by Alana Dyer
“Unfortunately Luna because of the drugs that had to be used you will be unable to breast feed. I’m sorry to ruin your plans.” She says quietly. I understand her meaning knowing that some medicine can affect the breast milk of a nursing mother and nod dejectedly at her. I move the bottle in a more comfortable position in my hand bringing the rubber nipple to my baby’s lips and coax her into accepting her. I smile happily as she proceeds to drink knowing that she will need the nutrients to grow.
“You’re a natural!” The nurse states and I smile at her enthusiasm.
“I used to babysit and help out at the pack hospital at my old Pack. I learned how to care for pups and how to coax newborns into drinking from a bottle.” I answer my eyes never leaving the pup in my arms. I could see the nurse visibly relax with my words. I knew she knew I am sixteen and probably had a feeling that with me being so young I wouldn’t know how to raise my child.
“That’s good to know. The doctor will be in tomorrow morning and another nurse will come to bring the next bottle when you need it. I’ll leave the three of you now to enjoy the rest of you evening. Have a good night Alpha Tate and Luna Laina.” The nurse gives a respectful bow before exiting the room. Tate and I stay silent the both of us enjoying the calm night as our baby sips at her bottle. Soon with the bottle empty and the little pup burped Tate takes her away to have her diaper changed before placing her back into her basinet and crawling back into bed with me. Both of us needed sleep after the last few days we’ve had. Snuggling into my mate’s embrace I close my eyes and let my exhausted body gain the rest it needs.
Chapter 12
My eyes open to the annoying sound of the heartbeat monitor once again. I hate that machine with a passion as it continues to beep with every heartbeat. Glaring at the monitor I slowly sit up only to feel my body being pulled back down and held captive against a strong chest.
“Where do you think you’re going?” Tate mumbles his voice husky with sleep as he nuzzles against my hair. I grin and relax against my mate deciding to leave the grudge against the machine connected to my body and sigh.
“I was going to smash the stupid machines connected to me.” I admit with the heart monitor once again beeping to punctuate my statement. I couldn’t wait to get rid of these machines especially the one with its annoying beeping. I just wanted to be home with Tate and our baby girl and mourn the death quietly of my other child. As if connected to my thought a tiny cry of protest is heard from the bassinet and Tate groans before releasing me from his arms and proceeds to stand from the hospital bed to gently lift the small pup from her bed. A light knock is rapt on the door before the nurse from last night walks in giving us a quick greeting and checking over our pup before handing me a warm bottle. Taking this as our queue to feed the little baby Tate hands her to me still wrapped in her pink blanket and I get to work with placing the rubber nipple to her lips and watching her latch onto it. The sound of my pup feeding fills my heart with warmth and I take the time to just stare at her innocent little face.
“So do you have any names for her?” Tate asks as I feed our baby girl. I had a few but there were two names I would want for her first and middle name.
“Julia Chris Randall-Silvermoon.” I answer absentmindedly turning my head just far enough to see the shock on my mate’s face when I say his last name.
“Why my last name?” He asks unsure. I couldn’t help but grin before I turn back to Julia. Seeing that her eyes were wide awake staring back at me with the bottle empty I hand the bottle to Tate and proceed to burp her.
“You may not have sired her but as far as she will ever know you are her father through and through. I will not allow anyone else to raise her but my mate and that is you.” I answer honestly, seeing the beaming smile grow radiantly as Tate comes to sit beside me and pulls me into his arms his lips kissing my temple gently as we look down at Julia.
“I plan to name her sister Kelly Lynn Randall-Silvermoon. She needs a name to be buried with.” My throat clenches with pain as a whimper escapes. I could still feel the shattering pain that comes with Kelly dying before even getting a chance to live. What I would do to turn back time and have the girls born just a day early to prevent the tragedy, but I knew I couldn’t. I would have to live knowing that I now have a little angel living with my parents in the Goddess’ court. Calloused hands wipe away stray tears that fall from my eyes.
