Jade’s pov:
It was only when the car began to move, and I believed that Alex wouldn’t be able to catch my expression, that I began to sob hard… as pathetic as that might sound.
Mom patted my back a few times and told me sweet, soothing nothings, and that seemed to do the trick, for I soon quietened down a notch. Admittedly, my wolf was excited at the prospect of training, but also sad because of this forced separation, and that didn’t help.
Nevertheless, she still found it in her to say, “Easy sweetheart. Don’t forget you’re pregnant, and these mood swings affect the baby.”
That had the knack to make me calm down completely. I needed to see this training as nothing but a task I needed to complete, in order to stand proudly next to my beloved mate. It was the only way this whole ordeal would be more bearable.
But then again, I knew that I would soon be so busy, I wouldn’t have much time to lament… and I was looking forward to it. For this wasn’t me, and I hated being a crybaby. But the pregnancy hormones sure did me dirty.
The Alpha King’s estate was over 8 hours away, and we naturally had to make a couple of stops on the way there. Mom and I ate, or more like snacked on some chips and cheese, for I had no appetite on the first stop. By the time we stopped a second time, I was famished, and we sat down for a burger, along with Trevor and Eli.
The driver and the other man, who had spoken to Alex earlier, sat at another table, watching us even as they ate in silence.
The diner was vacant, and we were the only clients around, which allowed us to openly discuss a few things.
“Luna Jade,” Trevor began with utmost respect, “I truly admire you.”
I offered him a soft smile before admitting in a hushed tone of voice, “I cried like a baby in the car.”
“Be that as it may be, you’re still here. You didn’t go back on your word, and are on your way to an unfamiliar pack, all so you could train… And in a way, you’re protecting our pack by doing so too.”
Put like that, it made the training I had to undergo more like a mission. Protecting the pack was everyone’s mission.
“Jade has always been selfless,” mom nodded at him. “She would rather be hurt than hurt someone else.”
“That’s being crazy,” Eli quipped in a tone that wasn’t quite joking. “If you ever put yourself or the baby’s health in danger, so help me god, I will give you the scolding of a lifetime. Tell yourself you’re there to train, not to get sick or heavens forbid lose the baby…”
I chuckled at once, especially seeing how Trevor swatted Eli on the back of his head.
“Don’t you speak to the luna in such a disrespectful manner,” he chided him without delay.
Eli pursed his lips, but his eyes told me he was serious and I knew he was.
“Let him be, Trevor,” I said in a soft tone of voice. “Eli has always been awkward with words.”
“You know I meant every word, right?” Eli raised an eyebrow at me, not quite pleased with my choice of words.
“Oh, I know,” I nodded at him at once.
“You have great friends, sweetheart,” mom told me, a sweet smile stretching her lips.
“I do, don’t I?” I retorted with a smile of my own.
“And you should ease down on all the junk food, which I know you love,” Eli went on, undeterred by the glare Trevor was sending him.
“Did Alex put you up to this?” I asked, only half jokingly, for I wouldn’t put it past Alex to do that really.
“No, he didn’t have to,” he shook his head negatively, eyes slightly narrowed, “I know you… and you have to be the most stubborn woman I know.”
“That, she is,” mom let out in agreement, even as she picked at the rest of the French fries.
“Hey, don’t you take his side,” I bumped her shoulder with mine in a light manner, enjoying this little banter we had.
This had to be the first time mom involved herself readily, in a random conversation, ever since she lost dad. And I was all here for it.
Once we were done, the man came to our table without delay I knew he had been watching us but this was still a little bit overkill and told us in earnest, “It is time we left. Only a couple more hours to go till we reach the territory.”
I nodded wordlessly at him as I rose to my feet, and the group followed.
** ** ** **
By the time the car came to another halt its final one I was just about ready to hit the bed. I was that tired and then some.
Mom too had a weary expression on her face, but the moment the door opened, she became more alert. Like a true warrior.
“This is it,” the man let out, his tone of voice beyond proud.
I got off the car and stretched my limbs, even popped some joints, before inhaling deeply, and telling the man in a respectful tone, “Thank you for the pleasant journey.”
“Thank you for your cooperation,” he nodded curtly at me in return. “This way please,” he made a motion with his hand, indicating that I should follow him.
“Let me just say goodbye to our third in command and warrior,” I let out in a soft tone of voice.
He merely nodded at me, never showing any sign of displeasure or impatience. The man was as hard to read as they came, and it was somewhat unsettling.
But now wasn’t the time to wonder what kind of training he must have undergone to become like a machine…
Once I bid the boys goodbye, by bumping fists with both of them, and they told me to be safe once again, it was time for me to embark on this new journey.