Just Like I Did
Slow feather-like touches. Warm hands that could melt ice, my toes curling lips smiling I lay still my eyes shut despite being wide awake indulging in the feelings he provides. He always wakes up before me so that he could watch me sleep. He said I possessed a new beauty, a motherly one which makes his chest bulge with pride.
"I know you are awake, Lumina." He whispers. I chuckle giving up on my act opening my lashes fluttering with the sudden infliction of light as I peer up at him. His elbow carries his weight whilst his head leans upon his palm. Fingertips glide up and down my arm lighting up welcomed goosebumps.
His emeralds shine in the sunlight, with a gentle gaze he regards me. "How are you feeling?" He questions eyes lingering on my belly. Palm coming to rest upon the swollen flesh patting it softly.
I still remember the first time he felt our pup kick to his voice. With wide eyes, he retracted his hand swiftly clutching it to his beating chest startled. He couldn't speak any words for a few minutes blinking speechless astonished with what had happened.
Then he started laughing. Deep laughter from the pits of his belly eyes crinkled mouth wide open and he couldn't stop for a long time. It made his heart overflow with joy. I made sure the event was filmed for me to watch in the future.
The time has arrived for my pup to see light. The healer scheduled it to happen very soon, I sobbed in my male's arms my heart unable to contain my overflowing happiness. My dream gifted from the moon. "Quite all right." I hum snuggling into his chest my arms wrapping around his waist bringing him closer to me.
"Are you excited? To be a father?" I ask. With a smile on my face, I wait for his answer only to be met with silence and deep breaths. His chest inhales smoothly but exhales as if he were in pain.
Frowning I gaze up at him. "Deimos?" I ask trying to meet his eyes that stare off into the distance. He seems to be out of it lately. Something has been bothering him. I shake him gently to gain back his attention.
He startles and peers down swiftly. "I apologize. What did you say, Lumina?" He asks.
"Are you all right? You have gotten paler with each rising day. Is something going on?" I ask getting up with a slowness my palm under my pregnant stomach sitting myself up my head leaning upon the headboard.
He takes a deep breath looking away from me licking his lips making me frown deeper. "Yes. Work has been piling up lately, I have many things dancing within my mind." He answers. Looking back at me moving forward placing a gentle kiss on my forehead. "But that is nothing you need to be concerned about."
"You can tell me. Do not keep things from me, I have told you this." My anxiety rising my heart pounding. Hormones fighting to make way.
He sees my war and quickly comes through to ease my worries. "I know, my female. It is not a big matter."
I stare into his eyes to see his truth. Once satisfied I give him a curt nod of understanding. "Come. We must get ready. My brother and Theia are coming for breakfast." He says with a smile.
Phobos and Theia were supposed to have left weeks ago however due to severe travel problems created by harsh weather conditions they couldn't leave for their paths were blocked. This made my male excited for he could spend time with his brother whom he rarely has time to reunite with.
Deimos made sure they stayed comfortably here with us for a few weeks. Those weeks I could not even get a glimpse of them for they hid within the four walls of their independent rooms. They stayed in separate rooms despite being mates just like Deimos and I did at the beginning of our relationship.
"Really? Why the sudden meeting?" I question frowning. They choose to appear now after weeks of hiding?
"They are leaving, Lumina." He says from within the bathroom striking through the sound of gushing water. He often checks the temperature of the water before letting me take a shower.
"Leaving? When?" I ask whilst placing my feet into the fur slippers warmed for me below the bed.
"Today before sunset." He utters. I feel no surprise for I am pretty sure they must have informed him early morning. They are very private and that includes Theia. There is a big change in her she has become more withdrawn like a tortoise. The female who once could never stop her chatter now only speaks when necessary.
Deimos and Theia had their reunion last week. A gentle look in his eyes as he regarded her. I knew that look, it wasn't how he looks at me. He looked at her the same way he gazed at his brother. I was foolish to think he had his affections for her.
Theia could barely meet Deimos's eyes during their conversation often wandering in search of her male. Eyes yearning to catch a glimpse of his flesh only concerned to see Phobos that my male had to call her several times to acquire her attention.
Entering into the bathroom with slow steps I remove my nightgown handing it to Deimos. He quickly grabs it whilst bending down throwing it into the basket hidden under the basin. I cannot bend so he does it for me.
Standing bare in the shower my male follows after me stripping off his clothes feet coming to stand behind me. His fingers work the shampoo into the strands of my hair massaging my scalp helping me relax.
The shower is quick an everyday routine. We started taking showers together every morning for he is often afraid that I might slip or lose balance from the watery floor.
My fingers clamped around the thickness of the railing, Deimos takes a step down first standing still waiting for me to join him, and when I do he takes the next one down the stairs. My other hand tightly clutched in his, he guides me smoothly without any problems. The normal loud chatter of the pack is not there today for we are met with cold silence and whispered gossips.
I know the reason behind it is the two mates in our presence. Deimos guides me to my chair not pushing it forward to leave space for my belly. He comes and takes his seat to my left and begins to pile food first on my plate.
The two wolves sit a bit far on the opposite side of the table. I peek at Phobos from beneath my lashes and I see that he placed none on Theia's plate. She didn't wait either perhaps already knowing he wouldn't do it.
A soft deep sigh leaves my lips as I shake my head with disapproval. Deimos stops and scans the food on my plate. "Do you not want these? Are you craving something else? Let me know, I will ask Maria to make it for you."
"Your brother." I whisper.
"What of my brother?" He asks casually munching on his toast.
"He didn't feed Theia." I say glaring at my male. It means that Phobos didn't accept Theia as his female and his open show of that ruffles my fur. It brings forth bad memories I do not wish to resurrect.
"That is none of our concern, Lumina." Deimos replies cutting my meat into tiny bite sizes. The flesh softened and cooked with low heat especially for me aiding me to digest it easier.
"He is just like you when we first met. He is pushing her away." I sigh again opening my mouth taking the meat from Deimos's hands chewing it slowly.
"Why are you so worried about this?" Deimos questions frowning not understanding my concern.
"Because I know. I know what it feels like to be abandoned by your mate!" A sharp tone to my voice as I regard my male. He looks taken back, clenching his jaw he disguises it quickly.
"I never abandoned you, Lumina." A whisper from his lips eyes cast down a small shake to his flesh.
"You must talk to him. I worry for his female. It is very hard being an unwanted mate."I say whilst taking a sip of my juice allowing its freshness to soothe my throat.
"You are worried about Theia? Didn't dislike her?" He asks frowning glancing at her then back to me.
"I did. But I do not at the moment." I reply.
"Why?" He asks interested in my answer his eyes sharp as he takes in my features.
"She poses no threat. She is drowning, Deimos. Her eyes are filled with pain." My eyes gaze at her. She bites her lower lip. Not with softness but with a painful force as if trying to focus her pain elsewhere than the one her mate is thrusting upon her heart.
Phobos, on the other hand, eats his food with an eerie silence munching slowly focusing on his meal as if nothing interests him here not even his mate. He nods at times when he agrees with what the wolf at his side speaks to him about. He keeps his distance never allowing any wolf to touch his flesh.
"Talk to him." I plead with Deimos again knowing he might be able to spill a little of his knowledge and regret of actions to his brother.
"I cannot, my female. I have no right to condemn him for his actions. He has his path and he will learn with time. Just like I did." Deimos utters as he gives a quick glance towards his brother.