The Rejection (Luna of the Pack Series)

by S. J. Hayslett

  No, there was nothing to indicate that Thorne would do that to me. Or to anyone, but in particular me. He so readily accepted my child as his own, and genuinely seemed happy to welcome in our child to his home. He obviously thought about having children one day, so there was no reason to believe that he would know about a child that belonged to him and keep it from me.

  "I'm fine." Once my clothes are completely back on, well as best as I can get myself covered, I move to stand on my two feet. I see Thorne and Jackson running from the house towards the commotion and inwardly groan. I hold my hand up to the closest person next to me and lean on her shoulder for support. The woman, a red-headed girl was the one who handed me my clothes. "Thank you...?

  "Madeline, Luna Kairi," she responded when she picked up that I didn't know what to call her.

  "Madeline, thank you for my clothes." I smile weakly at her when a wave of nausea hits me with more lightheadedness. By the time I close my eyes and take a few deep breaths to ease the feeling away, Thorne has already reached me, and my face is in his hands.

  "Kairi, are you alright?" My eyes open and I get caught in the magnetic gold flecks in his amber eyes. I nod my head, for some reason not able to trust my voice. There's a cloud that shifts in the sky, allowing more sun to radiate on Stoneforest and I take an uncalled-for moment to appreciate the splendor of all that they've accomplished here. And then, looking back into Thorne's eyes, waiting for me to answer his question. Hmmm, eyes.

  "I'm fine." Why does my voice sound funny?

  "What happened?" Thorne demands though he's not looking at me, so I guess anyone can answer. Which I'm relieved that Madeline does.

  "There was a boy, and he was about to fall into the river, but the Luna saved him."

  "Who's the boy? Where is he? Is he okay?" Thorne asked but all I could see out of the corner of my eye was Madeline shrugging her shoulders. There are more people standing around us now, though my vision is beginning to blur. I feel my legs getting weak and I lean my entire weight into Thorne, forcing him to catch me before I fall. What the hell is wrong with me?

  "I don't know baby," Thorne's voice calls out but it sounds like there's a wind tunnel separating us. I guess I asked that out loud.

  "Alpha Thorne! You need to take her to see Doc, now!" Madeline's voice is just as far. I don't understand the urgency until I feel an awful cramping twist my abdomen into shreds. I feel something warm trickling in between my legs and my neck twists to look down at where Madeline and Thorne are looking. There isn't enough air that can get into my lungs as the blood is running down my legs.

  I don't even have a chance to cry out for my baby when I feel Thorne scoop me up into his arms and start running. But the movement is too much overload and soon, all that I can see is the back of my eyelids.

  |||

  The sun is so freaking gorgeous out today, and warm against my skin. I bask in the light as a swift but small breeze cools the skin as it kisses on by. Pure bliss is what I feel when I close my eyes to the beautiful day that has me sitting atop of the hill on a thin blue blanket.

  Oh, my goodness, this is just too quaint. A picnic! I can’t even think back to when I had a picnic last, if I ever had one. No, I definitely did! It was with my mom for a Mother daughter picnic. I remember telling my stuffed wolf dolls that they could not join me on my picnic because it was just for me and my mom. We even wore matching dresses.

  I look around for my mother, almost expecting to see her pop up but that can’t be right. Why would I dream of her at Stoneforest? And I know I’m definitely here because I can see the river I was standing by when…

  Laughter, light and airy, fills my ears and I look for the source, only to find a little boy about three years old. He’s spinning in circles with his head raised to the sky, purposefully making himself dizzy and laughing every time he falls.

  “Hey! You’re going to make yourself sick if you keep doing that.” I call out, but I’m not even sure he hears me over his own laughter. It’s not until he calls back ‘okay’ that he finally stops and looks at me with the biggest grin I’ve ever seen on a child.

