Chapter 31: Chapter 31

Lana, on the other hand, couldn’t be happier that we are having a pup. She was yipping and jumping around in my head excitedly.

Reece took me back to our room to rest once I was released from the hospital. He was fussing over me, bringing me dinner and ice cream, petrified that I would pass out again.

“You’ve got to keep your strength up, honey,” he said, smiling.

“How are you feeling now?” he asked a few hours later.

“I feel ok,” I said softly.

“Do you want to talk about it?” he asked. I should probably talk to him about all my doubts, but I really didn’t want to upset him. I know it hurt him when I reacted the way I did when we first found out.

It really was mostly shock, and I guess it just felt like bad timing. With everything I’ve got going on with opening the gym and running the pack, I wondered how I would get it all done.

“Sure,” I said. He came and sat next to me on the bed.

“You’re not happy, are you?” he asked.

“Reece,” I said, “you have made me so happy, and I’m not unhappy about having a pup. I knew having pups was always going to happen at some point. I’m just shocked that it’s happening so soon. I’m so busy at the moment, it’s hard to think that I’m going to be able to manage everything. I will just take some getting used to, I guess.” He smiled.

“I know, sweetie. For now, though, I think it would be better to stop training. We can’t risk you passing out again,” he said.

He was right. I would have to stop training until after the pup was born. “I guess you’re right,” I said, feeling disappointed. “But what about Lucien?”

It had been over a month since the attack and still nothing. If I couldn’t train, how was I going to protect myself and the pack. I wanted this to be over with now. The threat was always there, niggling at the back of my mind, so I could never fully relax.

“Melissa is close to completing the potion she is working on,” he said.

We told her about the pup when she came to visit me earlier. She was happy for us and went straight out shopping for her new great god-child! She had been working hard to get a potion ready to locate Lucien and had already amassed a large stock of potions she had made for protection against dark magic. Her work had stalled though, because she was waiting on one particular plant to mature. It was a rare one that took her a while to source. When she finally managed to source it, all she could find was seeds. So she has spent much of her time recently in the greenhouse, tending to it every day, doing everything possible to encourage the plant to mature.

“It won’t be long before we find him and wipe out his army,” he said, “You know the Elders want him captured and sent to their headquarters for punishment. He is likely to be sentenced to death this time.”

He made it sound so easy. Sure, we will just find him and take him into custody and be home in time for dinner! It’s been weeks since the attack. Who knows the size of the army he has been able to amass by now! And now I had a pup to keep safe too! Thinking about this was making my head hurt and I pinched the bridge of my nose.

“What’s wrong?” Reece jumped up, in a panic. “What is it, sweetie? Shall I call the Doc?”

“No, no!” I said, trying to calm him, “It’s just a little headache. I’m fine, really.”

He fussed over my pillows, plumping them up, making sure I was comfortable. I smiled inwardly. He was so excited about the pup, it kind of made me feel bad that I wasn’t more excited. I reached out for his hand, using the mate bond to calm me. The sparks instantly soothed me, like being wrapped I a warm fuzzy blanket, easing my headache. I relaxed into the mattress and looked at him.

“Are you happy? About the pup?” I asked him softly. A soft grin spread across his face, showing his irresistible dimples, and his eyes lit up.

“Of course!” he said. I smiled. I opened my mouth to say something back to him, and a yawn came out of nowhere. These crazy pregnancy hormones were really messing me up. It was only 9pm!

“You need to get some rest, sweetie,” Reece said, kissing my forehead and pulling the blankets up and tucking me in. I didn’t fight it; the stresses of the day were finally catching up with me.

I closed my eyes and drifted off to sleep. It was a rocky night though. I tossed and turned, plagued with bad dreams and a bad feeling settling in my chest. It was the early hours of the morning before I was able to get some decent sleep. When I woke, the sun was gently peeking through a gap in the drapes.

I rolled over and reached my arm over to Reece’s spot. But it was empty and cold. He must have gone out for a run. He often runs in the morning if he has a busy day ahead of him. I stretched out in the bed, waking up slowly. I felt like utter shit; the exhaustion of restless sleep making my head feel fuzzy. I reached over to the nightstand for a glass of water and took a long sip. I laid in bed for a few more minutes, reflecting on our news yesterday.

