I stand in front of the mirror in a pair of sweats and a tight tank top as I look at my growing stomach. It's very obvious that I'm pregnant now. It's been almost two months since I found out I was having a baby. Mason and I went to the pack doctor and we were informed that I wasn't that far along yet, but I'd give birth within four months. Two more months and we'll have a pup to care for.
I place my hands under my belly, and feeling the weight of my growing pup in my hands brings a smile to my face. All the discomfort, exhaustion, and sickness is all worth it knowing the miracle I'm carrying. I can't wait until we find out what we're going to have today. I don't care what we have, as long as it's healthy… but I know Mason wants a girl. I can see her now. She'll have her father's amber eyes and my red hair as she runs around the house, filling the halls with love and laughter. I never knew it was possible to love someone so much when you haven't even met them yet. I run my hands over my stretched skin and sigh. I trace one of the many stretch marks that started showing about a month ago.
"Are you ready to go?" Mason asks as he steps into our room. He's dressed in a pair of jeans and a plain black T-shirt. He could be dressed in rags and he would still look amazing. It's really not fair. As my eyes are trailing over him, he comes towards me, his eyes on my belly. He's been doing that a lot lately. When we're just lying around - well, when I'm lying around while he works in the office - I always seem to catch his eyes on my swollen belly. I find it adorable, but I can see a bit of worry behind his gaze. It's been two months of training and planning. He tries to hide it, but I know he's worried about our future with this battle. I've helped where I can. Now it's time to let him handle it.
"Wow, you're bigger than you were just a couple of days ago," he says as he walks over and spreads his hand over my growing belly. The heat from his hand seeps into my skin and I sigh as sparks travel over me.
"Yeah, she's growing fast. Before we know it, we'll be parents and have a baby to care for."
"She? You think it's a girl?" he asks with a slight smile. I smile back and nod my head. "I really do hope it's a girl. I know I'm supposed to want a boy, but I keep picturing a baby girl running around the house." I smile and lean forward to wrap my arms around him. With my growing stomach, it's harder to do this, but anything is better than nothing. "Plus, we have plenty of time to have a boy after this one. And if not, then we'll raise a strong daughter and I will hand the pack over to her," he whispers before attaching his lips to my beck and sucking lightly.
I moan and lean further into his hold, tilting my head to give him more access. I fight back my hormones and manage to pull away. "If you don't stop that now we're never going to get to the doctor's appointment and we won't learn what we're having," I breathe against his chest. Mason sighs but grabs my hand and starts pulling me down the hallway. I giggle as I quickly slide my feed into my flip flops by the door and follow after my mate.
As we make our way down the stairs, Brandon sticks his head out of the kitchen and smiles at us. Seeing his smile brings more happiness to me. Two more months without his mate, but he's seeming to find different ways to cope. Thankfully.
"Good morning, Brandon. What are you doing in my kitchen?" I ask with a hand on my hips. I know for a fact that he doesn't like cooking, he's not good at it. Since the day he was put in charge of guarding me, I've always done the cooking. I tried showing him how to cook things, but it never took.
"I knew you had your doctor's appointment today, so I figured I could just make a sandwich or something so you wouldn't have to worry about feeding poor old me." I roll my eyes at him and place a hand over my belly. It's become a habit that I really don't care to break. I always seem to be touching my belly. It brings me comfort to feel my baby moving around inside me. "You're getting big," he comments as sadness fills his eyes. I sigh and remove my hand from my belly as I smile sadly at him. The baby kicks harder than usual and I move my hand to feel her movements with a slight grunt. "You should get going," he says with another smile before heading back into the kitchen.
Mason leads me out to his car and offers a hand to help me get in. As I buckle my seat belt Mason makes his way around the car and climbs in. "I keep forgetting how painful this all has to be for Brandon. Seeing my pregnancy progress can't be easy since we still haven't gotten Mary back yet."
"Our plan is almost complete," Mason says as he starts the car. He glances over at me with determined eyes. "I promised him I'd get her back to him, and I plan on following through with that promise."