  He looked so familiar. The way his eyes sparkled with a carefree joy and mirth. A dimple pokes through on the left side when he smiles, and I feel like I’m struggling to remember where I’ve seen this same exact face before. I know it’s the dimple that throws me off because I’ve never known anyone with dimples. I can’t place the face, but I watch as the child looks down into my arms and I follow his gaze to see a tiny baby. A cherub of a thing with a full head of brown hair like mine. The baby, another boy, is breastfeeding and for a second, I’m embarrassed that I’m doing this in front of the boy, but as I go to shift my position from him, I notice that he’s already gone.

  I look back down at the baby, quite glad that he hasn’t disappeared on me like the boy, even though he’s no longer feeding. He’s just staring at me as I stare back. Those eyes are striking as well. What was it with everyone and their eyes? A hand touches my shoulder, and Thorne makes his appearance my sitting down on the blanket, in close proximity that our knees are touching even though he’s facing me. I’m shocked to see that he’s holding a baby in his hands as well. However, the baby in my arms is no longer there. I can’t help but wonder if the baby that Thorne has is a different baby or the same as the one that I was holding.

  My gaze goes back to Thorne and the baby in his arms, but the both of them are gone. In fact, all of Stoneforest is gone too. One by one every piece of the environment is fading away until even the sun stops shining and all I can see is black.

  Everything just faded to black.

  "Do you know why she shifted?" A disembodied voice spoke softly. If my eyes weren't so heavy, I would open them to see who was speaking and who they were speaking about. I hate laying on my back but everything, not just my eyes feel heavy.

  "Someone said she did it to save a boy." Thorne? Wait, images start popping into my head. Not just any images, but memories. 'Oh God!' I think to myself. What have I done?

  I was so stupid. I knew I had crossed over the threshold of when it was okay to shift into my wolf while pregnant. I hadn't even given it a second thought but to save that little boy. And it's only now I did it to the detriment to my little nugget. My hands automatically move to my stomach that feels flat. I feel empty as tears silently make a trail down my face. I have yet to even open my eyes, but I make sure I keep them closed as I begin to say a prayer to the goddess for my baby.

  I hadn't even had a chance to bring my little pup into the world and I was already proving to be an unfit mother. I don't care how scared I was before, I always felt excited at the prospect of being a mother. Maybe, well definitely, not under the circumstances that I was in, but I never once thought I'd be so terrible that I would put my child in danger.

  "Honey? Kairi what's wrong?" Thorne's voice cuts in my thoughts and the touch of his hands over mine interrupt the flow of tears. However, it's not until my eyelids are pulled open and a bright ass pencil light is shining into them that I'm able to see anything at all. I don't know if I should thank him or curse him out.

  "The baby? Is the baby safe?" I ask the question, hoping for an answer that I want to hear. I can't bear to ask the question of whether I killed my pup. I look frantically between Thorne and the doctor, who must have been the one speaking before. Worry is on both of their faces and I fear that they're about to deliver the worst news.

  "Yes, the pup is fine, dear." Looking at the doctor again he looks grandfatherly with his spectacles and mostly salt than pepper hair. He's wearing a white overcoat and has the stethoscope wrapped around his neck. There is a warmth in his voice that puts me at ease, though I know I can ascribe that calmness to the words he spoke. "Are you in pain?"

  I shook my head when I began to access my body as a whole. Now that my eyes are open and I've begun to move my limbs a little, I don't feel any pain, "Just a little sore."

  "Kairi, then why were you crying?" Thorne looks at me with pleadin
g eyes.

  "I thought I lost him because I was being stupid."

  "Luna Kairi, you saved a life. And your pup is fine. There was some slight hemorrhaging, but we were able to stop the bleeding as soon as Alpha Wesley got you here. You will need to refrain from any further shifting from this point forward. And I'm also ordering you to bed rest for the next two weeks. After that I want you here for a checkup, and we can determine whether any further bed rest is needed." I can do nothing but nod my head and then I turn to shyly gaze at Thorne.

