Chapter 109 Her surprise
Chapter 109 Her surprise
Aloria
As we make our way through the familiar paths of our pack’s territory, the echo of laughter and celebration still rings in my ears. River’s hand is warm against mine, our fingers entwined as we walk toward our shared sanctuary. The night air is cool, but the warmth of our home radiates in my heart, making me forget the chill.
When we reach our room, I can’t help but feel a rush of excitement bubbling within me. It’s been so long since we had the luxury of time to ourselves, away from the responsibilities of leadership and the weight of our journey. I can’t wait to relax with River, to let the world fade away for just a little while.
“Let’s take a bath,” I suggest, my voice light with anticipation. The thought of warm water enveloping us both feels like an embrace I desperately need. “Wash of the travels.”
River smiles, a dimple appearing in his cheek. “That sounds perfect. I’ll get the water started.”
I nod, watching him as he moves through our room with ease, gathering the supplies we need. My heart swells with affection as I admire the way he carries himself, the confidence of our Alpha tempered by the gentleness he shows me. It’s moments like these that I treasure… just us, together.
As he fills the tub, I step closer, running my hand over my stomach absentmindedly. A thought crosses my mind, and I bite my lip, unsure if I should voice it. But the curiosity gets the better of me. “River,” I say, glancing up at him, “do you think I’ve put on some weight?”
He looks up, surprise flickering in his eyes. “I hadn’t noticed,” he replies honestly, his brow furrowing slightly. “But even if you had, it wouldn’t matter to me, Aloria. I love you no matter what.”
His words send a warm rush through me, and I can’t help but smile. “Look again,” I tease, my heart racing with the knowledge I carry.
River’s expression shifts as he studies my face, his gaze drifting down to my stomach. The realization dawns on him, and he blinks, his eyes widening in disbelief. “Are you trying to say what I think you’re saying?” His voice is a mix of hope and excitement, and I can feel the air around us crackling with anticipation.
“Yes,” I reply, my voice barely above a whisper. “I’m pregnant.”
The silence that follows is thick with emotion, and then his face breaks into the brightest smile I’ve ever seen. “Aloria! Are you serious?” He steps closer, his hands reaching for me, cradling my face as if I might disappear. “You’re really pregnant?”
I nod, laughter bubbling within me at the sheer joy radiating from him. “Yes, really.”
River lets out a whoop of pure happiness, lifting me off my feet and spinning me around. “This is incredible. I can’t believe it,” He brings me back down, his hands resting on my waist, and I can see the glimmer of tears in his eyes. “We’re going to be parents. Together.”
I can’t help but laugh at his excitement, my heart dancing along with him. “Yes, together. Can you imagine? A little one running around, filled with both our spirits?”
He pulls me into an embrace, holding me tight against him. “I can’t wait. I’ve always wanted this, Aloria. You and me, a family.” His fingers trail gently over my stomach, as if trying to connect with our child already. “I’ll do everything in my power to protect you both.”
“Just promise me one thing,” I say, looking up into his eyes, which are filled with pure adoration. “Promise me we’ll do this together, just like we’ve faced everything else.”
“Always,” he replies, his voice steady and unwavering. “You’re my everything, Aloria. We’ll raise our child with love and strength.”
The joy between us is palpable, and I can’t help but lean into him, feeling safe and cherished. “Now, how about that bath?” I suggest, a playful smile on my lips.
“Yes! A bath for my beautiful Luna,” he replies, his eyes sparkling with affection.
We step into the warm, fragrant water together, and I let out a sigh of contentment as it envelops me. River sits beside me, his fingers trailing over the surface of the water, occasionally brushing against my stomach. Each gentle touch feels like a promise, a bond forming between us and our baby.
“Do you think it’ll be a boy or a girl?” he asks, his voice soft as the water ripples around us.
“I don’t know,” I reply, gazing at him with wonder. “But I hope they have your strength and kindness.”
“And your fierce spirit,” he adds with a grin. “They’ll be unstoppable, just like their mom.”
We spend the next while basking in the warmth, sharing dreams and hopes for our future. River leans closer, our foreheads touching as we share whispers of what we hope to teach our child, the values we want to instill in them. I can feel his heart beating in rhythm with mine, a harmonious melody that echoes our love.
As we finish our bath, we dry off and make our way to our bed, a cozy haven waiting for us. River pulls back the covers, and we snuggle up together, the warmth of his body against mine wrapping around me like a cocoon. I lay my head against his chest, listening to his steady heartbeat, feeling safe and cherished.
“Can you believe we’re going to be parents?” he murmurs, his voice a low rumble that vibrates through me.
“I can,” I reply softly, looking up at him. “I’ve always felt it in my heart. This journey was leading us here.”
He kisses my forehead, and I close my eyes, letting the world outside fade away. In this moment, I feel complete. The laughter and joy of our pack, the love of my mate, and the promise of our future together… life couldn’t be more perfect.
As we drift off to sleep, I know that no matter what challenges lie ahead, we will face them together. With love in our hearts and a family on the way, we are ready for whatever comes next. Together, we will build a life filled with laughter, love, and adventure. And I can’t wait to share every moment with River and our little one.