CATRINA

2 weeks later

"Sit down," I order Yuri for the umpteenth time as we wait in the living room of their home, waiting for Ivory to walk out of that bathroom.

She has all the symptoms. Nausea, Dizziness, Headache, and Missed Periods. I do not have a wolf like Yuri to give me enhanced sense of smell.

That's the reason why I insisted that she first take a pregnancy test before we begin with any kind of medication. Yuri being the overprotective mate that he is, refuses to sit still while his mate pees on the stick. It's just a matter of 5 minutes but looking at Yuri's sweating form, one would think that his mate has been sitting in there for an hour.

Ivory and I have become very close over the last few weeks. She occasionally babysits for us, too. It's like she is my sister. Definitely, a much better one than Fiona could ever have been.

Thinking of her, I sigh in pity at the last time I had heard from her.

She was living with her boyfriend in the city and then she got pregnant. She had called me to ask for a good hospital where she could get an abortion done. I had been very shocked at first. Her attitude towards her own flesh and blood was so cold but then I also knew better than to make her understand. When she made up her mind about something, it was almost impossible to get her to back off from it. However, I still tried but she wouldn't budge and instead told me to mind my own business.

Well, some people just didn't know how to be good. I pity her for that.

I had suggested to her about Dr Beaupre from the town hospital where I worked before but I haven't heard from her ever since that last call. And I don't feel any guilt for not missing her. In fact, it would be better if I never hear from her again.

I never would understand the mentality of those people who took such decisions even when they have all the facilities to provide for their children. If they didn't want kids then use the protection carefully. God! Who am I to say this? I got accidentally pregnant too. 

I didn't have that many facilities with me when I was pregnant with my twins yet I had decided to keep my babies but ultimately fate decided to snatch them from me. It's a wound that's healed but has left a huge scar behind. 

"Catrina," a muffled whisper comes from inside the bathroom pulling me out of my thoughts and I start making my way towards the bathroom, Yuri hot on my heels, of course. Rolling my eyes at his overly protective attitude, I ignore him and push the already open bathroom door watching a weeping Ivory.

Seeing his mate in such an emotional state, Yuri bypasses me and makes his way to Ivory, pulling her close and kissing her on the head. The scene is utterly cute but I don't pay attention to it, instead look for the pregnancy test.

Sure enough, it is positive meaning that she indeed is pregnant. Wow!

"Congratulations," I say in a sing-song voice, kissing Ivory on her cheek as she smiles at me through her tears.

"Thank you," she whispers while Yuri frowns.

"I told you your body was feeling different," Yuri starts and I choose that moment to leave their house, knowing that it is not an emergency as Yuri had claimed it to be when he called me.

Waving at Ivory who's smiling at me shyly while trying to shush her mate who's shaking his head at her as if she's a child, I make my way out of their house and to the packhouse when Connor's waiting for me.

Reaching the packhouse, I am greeted by a few of our pack members when I ask one of them about Connor.

"He went back to your home, Luna. He was on a call," replies Lea, a pack member.

"Thank you," I say and make my way back home.

Walking into our home, I call out for Connor and Rieka but don't get any response.

"Connor. Are you home?" I call, yelling now.

"Yeah! Come up to Rieka's room, Cat," he replies this time. Panic starts to take root in my mind so I take two steps at a time and literally run towards her room, stopping only when I hear Rieka's giggles and not cries.

Relieved a bit, I open the door to her nursery and pause with my breath lodged in my throat as I take in the scene of my mate and our daughter.

Connor is wearing a pair of shorts only, water dripping down his chest and arms causing my throat to go dry. He has his arms wrapped around Rieka who's in the tub, enjoying her bath even if this is not the time for it.

She's splashing water everywhere and on Connor who's just unaffected and washing her in that fatherly way which never fails to amaze me and arouse me. The way he handles Rieka is as if she was meant to be his daughter even when she is not, by blood, at least. But when you see both of them, no one can say that she's adopted.

That's what happened when Alpha King Aryan Vraka had come to visit us in the last week. He had come to congratulate us for our mating and had been surprised to see little Rieka sitting in my lap, looking up at him shyly. I was surprised too because Rieka never looked at anyone new. She preferred to stay curled up in mine or Connor's lap with her face buried in our neck, avoiding looking at anyone new but with Alpha Aryan, she seemed to be curious about his gravelly voice.

The moment he greeted us, Rieka had lifted her head from my neck and focused on Aryan with a curious look on her face. The Alpha had clearly been smitten with our daughter and his stony face had softened into the expression of a giant cuddly bear. Connor later told me that he lost his mate in childbirth, so maybe that's the reason why he was so affected by Rieka's curious look.

"Hey, mama," calls Connor, pulling me out of my thoughts. I shake my head and walk up to them, smiling when Rieka screams excitedly at her bath toys.

"She likes baths, it seems," says Connor as an explanation when I raise my brow at him in question causing me to chuckle at his sheepish expression. I know that look. He is trying to wash off the dirt from her body. Apparently, Connor's wolf likes playing with Rieka so whenever Connor's free, he shifts into his wolf and allows Rieka to play cuddle with a real wolf instead of a stuffed toy.

