Reflection
Jayce
“Finally!” Renji says as he slaps me on the back. I blink, looking away from Sienna, my mind reeling.
If she’s pregnant… that means I’m going to be a father?
I don’t know how to process it. Sure, maybe it’s like fucking Leo or Uncle Alejandro, but they were way fucking older; Leo was like twenty-eight and Uncle Alejandro like thirty-four. But forget me, what about Sienna? She’s only nineteen.
“Are you alright?” Carter asks. I force myself to focus on what’s being said around me as my brothers observe me intently.
“Why the fuck do you look like you’ve seen a ghost?” Ares asks, cocking a brow.
I look across at Sienna, who is laughing at something as her mom hugs her.
“I haven’t.” That’s all I’m able to come up with.
I will have to break the news to Sienna, won’t I? Has she had any symptoms? Does she have any clue she might be? What the fuck have I done? Why did I just somehow assume she was on something?
They exchange looks. “Right… For a moment we thought maybe you saw Theo,” Carter remarks, observing me intently.
“He should have been here,” I reply. We’ve had occasional birthdays where someone has been on a mission, but for the most part, we do spend some of the day together. It’s going to be fucking weird without Theo.
My eyes drift back to Sienna, who is now talking to her grandmother and Aunty Kiara. Aunty Kiara was eighteen when she got pregnant, but that was years ago.
I rake my hand through my hair; in under six months, we’ll have a pup…
In a world where the future is dark. A sudden surge of protectiveness washes over me; what if she doesn’t want a pup right now?
Despite how fucking confused I feel, the thought of that makes my stomach sink.
Ultimately, that is her decision, though – not mine.
She’s the one who is going to carry it and bring it into this world.
Fuck.
I glance at the sky, thinking about Mom. What would she say in this situation? She’d smile and reassure me and be excited. She’d tell me not to worry and that she’ll be there to help look after the child, that she’ll be there for Sienna and for me.
But you’re not here, Mom…
Sadness washes over me, and I brush past Renji, needing a minute.
“You ok, man?” Ares asks, and I nod, my face emotionless as I head towards the house. I just need space to gather my thoughts. I’m almost at the door when someone calls me.
“Jayce?”
I turn to see Skyla walking towards me, a small frown on her face.
“Yeah?” I ask as I step inside, taking a silent, steadying breath.
“What’s wrong?” she asks, her cat-like eyes peering at me sharply.
Skyla knows me well. Back when she was at the Academy, we were close.
“Nothing,” I lie.
She cocks a brow before she shuts the door behind herself.
“I know you better than that, Jayce. What is it?”
I shake my head, turning my back on her. “I was missing Mom, that’s all.”
She walks towards me before resting her elbow on my shoulder. “Was there a reason?” she asks softly.
I shake my head, looking down at my hand – trying to distract myself from looking her in the eye and lying.
“Tell me,” she says, now moving to stand in front of me and planting her hands on her hips, kinda like Mom did, but with far more aggression. I can’t help but smile faintly at that. “I know if she was here, she’d be the happiest to know you and Sienna have kissed and made up.”
I nod. “Yeah, she would have been,” I murmur.
“But that’s not it, is it?”
I pause, staring down at my knuckles before I look up and shake my head. “No… I just learned something that’s really shaken me, I guess. It’s not bad, it’s just – it’s a lot to process.”
Skyla narrows her eyes, and I know she’s trying to figure it out. “Wait, is it what Dad said?” she asks suspiciously.
Got to give it to her with her lycan hearing. Wait, did she know about Sienna?
“Yeah, I guess you know what he’s insinuating, right?”
Her eyes widen before she grins and whistles. “Hot damn… It took me a minute, but yeah, I didn’t even realise she was. Dad shouldn’t have dropped that on you right at this moment. That man is such an asshole.”
I raise an eyebrow, and she grabs hold of my shoulders, squeezing them hard.
“Look, you got this, and I know if Aunty Raven were here, she’d say the same.
You aren’t alone, Jayce. This world is a rough place right now, but you will never be alone.
You have us all there for you. Trust me.
