Laying in bed, I can't find the motivation to get up. Rowan has been hunting for two weeks now. Him and Jesse were supposed to only be gone for a week, but they have had to stay out longer. It isn't worrying, seeing as the hunting trips usually last longer than planned, but I still miss him.

The support from pack members is split right down the middle. Half of them support us making our own choices, and half think that Rowan should just be with whoever fate chose for him. The only friend I have anymore is Noah. Beckett is neutral on the idea, not caring either way, but he helps us to sneak around. That probably has something to do with his mate being my best friend.

I have put off talking to Noah about my exhaustion, but I know I can't anymore. Rowan will be getting back any day now, and I know next time that I see him, he will be wanting to know what's wrong.

The weather outside seems to fit my mood. It is pouring down rain, the first real rain storm we have gotten since Spring. It just makes it even harder to find the motivation to get out of bed, when I will have to walk out in that to get to Noah's house.

Before I have to make a decision, a knock comes from my door, startling me. Pulling my blankets up, I wrap them around my body, before climbing out of bed.

It seems as if my best friend knew I was thinking about him, because he is the one standing on the other side of my door. "Noah?"

"Hey, Matty," he says, a small smile on his face. "I brought you some hot chocolate and some cookies. He holds up the goodies, laughing when I immediately let him in. "I knew I could get you to talk to me with the right price."

Rolling my eyes, I follow him over to the reading nook, sitting across from him. We make ourselves comfortable, wrapping layers of blankets around us before sipping the hot chocolate and watching the rain.

"You haven't been yourself, Matty, and I worry. What's going on?" Noah says, finally breaking the silence.

My shoulders tense up, and I refuse to meet his soft brown eyes. He is able to get away with anything because of those eyes, and I know I will start spilling everything as soon as I look at him.

"Nothing."

"Bullshit," Noah says, the surprise of hearing him curse making me look over at him. His face is hard, the worry clear as day on his face. "Stop deflecting. Just tell me what's going on with you."

I want nothing more than to hide away, burrow under the blankets on my bed and stay there until Noah leaves. But knowing my best friend, he would just crawl under the blankets after me, staying by my side until I eventually gave in.

Sighing, I set down my hot chocolate, leaning back against the pillows behind me. "I don't know what's happening. I'm tired all the time, and I don't really feel like having everyone glare at me when I go outside."

Noah nods, leaning over to take my hand. "That's understandable. Too many people here are assholes who haven't learned to mind their own business." He pauses, eyes running over me. "But, will you let me look over you really quick? To appease me and Rowan?"

Knowing the two of them won't stop worrying until I give in, I nod my head, Noah takes my hot chocolate from me, setting both mugs on the ground. "Come on," he murmurs, taking my hand and leading me to the bed. "Go ahead and lay down."

It is like coming home to collapse back in my bed, watching Noah as he sits down beside me. He is gentle as h runs his hands over me, starting with my pulse and then feeling along my heck. He hums to himself, hands moving down my chest, pressing every once in a while. I wince slightly when he presses on my pecs, which makes him raise a brow, but he doesn't say anything.

"What is it?"

He shakes his head. "Just give me a second."

His hands travel down to my stomach, pressing down in certain spots and doing the humming thing again. Eventually, he seems satisfied, plopping back on the mattress, side pressed against mine.

"So I think I might know what's going on, but I won't know for sure unless you take a test."

"What type of test?" He doesn't say anything, which causes worry to spread through me. Turning my head, I notice his scrunched brows. "What type of test, Noah?"

A long sigh comes from him. Eventually, he turns to look at me, the worry on his face. "A pregnancy test."

It takes a second for the words to register. But when they do, my heart clenches tightly, so many conflicting emotions running through me.

"Pregnant?" I choke, sitting up so quickly that I get lightheaded. "You think I'm pregnant?"

Noah sits up as well, giving a small nod of his head while reaching over to grab my hand. "Yeah, I do. You are showing a lot of the early symptoms: the fatigue, sensitive pectorals, and a hard stomach. I bet you have even been craving Rowan's scent, haven't you?"

I begin to shake my head, by stop myself. Thinking back, I can remember all the times that I have been craving something, but have been unable to satisfy that craving, no matter how much I eat. The only time I had ever been able to relax, to shake that ever-present craving, is when I was last with Rowan. I wan actually able to sleep peacefully, his scent surrounding me.

"Y-yeah, I have," I murmur, eyes falling down to my stomach. With the hand that isn't holding Noah's, I feel my still flat stomach. Nothing feels different to me, but Noah is exceptionally smart when it comes to medical stuff, so I trust him completely.