  The moment of relief is a freedom that I hold onto and never want to let go. My pup is okay. I'm okay. The kid is okay. That's all that matters.

  "He looked so much like you." I whisper to the man that I chose to be my mate. Thorne's eyebrows knit together, giving them the impression of a furry caterpillar. I can't even help but giggle a little at the image.

  "Can you give us a moment?" Thorne looks back at the doctor who was still standing there, watching our interaction. He lifts the corner of his mouth in a small smile and nods on his way to the door. It's really only then that I take a look at my surroundings in can see I'm in a clinical room. Though there is a curtain next to my bed separating me from another bed, aside from me and Thorne, the room was empty.

  The door clicks closed, and Thorne turns back to stare at me.

  "I'm sorry, I was going to tell you, but you asked for space. Vanessa only told me about him today. And never once did she or anyone say anything that I had a kid out there. Or even that there was a possibility. Trust me, when I say I would have told you about Marcus if I had known about him. I've already told the Doc to look into a paternity test. But please believe me, I would never have kept this from you."

  Now it was my turn to be confused, though it was only for a second though. Eyes. MJ. Ugh how did I forget? And anyways, how could I tell him about my dream? There's no way my baby would grow to look like him.

  "Yeah, MJ. The little boy I saved. Is he alright?" I can't believe I haven't thought of him since the incident. Though I guess I can say that it's understandable. He did run off after he was safe and then I had my medical scare.

  Thorne looks at me with wonder in his eyes and I can’t figure out why he looks so amazed by me.

  “I tell you all about what I know about MJ and your first inclination is to ask about his wellbeing? I can’t get over you.”

  “Oh no Thorne. We are most definitely going to talk about MJ being your son. But his parentage comes second to how he is doing after he almost fell in that river. He could have gotten killed! Why isn’t there a fence there? That could happen at anytime with anyone, not just your kid!”

  “Kairi, Kairi, listen to me. We never had that problem before, most kids stay away from the hill anyway because it’s so steep. But if it will make you feel better, I’ll have a fence put up.”

  “Nothing hard. It’s gotta give a little in case another kid tries what MJ did. That hill is dangerous. Better yet, you should flatten it so it’s not so steep.”

  “I can’t do that. There are other parts of the house that are cut into it.” I remember thinking that there was more to the hill than just landscaping. Especially knowing that Stoneforest carved part of their home into a mountain, a hill would have been child’s play for them.

  “About MJ, have you seen him?” I don’t know why I ask, or why his answer is even important to me.

  “No, not yet. But Jackson told me that he has a striking resemblance to me when I was younger.” I nod my head in agreement. It honestly looks like some mad scientist cloned Thorne and out came MJ. “I’d still rather wait for a paternity test though.”

  “He has your eyes. I saw a picture in your room of you and Jackson. You look the same,” I sigh heavily and bring my hands to my face. “If he is yours, what does this mean for my child? Do you still want us?” I all but whisper my last question but there’s an urge to know.

  Thorne grabs both of my hands into one of his and pulls them away from my face. His other hand lightly caresses my cheeks as if he’s scared to touch me, as if I’ll break under pressure. “I’ve laughed more with you these last two weeks than I ever have in the last three years. You make me want to thank the goddess that Vanessa left me because I never would have seen the light in your eyes when I first saw you. If MJ is mine, it bears nothing on the desire that I have for you and our child. Keep in mind that there is a heavy emphasis on ‘our’.” Tears bristle but don’t even get a chance to fall far because Thorne is already there catching them as they roll out. Why is he so perfect? “You know if MJ is mine, he is technically in line for alpha of Stoneforest, not the pup inside you.”

  Uncertainty hung in the air, but it wasn’t between us. I realized that Thorne was insecure about my purpose of having this pup with him. “Thorne, you know I don't care about the power. Whether MJ is yours or not,” though just looking at the both of them, I can’t see how he could deny it. But of course, I’m not going to tell him that. “It doesn't matter to me.”

