Alpha and Aurora Book 5
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Delta Winters
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Sunset
RORY
I wake up from my afternoon nap to find our bedroom flooded with the red light of sunset. I mustāve slept for at least two hours. I sit up carefully, rubbing my pregnant belly, smiling.
This kidās been wiping me out, but I canāt imagine being happier. The babyās grown so much in the months since the birth was announced at the pack-wide ceremony to celebrate Nemesisās defeat.
The pack has finally accepted me, more or less. I am carrying their alphaās heir, after all, and I saved the packās children from the evil goddess Nemesis.
It still makes me giddy to think Iāll never see her evil yellow eyes again. Compared to her, regular wolves are a cakewalk.
Some of the women whoād hoped to be Everettās Luna themselves still give me dirty looks, and there will always be those who struggle to trust anyone who isnāt a wolf, but theyāre in the minority.
In fact, most of the pack have taken the energy theyād once put into distrusting me and channeled it into protecting me instead. Everyone knows how clumsy I am; itās impossible to miss.
No matter where I go thereās someone offering to grab a glass for me, to get my chair, to walk with me to the library. I havenāt broken anything in a month, and I have fewer bruises, so I guess itās a good thing.
Itās mostly sweet and funny but a little annoying, too. Itās not like Iām going to trip and hurt the baby or anything.
The most protective of all, of course, is my mate. Even though his alpha duties keep him busy, he still finds time to hover over me.
There havenāt been any problems since we defeated Nemesis, not so much as a peep. My life has never been so stress-free.
But when I try to tell him to relax a little, he takes my hands, looks into my eyes with that handsome, serious face of his, and says, āIām not taking any chances with the people I love most.ā
How am I supposed to say no to that? I always give in, even when he started having the cook taste my food to make sure it wasnāt poisoned. I love how protective and caring he is, and I canāt blame him for worrying.
Weāve been through so much in the last few years. Now, though, thereās plenty to celebrate. My best friend Freya found her mate in the packās gamma Ace, and their mating ceremony is coming up soon.
Theyāve been adorable since they became official, holding hands in the dining hall and taking long walks in the forest in the evenings. I know Freyaās been practicing drawing him, in human and wolf forms.
There is the small problem of Freya being another human for the pack to accept and her needing to finish up her degree. Since Ace canāt go with her to New York, that leaves the local university.
My time at Werewolf University was pretty awful, and I had the protection of being the luna. Hopefully, marrying Ace will help Freya, but I canāt help but be nervous for her.
I canāt stand the idea of her experiencing even a fraction of the bullying I have throughout my life. No one knows better than me how cruel wolves can be to a human.
Weāll handle that when we get there, though. For now, weāve both just been trying to focus on planning the mating ceremony. Freyaās so artistic; sheās being very careful about color choices and when the light will be best.
Sheās set the date for six months from now, so Iāll have time to have the baby and be her maid of honor. I cried when she asked me, and she laughed, saying, āWho else would I want?ā
Having her around has been such a blessing. Sheās even been taking midwife classes, so she can help me when itās time to give birth.
I canāt believe how huge my belly has gotten. Iām so big, weāve wondered if Iām having twins, but the sonograms always show only one baby.
Everett swears he can hear two heartbeats, but the doctor says it must just be an echo. We did get to find out the sex of the babyāa boy.
Iām a little sad not to be having a daughter, but who says this will be our only baby? Everett and I are still young; weāve got lots of time ahead of us.
Itās not like I donāt want a son. Iām sure heāll be wonderful; itās other peopleās reactions that Iām worried about. As long as people keep the āoh yay, a male heirā stuff to a minimum, Iāll be happy.
I canāt wait to have this baby, to finally meet him and name him! Iāve insisted we have to wait until heās born to decide on a name, but I think Everett secretly has some favorites.
āBut we can wait a little longer,ā I say to the baby, rubbing my tummy. āI donāt know that Iām ready to share you yet.ā
He kicks against my hand and I smile. Iād always been nervous about being pregnant, and it definitely hasnāt been an easy road, but Iāve also never been happier.
I think itās time for another trip to the old packhouse to sit with the spirits there. Iāve been spending a lot of time there lately, thinking about what itāll be like to be a mom.
They never respond, but the wisdom of the ages, the countless babies who grew up in that place, always gives me a sense of calm and comfort.
Plus, itās the only place I can get some time to myself. The pack still avoids it, so I can get some time without my watchful babysitters.
As I heave myself out of bed, I look at what Iād fallen asleep in: stained sweats and an old shirt of Everettās. I should probably change. Grungy PJās donāt exactly scream ācapable Luna.ā
I carefully maneuver into some sandals, holding onto the wall for balance. Itās hard since I canāt see past my belly, and my feet are a little swollen, but I manage it.
I open the door just a little, peeking out to see if thereās anyone ājust passing byā in case I need anything but surprisingly, no one is in sight. I might just make it outside without anyone noticing.
Moving as quietly as I can, I ease out into the hall and creep slowly toward the stairs.
At the top, I pause, biting my lip. I havenāt actually attempted them by myself in a long time. The steps are pretty steep and narrow, and I canāt see my feet.
A little stumble over a root is one thing, but if I fall down these stairs, it could be a pretty serious problem. I want independence, not to get me or the baby seriously hurt.
Voices drift up from the main room as I consider my options, and one of them makes my heart start pounding in my chest. I strain, trying to make it out, hoping Iām mistaken.
It canāt be her. It canāt. I thought I was safe now, that Iād never hear her voice again.
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