Dimitri’s POV
I woke up first, the morning sun had barely broken out of the clouds but sleep had already left my eyes so I just lay there and watched her instead.
Kate, my mate.
She looked beautiful even as she slept, the scent of pine and cinnamon rubbed into her skin had an almost intoxicating effect on me and mixing with the remnants of last night’s celebrations it made me heady and wanting her again.
I could still hear the distant hum of voices and laughter from the pack members, and I wished them to be quiet so she didn’t wake up.
She stirred slightly from the light falling in her face and for a reason I wasn’t sure of I shut my eyes.
She blinked slowly, and I pretended to wake from sleep slowly as well.
I looked to her blinking slightly, then wrapped my arms around her tightly and pulled her closer to me and we just lay there saying nothing, the silence was almost to tantalizing.
She didn’t stay still for long though, because she restlessly turned into me and stretched beside me her bones cracking gently
“We should get up,” She murmured, and every thing within me rebelled
I groaned softly, pulling her closer snuggling into her my face in her hair trying to get he get enough of her scent
“Just a few more minutes.” I urged and She chuckled, relaxing into my arms.
She smiled, pressing a kiss to my chest.
“Fine. But then we have work to do.” She warned
I laughed softly kissing her cheek, she was right we did have work to do after the wedding and our blissful night, it was time to face the reality and that was the fact that the Blood Moon Pack would not run itself. But that could wait, I leaned over her, kissing her once twice and we were lost to the passion of our bodies as well.
We fell asleep again but this time when I woke the sun was a bit further from the window and Kate was still asleep.
The visiting packs were preparing to leave, and I needed to be there to say our goodbyes as well as assign men who would help with rebuilding efforts from what had been lost in war.
There was too much work to do-houses to build, the pack’s defenses to strengthen, for me to remain in bed. Add that with the everyday issues that never stopped then I was pretty much swamped.
I pulled on my shirt and glanced over at Kate, who was still sleeping peacefully, her body curled beneath the sheets. The sight of her, my mate I would never get tired of that , filled me with calm.
Making sure to be as quiet as possible I stepped out the door into the warm morning breeze and headed toward the pack square. People working in a humming quiet, loading food into bags for their trip, the pack leaders were gathering to say their farewells.
I was grateful to them all for their sacrifice, we had fought together, bled together, but now it was time to go back to our own territories, and grow ourselves again.
I greeted them one by one, my grip firm, murmuring my gratitude
“Alpha Dimitri,” Alpha Denzel greeted me with a firm handshake, his face lined with both satisfaction and exhaustion, the feast must have gone well for him yesterday
“We leave today, ”
I nodded with a gentle nod
“You’ve all fought bravely. We will keep our pact, if you ever need our aid, you know where to find us.” I muttered
Denzel smiled and clapped my shoulder.
“And if you ever need us, just send word. For Kate alone I would raise a thousand ship” he mumbled, then with a small smile he added
” Thank you for giving each of us a chance to fight for our kingdom and packs” he said softly and I nodded
” Thank you for taking that chance ”
I looked around, my eyes lingering on each face, each leader who had stood with us.
” I am grateful to you all who fought with us, I am sorry for all your losses.”
” As you go back to rebuild may the goddess go with you”
” Her light upon your houses ” they all roared.
” I will send some of my men with you to help you rebuild as you have helped us here” I muttered
” Thank you Alpha Dimitri” Alpha Sylvia mumbled and I nodded.
The movement was slow and but soon the last of pack had left, I turned to make my way back to the pack house for more work to follow when Louis approached, me he had a smile on his face and a slight frown as he walked through. His expression was unreadable
“Dimitri,” he said, his voice steady, with a slight tension beneath his voice
“Louis,” I greeted him with a small grin
” I believe I owe you for your stunt yesterday” I grinned and he laughed
” It would have been a boring ceremony if I didn’t do that and you know it ” he tossed back
” Thank you my friend”
” So where is our Luna ” he asked as we walked back together
” Asleep, she is tired ” he grinned and I shot a mock glare at him
” Let’s not go there” he raised a hand in surrender
We walked on silence and I turned to him slightly
“What’s on your mind friend”
He shifted on his feet, and his usual easy confidence faltered
. “I need to speak with you privately.”
I frowned but nodded, gesturing for him to follow me to my office away from prying eyes and ears.
Once we were out of sight, I crossed my arms and faced him.
“What is it?” I asked,
Louis took a deep breath.
“I’m leaving.” he blurted
For a moment, I wasn’t sure I’d heard him right.
“Leaving?” I repeated,
He nodded, his jaw tight. “Lilah My mate… ” he paused and I put two and two together
” the rogue wolf” I mumbled and he nodded
” She’s gotten word of her family. They’re alive, living in another pack.”
