Lily
The atmosphere is electric as I bounce towards the garden, my arms tight with the weight of the cake in my hands. There’s a mass of whispers and anticipation from the Luan pack gathered outside Wesley’s estate. A hush falls over them when I step out into the sunlight, carefully placing the cake on the center pedestal with a smirk on my face.
“Are you ready?” I ask the entire pack.
My rogue friends are the first to shout, “Yeah!” but Wesley’s pack soon follows with cheers and whistles of their own. They are all excited to know the gender of our baby.
Smiling, I turn around to face Wesley. He is leaning against one of the pedestals in his garden, eyeing me with a hard-to-read expression. It confuses me. He was so happy earlier, but ever since his mysterious phone call, he has been...gloomy?
“Are you okay?” I ask.
To my relief, Wesley offers me a small smile. “Yeah, sorry… I’m just a bit thoughtful.”
“About what?”
“We can talk about that later,” he says and stands to his full height, cracking his shoulders before locking those emerald eyes on mine. “Let’s just focus on having fun today and cutting into the cake,” his usual grin spreads over his lips. It seems sadder somehow, but I’m just glad he is trying. “I really want to know the gender of our baby”
Wagging my eyebrows, I offer him the cake cutter. “Do you want to do the honors?”
“Let’s do it together,” he says softly and walks closer to stand behind me. A shiver travels up my spine when his broad chest touches my back, and I blush when he places his larger hand over mine. He chuckles as if amused by my reaction. “Ready?”
I shyly beam up at him before whispering, “Whenever you are.”
Wesley is momentarily stunned by my smile. He gets this gentle look in his eye. I can’t help but wonder what it means, but Wesley quickly snaps out of it and steers my hand toward the cake. We cut into it together, and the sky immediately flashes with blue confetti—the same color as the inside of the cake and the whole garden screams, “IT’S A BOY!”
Wesley’s arms wrap around my waist in an instant, and I feel his warm breath on my ear as he leans down to whisper, “We are having a boy, Lily. Can you believe it?”
My heart swells with joy, and with a giggle, I whirl around to embrace him. I don’t know what was in my cola, but I don’t hesitate to show him my undying affection. My nose nuzzles into the fabric of his shirt at the same time I squeeze him.
“I’m so happy,” I mutter. “So damn happy.”
Wesley turns tense before I feel him relaxing. His hands glide into my hair, and then he hugs me back with a deep exhale. Is he troubled by something?
I lift my chin. “Is something wrong?”
He gently cups my face between his hands. “No, I’m just...emotional, I guess,” he chuckles. “I can’t wait to meet our son,” he adds with a radiant smile, and I know he means every word.
I grin back, feeling like the luckiest woman alive to have Wesley by my side. But suddenly, his expression hardens, his eyes darting to the entrance of the garden. I follow his gaze and see a figure approaching, causing Wesley to protectively step in front of me.
“What is it?” I ask, worried.
“It’s my ex-wife,” he says through gritted teeth. “I didn’t want to have this conversation now, but it seems we might not have a choice.”
His ex-wife? Mirelle?! But I thought she was dead! What in the everloving heck is going on?!
I try to peer around Wesley’s broad frame, and I’m immediately taken aback.
A gorgeous, tall woman with brown hair coming down in waves sashays forward. A short white dress hugs her curvy body, and thanks to her sky-high heels, she makes me look like a child in comparison. She is so beautiful and flashes a confident smile upon seeing Wesley.
“Ah, there you are,” she says. “I’ve been looking for you.”
The whole pack gasps upon hearing her talk, probably because she used to be their Luna before she died, and they didn’t believe she was back until she finally spoke. Even Wesley seems spooked by hearing her talk. He is standing in front of me, entirely frozen.
I can’t help but feel a twinge of jealousy as I take in her beauty. But my immediate concern is for Wesley. He seems rattled, and it’s obvious that he didn’t expect Mirelle to show up randomly at our gender reveal party.
“Mirelle,” he says her name with a mix of surprise and disbelief. “So Freddy didn’t lie on the phone when he said he brought you back from the dead...”
