Page 19

“She’s here, shush everyone, she’s here.” I hear muffled voices and scattering feet as I walk up the steps to the lab.

I can’t help but smile at the less-than-subtle surprise welcome-back party. Rowan did a terrible job keeping it a secret anyway, with his insistence that I visit the lab at a specific time and wear one of my nicest dresses. He was practically shooing me out the door as we left, and now he’s trying and failing to hide his mischievous smile.

The lab doors have been repaired, and although I can’t see inside yet, I know the whole pack has been working hard to repair the devastation caused by the fight with Rian and the hunters. The building appears brand new, the doors look heavier, and I notice the enhanced security cameras that I know Kaiden and Grayson helped install.

I didn’t realize how much damage had been caused when the hunters attacked, but in the days after, as I recovered at home, Rowan had filled me in on the structural damage, broken machines, and ruined research. Thankfully, most of the research was backed up, and Rian couldn’t access all of it after our suspicions were raised about the lab being compromised. Still, it was clear the hunters would have been able to pass some information back to the Order, and we have no way of knowing what that will mean in the future.

I sigh deeply, pausing on the steps, and Rowan squeezes my hand. “Hey, are you okay?” he asks, looking concerned.

I shake the thoughts from my head and turn to him. “I’m just thinking about the research—”

He shakes his head comically, stopping me in my tracks. “No, no,” he laughs, “there is plenty of time for us to talk about the research. Will you indulge me a moment?”

I roll my eyes at myself and nod, laughing. If being with Rowan has taught me anything, it’s that I deserve a life beyond my research. I need to make space for the family we are creating—and that includes our wider family, the pack. I can still hear the hushed tones of the people inside, and Rowan clears his throat dramatically as if trying to mask the very obvious gathering taking place inside.

I feign ignorance and smile as he pulls me to the door and uses one of the new key cards to open it. The room is shrouded in darkness, but even without my shifter senses, I could make out the shining silver banner and shadows of my badly hidden friends and colleagues.

“Surprise!”

The room erupts into cheers as the lights come on, and I see just how many people have turned out. The room is filled with my colleagues from the lab, Sara, members of the clinic who cared for me, Griffen with the other pack alphas, and my luna friends. Finally, I see Forrest standing with Kaiden and Kit, beaming at me.

In a clamor of well wishes and excitement, Rowan leads me through the crowd. The lab looks immaculate and very festive, decorated with bunting and banners. Food and drink stations are dotted throughout the main reception area.

Sara rushes over and hugs me. “You are glowing, Willow,” she smiles. “Rowan has clearly been looking after you at home.”

I blush because it’s true. Nodding, I return her embrace, waving at the clinic nurses who helped me so much after the attack a couple of weeks ago. Next, I turn and see Kit, Senna, Kenzie, and Forrest smiling, waiting their turn to greet me. Rowan is shaking hands with the other alphas, and seeing the happiness radiating from him fills my heart. I smile widely at Forrest before he leans in and hugs me.

“It is so good to see you,” he sighs. “This has been quite the drama to watch unfold from afar. It’s so good to be here.”

I feel the lump form in my throat as I look around at my friends and feel a wave of support emanating from them, “I’m just so glad you’re all here.”

“Was it a big surprise? Seeing us all here?” Senna asks, grinning.

“Umm,” I laugh. “No. Rowan has been like a big kid wanting to show off the finished lab. They’ve put so much work into it all.”

“Did he ruin the surprise?” Kenzie says, rolling her eyes.

I chuckle, “Not intentionally; I think he knew I’d be excited about the lab reopening. He must have to make us all get so dressed up,” I say, gesturing to everyone’s semi-formal outfits.

I don’t miss how Kenzie’s eyes go wide, and Kit nudges her in the side. Before I can ask, I see their eyes look beyond me, and I turn to see Rowan standing behind me, the whole room falling silent.

My mouth goes dry as I take in the intensity of his handsome face. Confusion floods my system as I realize this party isn’t simply for the reopening and my return to the lab; I glance around and see smiling and expectant faces.

“Willow,” Rowan says, stepping forward and taking my hands. I feel them tremble in his as uncertainty clouds my vision. “I knew I couldn’t really hide a surprise party from you, but I think I have managed a slight deception, all the same.”

I know I must look completely dumbstruck as Rowan drops to one knee in front of me and gazes at me, both his beasts dancing in his silvery, mismatched eyes. “I did you a grave disservice when you joined our pack,” he continues. “Allow me to remedy that by giving you the mating ceremony you deserve. Allow me to tell everyone here how grateful and happy I am that you are my mate and luna?”

Cheers erupt as I nod through tears I didn’t even realize were falling. As he stands, he slips a beautiful antique-looking diamond ring onto my finger; as I stare at it, he lifts my hand to kiss it. “Not my mother’s ring, but one of the many jewels I’ve accumulated over the years from where they lived. I wasn’t sure why I’d kept this particular one until I realized it was meant for you. I think it always was. See, it’s made for you.”

I gasp, staring at the beautiful ring. It fits perfectly. “I don’t know what to say, Rowan.”

“You say your vows, love,” he says, turning me around to see how everyone is creating a stage area behind us. The lights dim as a projection of snowflakes fills the back wall, and music plays. I can’t believe what I’m seeing.

“Was everyone in on this?” I laugh as Forrest hands me some beautiful winter flowers.

As we walk toward the stage, Rowan offers me his arm. “I am exceptionally devious,” he grins.

“Now, repeat after me,” Griffen says, appearing on the stage and looking smarter than I’ve ever seen him.

The crowd cheers as I recite my vows first, my voice barely audible over the noise. Then it’s Rowan’s turn. He doesn’t repeat the same words. Instead, he gazes into my eyes and speaks as if there was no one else in the room.

