Welcome Home Mate

Chapter 99

LEX

TWO MONTHS LATER

I watch as Roxie shows a new move to the pack members.

I watch her like a hawk.

I have been worried about her; lately, she has been feeling unwell but won’t see the pack doctor. It has only been for the last two weeks. She has been tired and moody, but when I ask her to take it easy, she won’t listen.

Roxie has been all about the training and her Luna duties and was placing everything down on the amount she was doing. In all fairness, she has been doing everything she had set out to do, and I was proud of her and taking everything in her stride.

All pack members go to her whenever there is an issue or even to chat. It’s so lovely how everything has been.

My eyes stayed glued to her, but I noticed Huw doing the same. He told me the day before that she was sick in a bush during a training session, but when he told her to rest, she growled at him.

Blaze was pacing in my head. He has asked Bex, but she has bitten his head off a few times. He could feel something was up with her but couldn’t figure it out.

“Mate looks pale,” Blaze moved closer to watch her.

I noticed that.

She showed them the move and told them to try it, but once the pack members started, Roxie crouched down and took deep breaths.

Something was wrong; I just wished she would listen to me and go to see the pack doctor.

I could feel a mind link come through, and it was my Dad.

“Hey, son,” he said, “the alpha from the forest moon has agreed to the terms of what we have mentioned and will be attending the meeting we have organized in several months for them all to sign the treaty.”

I sighed.

“Okay,” I said. “Make a list of who is attending, and we can figure out where to hold the meeting when we have the numbers.”

“Ok,” he said but let a low sigh. “How’s Roxie? Tim’s worried about her; he thinks she is doing too much and stressed out.”

I sighed.

“Still the same,” I said, “she point blank won’t go to see the doctor. I’m with her now at the training grounds; I’m worried...” I start to say, but shouting erupts around me. “I have to go,” I said, closing down the mind link.

I looked back, and there was Huw, waving frantically at me.

My eyes went to the ground, and Roxie was lying on the ground, not moving.

“ALPHA LEX,” shouted Huw. “HURRY, IT’S LUNA.”

I used my speed to get to her and knelt, picking her up bridal style. I look to Huw, “what happened?” I asked, looking down at Roxie in my arms.

“Luna was about to say something, but she gripped her head and collapsed to the ground,” he said. I looked at him, worry clearly in place.

Huw has been working alongside Roxie with everything, including her Luna duties and training; he has been more like her bodyguard and friend.

“I will take her to the pack hospital,” I said, turning away from him. “You take over, and I will keep you posted on what’s going on.”

I left, not waiting for his reply.

I walk Roxie to the pack hospital. I sent a quick mind link to the pack doctor to be there when I get there.

Blaze comes closer and looks down at Roxie, worry consuming us.

“Mate?” He whined.

“I can’t get through to Bex,” he whimpered.

I walked faster, not saying a word, and as I approached the pack hospital, the doctor was waiting for me with a stretcher for Roxie.

I placed her down, and the doctor went to take her away.

I followed, but a nurse stopped me.

“Alpha, you will have to stay here,” she said, placing her hand on my arm, stopping me in my tracks. I looked at her. “I need to be with her,” I growl.

The nurse flinches at the growl, but her hand stays where it is. “Alpha, the doctor needs to run some tests and find out what is going on,” she said. “She needs all the room and even quiet to do it. How about you wait in the waiting room? I will come and get you when the doctor is done.”

I stared at her. Her eyes pleaded with me to stay.

All I could do was nod.

The nurse motioned to the waiting room, and I walked in.

I took a seat, but the memory of the last time I had to wait for Roxie in here was after the attack.

I shook the stupid thoughts away and opened a mind link to the family to tell them what had happened; once the mind link was closed, I leaned back in my chair and closed my eyes, praying for some sign that Roxie was alright.

************************************************

An hour later, everyone was waiting in the waiting room with me, and there was still no sign of the doctor.

I was starting to panic, but the door to the waiting room opened, and the nurse from earlier walked in.

I stood up quickly and walked over to her. The nurse scanned around till her eyes met mine.

