|45|
"Congratulations Alpha, Luna."
I walked into the room, arms linked with Zac's, surprised by the sudden and unexpected greeting. All the main members of the pack were in the office, already waiting for us. The moment they sensed us, they stood up and bowed low in respect.
The news of my pregnancy had fast spread throughout the pack and everywhere we went, we were greeted with congratulations and well wishes.
"Thank you." I replied with a smile, my cheeks flushing as everyone's eyes flew straight down to my stomach. It was still very early days, so obviously there was nothing to be seen, but I could see the twinkles of excitement in their eyes. Of course they were happy. The baby I was carrying would be the next heir to the pack.
Zac gently led me to the seat at the high end of the table and pulled out the chair, allowing me to take a seat before sitting down next to me. We both shared a glance before he gestured for everyone else to sit down.
We had called this meeting for a very important reason and by the already expecting expressions of the faces of those who had gathered, they too knew that.?
"As you all are aware, we are expecting a new addition to this pack within the next few months," Zac turns his head to give me a smile, "but before we get too excited, there are certain preparations that needs to be carried out."
On one side of the table sat Jaden, Kate and the elders of the pack. On the other side sat Jasper and some of the senior guards and warriors. The seat closest to me was occupied by Demarcus who along with everyone else was listening intently to what Zac was saying. His eyes met mine and he gave me an encouraging smile and wink.
We had managed to get closer, ever since the revelation of his identity as my biological uncle. It was surprising and awkward at first but he urged me to think of him more as a friend than an uncle.
I turned my attention back to Zac as he spoke, his eyes hard and determined, his face emotionless.
"There are various threats to our pack and especially to the safety of the Luna and now our unborn child. The most significant being the witch Demelza."
I felt a weird tightening sensation in my chest at the mention of her name.
"The Luna and I have come to the conclusion, that in order to keep our child and this pack safe, the only option is the exterminate the threat before it is too late."
I noticed from the corner of my eye, how Dermacus stiffened at the word 'exterminate', but the moment I looked over, her shook his head and smiled reassuringly. Despite everything Demelza had done to him, she was still his sister and part of him, no matter how small, still loved her.
"A search party will be assembled, with the main aim to find and kill her." Zac was stern and straight to the point. The others at the table didn't question him, they just nodded along and I could see Jasper was already coming up with a strategy.
"No."
Everyone turns to me as I sit up straight. Zac's eyes flashed as he sends me a questioning glance.
What's going on? His voice sounds through the mindlink.
"You're duty is to find her location." I say.
Everyone shares a look with each other, clearly confused by my words. Zac's hand reaches out for me under the table.
"But do not kill her, because I will be the one to do that."
Voices suddenly raise in shock, the previous silence in the room disturbed, as the elder begin to raise their concerns, their faces all alarmed.
I feel Zac's fingers tighten around my hand.
What are you talking about? I dare to look up at him and almost flinch back from the amount of anger and annoyance swarming in his dark eyes.
I need to do this, I speak to him through the mind-link. If there is anyone who is going to punish Demelza, then it should be me.
I know that actually it should be Demarcus that ends her life, but one look at him and it was easy to know that he wouldn't be able to. No matter what Demelza thinks of Demarcus, I knew he was powerful and despite his skills and all the time he had, he never went after his sister and that's not because he couldn't. It was because he wouldn't.
Eve, don't be stupid. This is too dangerous. Demelza wouldn't hesitate to rip your heart out. I won't let you put yourself or our baby in danger.
I shifted in my chair to turn to him and despite all the hushed whispers among us, once I looked into his eyes, it was almost as if there was no one else in the room. Just me and him. Just us.
Please I plead. If I don't do this, I will never feel safe. I need to kill her myself in order to feel free.
Zac argued back, forcing me to consider other options, but I didn't give up.
This woman took my whole life away from me and you want me to standby idly as someone else kills her?
I won't let you risk your life just for revenge, he's adamant in her reply.
This time, its my eyes that flash in anger, my hands fisting in my lap. I bite my tongue hard in order to not say something I would regret.
This isn't about revenge, Zac. I practically growl back.
This is me taking back control over my own life.
★★
Zac eventually agreed. Not really because of my words, but mostly because he knew I wouldn't be putting myself at risk recklessly. There would be trained warriors with us and he too would be there, by my side. He also had enough confidence in me, to know that I would be able to defend myself, if needed. There was also the fact, that is everything worked out as planned, then Demelza would have no idea about our attack and therefore would be caught off guard. With all this considered, Zac finally agreed that I would be the one to end Demelza's life.
"I still don't know about this princess."
My parents were finally leaving but ever since I had told them about our plan, I could tell my parents were on an edge.
"Dad it's going to be fine. Zac will be there and so will lots of our trained men. Nothing will happen to me."
His eyes trained on me for a while, and then finally he sighed and his eyes cast behind me and at my mate.
"Take care of her." He says, though it sounded more like a demand, but thankfully Zac ignores it and just nods his head.
