EXPECTANT

STACY

Three days have passed since Sherry came to seek refuge in our Pack. She has been telling me about her own Pack and how she misses some of her friends there, but I guess she wants to stay away from her mate more than being with her peers.

During these past days, she has been keeping me busy and entertained. She's a breath of fresh air. She is been the bubbliest and most cheerful person that I have ever known.

With all the anxiety going on around, her happy personality shines through.

Maurice seems to be the only one disapproving of her being here since he says she is stealing my time with him and that Alpha Bruno was annoying him by delaying in coming to pick her.

Apparently, the Alpha is coming over to pick Sherry up and take her back to their Pack. I'm not sure if I should mention it to Sherry or not since she might try to run away again, but I give in to the temptations and inform her.

I expect her to get angry or something, but to my surprise she just stills again and looks at me for a while. She does that a lot and at moments where she just stops and looks at me, I don't really know what she's thinking about. Instead, she just shrugs.

We're currently on our way to visit Gloria at Maurice's family house. We're giggling when we knock on the door and I hear Gloria coming quickly.

The lady opens the door and her face brightens. She quickly comes to me for a hug and when she sees Sherry, she does the same.

“This must be Sherry? Oh, very lovely to meet you.” Gloria greets as she pulls away and motions us to go inside.

I can already smell all the food that she has prepared as well as the strawberry cake that is baking in the oven.

Ouh, those seem so good and I can't wait to eat.

“I hope I'm not too much of a bother.” The third warrior like the sophisticated lady that she is.

“You're Alpha Henry and Luna Grace's daughter right? They are very lovely people and I miss chatting with your mother. I hope you do give them my regards.” Gloria says and Sherry nods. We make our way to the dining table and the food is practically seducing me to eat it.

“Oh! You know my parents! Yes, don't worry I'll make sure my mother hears of you.” Sherry says happily.

All of a sudden, Gloria turns to me. Her face scrunches and she looks at me suspiciously. I see her trying to smell something. Is there an intruder? No, that doesn't seem to be it because she's looking at me so intently.

Sherry and I start exchanging weird looks at each other and my heart speeds up. What is happening?

“Uh... is something wrong?” I ask Gloria while in shock but she immediately puts her hand up, shushing me. I'm starting to get nervous and worried. Have I done something bad?

The barrier has not been breached, I don't sense any dangers, so what is it?

Gloria comes to me and holds my arm up. “Stacy, you... why do I hear two heartbeats from you?” She asks as she places her two fingers on my pulse.

My eyes widen, trying to understand what she's saying.

I listen closely as I shut my eyes and concentrate on my hearing.

When I hear what Gloria has just heard, my eyes widen even more and my jaw drops. I put my hands over my mouth, covering my shock.

“Stacy, you're pregnant!” Gloria exclaims joyfully and hugs me, almost suffocating me.

I'm still very shocked and all I can do is to stand still and try to slowly hug Gloria back.

Me? With child?

I swallow really hard.

I'm overwhelmed by happiness such that I feel my eyes tearing up. I'm happy....so happy!

I'm going to have a child?

“I'm going to be a grandma!” Gloria says happily to Sherry who's watching us with a big smile on her face.

“Congratulations! Those are great news.” She says and turns to me. “I heard the heartbeat when I first arrived and I thought you already knew, congratulations Hera.” Sherry says.

I'm still very shocked and so very joyful.

“That's why I've been feeling so sick lately!” I say in realisation.

“We have to tell Maurice now!” Gloria says and I smile at her. She's going to mind link him to head over as soon as possible but then I remember something.

Venus ...

If Maurice gets to know of my pregnancy, he will never let me travel to the West in search of Venus, but since I have to see her, he must not know anything yet! Now that Sherry is here too, we need to start having some game plan to get rid of the stray wolves and the person behind it all.

My smile drops as I feel the disappointment and the conflict. I want to tell Maurice the great news because I'm sure he will be very happy too.

I hold Gloria's hand and look into her eyes.

“No. Can you keep this a secret from him first? I will tell him when the time comes, please?” I ask her sincerely, making her smile to disappear instantly. She's obviously questioning why, but then she holds my hands again and rubs them comfortingly.

“No worries my dear. Anything for you, but you can't blame me if my tongue slips.” She says sweetly, making me to laugh while shaking my head.

****

I feel like I'm walking on eggshells when Maurice comes over and hugs me.

I know he wouldn't be able to notice the growing life inside of me right away since Gloria and Sherry have already explained to me that Lunas are the first to notice things such as early pregnancies.

Gloria has been a previous Luna while Sherry has been a Luna for around a year now so she has experience. Not to mention, she has the sharpest senses out of all of the warriors.

“How was dinner at Mum's?” Maurice asks as he takes his shirt off to change to new one.

I close the book that I'm reading and smile towards him

“Fine.” I answer nervously but I force myself to keep the smile up, hoping he won't notice. I need to meet Venus first.

Maurice's face crumples up as if questioning something. “Did something go wrong?” He asks, his face laced with concern.

I get flustered and start shaking my head along with my arms right away. “No dear, what would ever go wrong at your kind mum's house? Everything went on well so stop worrying!” I'm almost panting by the time I finish talking because I've talked too fast.

With that, he gets even more curious. He raises his eyebrows and stares at me weirdly. Clearly, he doesn't believe me!

He walks over to me, but I'm quick to push myself further at the headrest of the bed so he won't hear the still heartbeat in my belly.

“Sorry, I just have a small headache, but I'm fine.” I quickly say in defense but to my surprise, he puts his forehead against mine, probably feeling my temperature.

“Is that so? Well, get some rest now because tomorrow will be a very long day. Bruno and his Gamma are going to be staying for two days. We can start meeting with them and discuss about the ones behind the stray wolves. We have a few leads.” Maurice says and I nod.

“I'm a bit worried about Sherry since it seems they had a pretty big fight for a Luna to actually leave her Pack.” I say as I take the brush by my bedside and start combing my long hair.

I find the strange grey strands weird, but I have no other choice. Come to think of it, how comes Sherry's hair doesn't change when she is in her warrior state?

Maurice chuckles lightly and shakes his head lightly.

“Bruno found his match...that's all I can say... but wait.” He turns to me, making my heart to start pounding. I'm starting to get nervous. Oh no! Has he noticed the heartbeat? Has he heard it?

If he has, I'm already doomed. I have to find another way to convince him now. I have to go in search of Venus by all means!

“What is it?” I ask, swallowing really hard. And then his lips tug into a wide smile as if he has just won a lottery.

Oh gosh, of course he's happy since he's going to be a dad! But then he won't let me-

“Since Bruno will be taking Sherry back, you can spend more time with me again huh!” He says then grins widely.

I heave a sigh of relief as the nervousness goes away and the fear dissipates.

Right now, all that is left is the butterflies in the pit of my stomach and the familiar shock of the sparks. His words are enough to make me feel them. Damn!

My heart flutters.

“You smooth talker, get some sleep.” It's all I say before lying down on the bed and turning away from him so that he won't hear the tiny heartbeats that are like music to my ears.

Oh goodness! I can't imagine that I'm going to be a mother!