Forty-Two

I have to apologize to everyone reading because I messed up... Adam's girlfriend (now wife) is Claire! I referred to her as Carly chapters ago when adam and Blake met... I'm sorry. I just reread the book and noticed it. Again, I'm sorry!

Dedicated to @AJSCURRAH for the comment about details!! You made my day!! And to @AdriannaV because of the comment on chapter 27 (if im not mistaken) because my smile still hasn't left!! You all make writing more than worth my time!!

Thanks to everyone reading!! 30+K Views!!!! Love you guys!!

Please keep VOTING and COMMENTING!!!!!

CoffeeAndABook6

******

As Caden disappeared through the forest I stood there sipping a coffee. Sam came up beside me and I hugged her.

After a few minutes I pat her back and pulled back, "They'll be back. How about we-" I stopped when a group of my old pack members came in laughing.

That used to be me. I used to walk around here so casually, laughing and smiling and having fun. Now I'm running a joined pack, am mated, am carrying a pup, designing a new pack house and more.

I smiled and subconciously rubbed my tummy. I couldn't be happier. This is the life. Caden was right.

"Blake?" Sam asked and I blinked away my thoughts. Sam was nervous again.

"Sorry, my thoughts are all over." I turned to the group and they stopped and looked at me with a smile.

"Blake! I didn't know you were here. We knew you were now Alpha, but... you're staying here?" Jenny.

"Luna. Caden is Alpha. We spend a few nights at one and then a few nights at the other alternately."

"Cool. Is Alpha around? I haven't noticed him."

"He's dealing with someone right now. We were hoping to have a gathering and we'll both be there, talk about the new joint pack, and the changes."

"Changes?" One of the guys asked skeptically.

"We're all one pack now. Changes have to happen for the better. But it's more to undo the wrongs of the past Alpha."

"Your dad?"

"My father, yes."

They all went quiet.

"I know it's not particularly sad that he passed. I'm on the same page as you all. He had the title but not much more."

There seemed to be a collective sigh before smiles returned and a million questions came out at once.

I laughed and walked to the table, "Let's sit and talk, yeah?"

They all took a seat before Sam went to leave, "Sam?"

She turned back around, "I was just going to-"

"Would you stay?" I wanted her to get to know people. This would help.

Blake I can't. No-

Sam I'm right here. Last time I introduced you to someone you fell in love wih them. I'm not saying that'll happen again, you have Daniel, but having friends here would be good too.

I saw her hesitation before she pulled up a chair and they shuffled their chairs to make room beside me.

Thanks Luna.

Blake.

No, that was a Luna thing. I nudged her shoulder and she nodded.

"This is Sam. We met at the Bluelake pack a few days after I got there."

There were a few hello's and hi's before she smiled and looked to me.

"Okay, what's the first question you're all itching to ask?" I asked with a chuckle and they all looked around, "Jenny?"

She shook her head and I sighed quietly.

"Guys I've known you all my life. A few months doesn't change anything. Just ask whatever comes to mind."

"Why did you leave?"

"To mate with Caden."

"So you were Luna of that pack?"

"I did it for him, but I'm Luna of both now, yes."

"How does that work? Even though you left you have to come back to lead this one too, now that the Alpha died."

"Caden and I were asked by council if we would run it, since our mating allied the packs. We agreed and the council is helping us build a new packhouse in a central area and we're supposed to merge them into one since they're both relatively small."

They nodded slowly,  Jeremy spoke up, "What about the guards? Will we be fired?

"We have to guard both territories, together. That means we need even more guards. I don't deal with that area specifically so Caden would have to answer your questions, I'm sorry. He won't mind though."

"When's the gathering?"

"Depends when he gets back. If the problem is solved then it will be around dinner, but if they don't get back the gathering will be postponed until midweek."

"Is it so we have to talk to the other pack?"

"The other half of the pack? No. You don't have to talk to anyone. Guys we're simply putting two together. I know my father did a shitty job of running this one. Nobody talked to him and vice versa, he was not into socializing with any of you, we didn't have pack dinners, we were very alone within the pack but Bluelake isn't like that."

"So we have to live how they live?"

"No-"

"But you said they aren't like that and we have to be one."

"We do have to be one. But if you don't partake in dinner or socializing so be it. My point was that Caden talks to everyone in the pack, we both do. We would like this pack to be more familiar with each other, the way it was with my grandfather. Bluelake is closer to that and we hope everyone wants that same thing."

"I miss your grandfather." I heard the familiar female voice and jumped up and hugged Jess.

"I missed you Jess."

"You too Blake. Or should I say Luna?"

"Blake's fine. Don't be an ass."

She laughed and we both sat at the table.

A few other people mentioned missing my grandfather and I nodded, "We want the pack to be restored to how it was then."

"A lot of people are saying that Caden runs his pack the same as Alpha did."

"Caden is Alpha. I know people have been saying that and drawing back to be more secluded, but I promise you guys he's nothing like that. He's better than my grandfather was."

"Until he gets power," a guy in the back snapped and I moved to see who it was.

"Phil." My father's lead guard.

"Blake."