“Alpha, the doctor would like me to take you to the Luna,” she said but glanced to the others. “You will have to wait until the doctor has spoken to the alpha and Luna; then, it will be up to Alpha and the Luna to tell you.”

I stared at her, feeling slightly confused.

I didn’t bother looking at anyone as the nurse turned on her heel and walked away. I followed her.

We headed down a corridor and into a suite.

As the nurse opened the door, I walked past her to see Roxie looking back at me, and the doctor stood by her side.

I walked over to her.

“Rox,” I murmured, “you had me worried.”

I looked at the doctor as I took Roxie’s hand in mine.

The doctor smiled and motioned for me to sit.

I shook my head as Blaze came closer.

Since we entered the pack hospital, he has been quiet. He hasn’t even said a word to me.

I sat down as soon as the nurse placed a chair behind me. I put Roxie’s hand to my mouth and kissed it.

“Please tell me what’s going on,” I asked, looking at the doctor.

“Lex,” murmured Roxie, making me look at her. Her eyes bore into mine. “I should have listened to you,” she said as a lone tear slid down her face. “I should have come here to get checked out.”

“It’s ok,” I said, kissing her hand again.

I looked at the doctor.

“So, what’s wrong with Luna Roxie?” I asked.

The doctor looked at me, and a smile slid across her face.

“There’s nothing to worry about,” she said, which made me frown, but I let the doctor carry on. “Luna Roxie collapsed due to dehydration, overworking too much.”

The doctor moves slightly and clears her throat.

“I ran some tests, and we have all the treats results back, which are normal, but...” she said, as she looked between us.

I stared at her; my stomach was in my mouth. Something was clearly wrong with my mate, but why wasn’t she saying anything?

“I have to say congratulations,” she said, confusing me.

The doctor looked at Roxie and me, “you are expecting Luna,” she said with a beaming smile.

My mind went blank.

“Lex,” Roxie said.

I shook my head and looked at her; Blaze was howling and excited in my head, chanting, “we have a pup,” loudly.

Roxie stares back at me, concern written all over her face.

“Lex, you okay?” She asked.

I moved toward her and kissed her on the lips.

I kiss her softly and pull back, leaning my head on hers. “We’re having a baby,” I murmured, “of course, I’m excited.”

I move back and look at her. Roxie smiles, but tears flow down.

I wipe them away with my finger.

“What’s wrong?” I asked.

Roxie sniffed.

“I don’t know,” she whimpered, “I don’t usually cry over things like this.”

I smile.

“Luna, that would be your hormones,” the doctor says, making me look at her. “It’s a natural thing. I think we should see how far along you are. Would you like to see your child?”

I nodded but turned to look at Roxie, who was now crying more.

“Yes,” was all she could say.

“The nurse is bringing the sonogram now, and we will have a look,” she said.

I didn’t look back at the doctor. I kept my eyes on Roxie. I move toward her, moving my hand from hers; I cup her face with both hands and kiss her softly, moving back and resting my head on hers.

I held her like that till the doctor was ready.

“We are ready,” she said as I moved back into place.

Roxie sighs and lifts her top. The doctor squirts gel on her stomach.

Roxie places her hand in mine and squeezes, but we both look at the screen, waiting to see our baby.

The doctor moved slightly over Roxie’s stomach, and it didn’t take long to find the baby.

My eyes rounded as I watched the blob move. It was bigger.

“I’m going to take some measurements,” the doctor said.

We sat in silence as the doctor moved around and did whatever she needed to do.

The doctor looked over at us and smiled.

“Well, it seems that Luna, you are two months along,” she said.

My eyes went wide.

“Two months. I didn’t feel or know,” Roxie said, surprised. “I only have three months left.”

The doctor nodded.

“It seems little one likes to rest back to back with you,” she said as she turned the monitor to show us. “You may be small during this pregnancy if the baby doesn’t move, but the little one is all healthy.”

I felt happiness wash through me and the mate bond.

I was over the moon.

“Can we have a picture?” Blurts Roxie.

“Of course,” she said.

I looked at Roxie, whose eyes were glued to the screen. I gently squeeze her hand.