I let the weight of his words sink in. I knew what a mate meant, how nothing was more important than her happiness and safety. I understood the pull, the need to protect.
But this… this felt like a goodbye and I had not expected that at all
“I thought her family were the rogues,” I said slowly,
” No, the alpha you killed was her betrothed” Louis replied, his gaze lowering.
“Her mother and sister were against it but the father’s word is law” he said and I nodded, I understood what he meant.
‘ She wants to go to them, to see if there’s a chance for them to be reunited. I can’t… I can’t deny her that, Dimitri.”
The pain in his voice was not hidden, this was not just about leaving to him but about choosing between his loyalty to the pack and his loyalty to his mate. I didn’t want him to have that burden.
“You’re leaving for good, then?” I asked, trying to keep my voice steady. Louis had been my Beta, for so long but he was also my best friend.
. The thought of losing him…
“No,” Louis said quickly, his eyes flashing with determination.
“I’m going with her, yes. But this isn’t goodbye. I’ll convince her to come back, once she’s had time to see her family. This is her home now, and I intend to return here- with her and the pup”
I let out a breath
“You do what you need to do,” I said finally, placing a hand on his shoulder.
“You know you’ll always have a place here, and so will she.”
Louis’s expression softened, and he gave me a nod of gratitude.
“Thank you, Dimitri. This pack … you and Kate , you’re my family. I’ll be back.”
Louis and his mate left that evening, and Kate remained mad at me the rest of the week for almost making her miss saying goodbye.
I was still trying to get back in her good graces so the flowers I had in my hand, close to my nose just as Lina the beta who was helping me with Louis duties cleared her throat were definitely for my Luna.
But I had spent most of the morning and afternoon organizing the rebuilding efforts, so she and a few workers gawked at me. I pulled them away from my face, and grunted
” Come with me” I huffed and she nodded following, the sounds of hammers and saws ringing out . Life was beginning to return to normal, or at least, a new normal.
” What is it” I asked her, Lina was a capable beta, from the hunting crew and if she was a bit sassy, well I couldn’t really complain now could I .
Louis had chosen well but I had a feeling she would be happier if he came back
” Rebuilding is almost done, the hunt will go out soon and the. Luna sent a message that she will shove all presents up your arse” she muttered looking pointedly at the flowers.
I shoved them behind my back
” Good job, I will ask for you soon” I muttered and she bowed
” Yes Alpha”
She was just about to leave when a voice called for me, she went I to hunting mode by my side
“Alpha!” One of the pack’s younger wolves, Nathan, came running toward me, his face pale with worry.
” What is it boy” I asked
“It’s Luna Kate. She fainted.”
My heart stopped, everything else fell away o wasn’t sure when or how but soon I was sprinting toward the pack house, blood roaring in my ears.
Kate. My mate.
I burst through the doors, my chest heaving, only to find the pack doctor standing by the couch, where Kate lay, her eyes closed, her face pale.
“What happened?” I demanded, my voice sharper than intended as I knelt by her side.
The doctor, who was a new addition to the pack a middle-aged wolf named Clara, gave me a reassuring smile.
“She’s fine, Alpha. It’s not serious. In fact, it’s quite the opposite.”
I frowned, my heart still hammering in my chest. “What do you mean, she’s pale as a ghost?”
Clara’s smile widened.
“Congratulations, Alpha. Luna Kate is pregnant.”
The world tilted for a moment, my breath catching in my throat. Pregnant?
How?
My mind raced, trying to understand what she was saying. I glanced down at Kate, who was beginning to stir, her eyelids fluttering open.
“Dimitri?” Her voice was soft,
I leaned down, brushing a hand through her hair.
“Kate… are you ok. Do you need to see the doctor ” I asked and she huffed
” I believe I’m already in the doctors room” she mumbled, I looked around me and gulped , she was right
” Dimitri what is it you are scaring me ”
” we’re going to have a pup.” I mumbled unintelligibly, and she sighed
” Clara just tell me”
” we’re going to have a pup.” I said louder
Her eyes widened, the shock on her face mirroring what I felt.
We both just stared at each other,
A child. Our child.
” What am I going to do with a child” Kate asked her breath coming out in rapid panicked burst.
” Hey calm down” I muttered slowly and she shook her head
” You know the kind of family I had what can I possibly offer ” she mutter and I smile
” A lot, and because you think this way a whole lot more” I mumbled
“We’re… we’re going to be parents?” she huffed, her breathing slowing
I pulled her into my arms, holding her close, my heart pounding with joy.
“Yes, we are. You’re going to be an incredible mother, Kate.”
Tears filled her eyes a radiant smile spreading across her face.
“So are you,” she whispered, her voice choked with emotion,
” I’m going to be an incredible mother” I asked and she huffed, slapping my chest
“No silly. You are going to be an amazing father.”