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“You’re telling me he ruined the surprise?” I said, feigning offense as I returned the friendly embrace.
“Of course he did,” Ethan chirped, moving in to greet me next. “I’m surprised he waited this long to tell the pack.”
“Personally, I expected him to be running up and down the streets yelling the news at the top of his lungs,” Jacob added, chuckling just like the rest of them.
Each one of them made sure to greet me in some way, making me feel more than excepted like I was a part of the inner circle. It was nice to be familiar with the people he cared so much about.
“All right, all right, if you’re done congratulating us, there’s enough food to stuff your mouths with,” Levi interjected, earning a round of laughter from his friends.
Amused by their antics, I watched as they took over the celebration, getting the others more excited while they raided the spread of food.
When mostly everyone was done with their meals, the chairs were moved, and many of the women began dancing around the fire. First, the few kids in the pack started us off with their adorable movements, eliciting kind coos from everyone else. Then, others joined, and it wasn’t long before Ivy strolled up to me and asked for my hand with a wide grin.
“It would be an honor if you joined us around the fire,” she said in a mock-posh voice.
Laughing with her, I put my hand in hers and was immediately swept away.
Following her lead and moving with the others, I found myself in a completely foreign position. As much as I enjoyed it, I was never one to dance in front of others, especially not when I received so much ridicule.
Yet, as the pack cheered us on, I felt at ease and let myself move around the fire as if we were part of some ancient tribe. More in tune with my instincts, I let my body do whatever felt right rather than overthinking it.
“I can’t wait to meet the baby,” Ivy said as she spun me around enthusiastically. “It sucks we have to wait so long!”
“Soon enough, I’ll be so swollen that I’ll miss the early stages,” I returned with a faint smile at the thought.
“It seems things are a lot better between the two of you,” she murmured to me with a knowing look.
Warmed by the sentiment, I moved with her and felt myself growing giddier. “They really have been. Levi’s been over the moon about it, and I’m glad our bond is stronger now.”
“The Luna treatment looks good on you,” she added, mirroring my excitement like she had done since we were kids. “And I think the alpha agrees.”
Glancing over my shoulder as we danced, I caught Levi as he watched me, wearing a satisfied grin on his face from his seat. He seemed to analyze my movements, not wanting to miss a moment.
My heart jumped at the longing in his eyes, and I still couldn’t understand how I had gotten so lucky.
“I think you’re right,” I said to Ivy, giving her hand a scandalized squeeze.
We giggled at the prospect like schoolgirls, and it reminded me of why I treasured Ivy and her friendship so much. She seemed to just get me, and we had always been so in sync with one another.
Dancing with the others as the fire reached up toward the night sky, I basked in the feeling of Levi’s intent stare, and I let myself go in the euphoria of it all.
Chapter 22 - Levi
A week had passed since I told the pack the good news, and it seemed to be the exact thing everyone needed to lift their spirits. A pregnant Luna was always a good omen for a pack’s success and prosperity, and that gift came at the right time.
Jane’s symptoms were on and off still, as it was too early for them to fully subside. On her good days, she’d busy herself in the soon-to-be library with Ivy, and on the worse days, she’d stay curled up on the couch, either nursed by myself, Ivy, or Nati whenever she had the chance.
No matter how many times I’d tell her that everyone felt honored for the opportunity to help take care of her and ease some of that strain, Jane would apologize and say that she didn’t want to be a burden.
While I was familiar with her past in the other pack, I didn’t realize just how bad it had been until those small habits popped up again. It was difficult to know she had been so badly mistreated that she walked away with long-standing insecurities, but I was more than willing to spend this lifetime with her, constantly reminding her exactly how important and wonderful she really was.
I had always wanted a family and a fated mate of my own, but before we realized our connection, I never knew what to envision. And yet, with Jane, it was effortless for me to see what was ahead of us.
Heading inside after getting home from work, I found Jane curled up with a blanket and a book in her lap as she read peacefully in the living room. She didn’t seem too debilitated by nausea or exhaustion, so I approached with a gentle smile.
“Are you feeling up for the pack run tonight?” I asked, putting a comforting hand on her shoulder.
She mirrored the soft expression in my direction and nodded. “I should be fine.”
