For the first time in years, Nebraska felt like sleeping in a bubble. Everything around her was irrelevant. She didn’t feel anything, she didn’t think about anything, there was only tranquility and it was a gratifying feeling. If she could stay like this for longer it would be wonderful but she realized that this was going on for a long time and she wanted to see familiar faces. So with more effort than she thought she slowly opened her eyes.
Quickly the recognizable ceiling of her room with Hades came into focus. Ah, she was back. How long had she been sleeping? It must have been a lot because her body was completely numb and it hurt from everything. Despite the fact that she had been sleeping, she felt tired, very tired, to the point that her eyelids were weighing again and threatening to close and she couldn’t help it. A large, warm hand moved over her head, tangling itself between her hair and giving her a massage that had her fast asleep, again.
By the time she managed to stretch and sleep was not the only thing that prevailed in her body, she heard slight voices around her and a familiar warmth around her. She smiled softly. The arm around her waist was slim, while the body on the other side was slightly larger.
-When is Ma going to wake up?- Noa’s voice was pained.
-Caesar said that you had to wait for his body to rest, she overexerted herself- this time it was Nicolas who spoke, his voice was heard a little more distant but his weight slightly tilted the mattress to one side.
-But she has already slept for three days- Alan clung closer to his mother’s arm -And Hades only let us see her today, the very stingy-
-The alpha has been taking care of her-Rodrigo mentioned from the other side of the bed, even if his relationship with his family was not completely fixed, he was trying his best to forget the traces of the past.
-Don’t protest anymore- Nebraska articulated with difficulty after listening to the conversation between her children, seeing that they were already getting along was gratifying for her.
-MA- the four exclaimed at the same time creating a constant movement on the bed when everyone sat around him.
Nebraska was finally able to open her eyes. That pain that bothered her previously as well as the fatigue had faded and she wanted to get out of bed as soon as possible. The faces of her children were soon in her angle of vision and she could see how their eyes were blurred with tears.
-Don’t cry fools, I’m fine- she got up slowly helped by Nicolas and attracted each one by hugging them, kissing them and drying their tears, even Rodrigo left himself in her arms without showing resistance. Touching them, they were alive and healthy was the best thing about winning against Liam.
Liam. His name echoed in her head and she couldn’t remember his face despite all the years by her side. The only image left was one she wanted to forget as soon as possible. Sh e didn’t want even him to get a moment in her thoughts. He didn’t deserve it. He didn’t deserve anything.
Sara entered the room a quarter of an hour later and saw the four puppies talking with their mother sitting in the middle of the bed and for a moment she wanted to be in that place. Maybe it was about time she started working on the issue with Siran. Although not at the moment. Her husband had been injured, not badly, but he hadn’t gotten enough rest claiming he had to help the alpha. Hades had already gotten tired of scolding him but Siran didn’t care if he punished him for disobeying him, he wanted to support him.
At that time the situation was a bit unstable. The wolves of the iron pack were stranded in their lands and they were taking care of them, especially the most physically and mentally injured. The Council’s twin alphas had gone to stabilize the situation in the confines of the pack where some wolves were to remain, bringing supplies and preparing the conditions for their return. They still had to find an alpha to lead them but that had to wait until the Council could decide, meanwhile Layan was in charge. He was the only one strong enough to lead such a number of wolves.
Nebraska diverted her children’s attention as she heard her enter and smiled at her raising the corners of her mouth. She was in the mood to do it and found it to be nothing bad. The wolf approached and bowed deeply.
-I’m sorry, I’m sorry- The guilt of that day, when Hades had been poisoned was still inside her and she still hadn’t had a chance to apologize.
-Why you feel sorry? You have done nothing wrong- Nebraska bowed her head- You have taken good care of my children, I am very grateful for that-
-But I- Sara stood up and her eyes filled with tears collapsing like that after many days of tension -I that day, I didn’t try to understand you, I …-
Nebraska could barely understand whats he was saying as her voice had gone thick.
-Ma, you made her cry,- Noa commented, waving her arm.
-That’s bad Ma- Alan followed him and there was a funny drop in her words.