I look up at Zac expectantly and at first he refuses to meet my eyes but then once I jab him in the ribs with my elbows, he rolls his eyes, clears his throat and then awkwardly and almost painfully sticks out his hand to my father to shake his hand.
My father was even worse. He just stared coldly at Zac's hand in complete disgust but then when my mother glares at him with fire in her eyes, he scowls and quickly wraps his hand around Zac's and gives a firm shake.
It was so bloody awkward to watch, but thankfully they pulled away quickly after barely two seconds and with a final forehead kiss from father and a tight hug from my mother, my parents headed back to their car and then drove away.
I turn back to Zac, not even bothering to hide my amusement.
"Well that wasn't too bad, was it?" I smirk.
He shoots me a harsh glare and scowls, "Don't push it." He warns annoyed, before marching straight back into the house, leaving me standing outside, barely controlling my laughter.
★★
The next four weeks flew past, time slipping fast like a hand full of sand, falling through my fingers.
"But I'm already really starting to show." I say out loud as I watched as Taliya move the ultrasound across my stomach.
"Werewolf babies develop much more rapidly than human babies, Luna." Taliya informs, "But you're a slightly different exception, especially since you a hybrid of both werewolf and witch."
I turn to look at Zac, who was sat still beside me, his eyes entranced, fixed only on the screen, watching the ultrasound carefully.
"So you think it's normal then?" I ask. Within a month I had really started to show. My stomach had swelled and was now the size of a typical human woman in her fourth month of pregnancy and I couldn't help the fear that pricked at me constantly. What if something was wrong? What if the baby was ill? What if this happens? What if that happened? These 'what if's' were driving me crazy.
Taliya looked away from the screen and smiled reassuringly at me, her hand squeezed my shoulders gently.
"The baby is fine and you are doing brilliantly." She says and her eyes flick back to the screen, lighting up when finally we heard the familiar fast paced th-thump, th-thump of the baby's heartbeat.
Instantly Zac's hand reached out and grabbed mine, gripping it tightly in his large palm. We don't look at each other, our eyes concentrating more on the little ball of dark mass that had shown up on the screen.
"And there is your little one." Taliya informed us, but we barely heard her. I gripped Zac, just as tightly as he had, yet my wide eyes didn't stray from the screen.
"Oh my god..." the words leave my mouth as a hushed whisper, spoken in awe. It was so small, so fragile,? no larger than the size of an avocado, but I could see so clearly it's little hands and feet.
"It's so small." It was Zac that spoke up this time, his voice the same as mine, a mix of shock, disbelief and awe.
Taliya gives a slight laugh,? but continues to move the ultrasound around, taking images from all angles.
"Your baby is healthy and doing very well." She finally comments as she helps wipe away the gel and helps me to sit up.
Both Zac and I were still speechless, our eyes flickering to each other and then in almost trance-like state back to my bulging belly.
I couldn't believe it. It was becoming all too real now. There was an actual living being in my stomach and I was going to be a mother. A mother.
Feeling my sudden apprehension, Zac pulls me into a hug and kisses my head and instantly any stuffy feeling that had suffocated me, melted away and I just closed my eyes and sighed in comfort.
It was going to be alright.
★★
"And that one goes over there- no not there! There- Oh for goodness sake just give it here!" Kate shouted as she grabbed the flower vase from one of the guards and stomped over to another table, smoothing the table cloth first, before placing the vase in the middle.
I watched with raised eyebrows as the guard growled with annoyance before marching in the opposite direction, trying to get as far away from Kate as possible.
"I would rather do a thousand push ups-" he mutters lowly under his breath as he gives me a bow and walks past, his eyes dark and muscles all bunched up.
"Kate!" I shouted, as the dark haired girl, scuttled around, ordering everyone she saw. In order to announce and celebrate my pregnancy the pack was organising a party. It was a big event, with representatives from all neighbouring packs invited and with Kate as the organiser, she was definitely stressing out.
"Kate, you really need to calm down." I say as I slowly make my way towards her. "Honestly it doesn't even have to be such a big deal."
Kate glares at me, her perfectly shaped eyebrows raising.
"I'm going to ignore what you just said." She states, her hands raising in a 'piss off I'm busy' gesture. "Of course this has to be a big deal. Do you know how many people are going to be at this party?" She doesn't even let
me answer, "2000- 2000 people are coming! Of course it has to be a big deal."
I take a step back, realising that Kate was definitely not in a mood to negotiate with and shrug my shoulders.
"Fine." I simply comply with the woman, "I'll leave it all in your capable hands."
She rolls her eyes and shoo's me away and frankly I pretty much sprinted back to the house.? I totally get what the guard had said. I would rather do torturous exercise than organise a party with Kate.
"Hey Eve!" Just as I got back to the house, I heard a familiar voice call me and I turned around to see Demarcus jogging to catch up with me.
"Hey!" I greet him as he comes up beside me. "I haven't seen you in a while." I say and I smirk at the awkward blush that appears on his pale cheeks.
