15

After a much-needed hour-long nap, Sawyer went down to the garden. Daniel had gone out to get some groceries, and he was bored to death. To pass time, he strolled along the paved paths, running into a few people occasionally. He had to admit that the flowers looked neat – the blooms on the perennials were in excellent shape, florist quality. The soothing breeze whipped around his neck, and it felt like the first breaking dawn of spring all over again.

There were curved marble benches sitting at strategic positions along the walk. He sat on one beneath a cozy tree, enjoying the vast green scenery and the calling of birds above his head. It was mid-summer and despite the soft breeze, the heat was sweltering and overwhelming. He wished he'd taken a bottle of water along with him. His throat was drier than the Sahara, and he could really use some cool water on his back.

The mansion looked distant from his position in the garden. He'd walked so far and he could see the garden's edge which was close to the wood line. There was no concrete fence to separate the garden from the forest – just a thickening patch of crawling ivy. So, technically, if Sawyer felt threatened and wanted to take off, he could simply run into the forest. No one would know he was gone that way because they hadn't seen him leave the house.

Something about that freedom made Sawyer feel comfortable.

He knew that his life would never be the same again now that Daniel was in it. It was going to be crazily different, and he wouldn't feel so lonely most nights. He wouldn't feel like he was the only soul, an island, existing alone. He was no longer one, but three in one – him, Daniel, and their treasured baby. He couldn't believe his luck, couldn't still fathom the adoration and love in Daniel's eyes, whenever the Alpha looked at him. He felt a certain degree of comfort in knowing that Daniel was someone he could rely on. Someone he was safe to trust his life and that of their child with.

His attraction towards the Alpha was blossoming now that his heat had cleared. He felt that care, that safety, that peace of mind whenever Daniel was close. When he'd been avoiding him, Sawyer had felt hurt, alone and disorganized. He'd wanted to handle things alone like he'd always done but Daniel had come looking for him.

When the overbearing receptionist back in Finland Hotel had shown up in his room with Daniel's card, he couldn't believe it. Hell, he was scared stiff. How did the Alpha track him there? What was it he wanted? Did he feel cheated and wanted to jail Sawyer for leaving without a farewell? Okay, the last one was ridiculous, but his thoughts were wild. He hated the paparazzi that came with Daniel's status in both the human and werewolf society, and no matter what he wanted, Daniel couldn't give up his pack and its responsibilities to please him.

He wasn't that selfish.

He started feeling dizzy and tried to stand but fell back down lazily. Ugh, he really needed water. His eyes were blurry, and he couldn't stand, talk more of walking back to the house.

There was shuffling in the trees nearby. His heart thumped as it grew closer, and he sighed in relief when Daniel's voice floated over.

"Sawyer!"

"Daniel." He called back weakly, struggling to keep his head up and his eyes open. "I'm here."

"Saw – " The sound of boots moving through soft, dry grass shuffled closer until Daniel appeared distressed and out of breath from the bend. "Goodness, you gave me a scare. What are you doing here?"

Sawyer yawned, feeling faint. "Taking a walk. What else?"

"You're not supposed to leave the house in this condition. What if something had happened and you were kidnapped?" Daniel plopped down beside him on the bench. His warmth added to Sawyer's discomfort instead of lessening it. Sawyer moved his body away.

"You worry too much about me. Relax, I'm fine. I'm not a little boy."

"But still, we've talked about this," Daniel groaned. "This place is huge, and it's not a good place to be seen playing about."

"Do not underestimate my superpower," Sawyer said cheekily, pinching Daniel's cheek softly. The Alpha beamed at him, making him laugh. "I agree that it is big, but I've got more experience with mazes than you'd ever have. All I have to do is mark down some important spots I passed and use it to find my way back to the mansion."

"Yeah, well. Still let me know when and where you're going to next time, okay? I'll have Sophie or one of my Alpha guards go with you. It's for your safety." He whipped out his phone now which was ringing loudly. "Oh, look. The doctor is here already."

Sawyer rubbed his left temple wearily, feeling nauseous. He could feel the bile rising in his throat, and his back succumbing to the pressure of his fever. "I think I'll need some help getting up from here by the way."

Daniel nodded, standing to take Sawyer's hand and help him up.

Sawyer screamed, vertigo hitting hard. His legs went numb and his vision closed in, losing its color and turning gray in an instant. He felt the bench and ground coming at him faster as he fell...

"Daniel."

He blacked out.

Sawyer's eyes were heavy as though there was a lid pressing down on them. He tried to blink them several times, but he could only get the tiniest visual fraction of what was going on around him. His forehead was wrapped in a cool cloth and he was stretched out on a wide bed. "Shit," he said, putting an effort as he drew back on his butt to sit, resting his back on the headboard. He vaguely recognized the room he was in, but he knew it wasn't Daniel's.

"You're awake!" Daniel rushed to his aid. "Easy, Sawyer. You need to take things easy. You're pregnant for Christ's sake."

Sawyer pulled off the cloth from his forehead and glanced around. Aside from him and Daniel, there were others with them. Spencer stood close to the door, phone pressed to his ear, talking low into it. Sophie, the help sat at the edge of the bed with a bowl of fruits. Three older people stood in a clump, close to Spencer; they were looking at him now in fear and worry.

