Chapter 44 Chapter 44
ZANE
I stood frozen to the ground, the shock of what had just unfolded still trying to process in my brain. I had wanted to help her, to protect her.
The entire fight, I watched her move fast and hard, and to say I was surprised was an understatement.
She walked to her clothes and put them on before approaching me and Daniel. Suddenly, she stopped and turned around.
Coming out of the trees opposite them was the beta, Mariah’s father. With tears in his eyes, he knelt on the ground and lowered his head in respect and awe.
“My luna.”
One by one, pack warriors emerged from the tree line and did the same.
“My luna,” they all echoed.
I watched Ella spin around to take in what was happening before stopping to face me with tears in her eyes and a bright smile on her face.
I was snapped out of my shock when my father slapped my shoulder.
“She is amazing.”
I nodded my head and walked to Ella. I wrapped my arms around her waist and pulled her close.
“She really is.”
I kissed her softly and then pulled away.
“That was amazing, Ella. How did you do that?”
“All that training with your dad paid off, I guess.”
We turned when Daniel laughed out loud.
“Paid off? Ella, you just came away from a fight with barely a scratch!”
Ella squished her face in an amused smile.
“Okay, so maybe it was more than that.”
I put my head in the crook of her neck and inhaled deeply, taking in the scent of apple cider I had come to need like a drug.
Daniel stepped forward and placed a hand on Ella’s shoulder.
“My girl, if ever there was a question about your place as luna, there isn’t one now. Every warrior in the pack has pledged himself to you. That was amazing. I am so proud of you.”
I watched Ella beam with pride.
“He’s right, Ella. I’m so proud of what you did. You offered Mariah a way out that she didn’t deserve and didn’t hesitate to take care of it when she threw it away. You are an amazing luna.”
I kissed Ella’s lips gently before we grabbed our things and made our way back to the packhouse.
I left Ella to rest in our room; the fight had taken a lot out of her, and she needed to let herself heal.
I made my way downstairs and sat at the kitchen island, telling the whole story to Sophie, who listened in amazement, gasping occasionally as she heard what had happened.
“She did all of that?” Sophie asked in shock.
“She did. Sophie, she was amazing.” I smiled, thinking of all my mate had done today.
Sophie stood and shook her head.
“I told you that girl was more than just an omega.”
I nodded my head in agreement.
“I think I’ll make up a tray and take it to her,” Sophie continued.
“See how she’s doing.”
“I bet she would appreciate that,” I squeezed her hand before heading to the pack offices to work on some things.
ELLA
I lay in bed after resting for a few hours. That fight had knocked the energy right out of me. I smiled to myself, reflecting on the day.
The amazing picnic, the fight, the way I had finally stood up for myself, how proud Alpha Daniel was, the shocked look on Zane’s face. I giggled at that thought.
We really were amazing! My wolf purred in my head.
“We were, weren’t we?” I grinned.
My wolf paced in my head in pride. You were so strong, Ella!
I shook my head.
“We both were, you did most of the hard work!”
We laughed and were interrupted by a knock at the door.
“Come in,” I chimed.
My mother walked in, holding a tray of food.
“Mom!” I broke out in a grin.
“Hey, Ells Bells.” My mom beamed at me as she walked over to the bed and sat down.
“Zane told me what you did, Ella you were amazing! I’m so proud of how much you’ve grown in the last few months.”
I smiled at my mother and gave her a hug.
Sophie sat back and pushed the tray forward.
“I made your favorites—chicken and gnocchi soup, strawberry and pecan salad, and a giant slice of mixed berry pie!”
I rubbed my hands together and began to eat my meal.
After a few minutes, I scrunched my nose, the food not tasting as good as I remembered.
I smelled the soup, and suddenly nausea washed over me. I ran to the bathroom, spilling the contents of my stomach into the toilet.
Sophie rushed in.
“Ella?”
I sat back and wiped my face.
“Sorry, Mom, I’ve been feeling gross all day. I must have eaten something weird.” I looked up to see my mother’s eyes widen.
“Stay here, don’t move!”
“Okay?” I replied, confusion spread across my face.
A few minutes later, Sophie ran in with a little box in her hand. She handed it to me, and I laughed.
“Mom, is this some kind of joke? I’m not…” I trailed off, counting the days in my head before gasping out loud.
I jumped as Sophie screamed in excitement when she saw those two pink lines.
“I’m gonna be a grandma!”
I smiled awkwardly, unsure if I was ready or if Zane even wanted this. But that test didn’t lie. I was pregnant, and I could feel the excitement bubbling inside me.
Sophie left the room, her joy coming out in buckets even though she had been sworn to secrecy.
I took a long shower and got dressed, realizing I had gained a bit of weight as I looked in the mirror.
Wolf pregnancies only lasted five months instead of nine, and if I was feeling nauseous it meant I was almost a month along. I felt my bloated belly, love for my little pup already filling my heart.