21. NEPHELINE

21

NEPHELINE

The morning air is crisp, the forest alive with the soft hum of dawn. I run alongside Mateo, my paws pounding rhythmically against the earth, the gentle weight of the bond pulling us forward together. Everything feels clearer in these moments—just us, just the run. No darkness whispering in my head. No threats lurking in the shadows. Just Mateo at my side, his crimson eyes occasionally glancing my way like he can’t help himself.

Last night was everything I needed it to be, Mateo fucking me until I couldn’t come anymore even as he dragged out one last orgasm. But that little slice of paradise gave me peace away from everything plaguing my mind. And now, with a clearer head, I can take on the chaos that is my life.

The pack house comes into view and I shift as we reach the backdoor, stretching my aching limbs. Mateo steps up behind me, brushing his lips over the curve of my neck before opening the door for us.

I step inside, still catching my breath, when the strangest thing happens. Darius and Asani are standing just inside the living room, their faces splitting into identical, mischievous grins the moment they see me. My brows pull together in confusion. “What?”

They don’t answer—at least not with words. Darius steps forward, wraps his arms around my waist, and spins me. I let out a startled squeal, my legs kicking helplessly as I twist in his arms.

“Darius!” I shriek, breathless. “What are you doing?”

He sets me down gently, but his grin only widens, his eyes sparkling as he takes my face between his hands. “You’re going to look beautiful pregnant,” he announces with a laugh, like he’s just declared me queen of the world.

I freeze.

“Excuse me?”

Asani chuckles from the doorway, his arms crossed, leaning casually against the frame like he’s thoroughly enjoying the show. Mateo steps in behind me, his smirk barely hidden, while I stand there, stunned, my brain struggling to catch up.

Before I can form a coherent thought, Asani chimes in, his voice full of dry amusement. “Congratulations, Luna.”

“ What? ” My voice comes out a little strangled, my face flaming. I whip around to look at Mateo, who’s now very much not smirking anymore. Instead, he drops to his knees so suddenly I gasp, his hands settling gently on my hips as he presses his lips to the soft curve of my belly.

I slap my hands over my face in embarrassment. “Oh my goddess—stop it!”

But no one listens. Mateo kisses my skin softly, reverent, almost like he’s praying. Darius claps him on the shoulder with a proud grin and Asani’s laughter fills the space behind me.

“Can everyone tell?” I demand, my voice a little higher than normal as I drop my hands from my face to glare at all of them.

“It’s your scent,” Asani responds, his eyes narrowing just a little as if he’s studying me. “It’s faint—barely there. But it’s changed. We can smell it now.”

“Barely there?” I mutter under my breath, still reeling. “Then how the hell do you—”

“It doesn’t matter how,” Darius interrupts, sweeping me into another hug before I can escape. “You’re going to bring so much joy to this pack, Neph.”

I don’t know whether to laugh or hide under a blanket forever. My cheeks are on fire as I swat weakly at Darius’ shoulder for him to set me back down, grinning like he just won the lottery. “Fine. But can we please keep this quiet for now? Just… for a little bit? Don’t get me wrong. I’m ecstatic about having a child, one of your children but I don’t want the pack to lose focus. I’m not some miracle worker or goddess and I know how much this child will mean to them. I just…”

Mateo stands, his expression soft as he cups my face and brushes his lips gently against my forehead. “You just don’t want to be what everyone rests their hopes on. We’ll keep it quiet, princess.”

The others murmur their agreement and I let out a relieved breath—until Remi bursts into the room, practically vibrating with excitement. “Are we feeding the Luna extra today? Should I make her pancakes? Eggs? Both? I’ll do both.”

“Remi,” I groan, dragging a hand down my face.

“Feed her everything ,” Asani calls out, still grinning as he wanders toward the kitchen. “She deserves it.”

Mateo pulls me toward the couch, settling me into his lap while River appears, looking amused as he takes a seat beside us. Darius stretches out on the floor near my feet, his grin still far too smug, and Remi starts fussing over me with a blanket before disappearing into the kitchen after Asani.

The whole thing feels surreal—like a strange, chaotic dream I never asked for but can’t seem to stop smiling about.

“You okay, sweetie? This is going to be a big change.” River asks, his voice calm as always.

I nod, leaning back against Mateo as his arms curl around me. “Yeah,” I breathe out. “Just… processing.”

There’s a beat of silence before River breaks it, a faint smirk tugging at his lips. “Have you thought about names?”

The question catches me off guard and I blink at him, my lips parting before I can stop myself. “Flynn.” It takes everything in me to keep a straight face.

The room freezes .

Mateo’s arms go stiff around me. Darius immediately bares his teeth in a snarl. Asani steps back into the doorway, his brow raised, while River tilts his head like he’s trying to decide whether he misheard me.

“ Flynn? ” Darius growls, his voice dangerously low.

