Part Twenty One

Zak's P.O.V

His blood red eyes glared down at me as he brought he knife back, touching my skin before

Plunging it deep beneath my flesh. Sharp teeth poked out of his mouth as he smiled cruelly.

I screamed for him to stop, trying so hard to push his huge form away from me. He didn't stop.

Instead he ran the blade across my chest, splitting the skin, covering my weak body in crimson

Liquid.

I screamed. I wrenched my eyes open and panicked when I felt a weight around my chest. In

Blind panic I threw it off and scrambled weakly to my feet, which barely supported my weight.

'Zak?' A surprised voice echoed round the dark room. I felt my body instantly relax as I knew the

Voice. 'You okay babe?' I heard creaking as Nova got up off the bed.

I flinched when his hands came into contact with my sides. 'Whats wrong?' He whispered as his

Thumbs rubbed soothing circles into my sides.

'B-bad d-dream.' I whispered back, finally finding my voice. 'S-sorry I woke y-you.'

Nova sighed before pulling me close to him. He turned me to the side so he wouldn't crush my

Huge belly as he hugged me tight to his bare chest. He kissed the top of my head gently, 'want to

Talk about it?' He asked.

I shook my head, not saying anything, but I knew he could see it. 'Ok, come on let's get back to bed,

It's only 2 in the morning.' He yawned softly as he pulled me back to the hospital bed.

'C-can we g-get something to d-drink?' I asked before we got settled.

'Sure, I'll go grab you one.' Nova went to get up again but I grabbed his arm.

'I-I want to c-come t-too. Don't l-leave me a-alone.' I whispered, my voice trembled despite my

Effort to keep it even.

'Don't worry Zak, I'm not going to leave you.' Nova wrapped a strong arm around my back, guiding

Me through the dark house.

He had to walk extra slow as I found it hard to keep up with him. It was bad enough that I had to

Waddle like a penguin but because my body was still healing, my energy levels were depleted,

Which made simple tasks such as walking very difficult. I put a hand on my swollen belly and held

Nova's shirt with the other. A smile spread across my face as I felt my little baby stir. 'Ouch,' I

Whimpered as the little devil kicked out suddenly, hitting one of my many healing cuts.

'You alright?' Nova had stopped walking and turned to face me. The hallway was lighter than the

Hospital room so I could make out his features now. He looked worried.

I smiled up at him and took his hand in mine, placing it gently on my stomach. I saw his face light

Up when he felt our baby move and kick for the first time. He placed a gentle hand either side of

My tummy and pulled me gently into him as he kissed me tenderly. I kissed him back, pouring all

My love into it.

I grabbed a handful of his soft hair, pulling him down to me. His tongue tapped my bottom lip,

Which I happily moved, allowing it entrance. He moaned in my mouth as our tongues danced

Around each other in passion.

'God, I've missed this.' He breathed huskily as he broke the kiss, resting his forehead against mine.

'Me too.' I said as I felt my cheeks flush in embarrassment.

'Come on, let's get you that drink and get you both back to bed. He smiled, rubbed my belly gently

Before taking my hand, leading me to the kitchen.

Once I'd drank my fill and we'd got back to the hospital bay it was close to 3 am. I yawned deeply

As I snuggled into Nova's chest, nuzzling my head in his neck. 'Love you.' I whispered before

Drifting into a dreamless sleep.

Nova's P.O.V

Hearing my little mate tell me he loves me warmed my heart. I held him tight, but not too tight, I

Didn't want him to hurt anymore than he already was. 'I love you too.' I whispered, even though I

Knew he was fast asleep. I placed a little kiss on the top of his head and settled down, falling to

Sleep easily.

I groaned as the morning sun filtered into the room. Zak moved in my arms, groaning a little

Before letting out a small whimper. I opened my eyes and looked down at his tiny frame huddled

Next to me. His forehead was wrinkled and his eyebrows were pulled together as he mumbled

Something in his sleep. I reached up and caressed his cheek, smiling when I saw him relax.

