The meeting was only ten minutes old-it had only just started-and the first presentation had only just been given, but Usher’s concentration was already disturbed. He couldn’t concentrate on the data being presented. His mind kept wandering back to Vione. He had tried to ignore it, but suddenly his heart was pounding with an unfamiliar rhythm.
Usher held his breath. Vione. Had something happened to her?
At the same time, Usher saw Garth reach into the inside pocket of his suit. He watched as Garth stepped out of the meeting to take a phone call and for some reason Usher was certain that the call had something to do with Vione.
Usher’s intuition was right. Immediately after the call, Garth approached him and whispered in his ear.
“Alpha, Cora just reported that Luna fainted at a banquet-”
Usher immediately got up from his seat. He left and Garth quickly said, “The meeting will be postponed.”
Then Garth hurried after Usher. They left the office five minutes later, Garth driving as fast as he could.
“Any more news from Cora?”
Garth blinked, scanning the road, then replied, “According to Cora, Luna is on her way back to the palace and Fidel has already contacted Scott.”
“Oh, God.” Usher ran his hand roughly over his face. None of this information seemed to ease the anxiety that gripped his mind. “She was fine this morning. It’s impossible for her to faint without a reason.”
Garth understood Usher’s overwhelming worry. That’s why he immediately looked for the fastest way and pressed the accelerator harder after saying: “Luna will be fine, Alpha.”
That was Usher’s hope. Strangely, a part of his heart was sure that Vione was indeed fine. He had nothing to worry about, although logically he couldn’t be sure until he saw Vione’s condition with his own eyes.
What had happened to her? Usher kept asking himself. He tried to remember any signs of illness that Vione might have shown, but he could find none. He was sure that Vione hadn’t shown any symptoms. Vione had been perfectly well, even healthy, and he could confidently say that she had been in great shape lately. Vione had seemed full of energy, active, and if there was anything unusual, it was her increased appetite. Was that something bad?
Usher wasn’t sure. He thought Vione’s increased appetite was due to her busy schedule as Luna. After the war, Vione had a lot of responsibilities to take care of.
Usher closed his eyes. He cursed himself for neglecting Vione’s condition, for feeling incompetent for assuming that Vione’s two wolf spirits meant she would always be fine. He had believed that she had become stronger than ever and now the reality hit him with a whirlwind of worries.
W-wait. Usher held his breath again. What was that?
A subtle breeze stirred in his heart, like a wind that was both cooling and warm. It felt like longing, but he didn’t know for whom.
Usher’s eyes suddenly widened. He froze, and now he couldn’t even breathe.
His breathing quickened. His heart was beating out of control. A thought formed in his mind. Could this be it?
The possibility kept turning in his head until they reached the palace. He immediately got out of the car and asked an Omega. “Where is Luna?”
The Omega replied, “Scott is resting Luna in your chamber, Alpha.”
At least this answer eased Usher’s fears a little. Vione wasn’t resting in the infirmary, but in her own chamber, which meant she was fine. In fact, it could be said that all Vione needed was rest. So, the only thing left for him to do was to get to the chamber as soon as possible and ask Scott about Vione’s condition.
“There’s nothing to worry about, Alpha,” Scott replied, answering all of Usher’s questions. He glanced briefly at Vione, who was lying in bed, before continuing, “Luna’s fine. She just needs to rest.”
Usher exhaled deeply. Now, after hearing Scott’s explanation first hand and seeing Vione’s condition for himself, he was finally sure that Vione was fine. But that didn’t mean that all his worries had disappeared.
“Then,” Usher continued, frowning in confusion, “why did she faint? Was she exhausted or something? Now that I think about it, Vione’s appetite has been increasing lately. Could that be affecting her health?”
Scott cleared his throat. “Luna is indeed tired, Alpha, but that’s nothing to worry about. On the contrary, her exhaustion and increased appetite are clear signs of her current condition.” Then he handed Usher an ultrasound scan. “Congratulations, Alpha. Luna is pregnant and she’s already nine weeks pregnant.”
Usher froze. For a moment he just stood there, staring at the scan. P-pregnant?
The earth seemed to stop spinning. Time seemed to stand still. Usher’s world was suspended in an explosion of happiness he had never felt before.
“P-pregnant?” Usher accepted the ultrasound with trembling hands. He studied it carefully, his emotions swelling uncontrollably. “Vione is pregnant?”
Scott smiled and nodded. “Yes, Alpha. Luna is pregnant, and judging by the ultrasound, it looks like the Frostholm pack will be blessed with the birth of your two heirs.”
The two pouches on the scan and Scott’s explanation left Usher speechless. His mind went blank, filled only with thoughts of Vione and the overwhelming happiness that made him mutely thank God over and over again. Finally, he realised what that earlier longing had been-a longing that made no sense, even though they had never met.
It took Usher some time to recover from the wave of happiness. He smiled broadly and thanked Scott several times. “So, is there anything I should do? Um, you mentioned that she’s fine, but is there anything she should avoid?”
“There’s nothing specific you need to do, Alpha. You’ve already done it, always look after Luna and make sure she’s happy. That’s the most important thing for a pregnant woman,” Scott replied understandingly. He realised that Vione’s first pregnancy had undoubtedly been a joyful and nerve-wracking experience for Usher. “Luna just needs to rest and according to my examination both fetuses are strong. So, I’d say Luna’s fainting was just due to exhaustion.”
Usher nodded. “Good. Looks like some of Vione’s appointments will have to be postponed.” He glanced at Fidel, who was standing alert not far from them, and said, “Reschedule Vione’s appointments.”
Fidel replied, “Yes, Alpha.”
“In order to keep Luna’s condition stable, I’ve already given Fidel the necessary vitamins and supplements,” Scott went on to explain. “After all, pregnancy is never easy for any woman, especially with twins. I’ll be monitoring her progress regularly, Alpha. Now, if you’ll excuse me.”
Usher thanked Scott one last time before he left. Then, one by one, the others-Cora, Garth and Fidel-also left the room, leaving Usher and Vione in a silence that was deeply comforting.
He stepped carefully. Usher walked with great caution, afraid that even the sound of his footsteps might disturb Vione’s rest.
Usher approached the bed and sat down slowly, his gaze fixed on Vione, on her peaceful face. “Thank you, Vione,” he whispered as he gently took her hand. His thumb stroked the back of her hand several times. “You always bring me happiness, and this time it’s not just me who’s happy, but the whole pack.”
Usher lowered his head and planted a tender kiss on the back of Vione’s hand, letting the moment fill his heart with a flood of emotions-happiness, gratitude, and deep love.
*