters in silence, both processing.

“We need to tell people,” Adrian says finally. “Clara, Kelvin, the senior staff at minimum. We can’t keep this secret, not with how closely they work with us.”

“Not yet.” The words come out more sharply than I intend. “I just… can I have a few more days? Before this becomes about managing everyone else’s reactions and adjusting protocols and fielding questions? I want it to be ours a little longer.”

His expression softens with understanding. “However long you need.”

We make it three days before Clara corners me.

I’m in the training facility, working through forms, when she appears with crossed arms and a knowing look.

“You’re pregnant,” she says without preamble.

I freeze mid-kick. “What?”

“Please. I’ve known you for years. You’ve been nauseated, exhausted, emotional, and you keep touching your stomach without realizing it. Plus Adrian looks at you like you’re made of spun glass. You’re pregnant.”

There’s no point denying it. Clara knows me too well.

Eight weeks, I confirm, lowering my leg. “We found out a few days ago.

+15 Bonus

She squeals, actually squeals, and rushes to hug me. “Oh my God! Freya! You’re having a baby!”

“Quietly, I hiss, glancing around to make sure we’re alone. “We haven’t announced it yet

“Right, sorry” She pulls back, grinning so wide it must hurt. “But seriously. A baby You’re going to be a

mom

The reality of it hits me fresh. Mom. I’m going to be someone’s mother. Responsible for an entire tiny person who will depend on me for everything.

“I’m terrified,” I admit.

“Good. Being terrified means you care enough to want to do it right.” Clara takes my hands “But Freya? You’re going to be an amazing mother. You fought a war to build a world where your child could grow up safe. You changed laws so they could choose freely. You’re already protecting them, already loving them. That’s what matters.”

Her words settle something restless in my chest.

“Thank you.”

“Always.” She pauses. “Can I tell Kelvin? He’s going to be impossible if he finds out I knew first.”

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