New beginnings
***TWO DAYS LATER***
“Alpha Lucas. I must say thank you for honoring my lands with your presence. My people were very much excited to meet you, we thank you for agreeing to extend your stay, and we hope that you will come and visit us soon again.”
Lucas smiled in response as he and Daryl returned from their walk that morning. He’d agreed to go with the alpha to survey the ongoing projects by the men he sent, and also greet some of the Daivie workers who were more than excited to meet him.
“Thank you, Daryl, for hosting me here. Thank you for hosting my mate too for the time she was here.”
“Ehen… about your mate, so do you intend to leave her here now that you’re returning back to the dawn pack? You know I will never get tired of looking after her… anything for my trusted ally.”
“Thank you, Daryl, but that will not be needed. My main reason for coming here was because I intended on taking her home. My people are waiting to welcome their Luna, and the time is far due to welcome my mate and my child back home. The purpose for my visit here would end up in vain if I were not able to accomplish that. So, thank you for your offer, but Ava will be coming home with me.”
Daryl nodded, “I understand well, friend. And I thank the goddess that your union has been restored.”
“Yes, it has. And I personally will ensure that it will never be broken by anyone again.”
**********
“Why won’t you let me take this blindfold off???” Ava gasped with curiosity. “Why is it taking so long??”
“Be patient, precious… we’re almost there,” Lucas beamed as he led her through the dawn halls. Right after their arrival, he’d thrown a blindfold on her claiming that there was a surprise waiting for her near her former room. He refused to tell her what it was until she reached to see it for herself, and he refused to take the blindfold off her until she entered the room.
After a few moments…
“Are we there now?”
“Yes, we are here. You can take it off now.”
Finally. She sighed as she slowly removed the blindfold to reveal what stood in front of her, what Lucas had prepared for her. She awed as she took in sight of the room, almost feeling the need to cry as she walked round the sea-themed wolf pack nursery that Lucas had finished up for their son. It had a rocking chair, a cot, some baby furniture and of course… lots of toys amongst others.
“So… what do you think?” He asked as she turned to face him. Her expression was one he found hard to read then.
She closed her eyes for a bit as she covered her mouth in both hands, trying to find her words, when she did, she let out another gasp, “Lucas…. It’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen…”
He brought his hand to his head, nervously raking through his locks as he confessed his actions, “I’ve been um… working on it since the day you left… the day I… sent you away…”
Ava was surprised. “Really… how long did it take to make all this?”
“It wasn’t very easy, as these are rare parts… but it did take me a few weeks to put it all together… I would have given so much more to do it all over again with you…”
She hugged him then, burying her face in his chest, “Thank you, Lucas. Thank you for making a home for our son.”
As they ended the hug, he said, “I should be the one thanking you… you’re the one who’s hosting our little cub right now… what I’ve done is nothing compared to the amount of strength you’ve given…”
“Oh, Lucas…”
He kissed her, “I love you, Ava. I do not mind if I have to say it a million times because that’s exactly how I feel, and the fact that you are carrying my child now… means so much to me.”
Ava remembered something important then, something that Nani had told her a few weeks ago the last time she saw her.
“Lucas…. This baby… everything that is happening… is the start of a new beginning, not just for us, but for your followers as well, for they will have a new heir once this child is born.”
He nodded, affirming it. “Of course, dear.”
“What I want to tell you… or rather… what I want you to do, is put the past behind you, Lucas… and do not let your fears of what happened then be the judge of the actions you will take in the course of time.”
Lucas understood well what she was talking about, because it’s something he’s been working on, a big part of himself he’s working on… trying to change, for the better, for her and their son.
Sighs, “Precious…”
“I’m serious, Lucas. I do not want what happened to impact the life of this child in any way. I am begging for that not to happen.”
“It won’t, Ava. That I can assure you with everything I have, everything I live for. I will protect my son with my life if I have to, and I would do that for you as well.”
She hugged him again, “thank you, Lucas. I will take your words to heart because I know that you will make a good father. The goddess has given you a second chance, so we’ll just make the most of it.”
He kissed her forehead as he embraced her again, “of course we will, precious. Of course, we will.”
**********
After settling into her mate’s chambers, Ava got another surprise that evening; a welcome party from the dawners, as all who’d missed her, and that included ALL of the dawn wolves, could not wait to celebrate her as they met with her that evening. Nani had backed a huge cake, and prepared much to eat along with the servants. The dining hall was even decorated specially just for her, with a big “WELCOME BACK, AVA” banner hanging from the ceiling.
Ava was surrounded with so much love and presents, it brought tears to her eyes to see how much the dawners had missed her, many of which even joined her in crying as she reunited with her people.
There in the background, her mate watched from his seat as she related with them, both young and old, they all loved Ava, and she loved them too, he knew that asides all the merrying, there was one thing left to do.