I heard the door open and close as someone walked in, yawning.

'Sshh, Micky. You'll wake Zak.' I whispered glaring at Micky as he walked up to the bed.

'Sorry.' He yawned again. 'Hows he doing? Any problems?' He asked looking down at Zak's curled

Up form, smiling gently.

'He had a bad dream and did wake up but went straight back to sleep after we got a drink.' I

Reported as I ran my fingers through my mates soft hair.

He stirred again, whimpering as he sleepily opened his eyes. 'Nova,' he whispered.

'Yea baby.'

'My tummy hurts.' He whimpered as he rubbed his swollen belly. He hadn't moved from where he

Lay, which I knew meant he was in a bit of discomfort.

'Micky's here, he'll have a look at you alright?' I cooed, gently picking him up and cradling him in

My lap. I looked up at Micky who had pulled up a chair.

'Where on you stomach does it hurt?' He asked gently. 'What sort of pain is it? Can you describe

It?'

I shifted Zak so he lay on his back on the bed with his head resting in my lap. Micky pulled his shirt

Up gently, exposing his belly. My chest grew tight as I looked down at his pale torso. Old scars

Mingled with new ones and it pained me knowing I should have prevented it.

'It hurts here,' he showed Micky by running his hand across the underside of his baby bump. 'Its

Like something's pushing against my belly.' He explained.

'Ok, let me just go grab he ultra sound machine and we'll take a look at the little one.' He smiled

Softly, but his eyes hinted that he was worried.

'Morning.' I rolled my eyes as my mothers cheery voice rang through the room. What timing this

Woman had. 'Zak honey what's going on?' She gasped when she saw Zak, lying half shirtless on the

bed with Tears in his eyes, holding his belly.

'He's just in a bit of discomfort and Micky's going to take a look at the baby to make sure

Everything's fine.' I explained as she came and sat on the other side of Zak, taking his hand in hers.

'Right, this is going to be cold.' Micky smiled as he squirted gel onto Zak's belly. He shuddered

When the cold gel hit his warm skin. 'Right let's say hello to your baby.'

Zak and my mother chuckled. I watched the screen a little nervous after seeing Micky's expression.

I knew he was trying to make Zak feel better with the light hearted banter and all that but he wasn't

Fooling me.

'Everything looks fine. Your coming close to your due date, so you'll experience some discomfort

In the next few weeks.' Micky said after printing off the pictures, which Zak and my mother now

Looked at. Zak's little face looked so happy as he looked at the black and white photos.

'I wonder what gender it is. I'm so excited.' Mother squealed.

'Only three weeks and we'll get to see.' My little mate sounded so excited and I was thrilled.

'Oh yeah, I came to tell you that breakfast was ready. I made your favourite, pancakes with bacon

Bits in them.' She smiled widely as Zak's face completely lit up.

'Nova, I'm hungry. I want pancakes!' He whined.

I laughed. He only had to hear the word pancakes and he was there. Even more so if they were

Filled with little bacon pieces.

As soon as Micky had finished cleaning off the gel Zak was up and on his feet, waddling as fast as

His little legs would go. We laughed which made him turn round and pout.

'What. My baby wants bacon pancakes and I'm not going to deny it pancakes!' He folded his arms

Across his chest.

'Okay, okay, madam, I'm coming.' I laughed getting up off the bed and making our way to the

Kitchen.

'Morning son, how you feeling?' Father greeted us as we sat around the table. He and Nathan were

Already digging into their breakfast, chatting idly.

'Morning.' Zak smiled sweetly, 'I'm ok, I've got some pictures of the baby,' he said excited, holding

Them out to my father and Nathan, 'want to see?'

They both grinned and excitedly took the pictures from Zak's hands as he sat down in front of a

Plate piled full with bacon pancakes.

'Do we know the gender yet?' Nathan asked as he looked in aw at the photos.

'No, I want it to be a surprise.' My little mate mumbled through a mouthful of pancakes.