Can life get any more amazing?

"And her father likes it more," I add sarcastically and lean against the sink. After that, I just watch my mate washing our daughter, methodically removing the dirt from her nails and from between her toes.

"All done," he whispers, cooing at Rieka and then nuzzling her stomach, blowing raspberries on her stomach eliciting a huge shriek of giggles from her. The sound sends butterflies flying in my tummy and I really feel blessed to have this child. To see her coming out of her shell is like a blessing.

"Come on, let's put you to bed," I whisper to our baby as I pick up a towel from the shelf, wrap it around her and pluck her out of Connor's arms.

"I'll be waiting," says Connor and I turn back to look at his dripping body, swallowing hard. I can see the outline of his erection even if he's wearing those shorts.

"Put her to bed, baby," he reminds me making me shake my head as my brain goes mushy at the thought of him and his half-naked body.

~~~~

6 months later.

"Close your eyes, Edith. Yeah just like that and take a few deep breaths," I instruct the lady sitting in front of me with dark circles under her eyes and her complexion appearing grey because of the fear. She is a woman who lost her mate during the war but isn't able to cope with the news.

Frequent nightmares and the memory of her mate haunting her during the day caused her to collapse this morning. I had to leave Connor in bed. I just couldn't wake him up from his much-needed sleep, so here I am sitting in the infirmary of our packhouse, trying to calm the lady down. And also waiting for Connor to barge in the room with a worried expression on his face.

He still worries that I might just disappear or be taken by someone.

Sighing, I push the thoughts of my mate aside and focus on Edith. She breaths in and then out, pushing the thoughts out of her mind and I caress her hand, hoping to calm her down with my touch.

She opens her eyes a bit after a few minutes, looking down at my hand which is on top of hers. "I feel better," she whispers.

I nod, knowing that it might be the effect of my touch and I hope to push as many positive thoughts into her mind as I can. It will take time to accept it but till then, I hope I'll be able to help her deal with the pain.

"Thank you, Luna. My wolf is a bit settled now," she says and I feel immense pride and satisfaction flood through my body. This feeling of helping someone, of being important apart from being Connor's mate is my accomplishment and I cherish it every minute of the day.

"That's great, Edith. You can call me whenever you feel stressed," I offer and watch as the woman bows her head in respect and then walks out of the infirmary.

Getting up from my comfy leather chair, I walk out of the infirmary and to the packhouse kitchen, hoping to get breakfast here instead of going home and making it. Looking after Rieka, then shouldering the duties of a healer with Alyona, being the Luna and lastly, being Connor's mate is pretty exhausting.

Walking into the kitchen, I spot Victor, Ivory's brother, leaving a very flustered looking Blair who's the pack's new cook and Alyona's daughter, behind. I catch Victor's gaze just when he's walking past me and I narrow my eyes in question.

He lowers his head and looks at Blair once before walking out. Turning my gaze towards Blair, I walk inside the kitchen and take a seat on the small dining table, kept here for Connor, specifically. He had a habit of eating late and early in the morning so instead of having his meal in the big dining room, he preferred to have it here in the kitchen itself.

"Everything alright, Blair girl?" I ask as I make myself a plate, swatting at her hands when she goes to do it for me. I don't like it when they try to spoon-feed me. I am a big girl.

"It is now," she whispers with a shy smile gracing her lips as she looks at me, her cheeks pink. "I found my mate," she whispers when I continue to look at her. She had been assigned as a chef for the elders at the school immediately after her training. She just came back a few days ago. I had met her when I was at Fenris's pack but hadn't known that she's Connor's pack member and I am very glad that she's friendly instead of formal.

"It's Victor, isn't it?" I ask, taking a seat and cutting the piece of meat with a fork. She nods at me and then looks out the kitchen as if wanting to go.

"It's okay, Blair. Go to him. Congratulations," I say and wave at her to go. She smiles at me in happiness and then comes forward to kiss me on the cheek. Chuckling at her excitement, I watch as she bounces on her feet and runs out of the kitchen.

Just then walks in Connor. He looks at me and then back at Blair who just ran away. "Scaring the females, are we?" He has his brows raised up with the just-woke-up look on his face which makes him look sexy as fuck. I want to jump his bones.

The sudden thought shocks me so I just shrug and continue eating. He walks closer to me, taking a deep sniff. His wolf likes to do it around me.

"What are you having?"

"Breakfast. Meatballs," I say and continue eating without paying much attention to Connor as he walks in behind my chair and bends to place his nose in my neck, taking a deep breath. I shiver at the sparks that go off and turn my head a little to give him the space to nuzzle my neck.

"It's rabbit meat," he says and I stiffen in shock. What? I don't like rabbit meat. In fact, I can eat all other types of meat but not rabbit meat. Although, Connor loves it.

"Oh, I didn't know rabbit meat tastes so delicious," I say, not at all feeling sick or nauseous as I did the last time when I smelled it from Connor's plate.

