Alpha and Aurora Book 5
Yazar
Delta Winters
Okur
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BölĂŒm
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Rory, a human carrying the alpha's heir, finds herself at the heart of a brewing conflict between her pack and the Red Moon Pack. As she navigates her pregnancy and the pack's protective instincts, a familiar, dreaded voice threatens her newfound peace. With her mate Everett by her side, Rory must confront her past and protect her future, all while uncovering hidden powers and facing the looming threat of war.
Sunset
RORY
I wake up from my afternoon nap to find our bedroom flooded with the red light of sunset. I mustâve slept for at least two hours. I sit up carefully, rubbing my pregnant belly, smiling.
This kidâs been wiping me out, but I canât imagine being happier. The babyâs grown so much in the months since the birth was announced at the pack-wide ceremony to celebrate Nemesisâs defeat.
The pack has finally accepted me, more or less. I am carrying their alphaâs heir, after all, and I saved the packâs children from the evil goddess Nemesis.
It still makes me giddy to think Iâll never see her evil yellow eyes again. Compared to her, regular wolves are a cakewalk.
Some of the women whoâd hoped to be Everettâs Luna themselves still give me dirty looks, and there will always be those who struggle to trust anyone who isnât a wolf, but theyâre in the minority.
In fact, most of the pack have taken the energy theyâd once put into distrusting me and channeled it into protecting me instead. Everyone knows how clumsy I am; itâs impossible to miss.
No matter where I go thereâs someone offering to grab a glass for me, to get my chair, to walk with me to the library. I havenât broken anything in a month, and I have fewer bruises, so I guess itâs a good thing.
Itâs mostly sweet and funny but a little annoying, too. Itâs not like Iâm 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 havenât 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, âIâm not taking any chances with the people I love most.â
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 wasnât poisoned. I love how protective and caring he is, and I canât blame him for worrying.
Weâve been through so much in the last few years. Now, though, thereâs plenty to celebrate. My best friend Freya found her mate in the packâs gamma Ace, and their mating ceremony is coming up soon.
Theyâve been adorable since they became official, holding hands in the dining hall and taking long walks in the forest in the evenings. I know Freyaâs 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 canât 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 canât help but be nervous for her.
I canât 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.
Weâll handle that when we get there, though. For now, weâve both just been trying to focus on planning the mating ceremony. Freyaâs so artistic; sheâs being very careful about color choices and when the light will be best.
Sheâs set the date for six months from now, so Iâll have time to have the baby and be her maid of honor. I cried when she asked me, and she laughed, saying, âWho else would I want?â
Having her around has been such a blessing. Sheâs even been taking midwife classes, so she can help me when itâs time to give birth.
I canât believe how huge my belly has gotten. Iâm so big, weâve wondered if Iâm 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 babyâa boy.
Iâm a little sad not to be having a daughter, but who says this will be our only baby? Everett and I are still young; weâve got lots of time ahead of us.
Itâs not like I donât want a son. Iâm sure heâll be wonderful; itâs other peopleâs reactions that Iâm worried about. As long as people keep the âoh yay, a male heirâ stuff to a minimum, Iâll be happy.
I canât wait to have this baby, to finally meet him and name him! Iâve insisted we have to wait until heâs born to decide on a name, but I think Everett secretly has some favorites.
âBut we can wait a little longer,â I say to the baby, rubbing my tummy. âI donât know that Iâm ready to share you yet.â
He kicks against my hand and I smile. Iâd always been nervous about being pregnant, and it definitely hasnât been an easy road, but Iâve also never been happier.
I think itâs time for another trip to the old packhouse to sit with the spirits there. Iâve been spending a lot of time there lately, thinking about what itâll 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, itâs 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 Iâd fallen asleep in: stained sweats and an old shirt of Everettâs. I should probably change. Grungy PJâs donât exactly scream âcapable Luna.â
I carefully maneuver into some sandals, holding onto the wall for balance. Itâs hard since I canât 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 thereâs anyone âjust passing byâ 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 havenât actually attempted them by myself in a long time. The steps are pretty steep and narrow, and I canât 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 Iâm mistaken.
It canât be her. It canât. I thought I was safe now, that Iâd never hear her voice again.
