Time spent in the flower shop was always relaxing and brief for Maggie. She encountered a few regular customers who greeted her with surprise.
“It looks like the babies are growing fast. You must be close to giving birth, right?”
Maggie gently touched her belly, wearing a happy smile. “Yes, I’m really looking forward to the day I meet them.”
Mrs. Jenkins was behind the counter, watching Maggie interact with the customers. Her gaze fell on Maggie’s belly, her expression changing from bright to dark.
“Mrs. Jenkins, is something wrong?” Maggie asked as she finished wrapping a bouquet.
Mrs. Jenkins shook her head. “It’s nothing, just reminiscing about some things.”
Maggie gave the flowers to the customer, then turned to face Mrs. Jenkins, who wore a solemn expression.
“May I touch the babies?”
“Of course.”
Maggie sat down on a nearby chair and spoke gently, “Babies, this is Mrs. Jenkins, she’s a dear friend of your mommy.”
Mrs. Jenkins quickly reached out her hand and touched Maggie’s belly. Her hand had been aged by the passage of time and was no longer smooth or soft, but full of wrinkles. When she touched the belly, Maggie felt the babies respond.
Maggie reassured them, “Babies, this is Mrs. Jenkins. She’s a family member of mommy.”
Mrs. Jenkins soon withdrew her hand. “It seems like they reacted strongly to me.”
“They’re quite intelligent. They can already establish a mind link with Aldrich.”
“These little ones are truly remarkable,” Mrs. Jenkins said as she stared at Maggie’s belly. “However, the upcoming childbirth might be a challenging experience.”
“Aldrich has hired an expert team; there won’t be any unexpected issues.”
“You can’t put all your hope in outsiders and devices. Maggie, only by becoming strong yourself can you be completely secure. You urgently need to store energy with the Energy Beads.”
Maggie frowned. “Aldrich hasn’t found any other Energy Beads yet. The only Energy Orb ten times the size of an Energy Bead is in the possession of the BlueMoon Pack’s elders. But Energy Orbs can store unlimited energy. They are extremely rare on the continent. Maggie, you must do everything you can to obtain an Energy Orb for self-defense.”
“I will.”
Seeing the hopeful look in Mrs. Jenkins’s eyes, Maggie had no choice but to agree. But she understood that Energy Orbs were sacred items closely linked to the Moon Goddess for the BlueMoon Pack elders. They wouldn’t easily agree to hand one over. She might have to wait until Aldrich’s election campaign succeeds.
In the evening, Maggie said her goodbyes to Mrs. Jenkins and left the flower shop. When she returned to Barrett Manor, Aldrich had just arrived home.
“Darling, how was your day?”
“Very relaxing. Chatting with Mrs. Jenkins always feels therapeutic.”
“I’m quite envious of that. So, what’s it like talking to Aldrich?”
Maggie thought for a moment. “Like an old married couple.”
Aldrich chuckled. “I consider that an honor.”
An array of sumptuous dishes was served on the dinner table, and Maggie and Aldrich dined casually. They conversed as they ate.
Maggie was still concerned about Charlie’s report regarding the Blood Moon’s influence on rogue uprisings. “So, were any rogues found and detained?”
Aldrich nodded. “But mere detention won’t provide a lasting solution.”
“So what should we do?”
“Perhaps the Spring Hunt is an opportunity.”
“Hunting?”
“Unlike the usual hunt, the Spring Hunt is just a few days away, Maggie. As my Luna, you should participate, and there’s something important for you to do.”
Nervously, Maggie said, “But I don’t know how to. I’m afraid I’ll mess everything up…”
“Don’t worry. I’ve already arranged with Julie, Charlie’s wife. She’ll come to Barrett Manor tomorrow morning and explain everything to you.”
“Thank you, Julie.” Maggie put down her utensils and headed towards the door. “Aldrich, please continue your meal. I need to retire to our room for now.”
Aldrich watched Maggie’s back as she left and couldn’t help but feel a sense of familiarity. “The last time, too, she came back from the flower shop like this, and Maggie seemed distant and burdened. Can Mrs. Jenkins truly heal her?”
He called a guard to inquire about what Maggie had discussed at the flower shop. “Did you overhear anything they talked about?”
The guard shook his head. “Madam doesn’t allow us to get too close, but it felt like Mrs. Jenkins was treating Madam kindly and amiably.”
Aldrich pondered whether he should have the guards listen in on Maggie’s conversations with others. Thomas, however, saw through Aldrich’s thoughts and shook his head. “My respected Alpha, do you think you might be over-controlling with regard to Madam?”
“Thomas, you remind me of something important. Maybe Maggie needs her own wolf.”
“Would you grow tired of Madam because of that?”
Aldrich looked surprised. “I just worry that my intense affection for her might be too overwhelming for her.”
With Maggie absent from dinner, Aldrich simply ate to fill his stomach. He instructed Thomas, “Maggie didn’t eat much today. Please have the kitchen prepare some fresh desserts and place them in a small cart to be delivered to the entrance of our bedroom. No need to knock. I’ll collect it myself if I need to.”
“Understood.” Thomas replied respectfully. In his heart, he marveled at how the usually stern Mr. Barrett gave all his tenderness to Maggie.
At night, the influence of the Blood Moon continued to expand, with distant woods occasionally echoing with the wild and restless howls of wolves. The rustling of the wind, coupled with the impending storm, was becoming turbulent. Yet, in the vicinity of Barrett Manor, the moonlight grew softer, and even the sound of the wind no longer seemed so raucous. Everything was bathed in a peaceful and tranquil veil, surrounded by serenity.
Aldrich watched Maggie, who was tirelessly immersed in purifying the moonlight energy. There was a faint white light radiating from her surroundings, spreading in all directions, bestowing peace and an energy boost on the werewolves in Barrett Manor. Unconsciously, she was raising their energy levels.
The benefits Maggie brought were undeniable. She was full of mystery, which fascinated Aldrich. Yet, he couldn’t help but worry. Could Maggie’s uniqueness bring her calamity? If outsiders discovered her powerful healing abilities, which could calm the violent tendencies of the werewolves, she could end up being subjected to experimentation and control.
The Energy Bead emitted a brilliant glow, casting light on Maggie and Aldrich’s faces. When Maggie was about to continue her energy purification, Aldrich gently held her hand. “Darling, you need to rest.”
Maggie didn’t want to stop. “I need to gather more energy.”
“But both I and the babies need you.”
“Babies?”
“Yes, the babies are complaining to me that you’re not getting enough rest.”
Maggie touched her baby bump apologetically. When she snapped out of her guilt, she realized that Aldrich had already pulled her onto the bed.
Tonight, Aldrich was remarkably well-behaved. He gently held Maggie, allowing his scent to envelop her entirely, creating a sense of safety and intimacy that swirled between them. “Go to sleep, Maggie.”
Maggie’s eyes widened. She thought Aldrich was going to mark her with his scent, but he didn’t. “Aldrich, good night.”
“Good night, my love,” Aldrich said, planting a tender kiss on Maggie’s forehead.
He sent a mental message to their sleeping babies. “I’m using your names for this because I believe you’ll understand. Good night, my little ones.”