Luna On The Run!

Clarita’s POINT OF VIEW

After a week in the hotel, we finally managed to snag a nice house on a lake. It adjoins a park where I walk several laps every day to keep fit. It is a cottage model with three spacious bedrooms, a large covered terrace at the back and a broad balcony at the front.

We have been living here for almost two weeks now and I really like it.

Especially in the evenings, there is a cool breeze that makes the leaves rustle from the trees, which helps me to relax. Serene and I sit on the back terrace with a hot cup of coffee, making plans for the future. At least, I am the one who talks enthusiastically about getting a good job and traveling around the world with my baby.

Serene mostly listens and nods silently. Sometimes I wonder if she wouldn’t rather go back to her pack; Ariel had told me that werewolves can only survive if they’re together. Her words about being responsible for my safety still linger in my mind. I haven’t had a chance to ask her more about this yet, but I’ll ask her for an explanation later, when we’re more settled in the house.

We are now back on the porch watching the sunset.Belonging © NôvelDram/a.Org.

Today I sent out some job applications to companies in the area and am waiting for a response. With my Masters in Business Administration, I should have no problem finding work. The only drawback is that I don’t have any work experience, but I hope that at least one company won’t see that as an obstacle.

“Clarita, I have made an appointment for you at the hospital. It’s time for a check-up, you’re already two months pregnant. And your belly is already starting to show”. I’m startled by Serene’s comment. It is indeed time for my regular check-up, but I keep putting it off. According to my calculations, I should be two months along, but my round belly tells a different story.

“But how are we going to tell the doctor that the father is a werewolf Alpha, Serene? Look at me, my belly is bigger than a normal pregnancy. Two months shouldn’t show yet, but look at me”. I threw my sweater up so she could see the round bump. Shyly, I rubbed it, because for a few days now I had been feeling slight movements. It was as if my baby wanted to reassure me that it was really going to be born.

Serene bursts out laughing.

“Yes, that comes from being impregnated by a strong Alpha. Werewolves only carry their pups for six months. I guess that will be the case with you too,” she hiccups. “But don’t worry, I’ve arranged for a werewolf doctor who works there as part of her studies. So she knows how to treat you.”

Relieved, I nod and hug her. “Thank you, Serene. I don’t know how I would have managed without your help. Everything is so new to me”.

“Don’t worry. I’ll make sure you’re okay,” she assures me.

We sit and sip our coffee for a few more minutes before she looks at me again.

“Clarita, are you going to let Zane go to the doctor with you? You know he has a right to see his pup. You can’t deny him that, this is his first and most likely his successor,” she says quietly.

Hearing her say that, my spirits drop.

For the past few weeks, I have refused to think about this fake ass. I keep seeing him trying to extort Ariel from Gorgio, trying to lay a claim on her. And all the while he expected me to wait for him to put his affairs in order.

For two weeks he called me every day, several times a day. Until I blocked his number. And then he called from a different number, which I also blocked. And now he hasn’t called for several days, I guess he finally understood that I was serious about keeping him out of my life.

“I don’t want anything more to do with Zane. He is in my past. There is no place in my life for a cheater,” I said firmly. “My child and I can do without him.”

“Is that fair to the pup? It has every right to know its father, whatever he is willing to offer. Zane will claim it one day, it’s his heir, you must understand that too”.

I shake my head stubbornly. “Zane will have to go over my dead body to have my child. He can look for another girlfriend and have his heir with her. Between us, it’s over for good.”

Serene rolls her eyes, but wisely decides to drop the subject.

And then I start thinking about Ariel. We are roughly in the same stage of our pregnancy. Wistfully, I think back to our lost friendship. If only I had not left Eclipse Howl to seek distraction in the mall and met Zane there, I would be with her now. We would be looking forward to the arrival of her baby, shopping and eating healthy food in the food court.

Things would be very different if I had not become involved with her man.

Although she tried to convince me that she never loved Zane, I could not bear to have that man around me. Ariel told me a lot about werewolves and how a mate is a special gift from the Moon Goddess. A mate is already a soul mate, the bond is strong and they are inseparable.

She had two mates, Gorgio and Zane. Zane’s rejection might be temporary, if they were truly soulmates, they would not be able to live without each other in the long run. And the way Zane wanted to keep her in his life said it all.

I will not risk being rejected a third time.

Better I stay alone. Serene will have to come back eventually, but by then I hope my baby will be here and I can give it all my love and attention.

A few minutes later, Serene and I decide to break up and have dinner in the house.

As she closes the door behind us, I suddenly hear a loud howling in the forest…