The shock that I felt yesterday was overwhelming, but today I had woken up feeling calmer and seeing things clearer. Reece was so happy, and that made me happy too. Lana was ecstatic, happy and proud to be continuing the siren existence. None of the negative feelings I felt yesterday were still there and I laid my hand gently over my abdomen where our little pup grew. Without realising it, I was smiling.

“Hello, little pup,” I said to it, and gently rubbed my belly. Tiny tingling sensations peppered my hand. Our little pup was saying hello too. It was amazing and I giggled at the wonder of it all.

This was a blessing from the Moon Goddess. A future siren Alpha. Excitement bubbled inside me. I wanted to share it with Reece and let him know how happy I was, but he still hadn’t returned from his run. I could mind link him but decided against it and let him run in peace.

I heard a soft knock at the door.

“Come in,” I said, and the door opened. Penny walked in, smiling lightly.

“Hi,” she said, walking over to the bed, “How are you feeling?”

“Better,” I said.

“Did the Doc find out what was wrong?” she enquired curiously. I hadn’t spoken to her since I was at the hospital yesterday.

“Yeah, he did,” I answered.

“And?” she persisted, “Is everything ok?”

“I’m pregnant!” I said, smiling.

“Oh my goodness!” she gushed, “That’s amazing news.” She hugged me tight.

“How are you feeling now? Any morning sickness?” she asked, crinkling up her nose in distaste.

“No, I’m feeling a little tired, but no morning sickness at all,” I told her.

“Are you excited? Is Reece excited?” she said, continuing to quick fire her questions at me.

“Reece is really excited, and I am now too,” I said.

“Now?” she asked, “You weren’t excited?”

“I guess I was in shock yesterday, I never expected the Doc would tell me I’m pregnant. And I don’t think I handled it too well. But I can honestly say, now I am super excited. Reece is going to be an amazing father,” I said. I told her about my initial fears and worries, and she listened intently.

She sighed and smiled. “This truly is a blessing” she said.

Penny had been amazing this past month. In fact, she had been my absolute rock, helping me with the preparations for the opening of the new gym. She had been working hard researching and planning, doing everything from interior design to market research to finances. Everything she put her hand to, she aced. I honestly don’t think I would have got this far without her.

A strange feeling washed over me. It was nothing like I’ve ever felt before and was hard to explain. But it was gone a second later. Probably crazy pregnancy hormones again.

“Shall we have some breakfast? You’ve got to keep your strength up,” she said, clucking over me like a mother hen. She heard my stomach growl in anticipation.

“Sure,” I said, giggling to myself, “let me just take a quick shower.”

“Is Reece joining us? Where is he?” Penny asked, realising he wasn’t in the room.

“I think he went out for a run,” I said, throwing the sheets back and heading for the bathroom. I pinned my hair up and jumped in the shower. Moments later I was out and dressed in no time. When food was concerned, I generally meant business!

Once I was ready, we made for the door, but just as Penny opened it, a sharp pain sliced through my chest.

“Ahhh,” I cried, clutching my chest. The pain took my breath away, but felt weirdly distant at the same time, like I was experiencing it out of body. What was happening?

“What’s wrong?” Penny said, panicking. She made a squeaking sound and said, “Oh no, not again!”

Poor Penny. These things always seem to happen when she’s around and she gets caught up in them. “Brad! Brad!” she started screaming down the corridor.

The pain subsided and I took some deep breaths. “It’s ok, I’m ok Penny.” I told her. She put her arms around my shoulder and guided me to a chair. I flopped down into it, my body feeling weak.

“Mate,” Lana howled.

“What? What is it Lana?” I was confused. What was she trying to say?

“Mate,” she continued to howl, crying desperately.

“Tell me what’s happening, Lana!” I demanded.

“Our mate is in danger. He is hurt,” she said, whimpering mournfully, “We feel his pain.”

Was it possible that we were feeling Reece’s pain? How is that even possible? Could the mate bond between us be strong enough for that? If Lana was right, then something had happened to Reece. Something terrible. Fear gripped me.