-Children, you to shut up- he answered them in the same tone -Look at taking Sara’s side instead of mine, you can tell you’ve been with her for a long time-
That made Sara herself shed a tearful smile.
-You don’t have to cry- Nebraska got up from the bed and approached her -You are the only one I trust to take care of my children, so I’m counting on you from here on-
The wolf nodded strongly with her head shaking her hair. Nicolas felt good seeing that her mother had good chemistry with the members of the Hades pack. The days her mother had been unconscious, even though they couldn’t see her, she had given them details about her condition the entire time. She understood that she did not want to be seen in that state. He hid it but not only thought about her mother all the time. They, too, were important to him.
Sara took the puppies for lunch after bringing her up to speed on the latest events and Nebraska found herself alone in the really boring room again. The last few days had been very suffocating, so doing nothing was worse than torture. Putting on appropriate clothing, she left the room. She wanted to see if she could do something to support her wolf and lighten the load of the beta or the one who would collapse with concern would be Sara.
The mansion was empty. The corridors deserted, at least on the second floor. Once she got to the first one, she heard murmurs coming from the central hall, the largest place that was not normally used. As she looked out, she realized that it was full there. There were many wolves from both packs arranged in rows lying on thin mattresses and they were covered. Some had injuries, especially those who were sleeping and others were being treated or fed by the healthy wolves and wolves of Hades’ pack.
Nebraska just walked in and all eyes were on her and she could feel the weight of their gazes.
-Queen-
-Queen-
There were exclamations and some wolves smiled at him when they noticed her arrival.
-It’s okay?-
-How are you feeling? –
Questions began to flow and Nebraska could only answer in short sentences as she was soon surrounded. A hand grabbed her from behind and pulled her down against a broad, hard chest.
-Don’t suffocate her, she needs to rest too- Hades was behind and wrapped her arm around her waist.
The wolves nodded and reluctantly backed away, wanting to talk some more with this wolf who had been able to destroy a wolf as large and aggressive as their last enemy had been. Nebraska slumped back, letting the warmth and male scent engulf her completely. Her legs trembled and her skin itched. A need for him to touch her ran through her and she rubbed against her large body.
-Nebraska, come with me, you and I have to talk- Hades didn’t sound like normal, he seemed more serious than normal.
Tangling his fingers between hers, he led her out of the crowded room and into the other room for more privacy. Once he stopped, released her and faced her. His eyes were full of fury, even though there were dark circles under them.
-Don’t do that again- he restrained herself not to scream- Don’t control me again. You know how I felt when I couldn’t move, when I couldn’t help you, when I saw Liam almost about to kill you? I almost went crazy-
Nebraska said nothing. She imagined the wolf would react like ther. She only took a step forward and wrapped his waist wuth her arms, hugging him tightly, burying her face in her chest. Hades did not respond to the hug at first but after a few seconds he let out a content sigh and squeezed her tightly, searching her neck with her lips to leave a visible mark.
-I’m sorry, but if I didn’t, I was the one who was afraid of losing you- saying her feelings like that for Hades out loud felt really good -You are important to me, Hades, very important, I don’t know what it would be like if I didn’t have you at my side- she left a kiss on his chest.
Hades’s hands ran down her back with force, impregnating her scent on her, and leaving a hand on her buttock that he squeezed tightly. Her body was tense but still he was happy that the omega matched him in every way.
-Promise me that you will never do something like that again,- he whispered against her ear, which he licked, biting the lobe afterwards.
-Only if you promise me the same-
Hades’s chest vibrated.
-There is no way I win against you, my wolf- He parted a little to kiss her forehead and lower her lips and devour them greedily. A quiet moment just for them.
Nebraska put her hands on her chest and pulled away slightly.
-Hades I have to tell you something- now She was sure I could tell him. She knew that the chances that the cub she was carrying would be born by her omega nature was great, but now, with the blood of the alphas inside her and somehow talking to her daughter, she could tell her that she would have a child of her own. Safely.
He took Hades’s hand and brought it to her belly. Her daughter was hardly a grain of sand but she could feel her, her enormous power and how she grew every second. And she realized that Hades knew what she meant when he looked at her with wide eyes in an attempt to process the information.