Book 5: Chapter 63 – My New Home

Book 5: Chapter 63 – My New Home
Cerelia’s POV 

The cab sped down the familiar roads and entered Lucania at last. All tiredness and exhaustion vanished, and I gazed out of the windows. The memories came rushing into my mind. They weren’t happy memories. A strange restlessness gripped my heart. What if the pack members didn’t accept me? What if Zephyrus didn’t want me in his pack? That angle hadn’t occurred to me until now. 

I turned to look at my clueless mate. “Xandrios, what if they don’t want me?” 

He smiled at me, pulling me to his side. “You have nothing to fear, baby. I’ve cleared your name when I returned to Lucania. Now the whole pack knows your true identity. Why won’t they accept you?” 

His words relieved me. He hadn’t forgotten while it had totally escaped my mind. “Oh, you remembered? Thank you, Xandrios. What about Zephyrus? Did he change his notion about me?” 

“Yes. He apologized, and he has agreed to welcome you to the pack. Are you happy now, Cerelia? I sought help from Alpha Alexios to prove your true identity in front of the entire pack.” 

My heart somersaulted with happiness and I felt blessed to have such a caring mate. “I don’t deserve your love, Xandrios. Thinking about us, it seems you’re the one who has always looked out for me. I have done nothing for you.” I felt guilty about being a useless mate to him. He had repeatedly proved himself while I just took from him. 

His hold on my shoulders tightened, and he smiled. “You have given the greatest gift to me, Cerelia. It is the gift of love. You have done the unthinkable for me. Do you know what it is?” 

I gazed at the sparkle in his eyes, completely at a loss for words. “What is it? I’m clueless.” I really was. 

He chuckled and planted a kiss on my head. “You have fought the world bravely and saved yourself for me. You have given me yourself and allowed me to plant my seed inside you. Despite all odds, you have taken care of yourself and our unborn baby girls growing inside you. I’m very proud of you, my little mate.” 

My heart swelled with pride too. Yes, I had made him happy. 

The cab sped past his hospital, and my eyes widened when it didn’t stop. “Won’t we stop? Why don’t you ask the cab driver to stop?” I watched as we left behind the penthouse of my dreams. Where was he taking me? Were we going to Zephyrus’s house to take his permission to live here? I was at my wit’s end now. 

“We’re going home.” Xandrios smiled as he guided the cab into a quieter block farther away from the hospital. The car stopped in front of a charming house with a paved spacious driveway, ample parking space and fencing all around. But what took my breath away was the beautifully landscaped garden covered with snow. I was sure in summer when the ice melted, I would see the grass and flowers clearly. I could almost envisage the scene in my mind, and it took my breath away. 

“Do you like your new home?” He leaned in to whisper once we got off the cab. 

I had no words to describe the picture perfect house. It was my dream to spend my life with my mate in such a house. It was almost three times bigger than my humble home in Silver Trails, almost like a mansion. 

The penthouse was cozy, but I felt like a prisoner there, locked up on the top floor. With tight security around the place and strangers roaming around everywhere, I wasn’t allowed to go out. But this house looked so open and airy. I could run outside to the front and backyard whenever I wanted to. “I love it. It’s the perfect home to start a family with you, Xandrios. Why didn’t you bring me here earlier?” 

“For safety reasons, Cerelia. The penthouse was safe for you then.” Xandrios unloaded our luggage and unlocked the door. 

Before I could waddle into my new house, he gently picked me up in his arms. “Xandrios, put me down. I’ll fall.” Despite my rounded, pregnant form, he effortlessly walked over the threshold, carrying me like a human bride.

“I won’t let you fall, baby. Wrap your arms around my neck.” 

I smiled and sagged into his warmth, wrapping my arms around his shoulders. The long journey had exhausted me and my feet refused to cooperate. I was glad he understood my predicament. 

“This is our living room.” He walked into a bright room upon entry from the foyer. It was cozy yet spacious and I could see myself running around after our girls here. The living room led to two bedrooms, a kitchen and a study. 

