“Sure, you are always welcome. I will pretend there is a mock meeting and invite you,” I promise. “Flora will invite Janice, and no one will care.”
“Do you mind if I bring Deacon along too? It’s safer that way.”
“Your beta is always welcome,” I assure him.
“Thank you, man, your help means a lot to me.”
*FLORA*
I have spent the majority of my time in my office or in the Alpha Suite. Recently, Elden and I had the whole suite renovated and rebuilt. With our growing responsibilities, we knew it was about time to move from my grandma’s cottage to the packhouse. Elden needs to be there, at the center of the pack. And now, with our pup on the way, I feel like it’s the best decision for all of us. The place is much bigger, and if we grow our family there will be enough space.
There is a knock at my door, making me light up instantly. “Come in, Janice!”
She smiles as she opens the door. “I can’t believe I found you in your office.”
“Well, I can’t move much, but I can still sit here and do some work,” I say. “I am so happy to see you. Elden called me earlier and told me you would come.”
She offers me her arm and helps me up. I rest my hand on my belly. Neither Elden nor I expected to get pregnant so soon. It’s not even three years since we took over the pack, and we both had planned to be done with college before focusing on a family. But well, our little boy here happened, and decided now is as good of a time as later. I feel so thankful for the privileged situation I am in. I have a loving and supportive mate, who has the funds to support us both and the pack. I have friends who help me as much as they can. That’s why I want to make sureto keep working as long as I can. Even with the baby here I want to attend to my duties. Being a luna is not just a job, it’s a responsibility I can’t just neglect. It’s the pack’s heart. The baby seems to agree as it keeps trampling against my bladder.
It makes me laugh. “The baby is kicking more and more recently. He is getting restless.”
“When is your exact due date?” Janice asks.
“In two weeks,” I say. “But the pack doctor told me it could be earlier. I can’t wait for him to be here.”
“Aunt Janice can’t wait either,” she says towards my stomach.
We both laugh. “Would you mind walking around a bit? I have been sitting way too much.”
“Got you,” she says. “Let’s walk around the pack.”
With that said, we make our way outside and just enjoy the sunny weather. The pack is flourishing more and more. Elden has worked his ass off the last two years, and it shows. The pack is growing, and our investments are paying off, too.
“It’s amazing what the both of you did,” Janice says.
I look around, watching how some of the newer warriors are heading to the training halls. There are she-wolves within them, something that makes me feel incredibly proud. “It was truly worth it.”
“Just make sure you get some rest as well,” Janice says.
“Tell that to my mate, he is much worse.” I laugh. “But don’t worry, we are watching out for each other.”
“Have you heard anything from the family?” she asks.
“Aunt Elspeth is coming next week and will stay for a couple of months to help me,” I explain, very grateful that Elden’s aunt offered her help. She is an older lady, graceful and slightly sarcastic, but very genuine in her love for Elden and me. “Oh, and I talked to Emilia on the phone.”
“No way! How is she doing?”
“She is adapting so well. She said she loves Egypt. At the beginning she wasn’t so sure if she would stay, but now she is going to stay permanently. Alma and Minnie are well, too. Elden tries to keep in contact with Minnie, in particular, though it’s not easy.”
“He would be such a good brother,” Janice mutters. “It’s sad that he never had the chance.”
“I know, but he doesn’t blame Alma for being skeptical of him and his lineage. Caelum really did them dirty.”
“What about his half-brother in Paris?”
“Ugh!” I roll my eyes. “That’s a real issue. Unfortunately, he is trying to appeal to Caelum. Well, not that he can meet him a lot. Caelum is pretty much locked away.” I laugh at the thought of having him sit and mope around in his house, and be bored to death.
“So, unlike Elden, he wants to bond with his dad.”