Look how many kids Azura and Leo have, and they’re always at it like fucking-”
“I really fucking do not need to hear that shit,” I groan, glaring at her.
She snickers. “I’m just saying, you both will be supported.
That’s why we’re so lucky to be werewolves.
Our packs are our family, and they would do anything for their future Alpha.
You got this.” She doesn’t bother waiting for a reply before pulling me in for a fucking bear hug.
The woman is fucking skinny, but she’s damn strong.
“Are you trying to fucking break my bones?” I ask, hugging her back. That’s how Mom used to hug us – tightly, despite her tiny stature.
She chuckles. “You’ll live.”
I don’t respond, resting my head against hers; for a moment, I let myself pretend it’s Mom. Fuck, I miss her.
“The door opens, and I pull away, turning away to give myself a moment to school my face into a neutral expression.
“What’s going on?” Azura asks. I turn as she looks between us with suspicion. “Did you hurt my minion?”
“I’m not your fucking minion.”
“Always will be,” she says as Skyla smirks.
“I think he’s mine now; you got an entire army.”
“Nope, he’s my first minion; he’s always going to be,” Azura says, slapping my back.
“Na, mine.” Skyla waves her hand.
I cock a brow. “If anything, I’m Sienna’s.”
They both turn and stare at me before breaking into eerily similar smirks.
Ok, that came out fucking wrong.
“Oh, someone’s whipped,” Skyla snickers.
“I’m Sienna’s,” Azura mimics me before snorting. “You were fucking ignoring her until now. Glad to see you really are past that!”
I raise an eyebrow, smiling faintly. “Guess so, but all I’m saying is you can both stop fighting over me.”
They ignore me as they both carry on teasing me.
Skyla’s right; we’re not alone. We have a family and packs who will always be there for us.
Azura looks at me, and I know she’s trying to figure me out; those large eyes of hers are pretty easy to read. “You ok though?” she asks.
I nod. “Yeah, I am.” I’ve already told Skyla, but I should tell Sienna before anyone else. How I’m going to do that, I still need to figure out.
“Good, because things will only get better from here on.”
I’m sure they will, with Sienna by my side. Things already feel better, and whatever the future brings, we’ll get through those hurdles together.
“Well, I’m going to head outside again,” I say.
“Ok, but one picture first!” Azura says, taking out her phone. Skyla slings her arm around my shoulder as Azura steps in front of us, raising the camera.
“Why are we taking a phot-”
“Shut up and smile,” Azura growls.
I look at the mobile and raise an eyebrow as she snaps the picture. Shaking my head, I pull away.
“Wait, one more!”
“No,” I answer, heading swiftly to the door in case I’m dragged back for more fucking pictures. Stepping outside, I’m about to get myself a drink when Dad calls me.
“Come get a picture with your brothers and the twins,” he says.
“More pictures? Doesn’t everyone have memories to look back on? Why the hell are we taking pictures?”
“I want them. Please?” Kataleya asks with a smile.
She’s one of those that it’s hard to say no to. Sighing internally, I walk over to them whilst Dad tries to find Katara. She’s been sulking in the corner, although everyone’s been trying to get her to be involved.
“Jayce, you hold Leandro. Renji, you hold Adrián.” Kataleya directs us to the sofa, making Carter and Ares stand behind us. Katara comes over, and I move over, making space for her in the middle. She sits down, smiling at the twins but ignoring me entirely.
I just need to give her time.
“Uncle, you stand between Ares and Carter,” Kataleya says. Dad nods and walks over, filling the spot where Theo is noticeably missing.
Then I’m handed Leandro. He’s tiny, but he’s alert. Once again, imagining having one of my own makes my nerves play up. He stares back at me, and it’s almost like he’s judging me.
“Look this way!” Kataleya calls before everyone looks in her direction.
Once the picture is taken, I’m about to get up, but Kataleya stops me. “Wait, we need one with Grandma and Grandad in the picture, too, with you all.”
“And I think you and Enrique should join us, too,” Renji suggests.