“It’s a gender-neutral name!” I argue playfully, throwing my hands up. “It’s cute! And honestly, it has a nice ring to it—”

“You’re joking,” Maverick’s voice cuts in from the hallway, dry and unimpressed. I glance over just in time to see him leaning casually against the wall, one brow raised, looking at me like I’ve lost my mind.

“I’m not!” I insist, though a laugh bubbles in my chest at the pure horror on Darius’ face. “I think it’s a great name!”

“Absolutely not,” Darius growls before pouncing.

The next thing I know, I’m on the ground with Darius pinning me gently, his hands tickling my sides mercilessly as I shriek with laughter.

“Take it back!” he demands, his voice breaking into laughter as I squirm beneath him.

“Never!” I cry, my voice cracking between gasps for air. “It’s a good name!”

“Not happening,” he growls playfully, still tickling me as the others look on with various levels of amusement.

I’m breathless by the time he finally stops, rolling off me with a triumphant grin as I gasp for air. Mateo crouches beside me, pulling me up effortlessly and pressing a kiss to my temple.

“We’ll work on the names,” he says softly, his lips twitching with a smirk.

I glare at him, though it’s half-hearted. “ You try coming up with something better.”

“Oh, don’t worry,” River deadpans, settling back onto the couch. “We will.”

The morning passes slowly, the hum of conversation and the clatter of dishes filling the kitchen. I’m nestled onto one of the stools, pushing the last of my scrambled eggs around my plate as Remi hovers far too close, dropping more food in front of me every time I so much as glance at an empty space.

“Sunshine, you’ve got to eat,” he scolds, nudging a perfectly golden croissant toward me. “Growing babies need fuel.”

“I will shove that croissant up your—”

“Princess.” Mateo’s low, warning tone cuts me off, though there’s a glimmer of amusement in his eyes as he leans against the counter with his arms crossed. Darius snorts from where he’s perched on a stool and Maverick just gives me that slow, assessing look, like he’s waiting for me to combust under all the attention.

“Fine,” I mutter, tearing off a small piece of the croissant just to make them all happy. They’re obsessive , but I can’t even be mad. I’d probably fuss over me too. However, it’s only been a few hours and the obsession is a lot. The worst part is that after all of the excitement, they called the Sapphire wolves’ doctor for a checkup.

When I had asked why Asani couldn’t do it, he mentioned that it wasn’t his specialty and that while he could read up on it, he’d feel better if an actual doctor checked me out. I agreed and then immediately vetoed going to a hospital because I didn’t want to deal with all of the questions.

A soft knock on the door breaks the moment, River pulling his shirt from over his head and stuffing it over mine. I’ve been wrapped in a blanket since I came in this morning, more than comfortable but my mates have all become possessive bastards in the last few hours apparently.

Asani moves to open the door, a Beta wolf I don’t recognize stepping inside. River and Remi come up behind me guiding me into the living room, giving me a little comfort as I catalog the Beta’s aura. He feels warm and nonthreatening so I just relax, Darius popping up at my side as the rest of my mates file in. It’s ridiculous and I slap his arm, letting him know as the Beta approaches.

He bows his head before addressing me. “Luna, I’m Dr. Ellis. I was called to check on you, just to ensure everything is as it should be. Will that be alright? I’ll have to touch you and I’d rather not like to get mauled by your mates.” I open my mouth to apologize when he just shakes his head. “No, it’s a common thing. Your mates will become very protective over you, the same way you will become protective over the life inside of you. May I?”

I nod, not knowing exactly what he needs. Dr. Ellis places his bag on the coffee table, digging through for a few different supplies before he runs through a very typical check-up routine. Blood pressure, heartbeat, reflexes. It’s all normal.

“Your health is excellent, Luna,” Dr. Ellis says after a few minutes. “But given the circumstances and the… unique aspects of your condition, I’d like to run a few additional tests. Just to confirm everything is progressing smoothly.”

“Condition?” I echo, raising a brow.

He glances at Asani, then Mateo, who gives him a tight nod. “Your pregnancy,” Dr. Ellis clarifies with a faint smile. “Shifter Omega pregnancies are rare and the magical signature is much stronger than it was a few weeks ago. It’ll likely influence the timeline.”

I blink at him, stunned. “The timeline?”

Dr. Ellis doesn’t answer immediately. Instead, he runs a few quick tests, checking my pulse, taking a small blood sample that he analyzes with some strange device I don’t recognize. A low hum fills the air and then he stops, his gaze flicking to mine as a grin spreads across his face.

“Well, this is remarkable,” he says, almost to himself before turning to face me fully. “Luna, you’re healthy—perfectly so—but your timeline is… shortened.”

“Shortened?” I repeat, my voice faint as the word rolls around in my head.

Dr. Ellis nods, his smile widening as he packs up his supplies. “Because of the magic flowing through you and the nature of your bond with your mates, your pregnancy is progressing quickly. It’s not unheard of for Omegas with strong packs, but your case is unique. You’re about a week along now.”

My heart stops.

