"What's up, Cora?" I asked, my voice laced with anticipation.
She grinned from ear to ear, her bright eyes locking onto mine. With a flourish, she produced three pregnancy tests, each bearing the unmistakable sign of a positive result. "We're having a baby!"
The words hung in the air, a powerful declaration that filled the room with a sense of awe and wonder. It was as if a weight had been lifted from my shoulders, replaced by the purest joy I had ever known.
Emotion surged through me, a mixture of elation and disbelief. I couldn't tear my eyes away from Cora, my heart overflowing with love for her and the tiny life growing within her.
"We're going to be parents," I whispered, my voice choked with emotion.
Cora nodded, tears of happiness glistening in her eyes. "Yes, we are."
We held each other in that moment, the troubles of the world fading into the background. Our love had brought us through countless challenges, and now it would carry us through the incredible journey of parenthood.
As I cradled Cora in my arms, I couldn't help but feel a renewed sense of purpose. Our packs, the Unseen Pack, the mysterious forest—all of it paled in comparison to the miracle unfolding within Cora. Our child was a symbol of hope, a reminder that even in the darkest of times, there could be light.
With newfound determination, I kissed Cora once more, this time with a promise for our future. We were in this together, facing whatever challenges lay ahead as a united front. Our love had conquered adversity before, and it would do so again, for the sake of our child and the world we were determined to protect.
Chapter three
Cora
Aftersharingtheincrediblenews of our impending parenthood, I found solace in Weston's embrace. His strong arms enveloped me, and for a moment, all was right with the world. I could feel his love, his excitement, and his disbelief coursing through the bond that connected us.
But there was something else, too, lurking just beneath the surface. A storm of emotions that Weston was desperately trying to hide from me. I could sense it in the tension that gripped his body, the unease in his scent, and the way his grip on me was just a little too tight.
"Weston," I began, my voice soft but filled with concern, "what's going on? You're scaring me."
He hesitated, his blue eyes clouded with turmoil. It was as if he were battling something within himself, something he was reluctant to share. But our bond was unyielding, and the truth lay bare between us.
"I can't talk about it yet, Cora," he finally admitted, his voice strained. "Just trust me, okay? I need a little time."
My heart sank at his words, and I could feel the weight of his unspoken fears pressing down on us. I nodded, though I couldn't help but feel a pang of worry. "All right, Weston. I trust you."
With a reluctant smile, he leaned in and kissed me gently, as if seeking solace in our love. It was a bittersweet moment, filled with both joy and uncertainty. But I was determined not to let anything mar our happiness about the baby.
As Weston headed to the shower to wash away the remnants of the evening's events, I stayed behind, alone with my thoughts. The air felt heavy with the unspoken, the unknown, and it gnawed at me. I wanted to be there for Weston, to share his burden, but I also understood that some things needed time.
I couldn't help but wonder about the source of his distress. My senses were attuned to him, to our bond, and I could feel the turmoil swirling within him. It was a torment that I couldn't ease, and it left me feeling helpless.
But for now, I would focus on the incredible journey ahead—the journey of becoming parents. The joy of our baby's impending arrival was a beacon of light in the darkness, and I would hold onto that with all my heart.
When Weston returned to our bedroom, his skin still carrying the lingering scent of soap and steam, he slid into bed beside me. I could sense that he wasn't ready to talk yet, but I also knew that he would when the time was right.
As we lay in the dimly lit bedroom, the weight of unspoken concerns hung heavily in the air. I could sense Weston's restlessness beside me, his eyes remaining open and his thoughts a whirlwind of emotions. It pained me to see him like this, but I knew better than to push him into sharing his burdens before he was ready.
I shifted closer, my fingers tracing light patterns on his chest, hoping to offer some form of comfort. His scent, a mix of musk and something uniquely Weston, filled my senses. I pressed a soft kiss to his cheek, my lips lingering against his warm skin. He turned to me, his lips meeting mine in a gentle kiss.
The kiss deepened naturally, as if it were an unspoken agreement between us. I felt the spark of our mating bond come alive, a potent connection that ran soul-deep. My hands moved over his bare torso, tracing the lines of his muscles, feeling the reassuring rhythm of his heartbeat beneath my touch.
I knew that this moment was about more than physical intimacy; it was a way for us to communicate without words, to reaffirm our love and support for each other. Weston's eyes met mine, and I could see the mixture of emotions in their depths—love, gratitude, and a hint of vulnerability.
We didn't need to say anything; our bodies spoke the language of desire and connection. Our bond was a powerful force, built on trust and understanding.
Weston's touch sent shivers of desire coursing through me, a familiar and intoxicating sensation that never failed to set my body ablaze. As he pulled me closer, I could feel the heat of his desire, his arousal pressing against me. It ignited my own passion, a fiery response that I couldn't deny.
His lips found mine once more, and the kiss deepened, a fervent connection between two souls intertwined by fate. I arched my back in response to the sensation of his fingers tracing the contours of my body, my skin tingling with each caress. A low, primal growl escaped his throat, a sound that stirred something wild and untamed within me.
My shirt was gone in an instant, discarded as if it were a mere obstacle in our path. The cool air brushed against my bare skin, making me gasp and moan softly. Weston's eyes, dark with desire, locked onto mine, and I saw a hunger there that mirrored my own.