Chapter 24
Rue
Durin and I sat and talked for hours the day he learned about the pup. I made room for him on the bench, and we began the process of getting to know each other. Slowly, with conversation. Not by running off into the woods and getting naked like last time.
He promised he wouldn’t leave us. I feel secure enough with that. I don’t feel the need to meticulously plan out every aspect of the future. Right now, I just want to get to know him.
He shared stories about the small village he came from, as well as the Beta shifter that changed his life. I was touched by his compassion for one of my kind. Shifters have a quite different impression of the fae, referring to them as silver-tongued monsters.
I knew all fae couldn’t be awful, but I would never expect one to feel so much empathy for another species. Durin explained that most fae don’t give much thought to the other species. It’s the ones affected by the queen’s influence who tend to be more cruel.
I told him about life in our former pack. I couldn’t bring myself to give him the whole story, though. So, I didn’t include Bock’s deranged way of providing for his Alpha soldiers. He just knows that Bock intended to force me to become his mate and would not have treated me honorably. He didn’t press me for details. That was all it took for him to understand my need to flee.
He was angry. The same anger that covered his face when he told me of the Beta. He demanded to know my pack’s location, but I refused. He clearly intended to hunt down Bock and punish him in some way.
Durin’s life is already full of danger. Charging into a camp full of Alphas is dangerous, even for a powerful noble. Humbling Bock isn’t worth risking the father of my pup. Not even close.
When I asked about his duties, he said that the nobles don’t do anything. They’re basically just there for intimidation. I don’t know whether he just didn’t want to talk about it or he’s truly just spent his time plotting the queen’s fall. It seemed best not to push it, so I didn’t ask any more about it.
Currently, I’m sitting on the swing Durin brought for me a few weeks ago. The dryad let him hang it from one of its biggest branches. It’s so soothing. I love it. I thank the dryad each time I use it. Durin usually comes by every few days, and there’s a good chance he’ll show up today. I wonder what he’ll bring this time.
He always brings something new for the little one. A cozy sleeping basket with soft padding, warm clothing, and even tiny fae ear warmers for the cold Still Season when the pup will arrive.
He brings more provisions, too, which we actually accept now. But he’s really put thought into the things he’s brought just for me. I have my choice of spelled body creams for serenity and health and the softest wrap-around dresses I’ve ever felt. They loosen easily so that I won’t have to struggle out of my clothing when I’m nursing. They have also grown with me as I’ve quickly reached my full size.
The pup will come any time now. I’m terrified but also more excited than I would ever have expected to be.
My Omega is beyond thrilled. She’s quiet, but she’s always shuffling around. Just... busy. But she’s not torturing me or trying to make me do anything crazy, like scour the forest for Durin to drag him back home to us. So, she can bustle all she wants.
Durin seems happy when he’s here. He’s always smiling and asking how I’ve been feeling, rubbing my round belly. We haven’t kissed again. I don’t know if that’s because the moment is gone or if he’s just taking it slow. My mind still imagines all sorts of adventures with him, but the fact that he hasn’t initiated anything makes them fizzle out pretty quickly.
My heart skips when Durin’s gorgeous face appears through the thicket. I drag my foot to slow the swing and get off about as gracefully as an ogre doing a pixie dance. I cradle my belly with my hands to keep myself from trying to hug him. He never hugs me, and I’m afraid of being rejected again.
I waddle into the hut and plop down on my bed, the only place Durin and I can relax together now that my belly is so big. He follows me in and sits down beside me. I see him grin at my mother, who’s standing by our little stove.
“Hello, Lasha,” he tells her. “Moonshade tea? I got it just for you.”
He hands her a little satchel with an amazing earthy scent. If it weren’t so hard to get up, I’d be following that bag across the hut. Moonshade tea is said to be the strongest you can find, growing only on the shores of the dark lake. It costs a fortune since venturing anywhere near that lake is practically a death wish.
Mother gasps as she looks at the satchel. Durin has been trying to win her over, and I think he’s finally found his secret weapon.
“Well, thank you, Durin,” she says, placing the tea by the kettle. “You didn’t need to do that.” She smiles, then heads out of the hut to give us some time alone.