“May I ask why Kelly?” Tate questions gently, his hands drawing soothing circles on my arms.
“She is named after my great grandmother, I remember her being kind and caring as a pup and I hope that she can take care of her name sake with my parents where ever their souls are.” I answer. I feel my arms slowly growing tired in their position of holding Julia, watching her little eyes slowly close. She is adorable when sleepy and I wish I could take a picture and send it to Chris.
“Let me see our little Julia.” Tate whispers, his hands moving from around me to in front as he lifts our now sleeping baby from my arms.
“Hey!” I protest trying to reach out and take her back from Tate only for my mate to elude my reaching hands and gently rock Julia in his arms.
“Hush Babe, Julia is sleeping.” He mock scolds me with a playful frown on his face. I watch as he takes her to a table, seeing his quick hands change her diaper before shaking my head helplessly and lean back in the pillows. I watch silently as Tate cleans up Julia without waking her before returning her to her bassinet and joining me in bed. As he settles in and wraps me once more in his embrace a knock on the door sounds before opening, a man in a lab coat appearing in the entry way with a friendly smile on his face.
“How are my patients today?” The man asks, walking towards my bed and nodding respectfully at Tate and me. A clipboard is held in his left hand while he fumbles in his right pocket before procuring a pen and clicking it open.
“Well Julia is fast asleep and Laina here is comfortable. I think the machines have her annoyed.” Tate answers causing the man I now know as my Doctor to look quizzically at us.
“That’s our pup. Yes I am comfortable and yes I am ready to destroy the machines hooked up to me, especially this stupid heart monitor.” I answer the Doctor, turning my head to glare at the heart monitor as it makes an especially loud beep. The doctor chuckles for a moment at my statement and writes notes in my file. I could see the amusement in his eyes before he turns to quickly scan Julia. I swear if I didn’t place my hand on Tate’s leg he would have growled and bared his claws at the doctor who is only doing his job.
“Both of you seem to be doing well and my estimation right now before I do a check-up is that you will be able to go home tomorrow the latest.” I smile at the Doctor’s words, excitement filling me at the prospect of going. I want to leave this hospital with its sterile smell. I want to be at home with the scent of Tate wrapping around me in our comfortable bed and the smell of breakfast as we sit in our breakfast nook.
“I am Altrex, the Packs Doctor, but everyone calls me Doctor Rex.” Doctor Rex introduces himself as he comes to stand on the other side of my bed away from Tate. I could tell my mate’s protective side is taking over as his arms tighten slightly around me and he constantly glances at our sleeping pup.
[I can’t wait to get you two home safe.] He grumbles into our link causing a bemused smile to spread across my face while he nuzzles into my neck. Men, they could be jealous monsters at the most random of times.
“Now I have to check your cuts and stitches and do a few more tests to make sure you are healing fine. Tate if you don’t mind I need you to let Laina go so that we can see how well she is healing.” Doctor Rex states with his own bemused expression. I could tell right away these two are friends as Tate grumbles incoherent words which I believe are curses towards the Doctor before he gives me a kiss on my cheek and releases me. I watch Tate stand only to hover close to the edge of the bed causing me to roll my eyes while I slowly sit up
Doctor Rex performs the usual checks from listening to my
lungs and heart – although the stupid heart monitor is still beating at a steady rhythm – to taking my temperature and blood pressure. After going through the motion I am told to lie down and raise my shirt just enough for him to see my incisions from the emergency surgery. I turn my head looking away and into Tate’s eyes not wanting to look at my flat stomach right now while Doctor Rex skims over the stitches and takes note of what he sees in my file.
“I have some good news. After checking everything over I believe you can head home tonight.” Doctor Rex announces before mentioning I can fix my shirt and sit up once again. Tate helps me to straighten my clothes up and supports my upper body as I slowly sit up once again before my mate joins me in bed and pulls me into his arms.
“Your incisions are healing faster than I thought but for the next two weeks at least you are to be on bed rest. This means no running, shifting, exercising or heavy lifting. Just relax with little Julia and laze about all day.” Doctor Rex continues with a smile. The thought of being in my own bed tonight brings a smile to my face while I take a deep breath.