"Yeah um- I've been practicing some new skills." He says, his cheeks burning so much he resembled a ripe tomato.
Oh really? Practicing these new skills on a pretty blonde doctor, maybe? I want to say but I feel like if I said what I was thinking, Demarcus' currently red head would explode in embarrassment.
They both thought they were being slick. That no one was noticing the sly, flirty looks they were sharing or the fact that they were spending more and more time locked up together in the medical rooms.
Before I could say anything else, Demarcus speaks up.
"About this party," he starts and I notice his hesitation, "I was wondering if I could invite a few of my friends?"
I raise my eyebrows in surprise at his request. I was thinking he was going to say something about how dangerous it is, or how I should try to delay this party.
"Friends?" I ask and he nods his head.
"Well they're actually more like family. They are the witches who took care of me after um- uh -Demelza-"
I get what he was trying to say, so just nod my head, not wanting to remind him about his painful past.
He licks his lips and stammers for a few seconds, trying to force his next words out.
"I was hoping I could bring them here to introduce them to someone."
Oh.
Oh.
I desperately try to hide my big smile. I knew that Demarcus and Taliya were together but I didn't realise they were already at the introducing to family stage.
I try to make it look like I'm thinking hard about his request but I fail and I just nod my head frantically.
"Of course you can." I practically shout in happiness. "I would love to meet your friends and your uh-someone."
The tips of his ears turned red and he stares at me blankly with his big eyes for a second before nodding his head. He rubs the back of his head awkwardly.
"Uh- yeah of course."
"So how many of your friends were you thinking of inviting?" I ask, already knowing that Kate was going to murder for changing her guest list.
"It's only a small group of about twenty witches, but most of them never leave the coven anyway. So I think most likely only around two or three might come."
Oh that wasn't too bad.
"That sounds fine Demarcus." I say and I watch as he shoots me a grateful smile and then heads back to the pack house but then last minute change his direction and head towards the medical room.
Aww young love.
★★
Zac was sitting on our bed, watching me with glaring eyes that were burning a whole in the back of my head.
"Why don't you ever just listen to me, Eve?"
I turn to him as I dry my wet face with a towel. It was coming up to ten at night and we were both getting ready for bed.
"What do you mean?" I ask innocently.
"The party-" he says without missing a beat. "You really think now is the time for a goddamn party?!"
I throw the towel onto a nearby chair and clamber onto the bed with some difficulty, my growing belly making the action awkward.
"Hey," I reach for my brooding mate, "it wasn't my decision. I mean I only found out about two days ago- after Kate sent out all the invitations."
I had quickly come to realise over the time I had spent living in this pack, Kate and Zac were just as impulsive as each other. They both did whatever they wanted, whenever they wanted.
"Eve, there is so much going on right now. We still haven't found out where Demezla is hiding and with the baby on the way, a party is just not a good idea." I could tell Zac was stressed out. It was the first time in a long time that he had actually come to bed at an appropriate time. Usually he would still be in his office, working tirelessly to find any clue as to where Demelza could be.
I crawl on top of him, so I was now sitting on his lap, my bulging belly still keeping us a distance apart and i cup his face in my hands, gently stroking his cheeks with my thumb.
"I know." I whisper. I knew exactly how he was feeling. These days I could barely sleep, my mind filled constantly with fears and doubts. I was so jumpy all the time, scared that somehow Demelza would appear again and hurt me or worse hurt my baby. Everytime I entered any room, I would stand outside for a few minutes, using my senses to make sure it was safe to enter.
I couldn't risk what happened last time to happen again.? ??
"But think about it. Every Alpha and Luna from all the neighbouring packs will be here, along with trained warriors and powerful members of many packs. Demelza might be reckless, but she isn't stupid enough to attack us at the party."
Zac listens carefully to me and he knew I was right. Demelza would never attack at the party because if she did, it would be like her signing her own death sentence.
"Plus, we need to develop better relations with the other packs. Especially now." I add, my hand unconsciously going to my stomach and he finally agrees with me, leaning his head on my shoulder, his arms wrapping tight around my waist.
We sit quietly for a moment, his arms around me, my hands running through his dark hair.
"Also we never got to celebrate your birthday," I add, "so this is like your really belated birthday party." I smile at him, my grin getting deeper when he just scowls back at me.
Suddenly his scowl morphs into a dangerous smirk, his eyes twinkling with mischief.
"Oh really?" He questions, his face leaning in closer, our noses touching. "Then where's my present?"
I licked my lips, my heart thumping fast in my ribcage as our lips rubs brush against each other. I can feel his warm skin burn against me as I tighten my grip in his hair.
"I don't know," I reply, my voice suddenly husky, "that depends on what you want."
Dark eyes meet mine.
"You."
And with that, he rolled us over, so that now I was on my back with his rock hard body caging me in. His burning hands trace the side of my body, his eyes unwavering as they burned into me with fierce intensity. And as his lips met mine, and our bodies molded together as one, he said-
"Always you, Eve. Always."