Chapter 19 - Mira
I wake up and it’s dark outside, which confuses the hell out of me.
Reaching across the bed in search of Jace, I find the space empty and cold. He hasn’t been next to me for a while.
I close my eyes again and grumble to myself.
Somehow, I still feel exhausted, like I’ve only slept for an hour.
Oh, but that must be it. The sun hasn’t risen yet.
That’s why it’s still dark. I snuggle back into the blankets and wonder where Jace is.
Maybe he had to go and deal with some pack business.
I’m too tired to think about it now.
Lying in bed, I try to go back to sleep, but I’m worried about where he is, and it’s stopping me from drifting off again.
Worried, and too tired to move. It’s a horrible combination. My body is exhausted to the point where my joints are in pain.
I’ve never felt this tired before.
Sleep, Mira. You can’t do anything to help Jace if you’re this tired. Sleep, and help him when he comes back home.
But just as I’m thinking these thoughts, I hear the front door of the cottage open and close, and Mika does a happy wiggle, the same one she does whenever Jace is near.
“Are you awake?” he whispers at the bedroom door.
“Mm, where were you?” I ask, my voice groggy.
“I went to get us some dinner,” he says.
“Dinner?” I blurt out, confused.
“Yes, dinner.” He walks into the bedroom and sits on the edge of the bed, resting his hand on my forehead. “How do you feel?”
“Tired, aching, not that great to be honest.”
“That’s why I thought you should eat. Even though I didn’t want to wake you, I think you need to eat something.”
“I think sleep is more important,” I sigh, closing my eyes.
“Eat, then sleep again. You can’t go so long without food, Mira.”
I scoff, sighing loudly. “I’m sure I’ll survive. I ate while I was working this morning.”
“Mira, you’ve been asleep for almost fifteen hours,” Jace says calmly. “I carried you in at four this morning, you fell asleep almost instantly, and haven’t opened your eyes since. It’s seven in the evening now,” he explains.
I sit up too fast, and a wave of dizziness hits me. “What?” I snap, horrified. “I have to get up. I can’t believe you let me sleep that long. I have so much to do…”
“Mira!” he scolds, pushing me back into the bed as I try to climb out. “Stay!”
“Stay?” I pack up laughing. “Next, you’ll be telling me to roll over and that I’m a good girl,” I can’t stop laughing, even though my body is aching.
Jace is laughing too, unable to hold back. “Sorry, you’re just so challenging sometimes. It just blurted out of me,” he laughs louder. “But seriously. I’m not letting you go anywhere or do anything until you eat, ok?”
He pushes the tray of food toward me. “The chef at the pack house made lasagna,” he says.
My stomach growls loudly, and he shoots me a look that says I told you so.
“It smells amazing,” I sigh.
“Come on, sit up, get comfortable,” he demands, sitting next to me and waiting until I’m positioned properly before handing me a plate of food.
Oh my goodness, I’m actually starving.
Jace watches me eating a little too fast, a grin on his face as he eats his own food. When my plate is empty, he hands me the remains of his.
“No, I can’t, you need to eat too,” I sigh.
He scoffs. “I’ve been eating all day, Mira, take it. And there’s more in the kitchen anyway.”
“Jeepers, what is wrong with me,” I sigh, hungrily starting on his plate too.
“You pushed too hard. I’m not letting you go back to work tonight, Mira. We can see how you’re doing tomorrow. Maybe you caught something?”
“Wolves don’t get sick,” I laugh, shaking my head.
“No, but they do reach levels of exhaustion that can be dangerous,” he scolds.
I bite at my lower lip and nod. “OK, I’ll stay in bed,” I agree. Honestly, I’m so tired I can’t even imagine sitting down in front of the computer right now.
After dinner, Jace tucks me back in. “I’m right outside the door. Call my name, and I’ll be here in seconds,” he says.
I fall asleep and don’t wake up until the next morning.
My body is still aching, and my stomach is screaming for food. This isn’t right. Something is very wrong with me, and Mika insists she knows exactly what it is.
