When I return to the Northern Light pack, Kendrick had left to go on an extended hunt with a few of his fighters, although Kenna admits to me in confidence that he's also exploring a few candidates for a new Beta. I'm a little miffed that he went ahead without consulting me, but then again, he'll have to put his life into the hands of this new best friend and should not be influenced by my opinion.

Still high on the news that a new life is growing inside me, I begin to wait on Everest hand and foot. My concern that this might lessen my standing with the pack proves unfounded. The older wolves smile at the silliness of the young ordering each other around, and most of the adolescent wolves join in by making crazy bets with their friends. The losers join the ranks of servants carrying refreshments and snacks to the small pond, and males offer foot massages to their chosen females. To Kenna's delight, this wolf Orin keeps losing their bets and coos around her all day. Once, I catch them kissing in the bushes and Kenna makes me swear with a pinky promise to keep it a secret from her brothers. Especially Kendrick has been smothering her with his over protectiveness since their mother's death, and it's driving his baby sister crazy.

The month of bondage passes with no sign of Kendrick. I'm getting restless. A few times, I try to call him, but his cell is either turned off or he's somewhere off the grid. The pup is flopping in my belly, although it's still way too early for me to show. Arabella, on the other hand, is as big as a whale. One afternoon when we lie out by the pond, she huffs and puffs with complaints.

"I can't stand the heat."

"Why do females get pregnant at the end of January and have to endure the brunt of the pregnancy during the summer months?"

"Man, I wish I could tear the pup out of me and drown it."

Her last statement makes me snicker. "You don't really mean that."

She looks at me from over her sunglasses. "Wait until you are fat from a pregnancy with swollen ankles and constant back pain. Then we'll talk." She wiggles around in the sun lounger but her belly is in the way no matter which way she turns. With a sigh, she gives up. "I'm so freaking hot."

"Do you want me to get you more lemonade?"

"Would you?"

"Of course."

I peel out of the soft cushions and stroll over to the house. The kitchen is dim and cool. Allo is sleeping in his crib in the adjacent living room with his thumb tucked between his lips; Falcon sits only a few feet away on the couch to keep a watchful eye on him. He has his laptop open and pecks away at the keyboard.

When I walk up, he smiles. "Kendrick sent me an email. He'll be back tonight."

Sudden fear clogs my throat. What if he isn't excited about the pup? Or worse, what if he or the pack question why I got pregnant outside of my heat? They could reject the new life because of its warlock powers.

Bile fills my mouth and I dart into the bathroom. Down on my knees, my lunch spills into the toilet. Tears blur my vision and panic squeezes my chest. Kendrick will hate me. He won't want me or the pup.

A knock on the door. "Raelyn, is everything okay?" Concern colors Kenna's words.

"Yeah, I'm fine," I blurt out through my tears.

"You don't sound fine. Are you sick? Should I get Arabella?"

"No, I just need a few minutes. The heat got to me."

"Okay."

Her footsteps move away from the bathroom and I let out a shaky breath. The sudden urge to get out of the house and run is overwhelming. Opening the door, I peek into the living room. Falcon hasn't moved an inch and Kenna has disappeared. Leaping, I shift into my wild and cross the kitchen with a few jumps. In the doorway, I almost collide with Arabella. She flails her arms but manages to keep her balance.

I rumble an apology and head for the woods. My paws pound on the dry forest ground, leaving a cloud of dust in their wake. Just as the night of the big battle with Marush, I run until my legs give way underneath me. Thirst stings my throat and I walk around until I find the familiar creek. I should probably eat something, but the nausea sits heavy in my stomach.

After lapping up enough cold water to quench my thirst, I get comfortable in the shade under a tree. My tongue hangs out and I pant to cool myself. As I rest my head on my front paws, another bout of doubt washes over me.

I can't be a mother. I'm gonna screw up.

You'll be great.

The sudden voice in my head has me lift my head. Was it a spirit? I squint against the sun and calmness settles in my bones. Just as the Moon Goddess, the Sun God will watch over me. With my blood oath, I pledged my loyalty to him, and I'll never be alone.

Dozing off, I don't awake until a shadow darkens the sun. My wolf whimpers in submission. He might be her future mate, but until he marked me as his, he's still my Alpha and nothing else. He prods me with his snout, his tongue running over my muzzle. I rub my head against his cheek and relish his little rumbles of pleasure.