“We have a pup,” she murmurs, but everyone hears her.

I smile.

I could hear chattering in my head and knew it was our wolves.

I ignored them.

“Shall I bring in your family?’ Asked the nurse, which made me look over at her.

I shook my head.

“Ten minutes,” I said.

The nurse smiled and nodded.

I moved out of the chair and sat on the bed, pulling Roxie into me. She placed her head on my shoulder as the doctor handed her a photo of our child.

I kept my eyes focused on it.

“I think it’s a boy,” I blurt out, which made Roxie look away and look at me. She smiles.

“Well, we will have to wait till I give birth,” she said. “I want to be surprised.”

I smiled.

I liked the idea of not knowing; it will make it worthwhile.

I looked at her.

“I like that,” I said as I moved closer to her lips but stopped. “But I do think it’s a boy,” I say.

Roxie kisses me but moves away and opens her mouth, but someone speaks instead.

“You’re pregnant,” said my father. We both turn and watch as all our family moves into the room, all grinning.

I looked at Roxie, staring back at everyone with a beaming smile.

“We’re having a baby,” she says, looking back at me.

Everyone comes in and congratulates us.

After a few moments, my father sighs.

“We will have a new alpha train,” he said, pride written all over his face. “I believe I hear every alpha has a son first.”

I grinned but looked at Roxie, who shook her head.

“You might be wrong; it could be a girl,” she said. “Anyway, boy or girl, this baby will be loved and will be the future alpha of this pack,” placing her hand on her stomach.

I moved my hand and placed it on top of hers, looking at my father with a smile. “Boy or girl,” I said, “we will have a new line to the pack.”

My father smiled.

“I believe a girl would be a first for this pack to take over,” he said and nodded. “We don’t have to be like everyone else; change is good for us.”

I couldn’t agree more with that statement.

Whatever we have, the baby will be adored by us, our family, and our pack.

Epilogue

ROXIE

A YEAR LATER

I lean back on the couch and quickly place the bowl of strawberries on my ever-growing bump and settle in to watch the movie that Harlow picked out.

I watched as our daughter climbed into Lex’s lap and snuggled in to watch her favorite princess, Rapunzel.

I smiled.

Even though we didn’t know what Harlow was, I knew deep down our first pup would be a girl. There was a bet going on within the pack, what the sex of the baby was, and I won the entire stake.

The moment Harlow was born, she was a Daddy’s girl. Well, that would be all the men in our lives actually, especially her grandfathers. She has Lex’s wrapped around her little fingers before she could do anything.

Lex has been fantastic as a father and as an alpha, too; he wakes up early for training and then heads to do his alpha duties. Lex does have this one rule that he follows every evening, he has to be home no later than six, as he wants to see our daughter and to be there before she goes to sleep. It has been the main rule in our home.

After Harlow, I went back to training before falling pregnant again. I have been training all pack members and have already made an ultimate fighter out of three of our warriors. Next year, we are setting up a tournament that all pack members could try out for, and we are holding a prize for the winner; they would get to train with Uncle Keith. It was a big hit, Lex and I already think we might do this every year, but it all depends on what happens this year.

As for Uncle Keith, he and Nora decided to stay within the pack and are now pack members with higher-ranking roles. There has been an increase of mates this year, and even a second chance mate for my father, no less, which was nice. Everyone is happy for him and Rosa; she is lovely and has even got him to move on.

It is not without saying that mum is not too far from our thoughts, and we all talk about her occasionally. Rosa lost her first mate about eight years ago and didn’t even believe in second chances. They are well suited for one another.

Alpha Frank, well now just Frank since we took over, has chosen to have fun and found a chosen mate, Olive. He has often been caught in some situations with her, including by Lex, which was fun to watch, especially when he tries not to look embarrassed.

My mind wonders to Jason and Sofia; not long after we announced to everyone about Harlow, they were expecting. They had a boy, Jacob, who looks more like Jason daily. Jason became the official beta not long after and had Uncle Keith helping him.

I looked toward Lex, who was staring at me.

