Chapter 68: Chapter sixty-seven

*Delanie POV*

“Is that all the cans of paint?” I called.

“Yup,” Betty sighed as she set a litre can of paint down. I planned on repainting the studio to make it brighter.

I had a bright idea this morning. I volunteered at the clinic and I was doing a course online to get a diploma as a medical assistant. I was a little behind but I’d get it done soon. I thought I could use my studio as an art class.

I couldn’t stop thinking about the idea. We’re not banished anymore this could work!

The girls loved the idea. It was the perfect girl’s night plan as well.

“I wish I had a man to buy me a studio too,” Ainsley pouted playfully as she set the box of new paint brushes aside.

I laughed. “You know Ross would give you the sun if he could.”

Ainsley shook her head. “I’m still on the fence with him.”

I had huge plans to turn this place into a cosy learning spot. I needed a lot to get it started but it would keep me occupied for a while and that’s what I wanted. I didn’t want an idle mind or I’d overthink about everything.

Shaina was off work today so she agreed to help. Later tonight we agreed to go have drinks at Jaxson’s bar.

“It’s going to be great, Del. I can’t wait for you to open!” she beamed.

“Neither can I. I guess I need a budget and a list of things to get.”

She patted my shoulder. “I’m sure Ajax will help.”

I was sure too. He didn’t want me to lounge at home all day. I had something on my mind I needed to get off. While Betty and Ainsley were occupied talking about extra activities for the art class which involved wine I pulled Shaina to the side and asked to talk.

We went outside and stood by her car.

“What’s wrong Del?” She folded her arms over her chest.

“I… I have a problem. It’s medical.”

“Oh my gosh.” She plastered her hand over her chest.

“I don’t know if it’s medical. It’s just… I don’t know it’s a fear.” I gave her a brief explanation of Max’s plan for me to get pregnant and how far the doctors at Margot’s place went.

Her eyes watered by the time I was half way into the explanation.

“That’s awful. I can’t believe we looked up to that man. He protected the pack but he’s a monster.”

I nodded. We still had to talk about him freeing my Mother. I was scared of facing him but I couldn’t let her remained locked up another day.

“I don’t know if they finished the process but it began, Shaina. I’m scared I could still get pregnant. I don’t know what to do.”

Shaina placed a hand on my shoulder and gave me a warm smile. “I’m ashamed to call those guys doctors, but artificial insemination only has a five to thirty percent success rate. It might not have worked even if they got to finish it properly.”

“Okay, but I’m still nervous. I don’t know how to talk to Ajax about this.”

“He loves you and he’ll listen. Listen, don’t panic what you can do it buy a home pregnancy kit and take a test.”

“Really? Great, I’ll buy one right now.”

“You can’t take it now. You’ll probably get a negative. You have to wait two weeks.”

My eyes nearly popped out of my head. “That long!”

“I’m sorry, but taking it now will only be useless. It’ll create a false sense of security and I don’t want that. Keep using birth control that’s all I can offer. I know it sucks.”

“Yeah, it sucks big time.”

I wrapped an arm hand around my middle. The thought of life growing inside me was terrifying but beautiful at the same time.

***

I arrived home with the plan to feed Goby but the second I entered the house and smelled the wonderful aroma coming from the kitchen. My stomach growled and I needed to be fed.

I strolled into the kitchen. Ajax wasn’t there. This would be the weirdest break-in if he wasn’t responsible for the pots on the stove.

I opened lids to reveal creamy pasta and medium rare steak strips. Yup, it was definitely Ajax. It was never a complete meal without steak. Arms wrapped around my middle suddenly and yanked me off the ground. My panic died when I smelt Ajax’s body wash.

“Look who I caught with their hands in the cookie jar.”

I laughed. He just got out of the shower. His hair was damp and sprayed water all over.

“Technically you caught it in the pot.”

He pressed his lips against my cheek.

I turned around so I could press my lips against his. Ajax’s large hands wrapped my waist and massaged my sides. My stomach turned into knots. Since Shaina and I spoke I couldn’t get the thought of being pregnant out of my head. It was worse now than before. I gently took Ajax’s hands and moved them away from my belly.

I smiled as if my actions were normal. “Why’d you cook? It smells great.”

“I have news and I wanted to spoil you.”

“I’m so lucky.”

He pressed his lips against my neck in a soft kiss. He moaned. “Maybe we should skip launch.”

Before I could protest my stomach growled. He barked out a laugh.

“Okay, you win.”

His phone rang and he pulled it out while I went to grab plates. I was starving despite having a healthy breakfast under my mate’s supervision. I watched him out of the corner of my eye. He stared intently at his phone.

“Something wrong?” I asked.

“What?” He turned and shoved his phone back in his pocket. He smiled suspiciously. “Nothing sweetheart. Let’s eat.”

My eyes narrowed on him.

“Here, let me do it.”

I allowed him to pile pasta on my dish and tender juicy steak. My mouth was watering I almost forgot Ajax said he had news.

“What’s the news? It better be good?”

“Right, I brought out my good wine for this too.”

He placed two wine glasses on the counter. My heart slammed forward. Alcohol isn’t advised during pregnancy. What am I thinking? I’m not pregnant! Still the little voice in my head cautioned against this.

“Uh… can I have coffee instead?”

Ajax raised his brow. “One glass baby.”

I sighed heavily. “You know I’m a light weight.”

“Yeah, you’re right and we won’t be able to celebrate in our room.”

“Okay tell me! I’m dying here!”

“Okay, fine. I’m the new Alpha General. Not Alpha, but the army’s mine to control. Pack safety’s in my hands. It’s better than I thought.”

I smiled. He looked like a child, so innocent as he spoke about the thing that gave him joy. He cares about his pack and his people and I knew the pack looked up to him.

“Wait, are we moving back to the pack house?” my heart dropped.

“No. For obvious reasons.”

I reeled him in for a kiss. He kissed me hard and passionately.

“I’ll make sure everyone’s taken care of, especially you and the family we’ll build.”

I sucked in a sharp breath. “Family?”

He nodded. “Max will have to tell us how to free your Mother but the journey to Treason Rock is dangerous. There’s a reason no one has ever escaped it.”

I swallowed. “I don’t think I can forget about her knowing she’s there losing her mind.”

“It’s been over twenty years Delanie. I think what’s left of her is so far gone it can’t be saved.”

My heart shattered into a million pieces. I couldn’t gather them all up. It was like telling me she was dead. It felt like abandoning hope.

I nodded regardless. Ajax’s large hand covered mine on the counter.

“I don’t want to give you false hope, my love. We’ll try but you may not find what you seek.”

A found a grain of hope and I held it tight.