Durin goes straight for my belly once she’s gone, feeling for any movement.
“What’s the queen like?” I ask, filling the silence when the pup doesn’t stir.
I immediately wish I hadn’t. His hands stiffen on my stomach, and he scowls. “She’s as wretched as you’d imagine. Fake, slimy, and downright evil. I do my best to avoid her.”
He wipes all emotion from his face and changes the subject. I doubt I’ll be able to get any more out of him about her. I was just curious. I’ve never seen her. I’ve only heard other shifters’ tales of her strength and cruelty. And he never talks about her. Apparently, she’s a touchy subject.
“Why isn’t the little one greeting me?” he asks, used to the pup going to war with my stomach at the sound of his voice.
“He’s sleeping,” I tell him, kind of hoping he stays that way for a while to give me a break.
“He?” Durin asks, running his hands gently along my stomach. “When did the pup become a he?”
I laugh. “Mother’s intuition, I guess. I could be wrong, but I don’t think I am. Look at this huge belly,” I add. “I don’t think we’ll need to wait until he presents to know his designation.”
“Will you be okay with that?” he asks, giving me a concerned look. “If he’s an Alpha?”
“Not all Alphas are bad,” I say, trying to picture the pup as a fierce, powerful wolf. “They tend to follow the lead of their pack’s Prime. Our Prime is just messed up in the mind.”
I worry he’ll press for more about Bock, but the pup decides to wake up and give me a swift kick. I grunt from the pressure but can’t help but laugh at the lucky distraction.
“Well, good morning to you, too,” Durin tells my belly, rubbing the spot where the tiny foot tried to break through.
His smile quickly fades, and he grows serious. “By the time our little one presents, he won’t have to hide. Or you. You’ll live in security, knowing that any fae who ever hated your kind will be dead.”
I should be excited and encouraged to hear how much we mean to him, but a stab of resentment takes the thrill away. I get that the realm needs him, but it’s dangerous. He should be here with us, not out there putting his life at risk. Why won’t fate just give up and let me be happy?
As if the pup shares my frustration, he begins a steady stream of kicks and pointy elbow jabs. I groan and press on my stomach, hoping to settle the little fighter down. Durin grins and follows the bumped-out places with his hands.
“You’re going to be a force, little flame,” Durin says. He looks proudly up at me. “Maybe he’ll have some of my magic. He responds to my heat.”
He’s right. Whenever Durin warms his hands on my belly, the pup always responds, gently pressing and wiggling inside. It’s a far cry from his angry outbursts when he’s uncomfortable. Or when I have hiccups, or sneeze, or sleep when he wants to be awake.
I love that Durin already has a nickname for our pup, but I think it’s time to choose a real one. “What do you think we should name him?” I ask.
Durin jerks his head at me in surprise. “You want my help picking a name?”
“Of course I do,” I say, wondering how he could possibly think otherwise. “Why wouldn’t I? You’re his father.”
He smiles, almost shyly, then says, “I have an idea. If you’ll consider it.”
I picture my father and fight off the bitterness that will likely never fade. I’m grateful Durin has a suggestion. There have been no close, honorable males in my life to name the pup after.
“What is it?” I ask.
“Do you remember the elf I told you about?” I nod, encouraging him to continue. “I couldn’t have found justice against Mitah if it wasn’t for him. And…” He leans in and gently kisses me on the forehead. “He’s the reason I met you.”
I don’t need to hear any more. This is the name, whatever it might be. I nod him on, hoping it sounds as nice as the story behind it. But even if it doesn’t, I’ll take it if it’ll keep this sweet side of him around.
“Vaegon,” he says proudly. “A mighty name for a mighty Alpha.”
I grin without reservation. It’s perfect. It’s strong and unique. I can truly feel Durin’s love for the little life. Perhaps one day, he’ll find that kind of love for me, too.
So much has changed, though. I don’t know if this has been a fresh start or the end of hope for anything intimate. It doesn’t matter, though. The pup comes first. There’s no reason to wish for things like that. Not until this pup is here and thriving.
Once that happens, I’ll see if Durin and I can salvage something between us. He’s not the ideal mate due to his responsibilities, but his good heart isn’t something I’m willing to give up on so easily.