"I just wish he would talk to me about it. I heard him talking to you about it months ago. I figured if he's discussing it with you then he'd come around to talking about it with me, but he hasn't," I sigh and shake my head. "He told me she was pregnant when she was first taken, but I didn't want to get into it then because he was already a mess. Then he didn't talk to me for almost two months. Then these last two months, I've hinted that he could talk to me about it, but it's like seeing me pregnant is too much for him," I whisper as a tear slides down my cheek. I huff and wipe the tear away but not before Mason sees the tears.
"Why are you crying?" I shake my head and continue to wipe the tears as they come. "Alaina, if you don't tell me what's wrong, I'm going to pull over on the side of this damn road until you talk to me. We'll be late to our appointment… not that it really matters since we're the Alphas of the pack, but that's beside the point." I can't help but laugh softly at his threat.
"It's just my hormones, Mason, don't pull the car over. I just want to find out what we're having, and I'll talk to Brandon when we get back. If he doesn't want to talk to me about it, that's fine. Right now, I just want to focus on our baby and make sure everything is okay." Mason nods his head and reaches over to interlace our fingers as he keeps driving.
I can see the hesitation in his eyes, but he remains silent. I lift our hands up and kiss the back of his hand before setting them back down on my lap. He smiles but keeps looking at the road ahead for the rest of the short drive. I push thoughts of my best friend out of my mind right now and focus on my pup.
***
I sit on the table in the doctor's room swinging my legs as we wait for the doctor to come back with the equipment he needs. This is usually something one of the nurses would do, but Mason insisted that the good doctor oversee everything that has to do with my pregnancy. I told him he was being overprotective, but as usual, he didn't listen. I don't care who does it as long as it gets done.
"Are you nervous?" Mason asks as he runs his hand up and down my back. I look over my shoulder at him to see him biting his lip nervously. I smile and reach for his other hand to place it on my belly. His eyes follow his hand and it doesn't take long before a smile breaks out on his face. As if sensing her father, she moves towards his hand. I smile up at him as he says, "She's moving around in there." I nod my head in agreement as she moves again.
"I'm not nervous, I'm excited," I say through my smile. "You should be too. There is no need to be nervous or anything." He rolls his eyes, trying to hide his nerves, but the baby moves again and I can't help but laugh as his eyes jerk back to my belly. "Our little one seems to be excited too. She hasn't stopped moving around since I sat down. She's being extra active today," I explain as I lean my head against his shoulder and rub my belly. "I love you, Mason."
"I love you, too." I feel his lips press to the top of my head. Besides the baby growing inside me, I don't think I will ever be able to love someone as much as I love this man. And to think my first thoughts of him were that he was going to send me back to Dylan to be killed for killing my father… who turned out not to be my father, but that's not the point. I never expected my life to be this way, and now that I have it, I never want to lose it. "We keep calling the baby a she, what if it turns out to be a boy? I don't think it's right to be calling our son a girl, do you?" he jokes as he kisses my head again. I roll my eyes and nudge him in the ribs.
"Oh, hush. I'm pretty sure it's a girl anyway," I answer back as I close my eyes and listen to Mason's breathing while we wait.
About five minutes later, the doctor comes into the room with the machines to see our beautiful baby with a soft smile on his face. I sit up straighter and smile at him. He bows his head in respect and starts setting everything up. He works quietly and I'm unsure if it's because he's focused or because he's scared of Mason. Maybe a bit of both so I sit quietly until he turns to us.
"Alpha, Luna," he greets us as he slides his seat over to me. "Are you ready to find out what you're having?" he asks, keeping his eyes lowered. I know that Mason is intimidating, and I may be too seeing as I'm the Luna, but it's almost strange that he keeps his gaze lowered every time he deals with us.
"Yes, we are," Mason answers, his voice harder than when he talks to me. I glance over at him and raise my brows in question. He shrugs his shoulders as if to say he's the Alpha and he has an image to uphold. I roll my eyes and turn back to the doctor.