"It's okay, continue eating," he whispers in my ear and then proceeds to take deep sniffs in my neck. His arms come around me as his hand covers my belly and caresses it. I find the action quite odd so I push the plate away and take a sip of the cold water. Turning to look back at him, I find forest green eyes staring back at me with his nostrils flared. His wolf is close.

"What?" I ask, confused at his reaction. I know I am not stinking since I showered in the morning and also because his eyes are heavy with lust.

"When did you bleed the last time?" he asks making me stop my thoughts and think about my last period. When was it? Irregular cycles are my normal so I don't actually pay attention to them.

"Two months ago, I think," I reply. It's not accurate but it's close. I don't remember.

"Get up, Solnyshko," he whispers in my ears again but this time his voice turns heavy, expecting to be obeyed and I do, immediately.

Connor takes up the seat which I vacated and then pulls me in between his thighs so that my hands are resting on his shoulders and his hands are cupping my hips. He doesn't say anything but continues to sniff at me, once in between my breasts then once on my navel and then down. Just when he's about to dip in between my thighs, I stop him. Breathing heavily at the arousal that's now coursing through my veins and completely confused about his behaviour, I tilt his chin with my fingers and make him look up at me.

"What is it?"

"Your body is just the same baby. No changes yet but I think you are pregnant."

He drops the bomb on me, speaking as if he's still thinking but I am numb.

"Are you kidding me?"

"Never." That one word holds so much promise that I instantly feel like shit for even doubting him. He wouldn't joke about such a serious matter.

"How can you be so sure?" I ask breathily instead, not really wanting to get my hopes up. I have Rieka now, she's our precious daughter but the feeling of carrying a child is like no other. I have experienced it once, halfway; and I would be really blessed if I really am given the chance again.

"Your smell has changed. It's richer and thicker. You also smell very strongly of me, just like you do when we have just finished having sex, with my scent all over you and inside you. At this moment, you are freshly showered and you aren't wearing my clothes so you don't have any reason to smell so potently but yet you are and it means that you are pregnant," he explains and tears spring to my eyes as his words settle in and give way to my imagination.

He wipes off the tears silently, knowing that I need time to digest this news. Pulling me to sit on his lap, he peppers kisses all over my face and then rests his chin on my forehead, squeezing my waist as if he's making sure that I am real.

"I am pregnant?" I ask even when I know that what Connor's saying is true.

"Yes, you are but it's very early. Just a week perhaps but you are definitely pregnant," he says with such conviction that I squeeze his neck while taking deep breaths to calm down myself.

Oh my God! I am one lucky girl!

"Connor," I whisper but then my voice wavers and he pulls away to look at me, his lips turned up in a mega-watt smile, his happiness evident on his face.

"We are going to have a pup. I am one lucky fucker!"

I chuckle at his words, nodding and the next moment our lips touch and we are kissing each other.

It goes on for a while and my body starts tingling preparing itself for her mate. Pulling away, I take in deep breaths and place my hand on my belly, not feeling anything new but knowing that I have conceived a new life.

"Should we go to Alyona?" he asks and I shake my head.

"Let's wait for a few more weeks. This way we'll be confident about it when we go to Alyona for a check-up. Will my scent be detected by them?" I ask when he nods at my suggestion.

"No, they don't dare smell us because it's disrespecting. And anyways our scents have mixed a bit so they won't know for a few days. In the next couple of days, your body will start changing, maybe then some of the females might notice but they won't comment."

"Okay, that's good. It'll give me time to digest the news," I whisper and bury my face in his neck breathing him in. His hands rest on my belly, running in circles. We stay like that for a long time, not in a hurry, letting the news of my conception seep into our bones. This second chance is like a cherry on the top for me and I've never been more ecstatic.

A huge wail breaks the spell and we both stir, turning to look at the kitchen entrance as a crying Rieka is being carried into the room by Alyona. I raise my arms up for her to jump at me while continuing to sit on Connor's lap. I know he won't let go and I have stopped arguing about it a long time ago. I like it so I live it.

Rieka jumps into my lap putting her face in my neck while her small fists rest on my shoulders, causing Alyona to chuckle and leave.  After seeing and then breathing me in with Connor's scent surrounding us, she finally calms down.

"Mama," she gurgles while her small fists now open up to land on my cheeks. She pokes at them with her chubby fingers and once again my heart overflows in joy. She's my little princess. Even if I have not carried her, even when she's not my flesh, she's become my lifeline. My legacy.

"Yes, baby girl. Are you hungry?" I coo at her but when she spots Connor looking at her silently waiting to be noticed, she leans away from my face and towards Connor. Chuckling at her reaction, I get up from Connor's lap to make her breakfast and let him hold her for a while. 

Life's never been better and it's going to be the best in a few months.

I just hope I don't jinx it.

~~~~~~

So this is the official end of this story. Please let me know your views about the Epilogue.

Thank you so much for reading till the end. Please vote and share my story. ❤