Reluctant to accept it, I wait until Jace has left for the morning, then I head into town to get a test for myself. There’s only one way to settle this debate and show Mika that she’s wrong. Except, even before I do the test, I know she’s right.
Mika is spinning with excitement as I stand in my bathroom with the test on my sink, counting down the minutes. All the way back home, I was tense. The little brown pharmacy bag on the car seat next to me seemed like an alarm. Loud. In my face. Stressful.
Yes, I want to be pregnant. I want to have a family. Of course I do. I would be thrilled to become a mother.
But what does this mean for Jace?
His duty calls for him to create the future Alpha. His duty forced him to be with me to fulfill that need. But what kind of father will he be? What life will my baby have?
The timer on my phone rings and I jump in fright. Jeez, I’m tense.
Two lines. Two solid lines.
Mika howls, her excitement is like a tidal wave of electricity as it shoots through me and makes every hair on my body stand up.
My heart leaps and sinks.
He won’t touch me again. He only slept with me to breed. Now that I have given him the baby he wanted, he will have no reason to be with me. That part of our connection is over now.
The thought is painful. It shows me how much I was enjoying his closeness. And it terrifies me. I let my heart get involved, and now I’m about to feel the pain of rejection again. Not the same rejection, but a rejection nonetheless.
All day, I move about in a daze, waiting for Jace to come home. I have to tell him right away. It wouldn’t be right of me to keep it from him. Besides, with the way my head is, I wouldn’t be able to act normal around him anyway.
I cook roast chicken and a huge assortment of vegetables, along with roast potatoes. I make lemon tart and vanilla biscuits. I make homemade ice cream and caramel fudge.
“Hi, little wolf,” he calls out as he walks in. “Fuck me, it smells like heaven in here. What did you make?” he asks, excited as he walks into the kitchen.
I blush. “Um, everything, I guess,” I say nervously.
He looks around, and his brows shoot up. “Damn, girl, are we hosting a party?” he chuckles, picking up a piece of fudge and popping it into his mouth. “Oh my word, oh wow, that is amazing,” he sighs with satisfaction.
Jace steps close to me and hugs me, kissing my cheek.
“Seriously, though, what is all of this for?” he asks.
I sigh and step away from him, anxiety bubbling through me.
“I cook when I’m nervous,” I admit.
“Ok… you must be very nervous then? Talk to me, little wolf,” he says gently.
I press my lips together and force myself to look him in the eyes.
“I’m pregnant, Jace. We’re going to have a baby.”
There is a split second where absolutely nothing happens.
Then a burst of energy as he leaps forward and lifts me into his arms, yelping with excitement, he spins me and laughs, and covers my face in kisses. “Are you serious! Are you kidding me! This is the best freaking news ever! We’re having a baby!” he exclaims, still holding me.
“Jace,” I giggle, caught up in his happiness.
“Sorry,” he chuckles, setting me down on the ground again. “But, Mira, you weren’t feeling well the last while. What now? Does that mean you’re sick? Are you ok? And our baby? Is our baby ok?” he asks quickly, touching my face gently.
“Yes, I’m fine. It was just tiredness, and I probably wasn’t eating enough, figuring I was pregnant.”
“Yes! We have to get all the best foods,” he demands.
I gesture around the kitchen, laughing, “Seriously, I think we have enough for now,” I grin.
He smirks, pulling me close again. His smile is gorgeous, radiant. “Yes, you’re right, you’re right. But I want to make sure that you and our baby have everything you could ever dream of,” he whispers.
He’s going to be an incredible father. He’s so happy. He’s so excited. But I’m going to miss being with him. That intimacy is something I’ve come to yearn for. How will I manage without it? Heartache pins itself against my chest, and I let out a soft sigh.
***
That night, Jace and I had our own private little celebration dinner. I’ve already prepared the feast, so we put it to good use.
It’s a special moment, even though my heart is saddened by what I will lose, I'm happy about what I have gained.
