Page 36

The next day I feel better already. Dr. Alten is the sweetest doctor I’ve ever been to. When she evaluated me, she noticed scars and burns on my body. Her eyes drifted over my injuries, pursing her lips, but she remained quiet. The community knows I’m a sex-trafficking survivor, so I explain my injuries to her. She tears up, apologizing about how unprofessional she’s being, but I hug her, thanking her for being human. We pull apart, and laugh, because she’s a werewolf. I asked her not to say anything to Larc about my visit, and she honored my wishes.

My wolf-charmer went to check on the gas station construction project and won’t be home for another hour. It will be our first real night together after the ceremony. I had been too sick to do anything, so I want tonight to be special. The doctor told me to stay off my feet as much as possible, so I take my time preparing. I sit most of the time as I season Larc’s steaks the way he likes them. All he has to do is throw them on the grill. The side dishes are ready, and I asked Tibald to bring a couple of beers since we ran out. I light the fireplace before heading upstairs to get ready.

The door opens, and I come down the stairs in a cute pink babydoll camisole and a pair of jeans. Larc drops his tools by the door and pulls me into a bear hug.

He presses his lips to his mark on my neck.

“I thank the Moon Goddess every day for you, little sprite.”

I laugh, slide down his body, and sit him down on the couch. My butt rests on the cocktail table as I pull off his boots, purposely showing him cleavage. He reaches for me, and I jump away to retrieve a beer. Placing his dirty socks on the table, he slugs down his beer while I push a log closer to the fire.

“You’re supposed to stay off your feet. What are you doing walking around?”

“I did stay off my feet, mister bossy pants.”

He reaches for me, but I shake my head.

“Do I need a reason to prepare dinner for my man?”

He narrows his eyes at me.

“Look under your beer bottle.”

Larc tips it to the side, removing a piece of paper I put there. His face scrunches at the date, so I lift my shirt, where I used a washable marker and put twenty-five percent loaded. My wolf-charmer is lagging today, still confused.

“What’s this date for? And what do you mean by twenty-five percent...”

Ah, it finally clicks. He bolts into a seated position.

“Ivy? Are you pregnant?”

A smile draws across my face, and I nod. In no time, he crushes me against him, murmuring how much he loves me and pets my hair. We collapse on the couch, but he hasn’t let me go. I’m cocooned in his arms, which isn’t a bad place to be. When our eyes finally meet, his are watery, tears hanging off his lashes and dripping down his face. Larc’s crying. My big bad wolf is shedding tears of joy. I hope.

“Larc, those are happy tears, right?”

He laughs, cuddling me again.

“Damn, Ivy. You’ve made me the happiest man in the world.”

His hand cups my jaw gently, eyes sliding between my eyes and my mouth.

“Is this what you found out at the doctor’s office?”

I’m trying not to giggle.

“I did. But I wanted to surprise you.”

“So, the sleeping, the vomiting, it’s all because you are pregnant?”

Suddenly something occurs to him.

“Is the baby, okay? I mean, after the ceremony and everything.”

“Yes, I have a bad case of morning sickness. The doctor wants me to stay off my feet and take it easy for the next couple of weeks. And yes, the baby is healthy.”

My hand reaches into my back pocket to pull out the sonogram, and I hand it to him.

“You’re going to be a great dad.”

He takes the sonogram, biting his lip, staring at it while hugging me against him with the other hand. Tough Larc is gorgeous, but emotional Larc…well, it makes my heart expand. Everything in my life has come to this moment. A moment where I know I’m deeply loved and will be taken care of for life.

Aside from his mother, Kyle, Shayna, Louisa, Tara, and Mandy, we wait a week before announcing the baby news to everyone else. Louisa wants to plan a reveal party, but I tell her I’d like to be surprised. It’s been difficult to keep the secret since Larc won’t let me do anything, and I mean anything. He carries me around the house, bathes me, feeds me, piles my favorite books on the table for when he’s gone, and tucks me into bed. And if that isn’t the worst, Maggie comes over when he’s not home to make sure I’m staying off my feet. No amount of heavy sighing, arguing, or attempts to move on my own will sway them.

In the evenings, my wolf-charmer scoots down, skims his callous hand over my still flat stomach, and talks to the baby. It’s the sweetest thing I’ve ever seen, which has me in tears by the time he’s done. Like now.

We’re in bed, his hands cup my hips, and he plants a kiss on my stomach.

“Hello, my sweet little pup.”

Another kiss.

“I can’t wait to meet you. In the meantime, I’ll take good care of your mama.”

He rests his cheek on my belly.

“I won’t ask you to close your eyes, because I’m not going to do naughty things to her. Nope. No way.”

I sit up on my elbows.

“What? No sex for the entire time I’m pregnant? Are you crazy?”

“No sex, Ivy. This is a time for pampering instead of using my body at your disposal.”

My head drops back on the bed, laughing at his comment.

