Coldsnap: The Billionaire Alpha's Fated Pregnant Princess (GL)
Chapter 71 - Consultation Phases

Chapter 71: Chapter 71 - Consultation Phases

AN: I begin to use more medical jargon from here for a few Chapters, but if I’ve missed explaining any by proper context (or extremely wrongly!) feel free to point it out~

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Some time later - after I’d made it all the way to level 8 - Nancy led me to a different examination room than the one at the end of the quiet hallway. She gestured to a ’paper gown’ folded neatly on a strange table.

"Please change into this and have a seat. Dr. Lang will be with you shortly."

When the door closed behind her, I looked around this room with curiosity. It appeared largely like any medical space from television.

Clean with the same sharp scent hanging in the air just like the first one. But there were subtle differences scattered throughout.

A detailed moon phase chart hung on one wall, marked with tiny notes in the margins I’d have to get closer to read comfortably. The ’examination table’ had what looked like very reinforced supports beneath it.

"Is that normal for these, or to protect it from a shifter panicking to get up... I’m not sure I want to know either way."

I stripped my clothes quickly after setting my things in the most out of the way place I could locate. Then I start adjusting the thin paper gown over my body.

The material crinkled loudly in the quiet room. Something about it felt mildly distressing against my skin, probably just the unusual new feel.

> Sorry, it’s just that this obviously isn’t going to be a nice relaxing spa visit. I’ll be calmer. <

Vrika in my mindscape paced nervously, sensing my apprehension. So I appear in my fox form and stroll up to rub against its legs to calm the spirit down.

Short knocks soon preceded the door opening and I opened my eyes.

A woman that was at least in her forties entered with confident steps. Her gray-streaked, dark hair was cut very short and she wore a white coat over dark pink scrubs.

Her scent was distinctive - werewolf and plenty of cleaning alcohol. She offered a warm smile as she extended her hand.

"Good morning, I’m Dr. Lang. I’ve read your paperwork, but I’d appreciate hearing in your words what brings you in today?"

"I need to confirm whether I’m pregnant."

My answer was direct and without any hesitation. I’d had enough of it from that Mira already, and was in no mood for more.

She nodded once, showing no surprise at my bluntness. As a doctor, she might even appreciate it.

"Your blood work and urine test should be finished shortly. That should give us a definitive enough answer."

The doctor sat down on a rolling stool across from where I stood. Not insisting that I sit as well, but insinuating it with her own posture.

"You’re new to the area."

"Yes."

"From the Duskpaw territory?"

"...Originally."

Now that I know there is potentially some online community sharing information like this, it seems silly to hide any of it. In either case, I would still be identifying as a rogue.

"Are there any worrying symptoms bringing you in today? Or are you just looking for confirmation?"

"Mostly confirmation. I... have been under significant stress recently. I’m concerned about the effect that might have on things."

"What kind of stress?"

"Physical exertion. Travel. Perhaps inadequate nutrition for a few days."

I may have gorged on that deer - but the time before then and rationing the hunter’s things on the way here... beasts may eat less frequently and still survive, but this body’s metabolism and appetite has already proven beyond my understanding in that regard.

Dr. Lang nodded professionally to what I’d said while making a couple notes. Though I sensed her taking notice of the lack of detail in the responses.

"Do you know if the mating was within your time in the moon cycle?"

The question caught me a bit off guard. Helene’s memories provided some context to what she meant, but not enough specific detail.

> Rather, she didn’t actually know that it had to be a specific ’time’? I’m sure she would have done everything possible to make the pregnancy happen correctly, if so. <

More cases of the girl remaining ignorant. Infuriating.

"I’m... not certain of the exact date of that?"

Unsuspicious, the doctor’s expression merely softened. As if she has heard this sort of phrase before.

"That’s not uncommon, especially for younger wolves or those from certain packs. Let me first explain what we’re testing for."

She tapped her tablet and pulled up a readied diagram of a female’s reproductive system. Similar to what I’d seen in books, but slightly... different.

"Our monthly cycle is a different experience than with humans. These bodies change to follow a moon-influenced estrus rhythm."

"Change?"

"When you ovulate, usually around the full moon for most but it can vary, your body prepares itself for potential pregnancy."

I nodded... thrice - fascinated despite myself. This was the kind of information I needed.

She goes on to explain what is pretty much the same as humans, before getting to another point of uniqueness in our kind.

And what was best is how it is being delivered in a clinical manner that helps me distance it all from the emotional reality of potentially carrying Jace Duskpaw’s child.

"If fertilization doesn’t happen, the egg produces what we’ve taken to calling OSF - short for Oocyte Signal Factor. It’s a hormone special to werewolves that signals your reproductive system to reset for the next cycle."

"And this is... different from humans?"

"Yes. It’s different from all creatures, really. Despite our relative infertility, the Lunar Goddess has seen fit to make our bodies know when it would be wasting its time."

Even though I understand the deity’s presence as empirical for werewolves, it is somewhat jarring to hear a ’scientist’ speak of her. Though maybe that’s just because that bit of reverence poked through her calmness.

"Instead of continuing into the second month still needlessly producing progesterone or causing the period of pseudopregnancy that other biological canids can go through."

I nod, actually familiar with this concept. After all, I’ve gone through my heats as a fox before.

Including one where my body took a little longer than normal to accept the fact that I’d never lain with a dog fox! I even lactated that week...

"Is that all the difference?"

"Most of your uterine lining is reabsorbed rather than shed, like any canid. That’s why werewolves don’t have very noticeable ’periods’ like human women. More efficient and less messy, really."

She smiled smugly at that, clearly proud of her own biology - our beast-like biology.

"When pregnancy actually occurs, no OSF is produced and the luteal phase continues like normal. Your body begins producing elevated levels of a different hormone instead."

Her finger swipes on the tablet and shows another image, what looks like panels of information from a science magazine. Though I doubt this is actually something that has been distributed?

She zooms in on the ’infographic’ and its title: [Werewolf Pregnancy Hormone - wwPH].

"Which... is what we’re testing for in your blood today."

As if her whole speech had been timed for it, a soft knock interrupted us. Nancy returned with a clipboard and handed it to Dr. Lang with a murmured comment in her ear before she departed.

I of course strained my senses to hear it, though I feel silly that the whispers were not even about me.

> So this doctor is married and her husband has called. More information is always good to battle people with, but I feel let down by my own curiosity. <

After all, I really do not care about that. I was just hoping for an early reveal...