“A week? ” I croak, the words barely leaving my throat. Everyone’s eyes are on me—every single one of them practically holding their breath as they process what’s just been said. “How long…?” I whisper, the question slipping out before I can stop it.

Dr. Ellis’ expression softens, but his answer hits me like a punch to the chest. “Three months. That’s how long you’ll have to prepare. Shifter Omega pregnancies, particularly ones tied to this level of magic, are faster than average. I’d recommend you take it easy—”

“Three months?” I repeat, my voice cracking as I stare at Dr. Ellis like he’s just spoken a foreign language. My hands press instinctively against my stomach, my fingers trembling as I try to process the bombshell he’s just dropped on me. “What happened to six to nine months? You know, the normal amount of time?”

The doctor smiles gently like he’s used to delivering this kind of news. “Most human Omegas carry for six to nine months,” he explains, adjusting his bag with maddening calm. “Shifter Omegas, on the other hand, typically give birth in three to six months. But with the magic returning to the packlands and flowing through you, Luna… You’ll be on the faster end,” he finishes. “Your body is changing rapidly to adapt to the magic and your bond with your mates. Everything about you is unique and this child—this pregnancy—is part of that.”

I open my mouth to say something—anything—but nothing comes out. My chest feels tight, my breaths shallow. Three months. Three months. I barely had time to adjust to the idea of being pregnant and now I’m supposed to be prepared for all of this to happen in just twelve weeks?

Maverick is there, his strong arms pulling me against his chest. I let him hold me, pressing my face against his chest as I try to steady my breathing. “You’re okay,” Maverick whispers, his voice soft and steady in my ear. His fingers trail soothingly through my hair as his lips brush against my temple. “We’re right here. You don’t have to do this alone.”

“No, it’s fine. I’m just freaking out a little,” I admit, my voice muffled against him as my fingers curl into the fabric of his shirt.

A faint chuckle rumbles through his chest as his arms tighten around me. “You’re allowed to freak out, kitten. But you’re not allowed to think for even one second that you’re doing this alone.”

The weight of his words pulls me out of my spiral just enough to notice the others.

Dr. Ellis has left, Mateo is at my side, crouched beside the couch, his eyes locked on me, his hand settling over mine against my stomach. He’s reminding me that I’m his—his Luna, his mate, and never alone.

Darius presses himself against my other side. He doesn’t say anything but the way he’s watching me, like he’d tear the entire world apart if it meant keeping me safe, is enough.

Remi perches on the arm of the couch, his hand brushing along my shoulder, the ever-present warmth and affection in his gaze softening the edges of my panic. “Breathe, sunshine,” he murmurs gently. “You’ve got this. We’ve got this.”

And Asani stands at the edge of the room, his sharp eyes softened with something I don’t often see—vulnerability. He steps forward, his fingers ghosting over my knee before he settles on the couch nearby, River resting beside him.

The bond hums between us, a tangible thread of connection that I don’t think I’ll ever fully understand but will always feel. It grounds me as much as their touch does, weaving through me, reminding me that no matter how overwhelming this feels, they’re here.

All of them.

I tilt my head back, looking up at Maverick. His dark eyes brighten to that ethereal white and I hold my breath, waiting for something bad to happen but Maverick’s magic doesn’t feel chaotic this time.

“This child will unite four packs,” he murmurs, his words sending a shiver down my spine. “Bringing harmony where there was division.”

I blink up at him, my heart pounding in my chest. “What?”

“It’s the magic,” Maverick says softly, his gaze never leaving mine. “It’s you, Nepheline. You’re the thread tying it all together. Four packs—Nightshade, Redstone, Sapphire, and the pack of the Forbidden. This child is more than just our future. It’s the future of the packs. The magic knows that. It’s why everything is changing so fast.”

Four packs. I don’t know if I should feel awe or terror. Probably both. “But what if I’m not ready for this?” I whisper, the words spilling out. My voice cracks and I hate how small it sounds. “What if I screw it all up? I’m not—”

“You are ,” Mateo interrupts as he squeezes my hand. “You’re stronger than you think, princess. And you don’t have to be perfect. We’ll figure this out together like we always do.”

Darius grunts softly in agreement. “You’ve already done more than anyone could ask of you, Luna. You’ll be a damn good mother.”

“And you’ve got us,” Remi chimes in, his teasing grin softening as he brushes a lock of hair out of my face. “We’ll spoil that kid rotten, don’t worry.”

I let out a shaky breath, my lips twitching into a faint smile despite the whirlwind in my head. “You’re all so sure.”

“Because we know you,” Maverick says simply, his arms tightening around me. “And we believe in you.”

Three months. It’s not enough time. It’s too much, too fast, too big.

But apparently Mother Nature waits for no one and the little bean in my belly is telling me it’s time. Which means I have three months to bring my brother home and get rid of the darkness threatening the magic on our lands because when my child is born to this pack, it’s going to be into a world of peace.

I swear it.