Page 38 of Alpha Awakening

“So, how about we discuss more details with Alpha Raymond, but we don’t agree to anything until we speak to Tanner.”

“I like that idea.”

She nodded and stood up. “Maybe we can have breakfast first and let everyone wake up before knocking on his door.”

He followed her into the kitchen and poured himself a bowl of cereal while she cut up some fruit. She could feel his excitement, the joy of finally having the chance to prove himself–to finally have the chance to be himself.

Choosing to ignore her own fears, she asked, “Should we tell Ann?”

“No, I don’t think that would be a good idea. She might be our sister but telling her before sharing this with Father could end badly.”

“We should tell her we’ll meet her for lunch or something.”

He took his phone out of his pocket and began to make plans.

About an hour later, Niev and Blake sat in Alpha Raymond’s living room. Shortly after they’d knocked on his door, Beta Fallon joined them while Luna Charlotte excused herself. She was just like Mayra in leaving business to the men, but Niev couldn’t do that. She wouldn’t step out while her future was discussed. It wasn’t just her future anymore.

She leaned against Blake, caressing her stomach asshe listened to Alpha Raymond talk about his plans, suggestions rather, on how things could go. He wanted to accept Blake into the pack, just like Tanner had accepted her and the Skadu Wolves. He would introduce Blake slowly to his responsibilities, the pack’s needs and financials and gradually let him meet the pack.

Alpha Raymond made it clear that he didn’t want to do so gradually because he didn’t believe Blake would be a good alpha, but he wanted to give everyone time to adjust. In a typical setting, a future alpha would be by his father’s side, raised with the knowledge that he would one day lead his pack. The pack would know the future alpha from birth, and so would the alpha his pack.

Blake agreed that a slow transition would be best for both sides. He assured Alpha Raymond he wasn’t there to take anything away from anyone. He made it clear that he would take his lead, wanting the pack to know that they were safe with him. He wanted them to trust him just as much as a pack would trust a natural born heir.

As she listened to them, her eyes roamed through the room. She couldn’t help but picture herself here, as luna of a pack. Her throat tightened and her heart began to race. She already worried about the future far too much and to add something else to that weight made her feel like she was being crushed. She wasn’t ready to take on a pack, she wasn’t even ready to take on babies. How on earth was she supposed to do both?

Panic started to set in, tying off her airways. Her thoughts swirled so fast she felt as if she was spiraling. A storm brewed, dark and heavy over her head. Chills ran down her spine, her skin uncomfortably cold.

Something warm caressing her cheek made her come back to reality. Blake’s worried eyes met hers, their chocolate-brown shining like a beacon in the storm.

“What is it? Is it the girls?” His voice was soft and sweet, wrapping her in coziness.

It was only then she noticed that she was holding on to her stomach as if her life depended on it. She eased her grip and leaned into his soothing touch. “I’m not feeling well.”

“Would you like to lay down?”

She nodded and stood on wobbly legs, her head slightly spinning.

Blake had his arm around her waist, tightly holding her up, while his other held her hand.

Alpha Raymond had stood up as if he wanted to assist, while Beta Fallon hastened out of the door with a worried expression on his face.

“I’ll send our midwife to your cabin so she can check on you,” Beta Fallon called out as he ran toward the south of the village.

Blake carefully guided her out and down the porch stairs. “I can carry you. There is nothing wrong with it.”

“No, I’m just feeling dizzy that’s all.”

He held her tighter to his side, choosing not to argue with her. Even though she could feel his wolf ordering him to take care of their woman and pups. That made her feel better. She’d felt his wolf be possessive, but that was the first time he was clearly worried.

“We’re both just concerned.”

“I know.”

In the cabin, Blake laid her in bed, gently propping up her legs on pillows so they were above her heart. It was only a minute later that someone gently knocked on the front door and Beta Fallon’s voice called for them.

“I’ve brought Natalie, our midwife, to take a look at Niev. May we come in?”

Blake quickly climbed over Niev and sat on her other side, so Natalie could examine her. “Of course.”