Her smile drops, and for a moment, I think she might actually cry. “No, he didn’t lie about that part,” she says in a small voice with trembling lips. “I’m back, Wesley. I had to go away for a while, but... I’m here now.”
Wesley is silent for a moment, his big body still protectively shielding me from his ex-wife. He stares at Mirelle, but I have no idea what he might be thinking.
“What are you doing here?” he finally asks, his voice low.
Mirelle’s large doe-eyes flicker to me briefly before returning to Wesley. “Isn’t it obvious? I came here for your sake. To start over and be with you. Even after death, there is still a bond between us,” she frowns. “Although I can sense a bond between the two of you too... Is that woman your second chance mate? Why is the bond only half broken?”
Wesley glances down at me, his expression still unreadable. I’m afraid everything we have built is going to come crashing down thanks to his ex-wife returning from the dead. Wesley and I might not be a couple, but there is obviously something between us. Chemistry.
He looks back at Mirelle. “If you want to talk to me, it will have to be after the party. I’m busy right now.”
Mirelle giggles. “You silly Alpha...you can’t just throw me out of your garden, Wesley. I’m still the Luna of the Luan pack. Our mate bond is still there, and I don’t remember you divorcing me,” she smiles sweetly. “But I’m not here to cause trouble. My goal for visiting you today is nothing but pure love; I just wanted to come and see my beloved mate.”
I can feel the tension in the air as Mirelle’s words echo through the garden. No one dares to say a word. It’s as if everyone is holding their breath and waiting for Wesley’s response. He just stands there staring at her for a moment, his eyes flickering between her and me.
Eventually, he sighs and takes off his shirt. “If you don’t leave, then I will make you leave.”
Mirelle whistles. “Oooh, is the part where we duel like old times?” she giggles. “I hate to tell you this, but challenging me is a big mistake. I’m stronger now, Wesley, and my wolf is far larger than yours now that I’m a hybrid.”
“That won’t matter,” Wesley says in a calm tone. “I get this bad feeling when I look at you. Something about you is off. I can’t pinpoint what it is, but you feel dangerous.”
Mirelle gasps, but it’s obvious that she is faking her shock. She is being way too dramatic with her manicured hand covering her mouth. “What? Me? Wesley, I thought I told you that I’m not your enemy.”
Wesley narrows his eyes at her. “You might not be my enemy, but you’re not my ally either. And until I figure out what your game is, I won’t let you anywhere near my pack or my second chance mate.”
Mirelle huffs. “Always so protective, aren’t you? Just like old times,” she sneers. “Fine, I will leave for now. But I will be back, Wesley. You can count on it.”
With that, she turns on her heels and disappears into the shadows, leaving the whole pack staring after her. As soon as her scent can no longer be picked up in the air, pack members start to whisper among themself. I don’t listen to them, though. My full attention is on Wesley.
“I’m sorry you had to see that,” he says and sighs heavily with a gentle smile taking over his lips. “I thought she was gone for good.”
I shake my head, not sure what to say. “It’s okay. I’m just glad you’re okay and didn’t have to fight her.”
Honestly, I’m also puzzled by the fact that Wesley didn’t run into Mirelle’s arms upon seeing her beautiful face. I thought he would. I mean, he still loves her, right?
But perhaps Wesley didn’t do that because he doesn’t trust Mirelle to be herself after the resurrection. She seemed fine and smelled like the living. Wesley, however, might be a little spooked by her coming back to life. Maybe that’s why he took my side rather than hers.
I press my teeth into my lower lip anxiously, fear coursing through my veins as I consider the thought of Wesley ultimately picking Mirelle. The possibility sends shivers up my spine, and my stomach twists in knots.
“Me too,” he pauses and scratches the back of his head with this weird expression. “And I know this might not be the best time, but could we talk privately?”
He wants to talk? Oh no, is this it? Is he going to tell me whatever we had is over? My heart starts pounding. I feel too sick with dread to answer. I don’t want to talk. However, I’m not given much of a choice since Wesley grabs my hand.
“Come with me,” he says, and I gulp while praying he isn’t going to break my heart.