Chapter 9

"I don't need all these clothes!" I exclaim in frustration as I exit the changing room only to catch Eeva throw more clothes into the shopping cart. I can't help but shake my head at the brunette women as she picks clothes for me, from dresses to pants, casual to formal. I have a feeling if I let her continue, she will turn whatever savings I have into nothing.

"One, you do. I even threw in clothes you can use for after you deliver your babies. Two, they are cute and will fit any occasion, and as the future Luna, you need them. And three, they fit you." I can't argue with Eeva's logic. All the clothes she has chosen for me are in a style I like, and many are close to my pre-pregnancy size. With a sigh, I follow behind Eeva as she pushes the cart towards the counter, her eyes scanning around in case she missed any other article of clothing from this store that would suit me. I have a feeling she did not get out to shop much and is using me to enjoy the opportunity to shop till we drop. At this point, I am ready to drop.

"Come on, preggers, as much as I would love to stay here at the mall, we unfortunately don't have all day. You need to look good to see the Elders." I stop at her words, shocked. Not many people could get an appointment right away, and most have to wait months just to get anything changed from the leaders of the werewolves. The elders—ancient werewolves from the first packs—are the ones who make the laws that we have to follow. They approve of new packs as well as decide whether war between two packs would be a good or bad decision. Mainly they focus on keeping the peace between the packs and preside over the annual national meeting each spring.

"You managed to get their approval for an audience?” I ask in disbelief. Having breeders at Pinepaw must have been a very large taboo for the Elders to push my case to the top of their list.

“Yes, I managed to get an appointment. It's easy considering Bloodsvain is one of the oldest packs in Canada.” Eeva answers, her head held high in the air with pride. I can't help but wrap my arms around her in a tight hug as best as I can. It dawns on me that running into Bloodsvain territory is the best thing I have ever done since being declared a breeder.

“Okay, girly, enough sappiness. Let's go check out and head to the next store.” I pull away from my new friend, eyes slightly teary with her concern for my wellbeing and the situation I had been forced into. We continue towards the counter, the store clerk taking each item Eeva places in front of her and scanning them out. I decide not to look at the total, knowing that I will probably get stressed out with how much money I will have to spend, and proceed to fish my debit card out from my wallet.

"Should I put everything on the usual tab, Miss Eeva?” the clerk asks as she continues to carefully fold and bag the clothing.

"Yes please, Anne, that would be great. By the way, this is my sister-in-law Laina.” Eeva replies, taking the many bags of clothing before ushering me out of the store.

"I could have paid!" I state, slightly pouting at the feeling of being treated as a child. I prefer doing things for myself, something I had gotten used to with my parent's passing.

"I know, sweetie, but you are going to be a member of our pack and the Luna. You should get used to being treated like one of us. Besides, our pack owns the town that everything is located on and many other businesses around Canada. If you think spending money on you is going to cause Bloodsvain to go bankrupt, think again,” Eeva explains, a smile on her face. I guess being Tate's mate did bring benefits, but I still felt a little uneasy.

"But Eeva—" I begin.

"No buts, Laina. As my sister-in-law and Luna, you will allow yourself to be pampered,” Eeva cuts me off, her voice stern like my mother's used to be when I was being unreasonable. I sigh in defeat deciding to agree to Eeva's reasoning. I will be the Luna of Bloodsvain soon, so I will have to just accept everything that comes with it, including being allowed to spend Tate's money.

"Fine, but let's drop the bags off at the car before we continue shopping, okay.” I relent, seeing a wide smile spreading across my friend's face.

"Sounds like a plan then," she agrees, leading me towards the parking lot, where we deposit the bags from the first store and continue our shopping. After two more stores, I convince the energetic she-wolf to stop at the Chinese buffet place for a late lunch. Honestly, I just needed a moment to sit and relax my swollen feet.

“After lunch, do you want to head home?” Eeva asks, shoving a whole chicken ball into her mouth. I open my mouth to answer, but movement from inside me catches my attention, and I can't help but giggle, placing my hand on where one of the babies kick.

"One minute, give me your hand," I whisper in awe, taking Eeva's outstretched hand and placing it on my stomach. A couple of seconds later, two sets of feet kick out at us, causing wide grins to spread. Love blooms for my babies as we sit at our table in silence, the smell of Chinese food and the soft sound of a zither playing in the background, bringing back the sense of normalcy in my life.

"Would you like to shop for them? We could start their nursery. I'm positive Tate will be happy to see you smiling," Eeva suggests in a low voice, not wanting to break this serene moment. With a small smile, I nod. Now free from my breeder status, I can raise my babies in a room they can grow up in. This thought brings tears to my eyes once again. I could only blame my emotional state on the pregnancy hormones.

