As the partygoers applauded Emery when he smashed his fingers into the little cake emblazoned with a colorful “#1” candle, Nova couldn’t help but feel bittersweet about the future. He was definitely happy for his brother; peace had finally settled over their territory for the first time in far too long. He had a family; a son that was crack-whip smart for his age and a wife that loved him with every fiber of her being. Would he ever have something like that with Amara someday? He hoped so, but looking out over the crowd as she laughed and chatted with her sister and mother, he wasn’t sure if the family life was something she’d ever considered, let alone agreed with.
Amara was strong, independent in a way Nova had never witnessed before or after meeting her. One time his mother had said Amara would have made an amazing wolf, but he disagreed. She’d have been a good wolf, but nothing could compare to the amazing human she actually was. He wouldn’t change it for the world.
He wanted nothing more than Amara Lowery as she was. Unfortunately, he didn’t know if Amara Lowery as she was and Nova’s future as he dreamed would ever be in the same realm of possibility. She didn’t seem like the type to let a child hold her back from the adventurous, determined, and risk taking woman that Nova always knew her to be.
As if on cue, Amara’s interest piqued. She looked across the picnic area they’d set up for the party and met Nova’s gaze. Before he could wave or smile, a worried look filled her eyes as if asking him, “Is everything okay?” and suddenly there it was; that immense and immeasurable love that Nova never ceased to feel for her came surging back in full force. It washed away the doubt, the sadness, and any inkling of bittersweet thoughts about what could be. All he needed was Amara. As long as he could call her his, his world would be complete.
A grin spread across his face, wiping the anxiety away. He didn’t know how she had such an effect on him. Nemoy speculated that maybe her being human made the mate bond a sort of two-way street where she could sense and maybe even manipulate his emotions, that maybe it was a form of evolution within the pack biology. Ivanah postulated that it was more than likely just Amara’s humanity that made her aware of Nova’s emotions, that humans were naturally emotional beings and it would make sense that she was so in tune with the one she loved most. It was all too new to rule out, but Nova didn’t really care about the science of it. He was just happy to be able to share whatever it was with her.
Amara tapped her mother on the shoulder and said something into her ear before going to Nova. He held out an arm and she sank effortlessly into his embrace. He nuzzled the top of her head, breathing in the heavenly scent of cinnamon as he pressed a gentle kiss into her hair.
“You alright, handsome?” she sighed contently, coiling her arms around his so he’d hug her tighter.
“As long as you’re here, I’m more than alright,” he assured. She beamed up at him in response. “Sorry I made you worry. I didn’t mean to pull you away from your mom.”
Amara shook her head. “No, it’s fine. She was actually kind of shocked that I wasn’t over here talking to you anyway.”
Nova raised an eyebrow in confusion. “I know she’s slowly working her way past her agoraphobia, but I also know you still want to cherish any moment you have with her outdoors.”
She shrugged with a smile. “It’s been a year. A year of peace. That’s all the therapy she needs, apparently. I mean, yeah, she still looks over her shoulder sometimes, and not every day is as perfect as today has been, but…” she shrugged again. “I guess she thinks some things are more important than her daughter babysitting her while she jumps off the tail end of her phobias.”
Nova’s confusion only grew. “Mrs. Lowery, not even the mate bond can help me follow what you’re saying right now.”
She laughed. “Can I get a kiss?”
“Of course,” Nova replied, mildly puzzled by her reaction. He tilted her chin up into an easy kiss that left little tingles on his lips. As she pulled away, she pushed something rectangular into his hand. She stepped away so that he could fully investigate what it was.
It was a box. It wasn’t too big, maybe a few inches long, and she’d wrapped it in a silky black ribbon. His baffled expression only grew and she laughed. “I figured everyone was already giving presents today, so why not give you one as well?” She winked. “Even if it’s not your birthday.”
Nova shook his head, pulling the ribbon loose. “You never ceased to surprise me, babe.” Even though he feigned nonchalance, he couldn’t help but feel a bit of nerves. Excitement was wafting off of her in waves, and it left him wondering what could be worth such positivity. His fingers played over the long lid of the box, willing and unwilling all at once to lift it and reveal all. Finally with a deep, centering breath, he pulled the lid away and gazed at what lay inside.
A pregnancy test.
It wasn’t particularly flashy, just a white and pink stick wrapped in a bit of tissue paper, but it set Nova’s heart to pounding. A pregnancy test. His eyes wandered every inch of the box, just to be sure that his eyes weren’t fooling him. Then slowly, his gaze slid to the tiny screen of the test that held his entire future in its grasp.
A tiny plus sign adorned the display.
“Pregnant…” he whispered, stunned.
“Pregnant,” she whispered back, grinning ear to ear.
Suddenly, Nova gasped. Tears sprang to his eyes and he fought to hold them back. Amara was pregnant. Amara was pregnant with his child. He was going to be a father. He’d have his dream future with his dream wife—a life he thought would never be possible.
“I don’t know if you want to tell everyone just yet, with it being Emery’s day and all, but I just…” she shrugged, that grin never leaving her face. “I wanted to make it special, you know? Something you’d never forget.”
Nova was already shaking his head, the tears still fighting to spill. “You think I’d ever forget the day the love of my life told me she’s pregnant with my child?” He laughed. “You underestimate just how much I worship you, Amara.”
She blushed at his words, shyness wiping away a bit of her smile. She shrugged coyly as she murmured, “I’m competing with an ‘I devoted my life to protecting her from a pack of ravenous wolves’ tale as your ‘How did we meet?’ story. I needed something that would stack up.”
He laughed again, this time a loud bark of laughter that turned heads. “You are so amazingly perfect, and you are the best thing to ever happen to me.” Her grin returned in double time as he kissed her.
They shared a long, loving gaze before he turned to the crowd of birthday partygoers and shouted. “She’s pregnant!” A shocked silence spread over the crowd for a tiny moment.
Suddenly, delight spread across Ivanah’s face and Nemoy’s jaw dropped. Cheers erupted across the crowd as they all at once deciphered Nova’s good news. Sadie and Nate gave equally spirited jumps of joy at the announcement, sharing a brief but passionate kiss. Even baby Emery clapped and squealed excitedly, slinging bits of destroyed birthday cake all around with his ovation.
Amara slid her delicate arms around Nova’s waist, a few happy tears escaping down her cheeks as she grinned up at him. He kissed her tears away whispering, “I love you, Amara Lowery,” against her lips before they met his to the sound of thunderous applause.
Thank you!
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Mountain Wolf Protectors Complete Series: Books 1 - 4 Page 45