novelxo Chapter EPILOGUE
2 Months Later
-Adira-
Many of the local pack members who resided in the packhouse cleared the way as I stomped through the large home. Today was a rough day and didn’t particularly help with the foul mood I had been in for the past couple of weeks.
Since the disappearance of Delilah Wilson, the council was eager to find a replacement and quick which added to a long list of things I needed to do. Not only was my pack still in the middle of repairs, something that needed my constant attention, but I was getting the hang of sharing my Alpha duties with Rhys. The last thing I needed were the elders breathing down my neck for a new council member.
Finding a new member wasn’t difficult, not when Lucas’ parents returned for their trip across the world spending most of their time in Europe. Lawrence Steele said it was because he and Clara wanted to explore other countries and have a well earned vacation, but I knew what it was.
It was difficult for them to stay in the pack, not when their two best friend’s passed away not so long ago. I didn’t blame them for taking off.
Lawrence was completely surprised when I introduced him to Rhys and didn’t hesitate to take on the father role in my life by giving my mate a stern talking to. He was even more surprised when Selene and Lucas broke the news to him. I had never seen the former Beta look so happy.
I wanted Lawrence as the new council member. He was perfect for the job and knew how to stay on neutral ground, something those elders needed more practice in. Unfortunately, they weren’t as confident in the older man as I was and continuously had many, many meetings to tell me how wrong I was.. Which is the exact reason why I was stomping through the pack house with Lucas trailing behind me.
“Relax Ad, we’ll get through to the council. Dad is confident that they’ll make the right choice.” Lucas tries to comfort me only to fail miserably.
There was no point, I was frustrated, annoyed, cranky, and a bit hungry. I didn’t need Lucas’ or anyone’s soothing words.
I wasn’t entirely sure why my mood had been so bad lately. Rhys says it’s the pressure of being an Alpha but I wasn’t convinced. I experienced Alpha duties alone before he came around, this was something different. I needed to figure it out and fast.
“They should learn to believe in their Alpha.” I snapped back before entering the kitchen and planting myself against the counter feeling frustration bubble up in me again.
Lucas’ studied me calculatingly, if anyone was able to figure out what was wrong with me, I could be Lucas. Rhys of course was another option, sadly my mate was in the Crimson Pack helping Killian with his own Alpha duties. It’s been a painful and sexually frustrating month without him. I missed my mate.
“Are you okay Ad?” He asks carefully “You’re not usually so...unhinged after talking to the council. Is everything getting to you?”
Suddenly without any sort of warning, I burst into tears causing Lucas’ eyes to widen and take a step back in fright. He wasn’t used to me crying and I wasn’t either.
To make things worse, I didn’t even know why I was crying. What the hell was wrong with me?
“Okay, looks like we’re going to need some help.” He sighed before taking me into his arms and leading me away from the kitchen to find the one person who could offer some sort of comfort.
---
Natalia studied me perplexed as I sat on an observation table “So let me get this straight? You’ve been moody, constantly hungry, emotional, and a tad nauseous?”
I nodded my head “It’s like any little thing sets me off. I fucking cried when Lucas asked me what was wrong earlier.”
That made my sister’s eyebrows spring up in surprise before she erupted into laughter. At first I was grateful that Lucas hurriedly dropped me off with my sister but now that she was laughing at me, I immediately took it back.
“What the hell are you laughing at?” I growled out feeling annoyance wash over me once again.
Natalia wiped her teary eyes, her laughter slowly dying down “I think I know what’s wrong with you but first, I’m going to need to take a test.” She walked over to the cabinet that hung above the sink and pulled out a small plastic cup “Go pee in this.”
I shot her an ‘are you kidding me’ look only for her to narrow her eyes daring me to argue with her. Knowing that my sister was more stubborn than any of us and putting up a fight would be pointless, I took the cup and entered the bathroom.
A few minutes later I returned with the cup now full and handed it to Natalia who grinned my way. Calling over a nurse she handed it off for whatever test she was going to take.
“So.” I begin fiddling with the paper underneath me “How are you?”
Natalia blew out a breath and crossed her arms leaning against the wall opposite of me. She knew what I was asking about. It has been 2 month since she has seen or even spoken to Killian and I had a feeling it was beginning to take a toll on her.
But they had made a deal, a deal they would do their very best to keep. A few days after the Victor incident, Rhys had given Killian the Alpha title of the Crimson Pack. Something apparently Killian was terrified of. I didn’t know the entire story nor did I ask. It was something Killian struggled with and I wasn’t one to put my nose in business that wasn’t mine.
Not long after that he approached Nat with a hopeful smile and asked her to come with him. Only she didn’t.
They spoke in her bedroom for hours, no one knowing exactly what went down in there but when they exited they both held smiles on their faces and sadness in their eyes.
‘Three years’ Natalia says after Killian left with one last passionate kiss that left her breathless ’He’s giving me three years to finish all the schooling I had to do, the rest I would finish in his pack.’