"I would really like that, please, but let's keep the colors neutral for now," I agree. We finish our meal and leave the Buffet to search for children and baby stores. I can't help but think back on the horrible shopping experience I had with Abby four months ago and compare it to this one with Eeva. Eeva spent the time comparing cribs and bassinets with me. Having someone like Eeva, who patiently waited while I searched through every article the stores had to offer for my baby, brought happiness surging inside. I am grateful for how Eeva has treated me so far in these last two days. She is kind, patient, caring, and sort of motherly, but not once did she pity me. Once everything is ordered and the delivery day for the twins' nursery furniture is set, Eeva and I make a final stop at the Bell store in search of a new cell phone for me. Finding a Samsung I liked and setting up a new account finally ends our shopping trip.

"Let's not 'shop till we drop' anymore," I yawn out, climbing into Eeva's car and clicking the seatbelt into place. My body feels sore and exhausted, but this trip ended in success. I never realized how badly I needed something as normal as a shopping day with a girlfriend until now as Eeva shifts the gear into drive and we proceed to head back home. Home. That word brought a grin as large as the Cheshire cat's to my face. I had found a home to live in and watch my twins grow.

"Okay, we will just shop till we have what we need then," my friend says sarcastically to my earlier complaint, causing me to roll my eyes at her. Knowing Eeva, if I let her drag me to another shopping spree, she will keep shopping even well after I drop with exhaustion.

"Have you decided on their names yet?" Eeva asks as her hand motions to my stomach, and I smile down, rubbing my pregnant belly.

"No, not yet. I haven't learned their genders, so I am waiting until after they are born," I answer, catching Eeva nod understandingly.

"Well, you still have a few months left, so don't worry," she reassures, and I smile. But my smile lasts for a few seconds before I turn my head to look out of the passenger window and sigh. There is one nagging problem at the back of my mind. One I've been wondering since running away with the thought of finding a pack to call home or finding my mate.

"Okay, ask it, Laina," Eeva says after two songs on the radio fill the silence between us.

"Do you think Tate will get over the fact that these aren't his pups?" I finally say with worry, my eyes turning to search Eeva's face.

"Yes, he will. He is just pissed off that you had to go through what you did," Eeva says quietly. I can't tell if she is trying to reassure herself or me with these words, but a hopeful smile spreads across my face. I know that things between Tate and I will be hard with my pregnant situation, but I just hope he will eventually accept my babies. I spent four months running away to protect them, and no one, not even my mate, will take them away from me.

Eeva and I both go into our own thoughts after that. I decide to take out my new cellphone from my purse, enjoying the feel of the latest Samsung in my hand as the large screen comes to life. Taking the notebook where I had stored the numbers of the important wolves in my life, I begin to slowly add everyone into my new cell phone—starting with Chris, Jack, and Alex—and text each person, letting them know it's me and that I am safe.

As we drive out of the town and towards the forest road, I catch glimpses of wolves running through. I can't help but smile as they stop to bow towards us respectfully before they continue about their business. I can't wait to be able to shift and run with them.

“Hey, Eeva, what is your phone number?” I ask, my eyes still on the forest. A black wolf that is larger than the rest catches my attention, his forest green eyes turning to stare back. Something in me tells me it is Tate, and I can't help but enjoy his majestic wolf.

“I think it's...” she trails off, thinking for a moment before rattling off the numbers. I quickly key in her cellphone number into my contact list, saving it and sending a quick text. She pulls off the main road and into a smaller dirt road before pulling over to quickly add my new number to her contacts, a grin on her face.

"There, now we have each other's number and can talk whenever," I exclaim with a grin, laughing as she widens her eyes and places a hand over her chest.

"Oh, darling, you make my life complete." She fake cries in joy, causing me to go into a laughing fit with her antics.

"You know, you look younger when you laugh. I mean, for a twenty-year-old who is a soon to be a mom, you—" she muses, looking at me with a grin.

"I'm not twenty," I cut her off, watching her eyes widen with shock this time.

"You're not?" Eeva asks with skepticism.

"No," is my honest reply with a grimace on my face.

"Then how old are you, Laina?" I can tell that Eeva is weary, her eyes showing even more sympathy than yesterday.

"As of May this year, I turned sixteen," I admitted, twirling a lock of hair on my finger. I look outside, a little ashamed, to watch the early October breeze rustle through the trees. Leaves fall in a twirling dance to the ground. The car is silent for a while, and I look to Eeva to see her eyes unfocused. I guess she is mind-linking someone, probably Tate. When her eyes regain focus, she starts driving once again, a frown on her face.

"You told Tate, didn't you," I say, feeling both relieved and a little worried. What would he do knowing my age now?

"Yes. I'm sorry, Laina, but Tate needed to know that you are considered a minor even if pack laws dictate wolves to be adults at sixteen," Eeva replies. I can see worry in her eyes as I turn back to look out the window and watch the scenery.

