Chapter 63
JACE
God, I really love this girl. She’s brought so much happiness into my life. Walking toward the healing center with Aria by my side, I can’t help but sneak glances at her.
I’d been scared the pregnancy news would be too much for her, considering she’s only recently received her wolf. The transition is still so fresh–she’s barely had time to adjust to her enhanced senses, her new strength, the constant presence of Sage in her mind. I survived Vanessa leaving and rejecting me, but
what I have for Aria is a thousand times stronger. Losing her would kill me.
Thank god she’s assured me she wants me, wants Aurora, and wants our baby and any future ones that might come. She’s perfect.
“You okay?” Aria asks, squeezing my hand. “You’re being weirdly quiet.”
Just thinking about how lucky I am,” I tell her honestly.
I notice her stumble slightly as we walk–another reminder of how new her wolf is. Her balance is still adjusting to the enhanced reflexes.
“How’s Sage today?” I ask. I’ve found it helps her to talk about her wolf as a separate entity sometimes.
“Restless, Aria admits. “She’s been pacing since we found out I might be pregnant. I think she’s protective? It’s hard to tell sometimes.”
We approach the healing center, a stone building nestled among pine trees. Dr. Maya meets us at the entrance, her expression professionally neutral but her
eyes warm.
‘Alpha, Luna. Please come in,” she says with a respectful nod.
*Please, Maya, call me Aria,” my mate says.
Maya smiles and nods in agreement. “Of course, Aria.”
She leads us down a hallway into a small examination room equipped with a bed and various medical equipment. A monitor sits in the corner, dark for now. The smell of herbs and antiseptic hangs in the air.
‘I’ll need you to undress from the waist down,” Maya explains to Aria. “Since it’s early in the pregnancy, we’ll need to use an internal ultrasound wand to get a clear image.”
I help Aria undress and get comfortable on the bed. Every fiber of my being goes on high alert as Maya prepares the equipment. Phantom stirs uneasily inside me.
Maya approaches the bed and places her hand on Aria’s stomach, closing her eyes. She’s using her healer’s abilities to sense the changes in Aria’s body. After a few seconds, she withdraws her hand and smiles.
I can confirm you’re definitely pregnant,” she says. “Now I’ll use the wand to see if you have one or more pups, and check that everything looks good so
far.
Aria nods and smiles, taking a deep breath as Maya prepares the ultrasound equipment.
I can’t stop the low growl that escapes me when Maya positions the wand. The sound is involuntary – pure Alpha protectiveness. Aria reaches for my hand, squeezing it reassuringly before guiding my attention to the monitor.
An image appears – grainy, black and white, with a small dark spot that vaguely resembles a bean.
‘Oh, Jace!” Aria whispers, her finger reaching out to touch the screen. “That’s our baby.”
I stare at the monitor in silence, mesmerized. This tiny thing on the screen was created during our blood moon night. Our love made this. Phantom rumbles contentedly inside me, quieter than I’ve ever felt him.
“Yes, here we have your little pup, Maya confirms, moving the wand slightly. “And there’s only one. Everything looks good.” She clicks a button on the
1/2
Chapter 63
machine. “I’ll print some pictures. How many would you like?”
Aria glances at me, then back to Maya. “Four, please. One for Gabriel, one for my grandparents. And Aurora would love one too. The last one is for us
I feel a surge of pride. Even now, she’s thinking of Aurora, including her. She’s going to be an amazing mother to both our children.
Maya nods and presses a few buttons on the machine. “Aria, you can clean up in the bathroom and get dressed. I’d advise against sex today because of the internal exam. But otherwise, you’re free to have as much as you want.”
Aria’s cheeks flush bright red. I can’t help the small laugh that escapes me.
“Thank you, Doctor,” I say with a smile.
“You’ll probably experience morning sickness soon,” Maya adds, handing Aria a small pouch of herbs. “This will help with that. Make sure you’re eating well. Other than that, you’re good to go.”
Aria emerges from the bathroom a few minutes later, fully dressed. Maya hands her four small printouts of the ultrasound image.
“Thank you, Doctor, Aria says, carefully taking the pictures.
As we leave the healing center, I can’t keep my eyes off those tiny black and white images. Our baby. Our future.
“So, I begin, taking Aria’s hand, how should we tell Aurora she’s going to be a big sister?”
Aria smiles up at me. “I think she’ll be excited. She’s been asking for a sibling for a while now.”
“We’ll tell her tonight,” I decide. “Just the three of us
our little family that’s about to get bigger.”
Aria nods, leaning into me as we walk back toward the pack headquarters. Her free hand drifts to her stomach, resting there protectively.
“Are you happy, Jace?” she asks suddenly, her voice quiet.
I stop walking and turn to face her, taking both her hands in mine. “Happy doesn’t begin to cover it. I’m overjoyed, excited, terrified, and grateful all at once.” I kiss her forehead gently. “Thank you for this gift.”
“We made it together,” she reminds me, rising on her tiptoes to kiss me properly.
I wrap my arms around her, careful not to squeeze too tightly. My mate. My Luna. The mother of my children – both Aurora and now this new life growing inside her.
‘I love you,‘ I murmur against her lips.
‘I love you too,” she whispers back. “Now let’s go home and tell our daughter she’s getting a sibling.”
Hand in hand, we walk back through the compound. I notice several pack members watching us curiously, probably wondering about our visit to the healing
– our perfect little family that’s growing stronger every day. center. They’ll know soon enough. For now, though, this moment belongs just to us
Chapter Comments
Jo Lynn Smith
Is there a chapter missing? I didn’t read where she transformed?
View All 2 Comments >
4
<SHARE
POST COMMENT