He nods again. "I'll talk to Beckett, have him gather some of Rowan's used clothes that he leaves at our house. We should still have some from when he returned from his last hunting trip with Dad." He gives my hand a squeeze. "That should help a lot with the exhaustion. Usually, we only get this exhausted during our pregnancies if we are separated from the other parent.

"And now while I can't say for sure that you're pregnant," my eyes shoot up to him, "I am almost completely certain. We won't know for sure, though, until the next heat moon."

"Makes sense," I murmur. That is usually how we find out we are pregnant. If you miss your next heat, then you are most definitely pregnant. Unless you are old. The heats stop at a certain age. But I am far too young, so the next heat moon will give me the answer I desperately need.

"That gives you six weeks until we're certain." He squeezes my hand again, catching my gaze with his and giving me a soft smile. "But whatever happens, I want you to know that I am behind you. I'll always be by your side."

Nodding my head, I fight off the tears that are threatening to overflow. Too many emotions are flowing through me right now. Anxiety, since this isn't exactly the ideal time to be pregnant, but also happiness, because I may never have a right time to be pregnant. Also, this is a baby with the man I love. I have no idea what we are going to do, since we are going to be in serious trouble, but I will have to talk to Rowan as soon as he gets back.

A knock comes from my door, and the person on the other side doesn't even wait for an answer before sticking their head in. Should have known it would be Mom. His eyes quickly scrunch in worry when he sees my tears.

"Love, what's wrong?" he asks, quickly crossing over to me. Not answering him, I collapse against his side, letting him wrap his arms around me in comfort.

"I'll come back tomorrow, Matty," Noah whispers, kissing my cheek before leaving me alone with my mom.

He doesn't say anything while he holds me, just letting me cry as he rubs a hand along my side. It isn't until my sobs have calmed down to hiccups that he looks down at me. "Matty, tell me what's wrong. Please, something is clearly weighing on you."

Turning my face into his shoulders, I try to form the words. "Mama," I whisper. He tenses immediately, knowing I only use that term for him when I am truly distraught.

"Love, tell me," he says, voice soft, but worried.

"Mama, I'm pregnant."

He doesn't say anything right away, and eventually I pull myself away. It is hard for me to look up at him, but I force myself to. But I don't see the anger I was expecting, just worry. The blue eyes that are so like my own are watching me closely.

"Oh, love," he says, hand coming up to cradle my cheek. "What mess have you gotten yourself into?"

Shaking my head, I don't say anything. Mom just watches me, letting me fall back on the mattress. His hand settles on my back, rubbing soothing circles. "We'll figure this out. But for now, we are going to keep this to ourselves. He bends down, brushing the hair away from my face and placing a soft kiss on my forehead. "We'll get through this, I promise."

Commotion is coming from outside, the sound of people screaming filtering into the house. Sitting up, I see that Mom is looking just as confused. Together, we get up from the bed, hurrying over to the window. Infected are wandering down the main road, their groans becoming more excited at the prospect of fresh meat.

"Stay here," Liam says, running over to my door. "Keep an eye on your siblings, Liam. You know the drill."

Nodding my head, I watch as two infected corner a little kid. She can't be more than four, and she is terrified, her screams loud as she stumbles away from them. Just before they catch her, someone steps between her and the creatures, quickly cutting off both their heads and stomping in their skulls.

Taking a closer look, I see that the person was Noah. He must have been walking back to his house, when the creatures came. He picks up the little girl, looking up at my window, as if knowing that I'm watching him. Nodding my head, I gesture for him to come over here before shutting the window and windows. Grabbing my the most disgusting towel every, one that was soaked in infected blood and then dried, I hand it over my window, to detect the beasts if they get too close.

The thought of my siblings being in trouble has me running out of my room. Theo nearly bows me over, clearly scared with what is going on. "Theo go in my room. I'll meet you there in a few minutes." He nods my head, doing as I say. It is simple enough to finish all the other windows on the upper level, making sure they are locked and covered.

Gwen already has the downstairs done by the time I make it down there, a pounding coming from the front door. My sister looks over at me, eyes wide. We both know the drill. If the infected somehow make it in, all houses go on lockdown. If you don't make it before then, you are left on your own. But there is no way I am leaving Noah out there.

"I got it," I say."

"Matty..."

"Just don't tell Mom, okay?"

She gives a reluctant nod before following me over to the door. The screams from outside are getting louder. "Matty!" Noah calls, and I don't hesitate any longer.

My hand shakes as I open the door, and I see that Noah isn't the only one there. He pushes past me, Rosalie behind him.

Her face looks neutral, but I can see the terror she is trying desperately to hide. "Come in," I say, voice surprisingly steady.

She nods, stepping inside so that I can lock the door. It is still chaos outside, and I am stuck in here with Rowan's mate until all the infected are killed.

Great.