“How are the nuggets doing?” He asked as he moved Harlow into a better position to see, but she wanted him to snuggle her in as she placed her head into the crook of his neck. Harlow was tired; she did that whenever she was ready to fall asleep.

“They are doing well,” I said as I popped a strawberry into my mouth, “they just need to keep off my bladder, or they can evict themselves now.”

Lex chuckled.

We found out three months ago that we expect identical twin boys. We found out what we are having yesterday, and we can’t wait.

“We should come up with some names,” he said as he leaned further back into the couch, “ I just hope they don’t do what little one here did to us.”

I nodded but looked toward the TV.

My thoughts went to that day, the treat. We held it here just before Harlow’s due day. Everything was great until she wanted to make her appearance known to everyone as I went into labor. Everyone stayed around, waiting to find out what we had. We announced that we had a girl, and everyone congratulated us; not one bothered that she was a girl, but after a few hours, Lex met with everyone, and they all signed the treaty, even the Elders. I was surprised to see the Elders participate, but Nora told me they would, as I scared most of them. I can still remember Elder Issac smiling at me when I walked into the room; I made it my mission to make him feel uncomfortable after learning that, which amused Lex more.

“What about Bruce?” Lex called out, which made me move quickly and glare back at him.

“NO,” I growled.

Lex looked at me, and a grin appeared.

“Do you have any suggestions?” He asked as he moved slightly, moving closer to me with Harlow clinging to his neck. I stared at him as he sat closer, placed his hand on my thigh, moved away, and tried to grab some strawberries.

“Drop it or get stabbed,” I warned, which earned a chuckle.

He grabbed one but leaned closer.

“I love/hate these hormones,” he whispered, leaning closer to my ear, “but I hope you have the horny stage as you did with Harlow.”

I could feel his excitement run through the mate bond, and my core wasn’t helping.

Bex moved slightly and huffed.

“Nope,” she murmured, “they can stay away.”

I looked back at her, but her face was in a pout.

“What crawled up your ass?” I asked.

Bex cocked her head to the side and grunted.

“They get to shift, and we don’t because we are carrying the pups,” she muttered, “not fair.”

I know that feeling and couldn’t help but feel the same.

Bex and I didn’t know we were expecting Harlow until two months later; we shifted right up until we found out about her, and then the doctor told us we couldn’t, which we didn’t.

We had to be extra careful due to the twins, but Bex and I got into a routine after we were ready to return to work after Harlow. We decided to go for a run every morning in her form. Blaze and Lex would sometimes come with us if one of our fathers watched Harlow. It was nice for her to have some freedom.

“What’s up?” Lex called, pulling me back to him.

I looked back and sighed.

“Bex is annoyed that we can’t shift,” I said, “I think she is missing her runs.”

I looked to Lex, who nodded.

“I know what you mean; Blaze has been on about it too,” he said.

Pregnancy affects both the human and the wolf in every way. I could hear movement in my head and voices, indicating that Blaze and Bex were talking. I knew Blaze had settled her, and he knew the right words to calm her.

“I think Blaze is talking to her,” I said to him.

Lex nodded and moved slightly, placing his head on the cushion behind us.

“Little princess has gone to sleep,” he murmured, “I’m going to stay by here for a little while and snooze. I have missed her today.”

I nodded and placed my head on his shoulder. I felt warmth radiating from him. I could easily fall asleep like this.

After everything we had been thorough over the first few months of me finding out that Lex was my mate, and after everything with attacks and being alpha and Luna, everything only has gotten better. There have been fewer rogue attacks, but we still get some, but at least there is no alpha behind them.

The pack is in control and has plans for everything, especially any attacks. I feel sorry for those who try; they won’t know what hit them. Every pack member has been training, and they all have come a long way in the past year.

We know we are not perfect, but our kind is not, but we all have each other.

I could feel my eyes close as I leaned on Lex.

Lex’s hand goes into mine and moves his head, placing a kiss on mine.

“Sleep,” he murmurs with a yawn, “I love you, Rox.”

“I love you too,” I say as I let the darkness take hold of me.

I am where I need to be, and that is here with my mate, children, family, and pack.

***THE END***