Having the flu was the worst thing ever.

Jack was huddled underneath his blankets, shivering one minute only to groan and kick the blankets off his heated body in the next. He sniffed and groaned, realizing he couldn't breathe through his nose and instead had to breathe through his mouth.

Licking his lips, Jack eyed the cup of water next to the bed longingly but feared to drink from it. He'd been sick all night, having to run to the bathroom every few moments and waking up Kaiden in the process until eventually, Kaiden simply brought a bucket to the bed and emptied it every time.

Currently, his wolf was gently rubbing his sore stomach and chest. Jack leaned into the touch with a sigh, swallowing only to wince when his throat burned in reminder of the bile that past not too long ago.

"I don't think this is because something you ate, Jack." Kaiden murmured softly while placing the back of his hand gently against Jack's cheek and forehead, frowning to himself before uncovering him a bit more.

Jack didn't respond, only groaned a bit and curled up even more as he felt his stomach churn uncomfortably, a silent warning that it hadn't settled yet and would most likely lash out in the next few minutes.

Kaiden's expression was pained as he looked down at Jack before pushing off the bed. It only took him a few seconds to crack open one of the windows to allow some fresh air to wave into the room.

It helped, if only a bit. The cool air rushing over his face made Jack feel a bit better and he smiled thankfully at his worried mate. He could see Kaiden's inner turmoil, the need to stay and provide for his mate while at the same time wanting to go out and find something that would help Jack feel better.

"I'll be fine..." Jack breathed, weakly waving his hand before curling deeper in the covers to muffle his cough. "Just go." Kaiden's eyes burned before he nodded, leaning over to press a gentle kiss against Jack's forehead.

"I'll be right back, try and catch some sleep." He murmured, fur already sprouting as he rushed for the door. As the door was shoved open, surprised voices sounded and Jack blinked tiredly, pushing himself up a bit to see the Alpha pair making way for Kaiden before looking in the room.

"Aw, no wonder he sped out so fast." Kara spoke as she entered the house, instantly making her way to the bed to dip the towel in some cool water and dabbed Jack's forehead with it. "How are you feeling, sweetie?"

"Its just a flu...I'll be fine." Jack mumbled, shivering as the cool water slid down his tempels and into his hair. Kara nodded while fussing with the blankets, moving around to clean the room a bit and pushing Jack back in the bed when he tried to sit up and help her.

Brandon closed the door behind him, eyes roaming through their house and giving Jack a reassuring smile and nod. "We'll wait and take care of you until Kaiden comes back."

Jack was too tired and sick to argue with the silent command in Brandon's voice. he knew just as well as the Alphas that he was too sick to be doing anything but rest, so that's exactly what he did.

He could hear Brandon moving around in the kitchen, pots scraping over the furnace as the fire was build up. A gentle fragrance started to fill the room and initially, Jack feared he'd throw up as soon as he smelled it but relaxed when nothing happened.

Kara looked over her shoulder before understanding filled her gaze and she went back to fussing over Jack. It wasn't long until Brandon entered the room again with a steaming cup of what appeared to be tea.

Jack blinked as Kara gently tilted his head, brushing through his greasy hair as she accepted the cup and blew its contents, silently urging Jack to try and drink. He eyed the red liquid and sniffed it, surprised that it smelled sweet yet bitter at the same time.

Slowly sitting up with the aid of Kara, he took a hesitant sip from the liquid, eyes widening as a complex mixture of tastes exploded in his mouth. He could taste a hint of cloves, ginger and the obvious rosehip with a hint of cinnamon and something else.

It tasted great and Jack was surprised that he actually wanted to down the cup completely. Instead, he took small sips, enjoying the flavor and smiling gratefully when Brandon pushed some pillows against the headboard so he could sit upright.

By the time he had finished the cup, Kaiden walked into the room, smiling as he saw Jack sitting up and looking much better than when he had left him.

"Alpha, Luna. I'm sorry I didn't-"

"Its okay dear, your mate is your first priority." Kara hushed him as she stood up and smiled, hugging Kaiden warmly before she went to her own mate. "We'll leave you guys be, but remember to eat lightly. Some crackers in the morning, maybe some fresh juice and you'll feel better, trust me."

Kaiden frowned at the little glance between Brandon and Kara but nodded, more focused on his mate than anything else. He was already elated to see Jack being able to sit up and his wolf howled in joy when he saw the empty cup besides Jack.

He'll be alright...

He couldn't suppress the relieved sigh that escaped him as he went about the house, noticing the Alpha pair had cleaned up a bit. Shame colored his cheeks at the realization but it was only natural for his wolf and himself to be focused on his sick mate.

Sniffing at the contents of the kettle, he knew what Brandon had brewed and smiled with appreciation at the commonly known remedy against nausea. Thought it was usually more used by the woman of the pack and the few males that were expecting...

Kaiden's eyes widened and he nearly dropped the cup in his hand, having to awkwardly juggle it around before he caught it and set it on the counter. His heart was racing, eyes wide as he looked over his shoulder towards Jack, who was dozing off quietly.

A wide grin split over his face as he quietly rushed over to Jack's side, being careful not to jolt his mate ad he leaned over and inhaled deeply. Everything seemed normal, Jack's scent curled in his nose, sweet and delicate as ever but there was a hint of that odd scent he had smelled before.

The scent he wasn't able to place until now.

Kaiden grinned widely, sinking to his knees next to the bed to gently rest his head on Jack's stomach, eyes closing to listen to his mate's heartbeat. He could hear the strong, steady beats intertwine with regular in- and exhales.

There!

It was barely there, but as Kaiden forced himself to close out anything but what he was hearing, he heard the faint swooshing sounds, hidden beneath Jack's own hartbeat but still very much present.

Fingers brushed through his hair, which made Kaiden's eyes snap open to look at his confused mate. Jack was smiling, a curious look in his eyes when he noticed Kaiden's position and arched an eyebrow in question.

Kaiden didn't have the words to answer but he didn't have to. The silent yet happy tears that slid from his face as his ear still rested on Jack's stomach was enough of an answer. Instead, a smile slipped on Jack's face as well as his eyes grew watery before spilling over.

His wolf was on him the next second, kissing his eyelids, the tears on his cheeks, his lips. They both cuddled on the bed with Jack chuckling softly as Kaiden couldn't help himself from rubbing over Jack's stomach every few seconds, as if to check if it hadn't grown yet.

A snort escaped Jack as he realized something and he rolled his eyes with a smile at Kaiden's look. "Rowan is going to be jealous." He explained, watching as Kaiden tossed his head back to laugh, a proud gleam in his eyes.

"I think I might've won the bet." Kaiden confessed, winking at Jack's stunned expression before laughing again when he got slapped on the chest. "You guys had a bet going on when you'd get me pregnant?"

Kaiden could only shrug, not a single sign of guilt in his eyes as he cuddled closer to his mate and sighed contently. "He started it, saying it would take us a century before you'd be able to conceive."

All Jack could do was shake his head in mock disappointment before closing his eyes as he relaxed in Kaiden's warmth. His stomach was feeling much better after the tea, and now that he knew it was caused by morning sickness, he couldn't help but feel giddy and nervous at the same time.

A little Kaiden...

Grinning, he buried his face underneath Kaiden's throat and slept soundly, protected by his lover and mate. His dreams were peaceful and centered around the child growing in his belly, and the future he had with the pack.

Finally, things are turning brighter...