"Alright then, if you'll just lie back and lift up your shirt, Luna, we'll check everything out and go from there." I do as instructed and turn all my attention to the screen. I watch as he shakes the bottle of gel and try to prepare myself for the cold feeling that I remember from last time. "This is going to be a bit chilly," he warns before pouring it on the lower part of my belly. I grimace at the gel but push the feeling aside as I stare at the screen, ready to see my pup.
My mind drifts back to the first time we came here a few days after I found out I was pregnant. Seeing my little baby on the screen, even if I couldn't completely tell what was happening, was an amazing feeling. But as amazing as that was, nothing will ever compare to hearing my baby's heartbeat sounding out throughout the room for the very first time. It took my breath away.
"Alaina, if you squeeze my hand any harder, I'm not going to be able to use it anymore," Mason whispers in my ear before kissing my cheek. I loosen my grip slightly but I don't take my eyes off the screen. I don't want to miss a minute of this. The doctor tells us that everything is progressing amazingly. The baby is a perfect size at this point in the pregnancy. The relief of hearing his words dissipates the worries I had. Worries that I didn't even realize I had. Knowing my pup is growing as she should and is healthy is music to my ears.
"Okay, so if you look here," the doctor says as he points at the small screen. "Here's the head, and here are the legs." He leans closer to the screen and smiles softly. "She's in a good position today, so if you look right here you will see you are having… a little girl! Congratulations Alphas!" he exclaims as he looks both of us in the eye for the first time. A small sob escapes my lips as I smile at the doctor before looking at Mason. "I'll just go print these off for you and you will be good to go."
I hear him get up and leave the room, but I can't take my eyes off my mate.
A girl.
We're having a baby girl! I lean forward as I rest my forehead against Mason's as my tears flow freely. I open my eyes to see tears in his eyes, pure happiness shining there as well. I can't help but laugh through my tears as I reach up to hold his head to mine.
"We're having a baby girl," he whispers before smashing his lips against mine. Nothing can ruin this moment for us. I wrap one hand around the back of his neck and use the other to caress my belly. He pulls away too soon and laughs against my lips. "I can't believe it. I don't even have the words to describe how happy I am right now. God, Red. Thank you. Thank you so much for giving me this amazing gift. I love you," he speaks against my lips before pressing his lips against mine again. I wrap both arms around his neck and pull him in as close as I can while sitting on the table.
"I love you," I mumble against his lips as I pull away. I smile one last time before turning and wiping the gel off my stomach with the available wipes. Mason helps me off the table and pulls me into his embrace.
"Come on, let's get you home so you can tell Brandon that he's going to be an uncle to a little girl," he says as he smiles down at me. My smile widens, but I can feel my own hesitation at sharing news of my baby with Brandon when he is still unsure about his own. I'm still surprised Mason is willing to let our child call Brandon uncle. It took me hours to get him to understand that Brandon is the closest thing I've ever had to a brother and that he's family, blood or not.
"Thank you, Mason. For everything."
The doctor hands Mason the copies of the sonogram as we head out of the building toward the car. I can't seem to stop smiling, not that I would want to, as we climb in to head home. There's nothing that could bring me down after this morning.
***
The second we rush into the house I see Brandon pacing in the hallway with his hands in his hair. Aiden is leaning against the wall watching his friend closely. Both of their eyes dart to us, and in my happiness, I can't see the panic in theirs.
"It's a girl!" I cry happily. Brandon's eyes widen and I can see him try to smile, but he fails miserably. My smile falls instantly as I step further into my house. My eyes shoot to Aiden who simply shakes his head in warning. "Brandon? What's wrong?" I reach for Mason's arm, needing something to hold me up right now. There is something different in the way he's staring at me right now. This isn't his normal miserable-without-his-mate look… this is something completely different. This is completely terrifying.
"There was a phone call," he rushes out as he pulls on his hair again. I move towards him, but Aiden steps in between the two of us, his eyes on Brandon. It takes me a second to realize it's to keep me away from Brandon for my protection. When I look at Brandon again I notice his eyes are swirling with black. "I went ahead and answered it since you weren't there, I didn't think it was anything important…" he trails off as tears fill his eyes. "It was Dylan… Mason I could hear Mary screaming in the background. Dylan said something about how she's growing nicely with the pup in her belly and that if we didn't hand Alaina over soon, Mary was going to pay the price."
