It had been twenty-four hours since I woke up and the doctors had given me the all-clear to speak again. I had one of my pups asleep in my arms while my mate had the other while staring at his father. Jonathan was already proving to be a wonderful father. He hasn't put his son down since I have been awake.
I couldn't stop staring at my handsome mate and son. Max cried, letting me know he was hungry. His cry then got Raphael to cry. The doctor was quick to come in with two little bottles. "Can't I nurse them?" I asked. I had hoped I could do so.
"Yes. But for now, we need to make sure that your milk is safe for them. Maybe tomorrow you can try it." The doctor said. She smelled like a werewolf, but she also smelled similar to Maximus.
"Why do you smell like both a Werewolf and a Lycan?" I asked.
"My mother was a Lycan and my father was a Werewolf." The doctor said with a smile.
"So werewolves can be mated to Lycans?" I asked, causing Jonathan to chuckle.
"Yes, my love. My great-grandfather was mated to a female Lycan. It doesn't happen too often, but it can. That is why the Lycan that challenged me could not defeat me. He knew the only way to do so was to hurt you." Jonathan said as he leaned forward and kissed my forehead.
I lay there listening to my pups breathing as they slept. I was terrified that something would take them away. After a short while, Maximus came and visited and was all too happy to hold Little Max.
After what seemed like a lifetime, they released me from the hospital. We got into a small car that Maximus was driving. "Ready to head home, Elderberry?" Maximus said once Jonathan had buckled Raphael's seat into place and got into the passenger seat up front.
"Yes. I want to see my pack." I said. I have been worried about little Henry. No one mentioned him and I remembered he was with me with the man attacked me. I didn't know if he was safe. I was worried about Lia. Her son was everything to her and he hurt him. She would be devastated, as I would be if anything happened to my own pups.
We quickly reached the edge of Maximus's territory. My heart started pounding. I didn't know if the rest of the pack would still accept me. Would they think I was too weak to act as their Alpha? Would Jonathan want to take over being Alpha if the pack refused to allow me to continue to lead them? As we approached the cluster of cottages where the pack lived, I saw Lia and Jimmi standing by their cottage. Oh, think the Moon Goddess. Henry looks perfectly unharmed. I thought as I saw Henry's eyes turn toward us. He ran toward the car, causing Maximus to slam his foot down on the brake. He jumped out of the car.
"Are you all right, little werewolf?" Maximus said as he bent down and looked at the small pup who was lying on the ground. I was suddenly concerned that the car had hit him.
"I fell. My knee hurts. Mommy, help, please." He said as he got up to his feet and ran to his mother in tears.
"I didn't hit him. Luckily, he fell and didn't make it all the way to the car," Maximus said as he turned toward me and Jonathan. Alpha Larry and Luna Cassie came out of Jonathan and my cottage.
"Oh, let me see my nephews," Cassie said as she walked up to the car and took Raphael out. I could see that Cassie was quite pregnant now. Werewolf pups grew faster than human pups, and she had to be at least three months along now. I climbed out of the car and walked over to my beta. I wasn't sure if I should but I wanted to know what had been happening.
"Hello, Alpha," Ashleigh said as she came out of her parent's cottage.
"While you have been in the hospital, we increased our territory. They have relocated the pack that has given us the most trouble farther west. The werewolf council found out that Maximus gave us some of his territory. They also know that we are from Springfield and not just a bunch of rogues. They called it a relocation for our pack, especially when most of the pack has come here and rejoined us now thanks to Maximus. There is only one she-wolf missing. Ginsing's mate has not come." Lia explained as she looked up from Henry's knee.
"So, what does that mean?" I asked as I looked toward my sister, who was cooing at my sons.
"That means we get to stay here and claim this is our territory. No pack can argue about it. We also can defend the territory from rogues." Jonathan said as he came up with Little Max in his car seat.
"I want to carry at least one of my sons," I said as I tried to grab the car seat. Jonathan shook his head.
"Doctor Lea said no. After your next visit to her, if she gives you the all-clear, then I will let you carry and lift the pups. Until then, I will bring them to you." Jonathan said.
"I am a black wolf. Why does she think it will take me that long to heal?" I said, truly confused. Black wolves were not only strong, but they were also fast at healing.
"Because you are not just healing from your c-section but also from the injury that scum left you with. I am sorry Sophia, I will not take any chances. I had to live without you twice and I know I can't do it ever again," Jonathan said as he led the way into the cottage. When Jonathan opened the door with his free hand, I caught the scent of a familiar wolf. Omega Sandra was putting a welcome home sign that said twins with a dash that also said, Luna. When she turned around on the stool, she was standing on, she fell.