Enrique doesn’t look too pleased with the suggestion. Like a normal person, he doesn’t fucking like pictures, unlike this lot.
Several painful pictures later, I’m about to get up when Kataleya holds up her hand, stopping me.
“Another one of the Westwoods, with Sienna, please?” She looks at me and Ares, who growls in frustration.
“I fucking hate pictures,” he snarls.
“Be polite; your cousin isn’t asking for much,” Dad scolds him.
I sigh as I sit back, and Sienna walks over, her hips swaying sexily. For a moment, it’s all I can look at until Ares, the asshole, hits the back of my head. I turn, glaring at him as he simply smirks, and Carter chuckles.
I move over slightly, making space beside Katara for her. Her thigh brushes mine before she reaches over and takes Leandro from me, which I’m fucking grateful for; they feel so fucking fragile.
“Aww, he’s sooo cute. Aren’t you, my cute little gumdrop!” she coos.
I stare at her, watching as she rocks him gently, with freakishly natural ease. She smiles down at him, caressing his cheek, before kissing his forehead softly.
Yeah, she’d never give up our baby; I’m certain of that. She seems to be pretty comfortable with him, too. I guess she got practice with her baby brother.
“Alright, smile, everyone,” Raihana says as she looks over Kataleya’s shoulder at the photo.
I sit back, placing my arm around Sienna’s shoulders, and she looks up at me, blushing lightly. Then we move once more to allow the new parents to take a seat. A good five fucking minutes later, I’m finally able to get away from pictures.
I grab myself a drink from the bar and gulp it down before taking another one.
“One would think it’s your wedding; you seem stressed out,” Raihana says from behind me.
“Why would you say that? It’s the pictures that are exhausting,” I reply, turning to face her.
She nods. “Maybe. I remember a long time ago, I used to be the one taking all the pictures. In all honesty, it’s quite nice to sit back and not have to take all the photos,” she says, taking a sip of her mocktail.
I look over at where the girls are taking pictures. “I can only imagine. I definitely think it’s a girl thing.”
She shakes her head. “Trust me, there are men who love taking pictures, too. Chris did.” She smiles fondly as she thinks of her mate.
I look across the garden, taking a moment before replying. “I think he loved taking them for you, because you wanted them, and making you happy made him happy,” I say quietly.
She looks up at me and nods before looking away. “Yeah, that’s true…”
I glance down at her. She’s admirable, strong, and despite everything she’s faced, she’s remained resilient.
“Well…” I step away from the table. “I’m sure he’s super proud of you.”
She looks surprised at my words before smiling softly. “Thanks. You’re a good kid, or should I say, young man.” She pats my cheek.
“I’m lucky enough to have good parents,” I reply.
“And I know for a fact Raven would also be super proud of you.”
“Thanks…” I say, just as Dad walks over to us.
“Did I hear you compliment me?” he asks me with a small smile.
“I don’t think so,” I say with a small smirk. “Right?” I glance at Raihana.
She looks between Dad and me, then shakes her head. “Maybe he did, along with Raven, of course. Mainly Raven.”
I nod as Dad smiles. “Well, I’ll take that,” Dad says before he becomes serious and looks directly at Raihana. “Can I have a word?”
Her smile fades, replaced by a small frown. “Sure, is everything alright?”
Dad nods before giving me a small smile and a pat on the back as he leads the way away. I wonder what that’s about. Is he about to bury the hatchet?
I don’t know, but I have more important things to think about. Speaking of…
I turn and spot Sienna before mind-linking her.
Will you spend the evening with your friends, or will I get the chance to have a dance with you?
She glances up instantly, a smile on her face as her eyes meet mine. Are you asking me to dance?
I guess I am.
Then, come take my hand and lead me to the dance floor, she replies, amusement clear in her voice.
I nod slowly as I walk over and stop in front of her.
“Want to dance, Darling?” I ask quietly, offering.
“Yes.” She accepts my hand, and I pull her close. Leaning down, I kiss her softly before guiding her to the dance floor.
One dance, then we’ll eat and then… Somehow, I need to figure out how I’m going to break the news to her.