About time

About time
“When you suggested that giving the rogues a pack was the best solution, it got me thinking. It really isn’t a good solution to take your most untrustworthy individuals and let them run wild. In fact, it’s a rather idiotic concept. We have no clue what they might be up to, there is no follow up, as shown,” Graham said.

Bella nodded as she had her mouth full.

“There is no appeal possibility. As in Tommy’s case. His mother made the choice for him to become a rogue before he was two years old. Even if he turned out to be the most kind and compassionate wolf known to us, he would have been condemned to a life outside of the pack. There has to be a better system,” Graham said.

“I’m so proud of you,” Bella said and kissed him.

“For what?” he asked.

“For being a compassionate and open-minded leader,” she told him.

“I think you have rubbed off on me,” he smiled and kissed her.

“No, you have always been like that. I don’t think I could have loved you as much as I do if you hadn’t been like that,” she said.

They sat quietly for a while, eating and watching the lake and the changing colours of the trees. It was peaceful and much needed.

“I have an idea for a memorial. I would like to set up something to remember all the ones we have lost,” Bella said.

“I like that idea,” Graham told her.

“Is it okay if I get Lotte and Mickey to help me arrange it?” she asked.

“You can do whatever you like with the idea. I trust you,” he said.

“Thanks, I’ll show you the sketches when we get that far,” she promised.

Bella heard her phone ding in the living room where she had left it.

“I’ll get it,” Graham said.

“Good, I don’t know if I could get out of these blankets even if I tried,” Bella laughed.

“That’s the point,” Graham laughed as he went to get her phone. He came back, handed her the phone, and sat down behind her again, pulling her closer to him.

“It’s Alice. She wants to know if I’m free to take a call,” Bella said.

“Should I carry you in to the bed or the couch?” Graham asked. Bella laughed.

“I’m fine where I am. If you want, you can stay. I don’t mind,” she told him.

“No, I’ll give you some space. Boundaries and all that. I’ll be in the kitchen washing up,” he told her and kissed her.

Bella got comfortable and called her friend.

“Bee, I have one thing to tell you and one favour to ask. I think I will start with the favour,” luna Alice said.

“Sure thing. If I can, I will do it,” Bella smiled. 

“The trial for Mark is in three days. Do you think you can testify? I get if it’s too much, we have enough with his confession. But I wanted to ask if you wanted to make yourself heard,” Alice asked.

“As long as I can do it via conference call, I will be there,” Bella said without hesitation.

“Of course, I would never expect you to travel. Graham would kill me for even thinking it,” luna Alice laughed.

“Probably,” Bella agreed.

“Are you sure you will be alright seeing him?” Alice then asked.

“I’m sure it will be fine,” Bella assured her.

“Now, what did you want to tell me?” she asked.

“Oh, well. I maybe, might, kind off, sort off, be pregnant,” Alice said.

Bella let out a joyful shriek worthy of Alice herself. Half a second later, Graham came barging out in full panic mode.

“Sorry one moment, Alice,” Bella told her friend.

“It was a happy cry, love. Sorry to frighten you,” she told Graham. He looked at her with disappointed eyes.

“Don’t do that again, please,” he said. Walking up to her and giving her a kiss.

“I won’t promise anything, but to be on the safe side. For the next twenty minutes, all shrieks can be considered happy ones,” she laughed.

“Now shoo, I have an important call,” she told him, waving her hand to make him go away. He looked irritated as he walked away.

“Alice, I’m so happy for you. Congratulations. Tell me everything!” Bella said excitedly. “Well, not everything. Spare me the detail of the conception,” she added. Luna Alice laughed.

“Thank you, Bee. We are thrilled. It just happened. I have been feeling nauseous for the past week. But with Mark, the battle and you being hurt, I kind of put it off as stress. But then Jenna made me take a pregnancy test today. You know how I hate those. But when it turned out positive, I made her go out and buy five more,” Alice laughed.

“Wow, I had a hard time peeing on two,” Bella laughed.

“When there’s a will, there’s a way,” luna Alice told her.

“Sam must be going crazy,” Bella said.