“Okay Doc I’ll behave.” I agree, snuggling into Tate and yawning.
“I will prescribe you some pain meds to help with the pain but in about two weeks you should be back to normal.” With that the doctor left and I smile, getting closer to Tate. A nurse comes in and unhooks my body from the multiple machines but the I.V. drip. Finally the stupid beeping from the heart monitor is gone and exhaustion claims me once again.
“Why don’t you take a nap Beautiful, tonight we will be home and sleeping.” Tate suggests, kissing my cheek gently and running his fingers through my hair.
“Okay” I yawn out, closing my eyes. Doctor Rex did put me on bed rest and I plan to get as much sleep as I can while tending to Julia.
…
“For Goddess’ sake, give me the car seat Tate.” I growl out in frustration throwing my hands in the air. We have just pulled into our drive way after Julia and I were released from the hospital about an hour ago and Tate decided to leave any form of lifting to him. The pack hospital sent us home with many bags full of new born equipment from bottles and formulas to a blanket that my nurse – Nurse Abigail – had bought as a gift to us, her Alpha and Luna. I knew the car seat would be alright for me to carry but my protective mate refused to let me do it.
“I got everything its fine Laina.” Tate assures through clenched teeth. I roll my eyes as I hover around the car seat with Julia inside oblivious to her parent’s arguments.
“Clearly you don’t with how you’re gritting your teeth.” I retort with rolling my eyes and placing my hands on my hip. He pauses to glare at me slightly for a moment and I glare back.
“Don’t sass me Laina. Get the door for me instead.” He growls out motioning with his head towards our front door. I scurry around him as quickly as I could and rush to turn the door knob to our house before holding it open for Tate to somehow manage to squeeze into the frame with a smug grin.
“I told you I could do it.” My mate gloats with smugness in his voice. I once again roll my eyes at his childish behaviour while I close the door. Tate places the bags down gently before settling the car seat on the floor. I walk into his open arms for a hug and take a deep breath. It felt good to be home again. Pulling away from me and placing a chaste kiss on my lips, Tate turns to unstrap Julia from the car seat, a smile on his face as he holds the sleeping newborn gently in his arms.
“Come on princess let’s get you to bed.” He coos, turning to give me a quick peck on the cheek, then makes his way towards the stairs. Confused by his words I follow Tate up the stairs wondering where his destination is.
“Tate we haven’t created a nursery yet.” I say furrowing my brows. How could we put Julia to bed when we have yet to finish the preparation for our pup? Tate just looks at me with eyes that suggest he is hiding something from me as he winks playfully not bothering to answer my question. We continue towards the second floor and past my office coming to stop in front of a closed door that is situated directly across from our own room. I knew this room well considering this is where we had placed all the furniture and nursery items inside intending to use this room for our pups – for Julia now that we only have her left.
“Care to open the door for us?” Tate asks cheerily, a grin spreading across his face. I roll my eyes and step forwards to turn the handle and push the wooden door. My eyes widen when I take in the scene before me. The walls were decorated with many soft colours designed to be a fairy tale forest scene in the light of the setting sun. The furniture chosen during my shopping trip with Eeva are built and set up around the room ready to be used. The diaper changing station holds basket with each needed item ready and in reach. My favourite item being the rocking chair set beside yet another bay window where I can rock Julia asleep and sip an herbal tea. I couldn’t help but look on in awe. It is my dream nursery.
“I told you Tate that if you left the design for this room to me, Laina would love it.” A familiar voice says bemusedly. I turn to face the direction the voice came from only to see my cousin Chris leaning against the wall behind me, a grinning Tate standing off to the side as he looks on happily. Without a second thought I rush into the arms of Chris, burying my face into his chest as his arms wrap around me.