"Thank you," I whisper as we pass by a few log cabins, cottages, and houses that I assume are homes to pack members.

"For what?" she asks with a smile in my direction.

"For being a true friend and treating me like an adult."

"Why wouldn't I treat you like an adult or be a friend to you. You're practically my sister now that you're my baby brother's mate," she reasons, and I smile.

"I'm glad for that too."

"Me too, Laina. Even though Tate had girlfriends, he always kept searching for his mate. My brother has anger issues, but I haven't seen him lose control in the last two days since meeting you," Eeva adds. I can hear the relief in her voice as she talks about Tate. I hate knowing that he had other girls in his life before me but feel like a hypocrite considering I am pregnant by someone else. This whole situation is just fucked up. Eeva decides to change the radio station, and we begin to belt out the songs we know. The mood lightens as she points out the pack house—a five-story mansion that I am told was built seven-hundred years ago—and other important buildings in the pack. Finally, we arrive home.

"My brother's house has six bedrooms. I think right now you are in the guest room, so I will wash your new clothes and the baby clothes, then bring them to your room," Eeva says as we enter the house with the bags from our shopping trip.

"I can help," I state, following her to the laundry room that is located on the first floor of this massive place—thank the Goddess for that.

"Laina, how far along are you." Eeva questions as we set the bags on the floor in the pristine room, the machines all high-end and state-of-the-art perfect for the cleanest laundry possible.

"Somewhere between four to four and a half months," I say, placing a hand on my stomach.

"Well, a she-wolf gives birth to her pups at five to six months, so no work for you. You sit and look pretty while I help get you set up." Eeva orders with her no-nonsense motherly tone.

"But, Eeva!"

"No buts, go sit," she cuts me off, ushering me out of the laundry room and towards the living room.

"Okay, fine, I will. But you call me if you need help," I concede as she hugs me and disappears once again into the laundry room.

I smile and head to the kitchen to make tea, realizing that it is five-thirty in the afternoon. I figure that Tate will be hungry when he gets back from dealing with his pack and want to surprise my mate with dinner. Fluttering around the kitchen, I familiarize myself with where everything is placed as I gather the ingredients and equipment I would need to cook.

"What you making?" Strong arms wrap around me, and soft lips find a spot on my neck as a warm body that sends happy shivers down my spine presses against me.

"Chicken and waffles," I reply, a smile on my face as I lean into Tate. His scent wraps around me as his body tenses slightly with our contact before he relaxes into me once again. I can't help but notice that he towers above me, my head just reaching past his shoulder, making my frame feel small and safe inside his embrace.

"Sounds delicious, do you want any help?" he asks, his lips finding my neck once again as he plants soft, gentle kisses.

"S-sure, do you know where the waffle maker is?" I can't help the flustered tremor in my voice with his close proximity. With a chuckle, Tate releases me and walks away to a cupboard I have yet to go through. I miss his warm touch, the mate bond between us simmering gently in the air. Returning to my side, I begin to instruct Tate in what to do with this recipe, watching his large hands skilfully mix the waffle batter as I work on breading and shallow pan-frying the chicken.

"So, what were you learning in school before you..." Tate asks once we engross ourselves in the task of cooking. His voice trails off at the end, neither of us wanting to bring up the breeder subject.

"I was going for interior design at the local College. I always loved creating and decorating growing up. After the death of my parents, I ended up shutting myself off from everyone and focused on school. It allowed me to bypass grade school and took me about two years to finish high school courses since I took courses in the summer and online. I never felt like a normal teenager, and all I wanted was to help my cousin and his mate out. Chris took me in when he was eighteen. I felt that he had to raise me and thought I would build a career for myself to help him out. He surprised me by enrolling me in the courses in the college on my fifteenth birthday. I was only two years away from getting my degree before being told my role…" I feel happy talking about my past up until recent events, as well as my dream of being an interior designer. I wish I could bring my sketchbook from my room in Chris' house to show Tate the work I put in, but I know that that will probably never happen. My fingers itch for a sketchbook, some sketch pencils, and a sturdy ruler to come up with concepts and designs for the rooms in this house. I notice that it has more of a cold, distant feel. This house definitely needs a bit of a makeover. I carefully flip over some of the cooking chicken in the pan, removing the fully cooked ones and placing them on a plate lined with paper towel to soak up any oil.

“If you want, there is a study down the hall with a computer. It's my office, and you can use it to take courses online from your college while you redesign one of the rooms upstairs for your own office.” Tate offers, his face lowered in a bashful way while a slight rose color tinges his cheeks. My eyes widen with his words before I fling my arms around him as best as I can with my pregnant belly protruding out. The rumors of Tate being a heartless monster seem to vanish with how warm and caring he is towards me. Stretching up on my toes, I pull Tate's head towards mine, kissing him quickly with a peck on the lips in my excited state.