  “I will say this one thing though, after today’s incident. I am now more than terrified to raise a child. I mean I almost put my, no, our baby’s life in danger today.” Thorne gives me a small smile when I correct myself. “I mean I didn’t even think, I just reacted. But despite my fears, I can try to help co-parent with you and MJ. I mean if you want. Umm, I don’t want to overstep any boundaries. And of course, Vanessa would have to agree to it. Cause, you know he’s her kid. Oh goddess, I’m rambling. Make me stop.”

  Thorne laughs, but it’s not one of his all-out hearty laughs that I’ve grown accustomed to hearing. It is more along the lines of ‘I don’t know what else to do, so I’ll just nod and laugh’ type of laugh. At least that is what I think he is thinking until he begins to lean in and kisses me on my forehead.

  “You’re amazing, you know that? And I know with you by my side, we can work through this together.”

  “Together.”

  CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

  "You really don't have to do this," I reassure Thorne. Once the doctor released me from the clinic two weeks ago, Thorne carried me from the clinic to our bedroom. I had to hide my face in his neck because I could feel the pack staring and smiling at us as he carried me throughout the hallways. Thorne was taking my orders of bed rest seriously, and while I was thankful for his attentiveness, it was becoming annoying.

  Thorne carefully laid me on the bed and then pestered me every ten minutes of if I needed to go to the bathroom, or if I needed something to drink. It didn't matter that the doctor assured him that I could do light walking and such without assistance, he just wanted to ensure that I was taken care of.

  Even while I was getting ready for bed, Thorne was practically by my side. And even though we never talked about the sleeping arrangements since I kicked him out of his room, Thorne sat in a chair all night. It was a little creepy, trying to go to sleep knowing he was watching me. Eventually, I did fall into a fitful and light sleep that was undisturbed by dreams. Throughout the weeks, Thorne began to slowly bring his belongings and clothes back into the room. I didn't mind, we found time to get back to how we were before. Our communication with each other was on point, though neither of us brought up the subject of Vanessa or MJ. I think the both of us would rather not admit that we needed to do something about her and soon.

  I hated the insecurity that came with her to Stoneforest. I hated feeling like there was something about me that was inadequate for Thorne. I hated the fact that she chose now to come back for Thorne. In the back of my mind, I knew the level of intimacy, emotional intimacy not physical, that I had with Thorne should be strong enough to combat any insecurity I felt with her around. But the fact that Thorne was making sure I stayed confined to the bedroom while I was on bed rest was making me crazy.

  At least Lydia, my assistant brought work up to the bedroom and kept me company when Thorne had to do his own work. Jackson assured me that Vanessa was steering clear of Thorne. There was some reassurance on my end but still. I'd be so gra
teful if the doctor would finally clear me of bed rest. Which is where Thorne was carrying me to now. If I was someone watching this spectacle, I'd think he was being sweet and caring. But because it's me that this is happening to, I find it annoying.

  I'm perfectly capable of walking myself to the clinic, but Thorne wants to hear nothing of it. "Just go with it," I tell myself. Even though I am already a month and half along, I guess I could try to get used to this type of service while I can. I can't imagine Thorne wanting to carry me around while I was full term.

  "Ahh, what do we have here? Alpha Wesley, Luna Kairi. Are we ready for your check-up?" Doc Daniels asks when Thorne finally sets me on the examination table. Doc has already moved his stethoscope into position and I know I'm going to jump at how cold it'll feel on my skin. Lately everything is cold, except for Thorne's touch. "Has there been any spotting since I last saw you?"

  "No, Doc. Not since the first day." I answer as Doc Daniels indicates for me to take a deep breath. Thorne stands in the corner, watching us. I honestly wonder if he would prefer that I stayed on bed rest for the duration of my pregnancy. He does seem to enjoy carrying me around all the time. But Stoneforest needs him to focus on them, not just me and the pup.