Chapter Sixty-Seven: Hers

If I thought waiting rooms were terrible with the cheesy decor, uncomfortable chairs, and constant mind-numbing boredom, the hospital room was ten times worse. I had wanted to leave two days ago when the Doctor cleared me of any life-threatening injuries, recommending lots of rest and a low-stress environment. However, Ollie insisted that we get a second opinion and wait for an Obgyn specializing in shifter pregnancies to clear me.

I stood in the soft PJs that Aurora had brought me and stared out the window. I was in a private room, but the hospital room's antiseptic scent reminded me too much of my days at the institute. Which then led me to thoughts of padded rooms and Finn's beaten and bloody body being dragged away. My mother's pleadings for help haunted me more than I thought possible and left me with a strong urge to escape.

I was chomping at the bit to get out of here. I wanted to check in on my bookstore. I wanted to sleep in my own bed where Ollie and I could actually cuddle. Hospital beds were only designed for one person at a time, especially when the second person was a massive shifter. I wanted to check on Finn. I was so over being a princess locked away in a tower with my nightmares lurking in every corner.

The nightmares were worse than the waiting, though. For the last week and a half, I’ve not slept more than two hours of fitful terror-filled sleep. Ollie was doing everything he could to help me through everything while still attending to being the pack’s Alpha; as I watched him during our hospital stay, I could see how much he cared for his people. We haven’t told anyone yet about the pregnancy as it is still very early along, and with Callum still missing, I wasn't safe yet.

I heard voices carrying through the ajar door, so I stepped a few feet toward it. My body protested if I went faster than a snail's pace.

“Alpha, I don’t know who it was.” Neal’s voice strained with frustration. 

“Alright, Neal.” Ollie’s voice was gentle but commanding, “We will figure it out. I’m not too happy to find out there is an assassin at your skill level out there, but there are other things we need to focus on.” 

“Have you told Luna yet?” Neal asked. There was a long pause as if they were having a silent conversation, and then, Ollie heaved a heavy sigh. 

“No. I will when she wakes up.” 

I threw open the door, confronting the two surprised faces, “No, you will get in here and tell me now.” 

Ollie’s face softened, and he nodded, “Yes, my goddess.” 

Once we were settled in the room—me on the bed, Ollie in the extra chair, and Neal leaning against the far wall—I looked between the two men expectantly. Ollie opened his mouth and closed it multiple times before he looked at Neal in panic. I rolled my eyes. “Oh, for Pete's sake, Ollie, spit it out!” 

Neal laughed, but I pinned him with a stare, “What’s this about an assassin?” 

All the humor drains from his face, replaced by a simmering anger, “No need to worry about that. I’ll find her.” 

“Her?” I raised an eyebrow at him, but he turned away, his jaw pulsing with how tightly it clenched. “We will circle back to that.” I turned back toward Ollie, silently watching him. 

Ollie scrubbed his gruff beard with his knuckles, “I received the report this morning that your mother’s body was released from the morgue.” 

I felt numb at his mention of my mother. I told Ollie everything that happened, and he respected my decision regarding my mother’s fate. I felt off-kilter whenever she was mentioned because my emotions were so conflicted still. Ollie grabbed my hand, his thumb stroking the back of it. “Hey, they just want to know what you want to do with the body.” 

I nodded, staring out the window, trying to make sense of how she didn’t value my life at all. Doubts about whether I'd be a good mother with her as my role model added to my stress and sleeplessness. Then, Ollie would remind me that my father had shown me what a parent was supposed to be like.

The room was silent and full of tension as I thought through all my options and finally decided on what would be best, “She would want to be buried on her family land. However, I will not attend her funeral.” 

Neal spoke softly, “Yes, my Luna, I will make all the arrangements.” 

A stray tear escaped down my cheek, and I batted it away. That woman didn't deserve my tears. When both men remained where they were, I asked, “What else is going on?” 

Ollie’s face turned murderous, “Hugo gave Chad the antidote and is extracting information from him currently.” 

I shuddered at the thought of Chad still being a threat, but Neal gave me a sinister smile; “Don’t worry, Luna. Chad won’t be breathing for very long after we get all we need out of him.” 