“You’re a goof. If you know what’s good for you wolf-charmer, you will make me howl.”

Now he’s laughing as he moves to his side of the bed, clamping his hands behind his head. He’s staring up at the ceiling, wearing a huge grin. I love seeing him happy. I’m blessed he waited for me so I can give him a child. Be by his side for better or for worse.

I’m lying on my back as well, glancing at the ceiling, and his one hand comes to the side, taking mine in his.

“Are you nervous, Ivy?”

“No. Dr. Alten will monitor me throughout. She says babies can’t shift. The first time they do is early adolescence. If it’s a girl, she won’t get her heat until she hits eighteen, which is when she’ll smell her mate. He might be in our community or elsewhere.”

“Goddess, I hope it’s a boy, because if it’s not, she won’t be finding her mate. She’ll remain the Alpha’s baby girl forever.”

I turn my head at that comment and give his hand a slight squeeze.

“I’m so glad she’ll have you as her daddy to take care of her. You’re going to be a great father.”

“Ivy, Ivy, Ivy. There’s no one in this world I’d want my pups to look like other than you. They’ll be magnificent and strong like their mother.”

This has me tearing up, so I change the subject.

“Are you ready to tell the community?”

“Hell yes! It’s been driving me crazy, and I can’t wait to see their faces. The pack will be thrilled.”

We talk some more until we’re too tired to keep our eyes open. I drift off, thinking about the pack’s reaction. Since the ceremony, I haven’t seen too many of them, so I’m not sure how embarrassing it will be. I mean, Larc did knot me in front of everyone in hopes of impregnating me. Who would have thought I was already pregnant?

The day arrives for us to announce our news. Everyone’s in the mess hall for dinner, and Larc carries me to the front of the room, sitting me on top of a table. Silence falls, knowing Larc has something to say to all of them. My wolf-charmer doesn’t ease into it.

“We’re having a baby!”

The pack erupts into cheers. Larc has the biggest grin on his face as his eyes meet mine. When people simmer down, he goes into more detail.

“Ivy is three months pregnant, which happened prior to the ceremony, and she has to take it easy. That means no work for Luna until Dr. Alten clears her, and even then, it will be limited.”

Maggie gives me a side hug and whispers in my ear.

“Not only are you a wonderful Luna, but you’ll also be an excellent mother.”

I let out a shaky response.

“Thank you, Maggie.”

“Larc showed us all how wrong we were. You’re the best thing that could have happened to him, and I thank the Moon Goddess he trusted her choice.”

I’m sobbing in my hands, and Larc turns to Maggie and asks.

“What did you say to her, Mom?”

“Oh shush, nothing bad.”

She kisses my cheek.

“I’m only telling Ivy something I should have said a long time ago.”

I hug her so tight; I can feel her smiling on my shoulder. People come over to congratulate us. The pack is planning a run tonight in honor of the future Alpha. They’ll be surprised if the future Alpha turns out to be a girl. After an hour of congratulatory comments and blessings, Larc carries me back home where we sit outside, staring at the stars. Tibald contacts him, wondering when he wants to do the run.

“I told Tibald we’ll run in an hour. Is that good?”

“Perfect.”

The sliding doors open, and Kyle comes outside, carrying two beers for himself and Larc. He asks if I’d like something, but I tell him I’ll make my tea.

“No you won’t, little sprite. I’ll get it for you.”

Before I can rebuke his offer, he’s gone, and I’m in the silence of the night with Kyle. I tighten the blanket around my shoulders, closing my eyes to the calmness I feel.

Kyle breaks it by saying.

“I’m happy for the both of you.”

I turn to thank him.

“When Larc found out you were his mate, I felt bad, knowing how broken you were. I never thought you’d recover, and you were far from Luna material.”

He takes a deep breath and his eyes lock on mine.

“I’ve never been so wrong in my life.”

The prickle of tears burns my nose, and I blink to prevent them from falling.

“Larc was right to wait for his chosen Luna. To stand by you while you healed…and damn did you heal.”

He shakes his head and smiles.

“Taking on Shayna in a fight. Ignoring everyone’s doubts.”

Kyle sits back and takes a sip of his beer, pointing a finger at me.

“If that ain’t strength, I don’t know what is. Not only did you surpass the pack’s expectations, but you’re now one of the greatest Luna’s in werewolf history. A human…and a soon to be mother.”

Okay, my tears refuse to stay hidden. They glide down my face, mouth open, flabbergasted and touched by what he’s saying.

He adds.

“If any two people deserve happiness, it’s you and Larc. I can only hope to be as committed and fortunate as the two of you if or when I ever find my chosen mate.”

Larc walks out, and says.

“What the hell, Kyle? What did you say to her?”

We both laugh at him, and I mouth a thank you. It took me a hard recovery to prove myself, get through the ceremony, and become pregnant before I’d hear these words from Kyle. But it doesn’t matter how long it took, because any praise coming from him is validation Larc and I deserve our happily ever after.