“It’s Reece!” I cried, “Something’s happened to Reece.”

“What?” Penny asked, puzzled.

“The pain I can feel is his. Lana said he is in danger and hurt.

Brad rushed down the corridor, answering Penny’s screams.

“Baby, what’s wrong?” he cried, out of breath.

“It’s Reece. Something’s wrong. I think I can feel his pain. Something must have happened,” I explained.

“Where is he?” said Brad, confused.

“I don’t know! I thought he was out for a run,” I said, beyond scared now. I couldn’t just feel his pain, I could also feel his fear.

“I’ll try mind linking him,” Brad suggested, closing his eyes. He screwed up his face after a few seconds of trying. “I can’t connect to him. He hasn’t actively blocked me so he’s definitely conscious. He might be too weak to respond.”

“I think I can feel his fear as well,” I whispered, my breathing shallow, “Something bad has happened. I can feel it. I’m sure of it, Brad. We’ve got to do something!” Tears trickled down my face, blurring my vision.

“We have to find him,” Brad said, “Do you know which way he went for his run?”

“No,” I said desperately, “I was asleep. When I woke up, he was already gone. I just assumed he went out for a run.”

“Ok, Luna,” he said, “I will gather some warriors and we will go out and search for him.” He closed his eyes again and sent a message to the warriors.

“They will assemble in the lobby,” he said, as he opened his eyes.

“Melissa!” I yelled suddenly, making Penny flinch a little. “She can help!”

I rushed over to the nightstand and yanked my phone out of its charging cradle, clumsily tapping to dial Melissa’s number. She answered quickly.

“I think something has happened to Reece!” I blurted out before saying hello. She said nothing, the line went dead and a second later, a bright light appeared next to me, and she orbed in. I launched myself into her arms.

“Allie, you must calm down. This isn’t good for the pup,” she soothed, “Tell me what happened.”

“Pup? What pup?” Brad said, surprised.

“I’m pregnant,” I told him softly, realising he’s the only one in the room who doesn’t know.

“Wow! Congrats, Luna” he said, smiling.

I turned to Melissa, “When I woke this morning, he was gone. I assumed he was out for a run, but a few minutes ago I felt a terrible pain in my chest, and Lana says he’s hurt and it’s his pain we are feeling,” I explained to her. “I know something is wrong. He’s not responding to mind link.”

“I’ll send some warriors to check all the rooms of the pack house and training centre too, Luna,” Brad said, “And then we will search the forest.”

“Er, ok, sure,” I babbled, grateful that Brad was organising a plan of action. I had no idea what I should do. My mind was swimming, and it was hard to focus. Lana was inconsolable in my head and a sense of impending doom was choking me.

“Penny, you stay here with the Luna,” Brad said. Her face fell, but she recovered quickly.

“Brad,” she said vehemently, “I’m coming with you.”

“But…” he started, but she held up her hand and stopped any further words from him.

“No arguments,” she said firmly, "I'm coming with you". He looked like he was about to speak again but relented. Over the past month, their bond had become stronger than ever as Penny worked hard to heal after her ordeal.

“Let’s go then,” she said, and made for the door, leaving him standing with his mouth hanging open. We quickly made our way to the edge of the forest, where some warriors joined us.

“I’ve been running with Reece a few times, and each time we started from here. So, I think it’s worth a shot to start from here and follow the same track,” Brad said, giving a signal to the warriors to flank us.

He led us through the trees, in eerie silence, following the running route Reece might have taken. We walked for maybe ten minutes, the warriors in wolf form circling us, checking for danger.

One of them suddenly started to howl. He had picked up a scent.

“Rogues,” he mind linked to Brad and Allie, “It’s a faint trail but rogues have been here very recently.”

“Allie,” Melissa said. I turned to face her. All the colour had drained from her face.

“What is it?” I asked.

“I sense dark magic,” she whispered.

“Oh no, it can’t be.” My words came out strangled.

“Lucien.” Brad said, confirming my worst fears. Dark magic and rogues could mean nothing else.

“He’s taken Reece,” I whispered, my hands starting to shake, “Hasn’t he?”

“Shit,” said Brad.