No.
This can't be happening.
"Mason, please," Brandon pleads. "I don't know what you have planned but please don't let them hurt her or my baby. Please, Alpha! I won't be able to live with myself if something happens to them!" he cries as he falls to his knees in complete submission. A sob sounds throughout the room and I realize quickly it's coming from me. Brandon bares his neck to Mason, unmoving.
I can't stop my sobs as I take in the situation. They've done nothing to Mary or her unborn pup all to use her as leverage against me. I was willing to give myself up for Mary when we were unsure what the fate of their pup was, but now… knowing that she's still pregnant…
"Alaina, I need you to breathe, my love," Mason whispers as he caresses my face in his large hands. My chest squeezes as I fight to stop the sobs so I can take a deep breath, but I can't. "Come on, Red." I look over to see Brandon has gotten up from his kneeling position and is now by my side with a new look of worry on his face. I sob again and my knees buckle. Mason wraps his arms around me and holds me against his chest as I continue to stare at my friend. "I'm going to take care of this, but I can't do that if you won't get a handle on this and breathe. I can't do anything until I know you're okay first."
I close my eyes and manage to suck in a deep breath as I look into Mason's eyes. I have to calm down. He's right. I know he won't do anything until he knows for sure I'm okay. I nod my head and pull out of his hold. "Go take care of this. I'll be fine with Brandon and Aiden." When he continues to stand there staring at me I urge, "Go, Mason. Go get everyone ready to bring Mary home and put an end to this stupid fighting."
Brandon moves in to help me walk to the living room. As he sits me on the couch, I hear Mason moving around in his office and talking on the phone frantically. I can't make out what he's saying, but I can tell by how fast he's talking that it can't be good. I glance to my right to see Brandon sitting on the floor, his head hanging low between his knees.
"It's not the time for this, but I want my daughter to call you Uncle Brandon," I whisper. A tear slides down my face as I look over at him. "You're my best friend, basically my brother. You're family and my daughter will grow up knowing that."
"I would love that, Alaina," he whispers as he looks up at me. "It really means a lot to me that you consider me like family. I would be acting more excited right now, but I'm just so worried. I am so happy for you and the Alpha, believe me. I know how much you two wanted this pup to be a girl." I nod my head in understanding. "You do realize that Mason is about to go into battle, right? He's about to make the first move against Dylan - hopefully, the only move needed - to end this war." Again, I nod my head.
I know he's getting ready to leave to finish this once and for all. As happy as I am that it will finally be over, I am filled with dread about what's going to happen once it starts. I don't want my pack members to get hurt because of me. Mason says that's the Luna in me talking, but that doesn't make the feeling go away. My heart pounds in my best as I think of Mason going off to war. Even with the help of Ace, we don't know what Dylan has planned or what he has up his sleeve. It's such a risk to go into his territory basically blind, but Mason is positive this is the best bet. I trust him, but that trust does nothing to ease my worry.
Brandon and I sit in silence as Aiden leans against the wall staring toward the office. I hear Mason shuffle around in his office before the door opens and slams shut behind him. I jump at the noise and turn my head to look at the doorway. Mason comes storming into the room with the most serious look I've ever seen grace his face.
Before he even speaks a word… I know what he's going to say. I close my eyes and try to brace.
"We leave in an hour to put an end to this shit! I won't have that fucker threaten my pack and mate again. I'm going to go get Mary back, and take Dylan's head clean off his fucking shoulders," he growls.
I allow the tears to flow freely as I stare up at my mate. I know that this has to be done, but I can't help but fight the feeling that something is going to happen that will change everything for this pack… The feeling that something is going to happen that will change everything for me. I stare at Mason's beautiful face, trying to memorize it more than I already have. I can't shake the feeling that this hour may be the last I get to spend with him.