“Hey Lainy. I missed you.” Chris whispers, his shoulders shaking and voice cracking. I nod in reply as sobs wrack my body. It’s been over four - almost five - months since I had last seen Chris. I could remember the tears on his face as the car drove away when being designated breeder. Now I could finally be reunited with my best friend, the person I confided in. I am finally reunited with my cousin. Slowly my tears come to an end and I am left gasping for breath, finding myself on the ground with my cousin holding me.
“Better?” Chris asks whipping tears from my cheek. I could only manage a nod while my emotions stabilize. I had missed Chris so much wanting to explain everything that’s happened since leaving the pack. But Chris only kept our few calls short once I had bought my new cell phone not wanting to have too much information in case Sam tried to use it for his own gain.
“I am so proud of you Laina. You stayed strong and managed to free yourself.” Chris whispers, kissing my forehead and giving me one last hug. I crawl out of his lap to allow Chris to stand before taking his outstretched hand and letting my cousin help me to my feet.
“How are you here?” I question once I feel confident to speak without crying again.
“Tate called me. News had spread in the old pack that you had run into this territory beforehand. When he called I was terrified but relief filled me when he told me that you are his mate. After that Jack and I packed up the house and everything in it and moved here. I knew you would be safe by your mate’s side and could finally find you. When we arrived at the house Jack and I met Eeva. She told us about what happened and the three of us decided to clean the house and prepare the nursery with how you had designed it in your sketch book.” He explains a smile on his face as Chris turns to look into the nursery. I follow his gaze to catch Tate rocking our pup in his arms.
“Thank you for this.” I smile turning to thank my cousin. I needed this surprise seeing a room designed the way I had sketched out years ago. Chris nods with a soft smile, motioning me to go to my mate who settles a sleeping Julia into her bassinet, a tender smile on his face as he gazes down at the pup before him. My legs carry me until my arms wrap around Tate from behind.
“Thank you for allowing my cousin here.” I whisper, burying my face into his back and taking in his scent.
“You’re welcome beautiful. I figured having your family here would help.” He says pulling me to his side. For a moment we take in the silence of house while gazing at Julia. It felt right having her home and asleep safe and sound.
“I hope I am not interrupting anything but dinner is ready.” Jack’s familiar voice has me turning in time to catch Jack wrap his arms around Chris and give my cousin a loving kiss. It felt like the old
days when I would be deep into my design homework for the two to interrupt me and force me to take a rest and eat.
“That’s good because I am starving.” I laugh out, pulling Tate along with me to where Chris and Jack stood. It felt nice knowing I would be able to taste Jack’s cooking again. The four of us leave Julia to sleep and make our way down the stairs and towards the kitchen.
“Sit down your Aunt and Uncle are coming down to eat now.” I hear the distinct tone of Eeva’s voice when rounding the corner of the hall and walking in to a lively scene of Eeva and a man trying to corral the pups Jonathan, Andy and Vinny into the breakfast nook. I couldn’t help but chuckle at the two chasing the three boys around while threatening to take away their games and toys.
“Laina hi!” Eeva stops her pursuit of her pups to rush over and pull me into a hug. Her hands pat my shoulders gently with a grin plastered on her face.
“Oh thank the Goddess that you’re alright.” She rushes to say with relief her eyes scanning me from head to toe before stealing me from Tate and settling me into a chair at the breakfast nook.
“We thought to make some comfort food after the last few days you’ve had so Jack suggested bacon mac n’ cheese.” The man states when he manages to settle the three rambunctious boys down.
“I am Loren by the way, Eeva’s mate.” Loren introduces himself holding his hand out for me to shake. Smiling I take his hand and shake it watching Eeva curl into his side with a childish grin on her face.
“I’m Laina, Ta-“
“Tate’s mate and my new Luna, we all know who you are now.” He states with a playful wink. I could tell right away that I am going to like having Loren around.
“Welcome to the family.”
“Thanks Loren.” I chuckle out. Soon everyone is seated with a plate full of the carb-tastic concoction that Jack whipped up. The house felt warm and lively with family siting around me. We spend the meal sharing stories of our childhood laughing.
