Jade’s pov:
The revelations made by Alex felt almost like a story out of this world. Even though he had been tortured, he hadn’t given in, not one iota… and it was precisely because of his resilience that they chose to entrust him with a perilous task.
He didn’t go into the details of how he got the evidence he needed against the queen, but I could understand that some things weren’t to be discussed. And at the end of the day, all that mattered to me was that he was back among us.
“I missed you,” I choked on the words, with unshed tears stinging my eyes. “May we never get separated again!”
“May we never get separated again, love,” he nodded at me, as if he was making a vow, not merely repeating my words.
“We should probably send word to our allies about your safe return,” Trevor then let out softly.
“I will call them myself,” Alex supplied, a small smile stretching his lips, before he added, “I never thought I would miss the paperwork or the formalities of everything that comes with the title of Alpha…”
“I must thank you for your trust, Alpha,” Luc then let out solemnly, “and I must also apologize for my shortcomings. I am a warrior at heart, but I failed to keep the elders from insulting the Luna…”
“It’s not your fault, Luc,” I smiled at him. “You were too busy placating them as you no doubt bought time and making sure the pack didn’t miss its leader…”
“Don’t sell yourself short. You’re my best friend for a reason, Luc,” Alex told him with a proud smirk. Then, turning to his third in command, he went on, “And I trust you outdid yourself, Trevor, as you protected your Luna, and our future alpha heir.”
Although it might have sounded like a tricky question, Trevor soon admitted, “Luc, Lucille and I took turns to guard her naturally.”
I had smelled mom on the Alpha floor a few times, but she never knocked on the door. I merely thought she sought me out for one reason or another, and then thought better of it.
I never thought she got involved with my protection. The love of a mother truly never faded away, no matter the hardships she was facing, no matter the depression she was fighting regularly after my father’s passing… That had the knack to bring emotional tears to my eyes again, and I had to tip my head back to avoid crying like a baby.
“What about our guests and protegees, Paulina and Anna?” Alex then asked.
“They’ve been training me daily,” I told him proudly. “More like Paulina has been training me and Anna has been watching us with keen eyes.”
“Sounds like you were having a good time while I was away,” he teased as he nuzzled me lovingly.
“It is my obligation as your Luna, to make sure no harm befalls the pack as I give birth to our baby, to make sure I become the best version of myself, for you, for me, and for our baby…”
“I know,” he nodded, a proud smile on his face.
“We’ll leave you two lovebirds alone,” Luc then declared, his words meant to tease us, only made us chuckle good-humredly.
“Yes, the paperwork you’ve missed out on can wait, Alpha,” Trevor added in earnest.
“What paperwork?” Alex sighed dramatically, shaking his head in disapproval.
“I only signed what I could understand, and knew would benefit the pack without a shred of a doubt,” I said, even as my cheeks burned.
There was a world I didn’t know. A world of responsibilities behind Alex’s proud smirks, and his usual teasing. He made being an alpha look so easy, when it was most certainly not. And I loved him all the more for it.
“You did well, love,” he pecked my lips.
The door clicked shut behind our retreating friends, and it wasn’t long before Alex and I were drunk on one another, kissing, nuzzling, and touching.
** ** ** ** **
There wasn’t much I wouldn’t do for my mate. I had known that for some time already, but as we later went for a check-up at the clinic, I realized I would have to outdo myself for my baby too.
“Everything seems good for now. The baby is okay but you’re not, Luna Jade,” the doctor began to reprimand me in a fatherly tone of voice. “Have you been eating healthy? Have you been sleeping well? You’ve lost weight…”
“Well, you know…” I tried to object, but he didn’t allow me to finish my sentence.
“Yes, I know, Luna Jade, that the Alpha had been away, and his fate had been uncertain. I can understand that this was a reason for many of your concerns, but please know that the baby always protects itself. If it can’t get the nutrients it needs from what you’re eating, it will get it straight from your bones and tissues.”
“I am here now,” Alex said resolutely, fire burning in his eyes. “Just tell me what needs to be done, and I will see to it that she won’t hurt herself further.”
“Only 2 weeks remain, Luna Jade, and you will be a mom. Please don’t overexert yourself. And since you must train, make sure to eat properly and take breaks. Also, please go out in the sun and immerse yourself in nature. It will help you get rid of any residual angst.”
“Yes, Doctor,” I nodded in earnest, glad that he didn’t tell me I couldn’t train.
Admittedly, I had made progress but not enough according to Paulina. I needed to do better… And now that Alex was back, now that I felt complete again, home again, I could put my mind to it.
Whether I was a werewolf, a witch, a born healer, or everything at once, I was more importantly his mate and Luna. I shall not disappoint him.
Messing up was not an option. It never was.