We’re busy packing away the leftovers in our small kitchen when Jace tells me he is going to plan a pack party to celebrate.
“The whole pack will want to know this news and deserves to be part of it. Their Luna is pregnant. We have a future Alpha coming. And I think we need something good to lift up their spirits after all this mess about the Rogues.”
“I agree, I think it will be lovely to celebrate with everyone,” I say, surprising myself. Since when have I enjoyed attending parties or being in crowds of people?
Since you became Luna. Since you stopped letting people disrespect you.
Since you married Jace and became a stronger version of yourself.
***
By the next morning, there is already a rustle of excitement spreading through the pack.
Jace has announced a surprise celebration for tonight, and all pack members are expected to be there.
He’s hyped it all up without telling them what it’s about, and the pack is bursting at the seams to find out.
The party starts at sunset.
Jace convinced me to wear my lace skirt and matching top. I feel beautiful in it, and I’m so happy he made me get it. My hair is pinned up in layers of curls that form a big, messy bun on top of my head. Soft curls fall around my jawline.
The pack house mansion is full. Every single person in the compound is in attendance, and when Jace pulls me onto the small stage in our entertainment room, my cheeks are glowing pink. I’ve never been this nervous. And I’ve never been put on the spot like this before.
He holds me close, which I’m grateful for because, honestly, my legs feel so weak I might fall flat on my face, and I’d never live that embarrassment down.
“Thank you all for coming tonight, to celebrate with us, to celebrate with the entire pack!” Jace announces.
A loud yelp of excitement spills through the room.
Jace holds his hand up, and everyone falls silent. Tension rises.
He grins and glances at me.
“Your Luna…” he says, drawing it out, “is pregnant with your future Alpha!” he says with heavy pride in his voice.
In front of everyone, he pulls me even closer and kisses me. Around us, people burst into applause and scream and shout. It’s pure, beautiful chaos and happiness.
The entire party is in full swing, and to my astonishment, I am being treated like a queen.
The number of pack members who have come past to offer me something special, to bring me a gift of some sort…
It’s so unexpected. Even Lila, who offered me her grandmother’s gold bracelet.
A beautiful piece with immense sentimental value.
“There is no chance I’m taking that from you, Lila. But it means the world to me that you offer it.” I say, closing her fingers around the bracelet.
“Mira, my Luna, we’re so happy for you! We’re so excited for the pack,” she says, with Fenex at her side. She pulls me into a hug and holds me tight for a moment.
Everyone who comes to speak to me treats me with kindness and respect.
Honestly, I feel like royalty. Kelsey is running back and forth, her usual hyper self as she tells everyone how she’s going to be the best godmother on the planet.
Avery had a lot to say about that, claiming that by default she gets to be godmother because she’s Jace’s cousin, and we laughed as they decided to race for the title at dawn.
Obviously, Jace will decide. And in the end, this is all playful back and forth.
Jace has stayed at my side the entire night, and my heart is full and happy.
He leans in close and whispers in my ear. “The Moon goddess knew what she was doing when she made you Luna for this pack, Mira,” he says, making my heart swell with pride. Does he really think that way? That I am the best Luna for his pack.
I grin, my cheeks flushing pink. He makes me want to be the best version of myself.
I guess he has that effect on everyone, which is why our Omegas are flourishing.
Even now at this party, they aren’t just the servants, carrying food trays around as they would have been in the past. They are part of the celebration.
They are here with us, sharing the work and the fun.
“Dance with me,” Jace says, pulling me onto the dance floor.
“Oh, no, I don’t think that’s a good idea…” I stammer, giggling.
But he pulls me close and doesn’t let me escape. Music drifts around us, and I close my eyes as I lean my cheek against his broad, solid chest. He smells like home. He smells like I belong somewhere. Like I have purpose and meaning in my life.
A piercing loud alarm spikes into the celebrations.
Instantly, everyone is alert and panicked.
“The perimeter is breached!” I say in shocked, recognizing my security system warning immediately.
“The rogues,” Jace growls.