Page 39 of Pregnant By the Alpha Wolf

Griffen is on his way out when I hear him meet Willow and Wynter as they arrive.

“My favorite people,” Griffen roars in greeting from the front door, and I hear Willow laugh. A sound that never fails to soothe my beasts.

Walking into the hall just in time to witness Griffen blowing raspberries like a goofball at Wynter, I pull Willow in for a kiss as she’s trying to take her coat off.

“Wait,” she laughs.

“I simply can’t, love,” I chuckle, kissing the top of Wynter’s head and allowing their presence to wash over me, calming my wolf again.

Willow

I can feel his waves of emotion through the bond, and I know something has been bothering him since the call with the alpha alliance. I don’t want to push him, though, so I let him distract himself by loving our little boy.

To see such a strong man cradling his baby son, caring for him so gently, makes my heart swell. Wynter may have only been with us for a few weeks, but it feels like he was always meant to be ours. I know every parent says that, but the change I see in Rowan’s eyes when he looks at his son feels transformational. He says he has found true peace within our family, and I see that is true.

That's why I feel saddened by his turbulent emotions now. I wait for him to settle Wynter in his crib and return to the kitchen island, where I’m preparing dinner. I stop what I’m doing and walk toward him, wrapping my arms around his broad, muscular body. He

immediately returns the embrace, his hands skimming my body until I blush and bury my head against his chest. Pregnancy has only enhanced my curves, and while it’s still taking some getting used to, Rowan only ever makes me feel good about myself. I’m slowly starting to see myself more through his eyes. Somehow, he always knows the right thing to say or do to make me feel beautiful.

“Tell me about the call with the alphas,” I say. “How was Cade and Alder’s trip? I bet they drove each other crazy.”

His deep chuckle reverberates through my body, and he doesn’t disagree. Instead, he tells me about the clan and how the Order is using humans’ fears about shifters to recruit them into becoming hunters. Hearing the potential scale of the Order around the world, I can’t help but glance over at Wynter and fear for his future. Since becoming a mother, I can understand more than ever why Rowan formed the Nicholson pack and embraced isolation after all he endured in the Old World. Losing both our parents to hatred has given us a unique understanding, but it also makes me even more fearful.

“Is that what’s bothering you?” I ask gently. “I can feel you’re conflicted. Is it about the meeting?”

He strokes my hair, kissing my ear and sending goosebumps dancing across my scalp. I think he’s trying to distract me for a moment, but then he pauses. “We all made some good points about how, by working together, we have made progress in stopping the hunters and uncovering thetruth about the Order,” he explains. “If Alder’s old clan stopped fighting with neighboring packs, they might do better against the threat. If all packs understood the Order and how hunters are recruited, we may be able to defeat them.”

"Not to mention all our advancements, including the Völva magic,” I add.

I feel him nodding against me, “Quite, love.”

“I’m confused,” I admit. “These are good ideas, why don’t you seem happier?”

“I was asked if I had any contacts in the Old World to share information with and build alliances,” he sighs. “Of course I do. But I left all that behind me. We have our life here; I have you and Wynter. And I wish to leave all that in the past. My father’s pack, for example, I have no interest in hearing about how much they hate me. The packs I grew from nothing in the Dolomites that now rule that region hunted me across Europe. They were my brethren once, and they turned on me in the most cowardly way. How can I work with these people? Do I simply trust that time changes people?.”

I lean into him, letting my love travel through the bond as I speak. “It has changed you, has it not? I think your parents would be proud of you. The Order threatens us all, including Wynter. I think we can do whatever is necessary together. You’re not alone now.”

“And neither are you, love.” He says, tilting my head to kiss me deeply. Just then, Wynter stirs, and Rowan steps away to tend to him. It’s clear that Rowan knows it’s a good idea, but I understand his reticence. We’re all learning that we’re stronger together, but it’s not easy to forget the sins of the past.

Later that evening, I’m getting ready for bed as Rowan tiptoes into our room. The master suite was reconfigured, so thenursey is connected, and I can’t help but giggle at his attempts to not wake Wynter as he closes the door.

“I think I have the magic touch,” he says proudly.

“Oh, I know you do,” I smile as he pulls me closer.

He kisses me gently and then pulls away slightly to look at me. “I think you are right,” he says, “We will do whatever is necessary to protect Wynter. The Order has become successful by building a network, and so must we.”

I reach up to cup his cheek. “But you won’t do it alone. You have a family who loves you now.”

“I love you, Willow. I fear nothing with you at my side, love.”

“Except for your son waking up,” I laugh. “I love you, too.”

He chuckles and then kisses me again, sweet to begin with and then increasingly hungry with desire. “Let me show you exactly how much I love you,” he murmurs as he pulls me down to the bed, his firm hands roaming my body.

As we lose ourselves in each other, all thoughts of the battles to come fade into insignificance, replaced only by thoughts of love.

*****

THE END