I rushed to the east wing of the manor where Lilac was staying. I pushed the door open to their suite and hurried to the bedroom.
" Lilac," I called urgently. I entered the bedroom door without knocking. Lilac sat on the floor, her back leaning against the glass window. She was crying.
I ran to her and knelt beside her. I cupped her face,
" Lila, what is it? Why are you crying?" I inquired. She threw her arms around me and hugged me. I was taken aback but hugged her, too,
" Love, the most incredible thing happened to me," she sobbed.
" What?"
" I'm two months pregnant. I'm just so happy and couldn't stop crying,"
I gasped at the joyful news. They tried everything to get pregnant, but it was futile. Lilac was heartbroken and decided to stop her IVF.
" Congratulations, my sweet Lila,"
" Love, It was a natural pregnancy,"
Lilac's whole body was shaking. I was ecstatic.
" Does Jace know already?" I asked.
" No, I just found out and called you. I'll tell him later at night," she said, wiping her tears. I stroked her hair.
" You should have a romantic dinner and pop the good news to him," I suggested.
She nodded. I smiled again. Lilac and Jace deserved it. They would be a family of four.
"Yeah, now, baby Jack will have a little brother or sister," she laughed. Their baby arrived a few months ago. Eratu left the city a day after she gave birth. It is said in the public record that Jack's legal mother is Lilac.
Two hours later, it was time to go to the wedding. It was a summer wedding, so I wore a strapless purple satin dress. I grew my hair again, styling it in luscious waves. It suited me. I wore my high heels, carried my bag, and went downstairs. The whole family was waiting for me in the foyer. I smiled when I looked at Solara. She wore a cute purple dress that matched her shoes. It wasn't pink, but it was progress.
" Baby, you look lovely."
" Yeah, yeah. Thanks. Axton convinced me,"
I smiled at Axton, and he grinned. He and Ellis fist-bumped discreetly.
" Are we all ready? Let's go," I said.
Everyone went outside to the cars. Ellis wrapped his hand around my waist and kissed my exposed shoulder.
" You look breathtaking."
"Thanks," I said,
" You look handsome," I smiled. Ellis was so hot in a gray suit that matched his eyes and a buzz-cut hairstyle.
" I know," he was so cocky.
I smirked and quickly kissed him. I loved it.
" I've never been to a gay wedding. What happened?" he asked. I only rolled my eyes and got in the car.
" Don't say gay wedding. It's just a wedding, babe."
Everyone was there when we reached the venue, which was beautifully decorated in white. Ellis and I constantly interacted with Margret and her husband when someone tugged my arm.
" Excuse me," I said and walked away.
" Luis, what is it?" I asked. My best friend looked flustered. He was breathing heavily.
" Remember Toby?" he asked. Toby was Luis's first love. They broke up years ago, and he married another. However, Luis was so heartbroken about it.
" Yes, how could I forget?"
" He's here. Toby is Todd's older brother," he informed me. I covered my mouth with my hand to stifle my gasp. Today was eventful indeed.
" No way, dude."
" Yes. There_ four o'clock," he whispered. I turned, and, indeed, it was him. Tall, dark, and devilishly handsome. I was even more surprised to see him chat with Zeyneb. He felt my gaze on him, and I averted my eyes.
" How does he know Zeyneb?" I whispered.
" He was her lecturer at the university."
" Does Zey know about your history?"
" No, what's worse. She invited him for dinner at OUR house," he was stressing.
" Tell Zey the truth,"
" Oh, I plan to... As soon as the wedding is over," he sighed.
The wedding started five minutes later. The grooms wore white, and they looked fabulous. Todd was an emotional mess—as usual.
The following day, I woke up with a throbbing headache. I groaned and whined incoherent words.
" Good morning, my love," Ellis greeted me.
I adjusted my eyes and found my mate watching me with an amused smile. I closed my eyes and covered my face.
" Did I misbehave?" I grunted.
" Oh, you're a funny drunk. You also have no rhythm of dance whatever in you," he chuckled.
I don't remember much about the reception, but I was hammered on Château Lafite. I remember dancing and dancing and dancing. I think I gave a speech, but I'm not sure.
" Don't laugh at me, baby."
My mate always made fun of my dancing moves. He loved watching me dance to upbeat music. I couldn't move as well as Zeyneb or Lilac, but I don't believe it's my fault.
" Here you go, babe. Drink this. It will help you with the hangover," I frowned as I got a glass of disgusting-looking smoothie from him.
" It looks gross."
"Is this CC's disgusting hung-over cure?"
" Yes. She made this one."
I drank the smoothie despite wanting to throw up. I finished it. Ellis got in bed with me, showing me videos of my dance moves. I was so embarrassed. How come no one stopped me?
" You could have dragged me from the dance floor,"
" But you were having so much fun. Look!" Indeed, everyone was having fun at the wedding. Even Shawl and his warrior buddies were dancing with us.
I hugged him tightly. He kissed my hair.
Two months later.
I was smiling as I looked at the positive pregnancy tests in my hands. I was pregnant. I rubbed my stomach and smiled. I headed downstairs. I found Ellis and the kids in the game room. I kissed my mate, and he looked up from his game to smile at me.
" I win!" Finley shouted in excitement.
" But I only looked away for a second," Ellis complained.