“This one is our bedroom.” He placed me down in the huge master bedroom with a renovated attached bathroom. I loved it more than our bedroom in the penthouse. The ambiance was warmer and more homely. 

Exhausted, I slumped onto the couch, realizing how sore my back felt.

“Come, I’ll take you upstairs and to the basement. I’ve installed a gaming zone downstairs. There’s an entertainment area too. You’ll love it.”

I was very enthusiastic, but I felt drained. “Can I rest a little first? My back is killing me, Xandrios.” 

He helped me freshen up, change and lie down. After a few minutes, he brought me a steaming bowl of creamy Arctic Char soup and Bannock. I was amazed at his culinary skills. “This is amazing, Xandrios. Thank you. I’m feeling so much better.” 

He freshened up and joined me later in bed with a warm compress for my back. “This will help ease the pain, baby. Why don’t you close your eyes and relax?” 

I lay down on my side and Xandrios magically eased all the aches and pains away. Soon I dozed off in no time. 

The next two days went by, settling down in my new home. Arranging the house and sorting through the mess sapped up all my energy. “I’ve asked one of the pack members to come over and help you. It’s Pedro’s wife, Elsa. Do you know they’ve joined our pack after escaping your grandfather?” 

I nodded. “Yes, Nikos informed me. I wanted to thank Pedro for saving your life, Xandrios. I’m indebted to him.” 

He planted a kiss on my forehead and walked over to the closet and get ready for work. “I have back-to-back surgeries today and OPD. Can you manage the day on your own, or do you wish to come with me to the penthouse? You can if you miss me too much. Elsa will join us from tomorrow.” 

My heart skipped at his suggestion. “Yes, please. I would love to go to the penthouse. I have so many stuff there. But nothing will fit me now.” I looked at my gigantic form and grimaced. 

“It’s just a passing phase, Cerelia. You have no idea how beautiful you look with two gorgeous girls growing inside you. But if you want, I’ll buy you new dresses. Do you want to go shopping with me tonight? We could visit the Hungry Wolves’ diner on our way back.”

My heart skipped a beat. It was my favorite diner in the entire world. “Yes, please. Can we?” 

“Sure. It’s a date. Now get ready.” 

We left for the penthouse after half an hour. 

The hospital staff greeted me and I smiled at the respect I received. I could see the difference in their attitude towards me. It gave me confidence in myself. Xandrios settled me in the penthouse. 

“Why don’t you watch a movie or something? I’ll be back after my first surgery.” 

He left while I opened my laptop to get a grip on my life. Xandrios had wanted me to continue with my studies. I wanted to pursue Computer Engineering from Queen’s University, Ontario, but we never got the chance to discuss it. Life had been a roller-coaster ride since the day my dad died. But not anymore. Now I would educate myself and think of my career, my work at Stellar Genius Society. 

I was feeling better and opened my work email and Genius’ chat app to check for work. It felt so good to connect with my colleagues after months. 

So, when Xandrios came up with lunch, he smiled to see me working on my latest project. “I’m so happy you’ve restarted your work. Have you thought about continuing your studies?” 

We discussed the course at Queen’s University over lunch. “Great. I’ll complete the admission formalities tonight. You can start immediately.” 

He returned to his work and I to mine. In the evening, we went shopping. The baby clothes drove me mad. 

“Can we buy these baby clothes? Please Xandrios. There’s only a month left for the delivery.” 

“Let’s get the nursery done. Afterwards, we can get the clothes.” 

We planned the nursery at the Hungry Wolves Diner with his aunts. They were over the moon with happiness to see me. I had never felt so welcome as I felt tonight. 

Zephyrus walked in with Stavros after five minutes. “Hey! It’s so good to see you’re back.” He embraced my mate while I tried to hide behind Aunt Syble. What if he insulted me again?

Then his eyes fell upon me.