Not in the mood to take our intimacy further, I shift and get into the stream. He follows and pulls me onto his lap. The water rushes around us, cooling my heated skin.

"I missed you." He presses a kiss into my hair.

"I missed you more. And you were gone for a long time."

"I had to. While you were doing that bondage thing with Everest, I couldn't have controlled my wolf. He would've torn my sister's throat out if she had shown that type of disrespect to you. Rationally, your suggestion made sense, but my wolf was not aligned with this."

"I didn't know. Why didn't you say something?"

"And make you feel like crap about your decision. No way. Besides, what would've been the alternative? No offense, but in a fight, Everest would've bitten your head off unless you used your fire powers, and that would've defeated the purpose of this whole charade."

I can't argue with that. "Well, I have to tell you something, and you might get mad."

"Good, because I also have to tell you something that might make you mad. That way, we can be mad at each other and then have great make-up sex."

He smiles against my skin and I'm having second thoughts. He's in such a good mood and I long to have a few moments of happiness without any stressors that could spoil everything.

"So what do you want to tell me?"

I scoot back and lock eyes with him. "I was going to give you one of Allo's tiny socks."

He arches a brow. "No offense, but that will likely just cover my big toe."

"It's meant to be symbolic."

"Symbolic for what?"

I groan. Do I have to seriously spell it out for him? "For a pup. I'm pregnant."

He opens and closes his mouth, his face a veneer of panic. "How? I mean, we didn't mate during the last heat. Besides, shouldn't your belly be bigger?"

"It happened right after the battle. I just found out myself."

"But it's outside of your heat. How could you have conceived?"

"Since I took my blood oath, I'm still a hybrid. Apparently, not all werewolf rules apply anymore."

"Does that mean you can get pregnant at any time during the year?"

"It seems so."

"And you are carrying my pup?"

I nod. Just as expected, he isn't excited at all.

"Oh, boy, wow."

"That's all you have to say?"

"No, of course not. I'm thrilled." Under a torrent of water, he rubs his face with both hands; yet, the panic remains when our gazes meet again. "Not gonna lie, I'm scared shitless, but yes, I'm also thrilled. And excited. And ecstatic." The panic turns into the biggest smile. "Raelyn, you are the most wonderful female and I love you more than anything."

I let out a shaky breath. "Are you sure you're okay with this?"

"More than okay." His chin bops up and down with enthusiasm and his flailing arms splatter water all over the place. "And if I hadn't promised Kenna and Everest that they could organize our claiming ceremony during the next full moon, I'd mate with you right here and now."

The next full moon. "That's three weeks away."

"I know it seems like a long time, but after all the funerals, the pack could use a good party."

"I agree, and we have waited so long now that three weeks won't make a difference."

He nods, his lips twisting to a grimace.

I nudge him in the shoulder. "Your turn. What were you gonna tell me?"

"Please don't be mad."

"Come on, spill it."

"I found a new Beta."

"But that's good, isn't it?"

"Not sure it is after what you just told me."

"Oh?"

"It's a female."

"You made a female your Beta?"

"Not just any female. You remember the rogue she-wolf with the purple streaks in her fur who bashed in the heads of five warlocks."

I quirk a brow. "Seriously? You asked Olivia to be your Beta?"

He nods. "I know, it was probably a bad idea."

"And she accepted?"

He nods again.

"What about Jos?"

"He'll be joining the pack as her mate."

I rub my forehead, unsure what to make of this new development.

"Are you very mad?" His question is barely audible over the rushing of the stream. His shoulders slump and he looks absolutely miserable.

"Well, I wish you had discussed it with me before offering her the job, but I can see the appeal. She's loud and obnoxious and certainly demands respect, and after she proved herself during the big battle, I'd trust her with your life. I believe she'll make a fine Beta."

"And I told her that she has to respect you as Luna. Unconditionally. Otherwise, she's out."

"I guess I can live with that."

"Good. So you aren't mad?"

"Maybe a little." I slip on his lap and stroke the inside of his thigh. "Didn't you promise me make-up sex?"

"I did, but is it safe in your condition?"

I let out a small laugh. "Yes, it's fine. You don't have to worry about that until much later."

He seals my mouth with his lips. As our kiss deepens, he runs his fingers along my spine. I moan. When we break, his eyes have darkened with longing. "Okay, then let me show you just how much I've missed you."

~~~~

© Sally Mason 2018

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