“I promise to love you for all eternity, Willow. To protect you and our unborn child with every breath in my body. I vow to love you forever as your mate, to stand by your side when times are tough, and to celebrate with you when they’re good. As much as I can, I will help make the world a better place with you and for you.”

Tears stream down my face as the crowd erupts into cheers and applause, the music swells, and Rowan leans into me, pressing his lips to mine. His lips are soft yet firm, and I melt into him as he tastes like winter and sunshine. The kiss lingers long enough to make everyone hush before pulling back and smiling at me.

“That was perfect,” he whispers in my ear before turning to face our pack and friends.

"I would now like to introduce you all to our luna, Willow," he says, his voice booming through the room. "She is strong and kind and beautiful. She has shown me what love really means."

The room erupts into applause again as he pulls me back into his arms, holding me close. It's a surreal moment, one that I feel like I've been waiting for my whole life. As the night wears on, everyone joins in on the celebration, dancing and laughing.

Eventually, the music slows down, and Rowan leads me to the middle of the dance floor. We sway together under the stars and snowflakes projected onto the walls. It feels like we're the only ones in the world as he dips me back, his lips finding mine once more. I’ve never been much of a dancer, but somehow, Rowan makes it feel effortless. He presses me against his body, and I’m amazed at how, despite my curves, he makes me feel tiny.

“I think we should make our escape soon,” he whispers into my hair, sending shivers down my neck.

I giggle as I reply, my voice low, “The night does appear to be winding down.”

He chuckles, pulling me by the hand toward the door, only stopping when he sees his beta nearby. “Griffen,” he calls out. “Tell everyone I’m taking my pregnant luna home for some rest after a busy day.”

Griffen pulls a face, and I swat Rowan’s arm in mock protest, but I don’t stop him from whisking me away. We walk arm in arm across the square toward the house, desire and anticipation thrumming between us. Rowan stops me on the steps to the house, gazing down at me.

“I have never imagined a love like this, Willow,” he says. “A mate and a child. A family. You have given me everything.”

I reach out and touch his cheek, his skin appearing even more luminescent in the moonlight, making me wonder for a moment if our own child will have the same stunning appearance. “I have a theory,” I say, “it’s not particularly scientific, though. I think our families wanted us to have this. They lost their lives to hate; I think they wanted us to have this love.”

Emotion shines brightly in his eyes as he nods and kisses me tenderly before scooping me up dramatically and carrying me into the house. “It is tradition, after all,” he exclaims.

I laugh, and I'm about to tell him he’s crazy, but when I look, I see his desire burning brightly in his eyes, and I’m lost for words. I stand on my tiptoes and kiss him, and it’s all we need to light the torch.

We barely break contact as we rush to the bedroom, his strong arms anchoring me in place at the end of the bed. He kisses me again, tasting of pure desire as he begins unbuttoning my dress. Each button pops open with a satisfying sound, and I shiver in anticipation. He slips it off of my shoulders, revealing my black lace bra. With gentle fingers, he kisses his way down my neck before taking my sensitive nipple in his mouth and sucking gently. I gasp as pleasure shoots through me, arching against him. His hands travel lower, tracing patterns over my belly before slipping under the fabric and finding my soft skin already slick for him. His fingers graze my clit, and I bite into his shoulder to muffle my moans.

“I swear you’re even more responsive now that you’re pregnant,” he says reverently.

I can only nod in response as he increases the pressure. Just as I think I’m about to come, he removes them, and I groan in protest at the loss. With unnatural speed, Rowan drops to the floor in front of me and replaces his fingers with his tongue.

“Mmm, oh my goddess,” I mumble incoherently, tangling my fingers in his long dark hair. The bed helps to hold me upright as the waves of pleasure become almost too much.

His tongue works magic on my sensitive folds, his tongue darting in and out.

"Rowan," I pant, "I'm going to come."

He doesn't stop. Instead, he licks faster and harder until I do. I feel myself gushing juices over his face. I’m almost embarrassed at the force of my orgasm, but he looks up at me with adoration as he drags his tongue slowly back up to my clit, circling it before sucking it into his mouth. My knees buckle, and he holds me steady while he continues to pleasure me. When my body has no more to give, Rowan stands and pulls me down gently onto the bed with him. He kisses his way up my body, stopping to tease my nipples again before settling between my legs and removing the last of his clothes, his huge cock springing free.

"You are so beautiful," he whispers, his cock nudging at my wet entrance. He kisses me, and I can feel my come on his lips as he pushes forward, slipping inside of me in one smooth motion. My walls contract around him instantly, and he groans against my skin. He starts slow, thrusting slowly in and out, each movement causing more friction than the last. His hands hold on to my hips tightly as he begins to pick up speed, pounding into me with a rhythm that borders on desperation. The smell of sex fills the air as our bodies collide, and I can feel another orgasm building as his cock hits a sensitive spot deep inside me.

“You feel so incredible,” he groans, “I-I can’t hold on.”

His words push me higher. “I’m coming, Rowan,” I scream as my release hits me hard. I feel more of my juices squirt around his cock. I can feel him stiffen and grip my shoulders as he pours himself into me deeply.

We lie entwined for what seems like an eternity, his arms a safe haven around me. I can feel him pulsing inside of me as he comes down from his high. He nuzzles into my neck, "I love you so much, Willow," he mumbles.

I sigh contentedly, "I love you, too."

And with that, we drift off to sleep in each other's arms, the scent of sex filling the air around us.

I snuggle deeper into his embrace, feeling safe and loved. He sleepily wraps his arm around me, hand resting on my stomach and our baby. I love the feeling of his weight pressed against me, and I know that this is where I belong. Forever.