The door opened and a middle-aged lady came in, donning a white apparel with a pair of stethoscopes hanging around her neck. Daniel moved away now so she could take her place. She beamed at Sawyer now, placing a cool hand on his arm, her fingertips dancing along his skin as she felt the pulse on his wrist. "Good day, Sawyer. How are you feeling?"

"I don't know...tired? My head hurts and I'm so thirsty."

Sophie dropped the fruit bowl and rushed off to get him a glass of water, while the doctor helped him sit.

"Who are these people?" he asked the doctor quietly, subtly pointing in the direction of the three men.

"They're the elders of the Pack," she patted him reassuringly. "Everyone's worried. You lost consciousness in the garden."

"It's no big deal. I felt a little dizzy because of the heat."

She nodded. "Right. This is why you should try staying indoors at all times. Anyways," she turned to the others. "I'd like some privacy with him, please. Spencer, send in Pharell. I need to have a look at Sawyer. With his permission."

Sawyer gripped the sheets, securing them tightly around his naked waist. "Why am I naked?" he turned to look at Daniel in fright.

"Out! Everyone!" The Alpha roared, setting everyone in motion as they filed out of the room. The shout shook Sawyer to his marrow. He would never like to witness Daniel upset.

The doctor folded her arms across her chest, pursing her lips at him. She was unimpressed. "When I said everyone should leave, I meant everyone. That includes you too, Dan."

"No," Daniel said defiantly, glaring at her. "I am his mate, and also the father of the child. I'm not going anywhere, Pixie. Do your worst."

"I'm not disputing that, Dan. I know you're worried about his health. But you're not a doctor. I am. And right now you're scaring the shit out of him. Would you like to be the reason he's not comfortable during the medical examination? No. then for fuck's sake please get out."

Spencer cleared his throat at this juncture, placing a solid hand on Daniel's shoulder. "Come on, buddy. She's right. Let's go."

"You can wait out in the corridor. But please be quiet."

It was with great reluctance that Daniel finally followed Spencer out, shutting the door with a bang.

Pixie shook her head. "Alphas and their tempers. He's normally not like this. Nice to see him so overprotective."

Sawyer's cheeks heated up in pride. He found it comforting and sweet to see Daniel act so possessive. His heart yearned for the Alpha who he was so sure was waiting breathlessly at the other side of the door.

Pixie got to work, aided by Pharell – her hot, black-haired medical assistant. They took his vital signs and made notes on their notepads, touching the bump and asking questions about how Sawyer was feeling in general. Lastly, they discussed the event in the garden.

"That was the first time it happened to me since I took in," Sawyer explained. "I've never passed out from exhaustion. Most times the dizziness ends when I sit down. But back in the garden, I was sitting with Daniel beside me and it just kept getting worse as the seconds passed."

Pixie hummed, scribbling something down. "Is this your first medical examination? Have you been to the hospital since you started showing?"

"No. I didn't think it'd be necessary," Sawyer admitted. "Besides, this is my first baby. I'm still getting used to the body changing and the exhilarating feeling that I've got a life growing inside me."

"Mmm," she nodded at Pharell to help take his blood. She took off her stethoscope to listen to his heart and that of the baby. "I'd like a urine sample as well, Sawyer. So I can officially diagnose you. But from what I've gathered, it's nothing serious and I have to place you under intensive bed rest," she pulled out a large piece of paper from her white folder on the table. "I've also prepared a diet table for you, just as Daniel ordered. I'll hand it over to the chef, and have him start on it. There's no need to panic. You'll be fine."

"How is my baby doing? Is he okay?"

"They are – "

"They?" Sawyer raised a brow.

Pixie smiled warmly – suspiciously. "He has a strong heartbeat but I want you to stay in bed until you're strong enough to come to the hospital for a proper medical examination. It's important."

Sawyer gritted his teeth. "But I can't do that, doctor. I can't stay hoarded in here all day, doing nothing. I need to take a stroll at least."

"And what happened the last time you took a stroll, Sawyer?" Pixie scoffed. "If you have the baby's interest at heart, I'd suggest you stay in bed at all times. I'll have Sophie bring in a bunch of novels for you to read so you'll not feel idle." Dr. Pixie stood and helped Pharell pack up. "I'll go speak to Daniel now."

As if on cue, Daniel barged in suddenly, startling the daylights out of Sawyer. He shoved Pharell away. "Done with him?"

It may have been stated as a question but it clearly wasn't. Pixie simply ignored him, picking up her stethoscope and folder. However, she stopped at the door. "Sawyer dear, I'll hand your medications to the chef. He'd administer it to you along with your meal." She spared Daniel a scathing glance and left.

Daniel sat beside Sawyer, who was trying to find his shorts. "Easy, sweetheart. What are you doing?"

Sawyer exhaled in exasperation, pouting. "Pixie said that I have to stay in bed. I can't do that, Daniel. I'm not used to being cooped up like a baby. I like being busy, making candies, and walking about."

Daniel sighed, taking the omega's hands in his. "It's for the best, sweetheart."

"I know. But I'm not satisfied."

They stayed in silence until Daniel cleared his throat. "I'd like to make things official, Sawyer. I'm ready for the world to see you as my mate." He dug out his phone and dialed a number. Sawyer was puzzled.

"What are you doing?"

"It's time for you to meet the elders."