"Thank you so much," I say happily when we pull away, surprise and shock on his face as he holds me in his embrace.

“Anything to make you happy, Laina. I can't wait to see what you do with the house to make it more like home. To be honest with you, I usually stay at the pack house to do work. I haven't had a reason to stay here other than to grab clean clothes until you came around.” I watch as another blush creeps along his face, butterflies fluttering around my heart at his confession. We go back to cooking our dinner as we talk about our day. I laugh when I tell Tate about all the stores I went to, and he sighs.

“I have a feeling Eeva went overboard with shopping and snuck stuff in for herself, didn't she.” He states, and I grin mischievously. He was right, though, as Eeva had spent some time shopping for herself, but I refused to snitch on my new friend, even if Tate was her brother.

"Finally getting along?" Eeva asks as she walks into the kitchen just as Tate and I finish cooking. She helps us set the table as I stretch my tired body.

"We always get along," Tate answers, pulling me to his side and rubbing my back. I can't help but smile at the small massage, my tense muscles relaxing even more.

"Well, that's good to hear. Laina, I put the clothes in your room, and I put the baby stuff in a basket for when you find a room to decorate.” Eeva states snatching a piece of fried chicken from the plate and snacking on it.

“Now I have to go. My mate and the pups have a surprise waiting for me. Enjoy your meal, you two.” With that, Eeva saunters out of the house. I can hear Tate sigh with relief, a boyish grin on his face as he helps me sit at the breakfast nook in the kitchen.

“I love my sister, but Hurricane Eeva can be too much to handle.” I can't help but laugh at his helpless look as he walks towards the fridge and brings a jug of orange juice and two glasses to the table.

“Now let's eat!” he exclaims, pouring each of us a glass of orange juice. It doesn't take long for the both of us to load our plates with the soft and fluffy waffles and crispy chicken. After a moment of comfortable silence and the sound of cutlery clinking across the plates, I look at Tate with a shy smile.

“Do you want to get to know each other and play a round of questions?” My question comes out quietly, almost a whisper. I can see the smile spreading on my mate's face with my initiative in getting to know him as he takes a bite of a piece of chicken dripping with real Canadian maple syrup.

"Sure, what's your favorite color?" He questions, a grin spreading across my face.

“It's a deep green, like your eyes. They remind me of the forest. What's your favorite food?” I answer, smiling at the thought of being able to run in the forest again.

“Believe it or not, it's actually chicken and waffles. Eeva would have it ready for me every time I entered her diner. But now, I think yours is actually the best I've ever had.” I can feel my face heating up with his compliment at my recipe, smiling at the memory of how I learned it.

“It's a recipe my mother taught me. I have all of her recipes memorized.” I see his eyes soften with the mention of my parents. Our game of "questions" continues while the pile of food slowly disappears between us. Deciding to move to a more comfortable area, Tate places the dishes in the sink to be done later as we head towards the living room. Sitting on either end of the large sofa, Tate and I start talking about our childhood. I can't help but feel more drawn to him as we slowly get to know each other. Before I know it, I am comfortable, curled up against him as we cuddle, the lighting in the room soft and intimate.

"You should go to sleep," Tate whispers, his hand drawing soft circles on my back as I yawn for the eighth time in the last three minutes.

"I don't want to," I whisper back, looking up at him and staring into his eyes. He chuckles and lowers his forehead to mine, rubbing our noses together.

"Then how about we get ready for bed and you cuddle with me in my room while we watch something on TV. This way, if you fall asleep, you'll be comfortable,” he reasons, planting a kiss on my forehead. I can feel myself growing drowsy, but I want to keep talking.

“Okay then.” I agree. I head upstairs into my room to find all the new clothes bought today put away neatly in the closet. I can't help but smile and send a thank you text to Eeva before picking out a pair of baggy PJ pants and a soft cotton T-shirt for bed. Once changed, I make my way down the dark hallway towards the room with light filtering through the door. The room is filled with Tate's scent as I look everywhere for him before climbing into his massive bed under the covers. A door opens and out walks Tate from what I realize is the bathroom with a pair of PJ pants slung low around his waist and his chiseled torso bare for me to enjoy. He climbs into the bed, reaching for the TV remote on his side of the bed before pulling me close to his side as he flicks through the channels, looking for something to watch. Finally, he lands on Finding Nemo.

"Really?" I ask, laughing at his choice of movie.

"What, it's a classic, babe." He states with a roll of his eyes, and I giggle again.

"Okay, okay, we will watch it," I conclude, conceding to his show as I snuggle closer to Tate. I smile when his hand continues to rub circles on me, his head leaning towards me every now and then to kiss the top of my head. Sometime during the first few minutes of the movie, my eyelids grow heavy until I find myself falling asleep.