“You have no idea. He is in his office right now trying to figure out the best way to get me back home as he doesn’t trust the car, any of the cars. I’m scared he will suggest wrapping me in bubble wrap,” Alice sighed.

“How do you handle it?” she then asked Bella.

“Oh, Gray and I have had our confrontations about him being overprotective. I let him have some things, like that he prefers to cut things when we cook as apparently, I will stab myself in an artery if I try. Then I fight him on the big things that will make my life miserable if I listen to him. Like staying in our apartment and only seeing family members,” Bella sighed.

“So, choose my battles,” Alice surmised.

“Yes. Don’t let him wrap you in bubble wrap and take you home in some weird tank. It’s okay to put your foot down. And if he gets too much for you to handle, you call me and I will fix it. I know all the things he did as a child that he doesn’t want anyone to know about,” Bella laughed.

“I’m happy you are in my corner,” Alice said.

“Us pregnant lunas need to stick together. It can be a good thing to ask Sam to talk to his father. He has gone through it and obviously survived without his mate killing him,” Bella told her.

“Good idea. Speaking of fathers. Any news on when you are returning our missing pack member?” Alice asked.

“Yeah, about that. He might have found someone,” Bella said.

“Found as in they were lost, and he found them, or found as in hey I have found my mate?” Alice asked.

“The latter,” Bella smiled.

“That is excellent news,” Alice smiled as well.

“Early stages yet. So, I don’t know if they will mate, but at least there is a strong interest from both sides,” Bella told her friend.

“And it’s okay with you?” Alice asked.

“It is. She is a lovely person. He has good taste,” Bella said.

“Then I am truly happy for him,” Alice told her.

They continued talking for another hour. But as Graham checked on her for the third time in ten minutes, Bella gave up and they ended the call.

“Can you tell me what the shriek of yours was about?” he asked as he carried her in to the couch.

“Alice is pregnant,” Bella smiled.

“That actually warrants a shriek,” Graham agreed.

“I know, right?” Bella said, kissing him.

“You know, you have to stop carrying me around. My legs will lose their functionality,” she told him.

“I’m happy carrying you for now,” he said.

“Can I at least walk into the dining room when we are having dinner?” she asked.

“I thought we would eat up here,” he pouted.

“You need to share me with others, Gray,” she smiled and kissed him.

“I don’t want to,” he told her.

“I know, but that’s life as an alpha. I promise you will have me all to yourself after dinner,” she said.

“Fine,” he sighed.

It had been three days since Bella got back from the hospital. It had been intense days, a funeral, pack members wanting to make sure she was alright, check-ups with the doctor and this morning the trial against Mark.

When Bella had seen him on the screen, she had barely recognised him. He had been a shell of his former self, like all hope was lost. When he had seen Bella, there had been a spark of hope in his eyes again. But it had quickly died as she started testifying.

It had been cathartic to testify. Bella felt like she was freeing herself from all the bad memories, telling them to the group of wolves and then letting them go. Graham had objected to her doing it. But she had convinced him, and he had been sitting just outside of frame, holding her hand, the entire time.

After her part in the trial ended, Graham had made sure she had a snack and after they had found out Mark had been found guilty on all charges and executed without delay, he had insisted she’d take a nap.

It was now late afternoon, and Bella was restless. She had a problem, a big one, and she had spent the best part of two hours complaining to Mickey about it. His suggestion was to deal with it head on. That was always his suggestions. This time, he was right, Bella thought as she was changing.

Since she had been home, Graham had been very caring and attentive to her. He kissed her and almost had constant physical contact with her. She almost had to force him to work. But as soon as things heated between them, he withdrew and made an excuse.

Not only did it have her confused, but it also had her frustrated. Bella had gone most of her life without sex. She had needs like everyone else but had been happy satisfying them by herself. But since she met Graham, she had gone at most a day without them being physical in some form.

It had now been over a week, eight days to be precise, since they had any type of sex and she was feeling like a junky in need of a fix. The thought of taking care of it herself didn’t feel right. She wanted Graham. So, taking Mickey’s advice, she would take on the problem.

Half an hour later, she knocked on the door to Graham’s office and walked in. She had made sure everyone knew to keep away.