We laughed making him blush in embarrassment.

'Your going to choke, calm down.' I chuckled as he grinned at me. He was ecstatic seeing those

Pictures and seeing with his own eyes that the little one was alright. He'd been fretting about its

Well being after he'd explained to us what had happened the month he was kidnapped by that

Bastard.

'How longs left now?' Father asked handing the photos back to Zak.

'Couple weeks.' He smiled. 'I can't wait.'

It warmed my heart at how well he got on with everyone. I knew my father and Nathan still felt

Guilty for what had happened but Zak had insisted that they'd done nothing to be guilty about.

He had expressed that he was grateful that they hadn't interfered at that time otherwise he

Wouldn't be sitting here right now as Derek would've ripped his throat out there and then.

'Nova,'

I was brought out of my thoughts by Leo, my best friend and beta once I take over the pack.

'Whats up Leo?' I asked a little concerned giving the look he had on his face.

He shifted a little nervously, 'I need to speak to you, but in private. Please.'

I nodded, knowing it was important. 'I'll be back in a minute.' I kissed Zak on the head and left

With Leo.

Zak's P.O.V

I watched as Nova left with a nervous looking Leo. I sighed. I'd finished my plate of food but didn't

Want to leave by myself. I was still a little afraid to be on my own.

I winced as my baby kicked out suddenly.

'Baby kicking again?' Nathan asked.

I looked up at him and smiled reassuringly when I met his worried expression. 'Yeah. The little

Bugger kicks hard. Anyone would think it's trying to break free.' I chuckled and rubbed my huge

Belly. I'd had to wear Nova's shirts as mine didn't fit over my belly.

Amanda squealed in delight, 'lemme feel.' She grinned running to my side.

I chuckled and placed her hand where the little tyke was kicking away. She smiled proudly and my

Heart was about ready to burst with happiness.

'John, come, feel.' She tugged her husbands hand before he had a chance to respond and placed it

On my belly. I watched as his eyes softened and he smiled at me proudly.

'Cant wait to see the little tyke.' He grinned, sitting back down.

'Me neither.' I smiled.

After a while of casual chit chat I needed a lie down. I felt drained. Micky had said that my body

Was still healing so I'd feel that way for a while yet. I sighed, heaving myself to my feet. I thanked

Amanda for the lovely food before making my way to the living area.

It was full of other pack members. Some of the younger ones were playing games or watching tv

While the older ones sat in groups and chatted.

'Zak!' I smiled as I heard Melany's sweet little voice call out over the noise.

I turned to face her just as she flung her tiny arms round my thighs in a hug. I smiled and patted

Her back, unable to bend down or pick her up to hug her properly.

'Look, look. I drew his for you.' She smiled proudly as she dragged me towards the table she was

Playing at. Proudly, she held up a piece of paper for me to look at.

I took it from her small hands and smiled at what I saw. 'Its beautiful Mel.' She giggled and began

Drawing something else.

I looked at he picture in my hands. It was of me, Nova, her parents and the little baby, who she

Wanted to be a little girl.

'Hey Zak.' A arm appeared around my shoulder, making me jump.

'Ricky. Hi.' I smiled as I saw my friends brown eyes staring down at me. Yes everyone here was

Taller than me. I was only 5'5 so it didn't take much.

'How you feeling buddy?' He asked stepping back. 'You look tired, kid. Come on let's sit.' He led me

To the sofa and sat down with me. He was Nova's age, 24, and also had a male partner, Axel. He

Was kind to me when some other members hadn't accepted me and offered a helping hand. I

Hadn't told Nova that some of the pack didn't accept me because I didn't want to cause a division.

'Im good. Just want to have my baby in my arms now.' I said relaxing into the sofa.

'Bet you can't. Me and Axel can't wait to see it either.' He smiled.

We sat and just chatted to each other, Axel joining us after a little while. It was nice to finally be

Back home with my family and friends. I relaxed and sighed, content and happy.