That was the last time anyone asked her about Killian, until now that is.
“I’m fine.” She says with a distant look in her eyes. The same one she gets when she thinks about him “Will this longing ever go away?”
My lips lifted and I shook my head “No.”
Natalia blew her fringe out of her face in frustration “I figured.”
I opened my mouth to speak once again when the door of the room opened revealing one of the nurses who had a bright excited smile on her face as she held a blue folder out “Here you go Natalia!”
My sister grinned and flipped open the folder. I waited for what felt like hours until she finally spoke “You may want to sit down for this Adira.”
---
My legs felt like jello as I trudged up stairs to Rhys and I’s bedroom. How the hell did this happen?
I wanted to punch myself, of course I knew how it happened but why were we so careless? I groaned and ran a hand through my hair.
At least I knew why I was so moody lately.
How was I supposed to tell Rhys? Would he even be happy? Or excited?
The subject of babies hasn’t come up just yet and I think we were a little too late to have that conversation. For now, I would take it one day at a time. I had time to think before my mate returned, time to figure out how I felt about this entire situation.
Sighing deeply I opened my door only to have the sweet manly scent of my mate engulf my senses. There sitting on our bed was Rhys, shirtless along with a pair of sweatpants. His blonde hair was wet indicating that he had been home long enough to take a shower.
“Rhys.” I breath out unable to believe he was really here.
Rising to his feet he outstretched his arms which I didn’t hesitate to run into. He spun us around and held me tight “Fuck I missed you.” He says into my hair.
I nuzzled my head into his neck and sighed happily “I missed you too.” then I pulled away with furrowed brows “I thought you were returning next week?”
Rhys lifted his hand to run his fingers across my cheek lovingly “I couldn’t be away from you much longer. My wolf was sort of going crazy.” He admits sheepishly “Besides, Killian was more than ready to handle things alone.”
Knowing I wasn’t complaining one bit I got closer to his neck once again and inhaled his scent. Home. Rhys smelled like home.
He was doing the same thing except this time, he stilled in my arms after one sniff “You smell different.” There was confusion in his tone “Have I been gone that long?”
This time, I pull completely out of his arms. I knew I wouldn’t be able to keep this from him very long, not with my scent already changing and the inevitable changes that would soon happen to my body. Changes that would happen rather quickly or so Natalia says.
“I just found out some interesting news.” I winced slightly at my words.
Rhys placed a hand on my arm gently, his blue eyes were filled with concern “Are you okay? Lucas mentioned you weren’t feeling the best lately.”
Letting out a shaky breath I nodded my head “More than okay….I think.”
He rose a brow “Okay. So what’s this news?”
“I’m pregnant.” I blurt out. Now I was really going to kick myself. Way to ease into this Adira.
“What.” Rhys mouth hung open in shock as his eyes wandered up and down my body searching for any signs of pregnancy. I wanted to laugh, besides my crankiness and urge to eat about everything, there wouldn’t be any indication just yet.
“I’m pregnant Rhys.” I confirm hoping this time it would get through to him.
Next thing I knew I was in his arms and crushed against his body. Okay, not exactly the reaction I expected but he didn’t appear upset.
Quite the opposite really. He pulled back and I saw the tears fill his eyes as he cupped my face and pressed our foreheads together “Thank you.”
“For what?” I whispered feeling the emotions catch up to me. Fuck the tears were making an appearance again.
“For giving me another family.” He murmured, his voice full of many emotions, all of them tugging at my heart.
I leaned forward and kissed him with all the passion and love I could. Hopefully he got the message, he didn’t need to thank me.
“So.” He says letting me down and putting a hand on my stomach “When do we find out what it is?”
I chuckled and placed my hand over his “Not anytime soon big boy. We still have a few months before we find anything out. Are you hoping for a boy?”
I was fully aware that most male Alpha’s wanted sons to take up the mantle once they were old enough. I wouldn’t blame Rhys if he wanted the same thing.
Rhys shrugged “I’d love to have a son. What father wouldn’t? He’d make a fine Alpha especially if he’s our kid.” He winked my way, still caressing my stomach.
“And if it’s a girl?” I asked cautiously fearing at what he would say.
“Then we follow your father’s footsteps and do the same to her, if she chooses that at least. If she’s anything like her mother there’s one thing I know for sure,” Rhys leaned down and gave me a toe curling kiss that momentarily made me forget exactly what we were talking about.
“I know she’ll be a hell of an Alpha.”
We have finally reached the end of Alpha! I can't believe this story is complete, it's a little hard for me to comprehend.Thank you to everyone who has supported this story! If you've been along for the ride since the beginning or just recently started reading, I'm incredibly thankful for each and everyone one of you!
Though Alpha is ended, there will be a few more books in this series that will feature more of Adira and Rhys, for those who will miss our favorite Alpha pair.
For now Acceptance, Lucas and Selene's story is up for you all to read!
Thank you, thank you, thank you again!