I silently nodded. I was uncomfortable with the idea of taking anyone's life, but after everything that's happened, I forced myself to ignore the guilty and sick feelings that tightened my stomach. Ollie and I seriously discussed my involvement with the pack since I was carrying his heir. There was a lot that I needed to learn about the shifter world, but the revolving door of pack members explaining various things has taught me so much in the last week. The amount of support everyone gave to Ollie was overwhelming. His people respected and loved him. My doubts continuously crept in, making me feel like an imposter for wanting to be Ollie's Luna. But no matter what, I knew in my heart that I was all in. After being so alone for so long, I finally felt like I was home. I felt like I belonged to these people, and they belonged to me. I couldn't explain it, but my world finally felt real. Ollie kissed the back of my hand and stared deeply into my soul. He searched for my inner thoughts, questioning where my mind drifted to, and I loved the tinge of worry on his face. Ollie often stared at me like this now. Anyone could see he was trying to give me his strength while trying to let me process and heal. I'd never been treated so well in my life, and it was still challenging to know exactly what to do when I was conditioned to ignore, suppress, and remain silent regarding my emotions and thoughts. Instead of stressing over the correct response, I gave him a soft smile. I loved this remarkable man, and I could melt into his arms at this very moment. We were perfect for one another, and I couldn't ever let him go.

Neal cleared his throat, “We need to do the Claiming ceremony soon. I can start to make preparations today.” 

Ollie's eyes didn’t leave mine, but his expression lacked the earlier worry; “What’s the rush?” 

“Well, it would be better to have Luna claimed before she starts showing.” Neal mused. My eyes whipped to his, and the happy grin dancing there made me smile just as big. 

“I didn’t tell him.” Ollie worried, gaining my attention again, “He is the one who found your test.” 

I cupped Ollie’s chin. " It's okay. I have a feeling that he would have figured it out anyway. So we do the claiming ceremony first, then announce the babies when I get to the second trimester?” 

“You still want to do the claiming ceremony because you know you don’t have to.” Ollie leans into the palm of my hand, lightly swaying back and forth. His scruffy beard tickles my fingers, and his lips tease my palm.

I kissed his forehead, “I want to be claimed by you. I love you, Ollie.” 

Ollie put his hand over mine and kissed my palm, “I love you, Nyx. You are already mine, ceremony or not.” 

I giggled, "Yeah?"

"Yes, my goddess."

I bit into my lip, "You are mine, Ollie, as I am yours. Now, it is time for the whole world to know it. I want to do this. I want the whole ceremony shindig and everyone to see me displaying your mark."

I kissed Ollie, reveling in the softness of his lips against mine. A loud clap pulled us from our liplock and brought our attention back to Neal, “Leave everything to me! An Alpha and Luna claiming ceremony will be one hell of a party.” 

“Nothing too crazy, Neal,” Ollie warns. 

“Me? Throw/plan a crazy party? Never!” Neal pretends to be offended, walking to the other side of the bed. He grabs my free hand and kneels to the ground, “My Luna, I pledge my loyalty to you as the other half of my oath to my Alpha. I give my life in service and protection of your life. My body and soul are bound to my Alpha and extended to you. Bound by blood, blessed by moon, broken only in death."

I stared at him in a confused panic, “I don’t know what to say. I do feel honored." 

Ollie chuckled next to me, “Nyx, repeat after me: I, Lennox Artemisia Conri--"

"Conri?" I interrupt.

Neal smirks while Ollie shakes his head, "You are a Conri, as your father was."

I rolled my eyes but squared my shoulders, looking directly into Neal's eyes, "I, Lennox Artemisia Conri."

Ollie continued, "Luna Queen, acce--"

"Queen? Seriously, Ollie? Am I really a queen?" I questioned, interrupting him again. Neal laughed, and Ollie gave me an amused side-eye before speaking again, pausing every so often so I repeat his words.

"Luna Queen, accept your oath completion. Your body and soul are bound by blood, blessed by the moon, and bestowed to our pack in service of our Alpha and I, as his Luna. Broken only in death."

Neal's face softened as he kissed the back of my hand, which he still gently held. Rising to his feet, he bowed to Ollie first and then me. “Welcome to our pack, Luna. And with that, I’ve got a claiming ceremony to plan!” 

Ollie grinned, moving to give Neal a hug. They patted each other's backs. Ollie held Neal's shoulders. Stepping back, he said, "Thank you, my friend. It is an honor."

Neal nodded, then headed for the exit. Ollie returned to my side, "Don't expect that oath from everyone. What Neal just did is ancient magic."

My smile blooms into something bigger, "I knew he liked me. I feel like Neal and I are family, like siblings."

Ollie laughed and nodded, "I agree. When your wounds are healed enough, we will hold the claiming ceremony."

I pulled Ollie's face to mine by cupping his jaw with both hands, "These flesh wounds are nothing. I want to be claimed by you as soon as possible."