" That's on you, uncle. Fifty bucks, now," still frowning, Ellis gave him the money.
" Are you ready to lose, Cay?" Finley grinned. Cayden exhaled, scowling. They had been playing the game for two weeks, and no one had beaten Finley.
Cayden gestured for Ellis to get up from the seat so that he could occupy it. He stood up and wrapped his arms around my waist.
" You made me lose."
" Can I make up with some news?" he lifted his head from my neck,
" News?" I nodded. " Do the kids need to be here?"
I nodded.
" Guys, I have news to share."
Hesistatantly, they paused their game and gave me their attention.
" Where is Lara and Axton?"
" We are here," they entered the room, giggling about something—those two.
Seumo and Melody followed them. I swear these walls had ears.
" I don't know how you'll feel about this, but I'm excited," I said, looking at all of them. They were enthusiastic to hear the news.
" We are having another baby. I'm pregnant," There was stunned silence that worried me. My gaze went to Ellis. He was staggered to speak before he erupted into a cheer and carried me in the revelry of the news. Everyone was clapping and enrapturing.
" Oh, baby. It is the best news," he said, hugging me.
" Another baby. Love, congratulations," Melody hugged me. The boys were excited and smiling. My heart momentarily stopped when my gaze landed on my daughter. She was forbearing.
" Lara, you're going to be an elder sister. How do you feel about that?" I asked gently. A tear rolled down her face. My heart started beating again, only faster.
She was crying for good now. I went to hug her, worried about her. I should have told her separately.
" I'm sorry, Lara," I told her. She shook her head.
" No, mom. It is the best news ever. And I'm only crying because I feel joyful in my heart."
The merriments resumed once Solara said that. I hugged her, and for the first time in a while, I felt authentic happiness in her. She put her arms around me.
" I'm thrilled, Mum,"
I was relieved and delighted to hear that. Tears rolled down my face.
After I announced my pregnancy, we went to celebrate with ice cream. However, my mate didn't join us as he had work to do at the office. We spent time in the playpark. The boys were playing while Solara was playing chess with me.
" Your move, honey,"
" What do you think my next move should be?" she asked.
I deliberate, fingers on my chin as I study her pieces.
" Why would I help you win against me?"
She giggled. It felt good to hear her laugh. It went straight to my soul,
" You just don't know, do you?"
" I know what your next move should be. However, I won't tell you."
My phone rang, and I smiled when I saw the caller ID. It was my brother.
" Excuse me, baby. I have to take this."
She nodded. I walked a few paces to talk with Aerys freely.
" Hey, brother," He was silent for a moment.
" I saw her." his voice was low.
" Who?"
" Elizabeth, I saw her when I went to Oregon for a meeting. She was working with an alpha. I think they are in a relationship of some sort," he growled.
" Oh. How was her reaction to seeing you?" I asked.
" She ignored me. I approached her, but she refused to speak to me. " He was hesitant for some reason.
" Aerys," I called in warning. What did the idiot do?
" I couldn't help it, Love. When I saw her, everything came crashing down. The feelings I had for her came at full speed and intensified. I asked her for forgiveness, but she wouldn't listen, so I did what I could at the moment."
" Which is?"
" I kidnapped her,"
" Aerys Chasia!"
I gasped. He was too irrational for an alpha. Oh, goddess, help this brother of mine. If Elizabeth was in a relationship with this other alpha, it was grounds for war, depending on how severe the relationship was.
My brother couldn't talk any longer, so we ended the call. I turned to walk back to my daughter. She wasn't alone. She was playing chess with someone whose back was turned to me. The person sensed me even though my movements were stealthy.
" Hello, who are you?" I questioned, worried that a stranger was playing with my daughter.
" He's my new chess buddy," Solara answered.
" Turn around," I said in my authoritative tone. He slowly turned around to face me. I was taken aback for a moment when I saw the man. He was tall, slim, and fair-skinned—very fair. He was handsome and couldn't be older than twenty-four years old.
"Hello. You must be Solara's mother, Luna Love," his voice was husky, yet he spoke softly.
I nodded.
" I was in the cat park across the road when my cat ran to her," he pointed at a black feline with golden eyes sitting on Solara's lap. I hadn't noticed it sooner.
" Isn't he cute, Mum? I want a cat, too," Solara purred, stroking the feline's fur.
" And you are?" I asked the young man. He hesitated a moment to answer.
" Egon," he said. He turned in the most graceful manner toward my daughter. A ghost of a smile appeared on his lips. He inhaled and exhaled deeply.
" I'm leaving now. Do take care of yourself, Solara. I will see you soon," he said, his voice sounding like a promise.
" Thank you for playing chess with me. Take care, too, Egon!" my little girl said.
" Sir," he called to his cat, his voice barely above a whisper. It seemed to ignore him. Egon bowed to me politely and started to walk away, hands in his pocket.
" Oh, I think his cat wants to stay with me," Solara chuckled. The feline got on his paws and stretched. To my surprise, it was tall - taller than an average cat. It jumped in the air past me and landed gracefully beside Egon. Neither of them stopped walking.
"He looks like one of those men in Axton's magazines," murmured Solara, still watching the man.
The sun shone in the park, yet there was a gentle breeze.
" Is it cold? Are you cold, sweetheart?"
" No, I love it," she said happily.