He stared down at me as if I was trash.

"Caden is nothing like my father was."

"Exactly. He can't run a pack."

"Can we discuss this later Phil?"

"No I think now is a great time. Unless there's something about Caden you don't want us to know." He said glancing around.

"There's nothing Caden would hide. Myself either."

"He's a bastard. He'll never be able to handle two packs. Alpha made this pack what it is."

"Caden is Alpha-"

"No I mean the man who even put in his will that you get no choice of being Luna. He didn't want you to have the chance to fuck it up."

"He did that himself-"

"He made this pack what it is!" He stormed across the kitchen and I stayed where I was. All eyes were on us. I didn't want to back down to him. I wouldn't back down to him.

"He made everyone scared of him." I spoke with finality. He wouldn't win this one. "This pack has no resemblance of a family. That's no way to run a pack."

"He put his time into protecting this pack!" I gasped as he pushed me into the wall and put an arm across my throat, "We would be weak without him after your grandfather! We need to protect these wimpy wolves! Not pretend everything is fine and happy and rainbows!"

I couldn't breathe. His arm pressed harder into my throat. I heard Jess and Sam yelling at him before one of the guys walked up to him. Phil smacked him across the face and the guy dropped unconcious.

"Council should've stayed out of this! They killed Alpha and they put a little bitch like you in his place!" His hand smacked the wall by my head. His knee hit my stomach and pain went through my torso in waves. God I hope the baby is okay, I will never forgive myself if I lost Caden's pup. I think a part of him would die and I would die as a result.

I choked out, "Caden is Alpha." I don't think he could even tell what I was saying but I kept repeating it as he yelled at me.

"You're a pathetic excuse for a Luna! You're a little bitch like your mom was! Talk and talk and never do shit! Your fucking useless! All your good for is a good fuck after a long day of work! You had no reason to be given that title!"

"Caden is Alpha." I choked out again and I felt weak. I was losing touch with Caden, I couldn't talk to him it used too much energy, I couldn't feel him. I couldn't breathe. My knees had given out but all I wanted was the constant hum of his capable mind in my own. I wanted to feel that love he always had for me. "Phil-"

He brought me forward and I gulped air before he smashed my back to the wall. My head exploded in pain and my back felt bruised. I would heal.

"Don't talk to me! You only care about rebelling against Alpha! I am nothing to you! Like you're nothing to me but another little slut that would be an easy fuck!"

"Caden... is... is... Alpha."

"Shut the fuck up!" He screamed before pressing his arm to my throat harder.

Suddenly he was gone and I heard grunts. I slumped down the wall to see a huge dark brown wolf on top of Phil.

Caden.

Caden attacked Phil until Daniel and Ben held him and took Phil out of the room.

Caden was beside me moments later, then I was in the air and then chaos broke out as he ran me through the house. He was yelling to someone to show him to a room, I forgot he doesn't really know this pack house.

I heard a lot of noise but still managed to close my eyes.

Don't. Open those emeralds of yours Bee. Caden sounded desperate.

My head was throbbing and I struggled to calm my breathing.

Bee! "Bee! Stay with me!"

I nodded and curled into him. My back hurt, my head hurt and I was terrified something woukd be wrong with our pup. I couldn't live with the guilt if I lost the child. Caden was already so excited for them. He already loved them so much. I couldn't even imagine.

------

I slowly came to and heard Caden's voice. I'm assuming he was talking to the doctor. That thought changed when I realized how frustrated and angry he sounded.

"Caden?" I asked as I slowly opened my eyes.

"Bee! Now move out of my way!! The second part was a growl to someone else. I looked around but didn't see him.

"Caden?"

I heard a scuffle before someone walked in, "Do you know this man?"

I nodded immediately, Why is he asking if I know you Caden?

Caden gave the man a pointed look before the man scurried away. Caden was at my side the next second.

"How are you? How long have you been awake? Are you still sore?"

"Caden what is going on?"

He sighed, "They wouldn't let me come in. They thought I was the one who hurt you because of the blood on me. Bee I was going to kill that guy if he didn't let me see you."

I held his hand and he slowly relaxed, "Did you tell them you were Alpha? I think they'll be more than shocked when they find out."

He gave a small smile, "You're amazing." I gave him a questioning look but he let it go, "How are you feeling?"

I shifted and moved, "I feel okay. Why did I pass out?"

"I don't know. The doctor said you were probably in shock. Are you sure you're okay? No pain? What did he do to you?"

"He just held me against the wall."

"Not just. The doctor said your head had been hit and your spine but he didn't know anything else."

"Did he say anything else?"

"Not that I know of but I only know what I overheard since he wouldn't talk to me."

I noticed that was a sore spot, "Caden he was just doing his job."

"We need to have that gathering. I want everyone to know you're mine."

"What time is it?"

"Bee you just got attacked by that fucking asshole we're not having it today."

"Caden I'm fine-"

"Exactly. Paul said he would find a day this week that he could get some wolves to patrol. We'll do it then."

I nodded. I looked down, "Did the Bluelake doctor come?"

"No, why? Are you in pain?"

I shook my head, "Caden..." I couldn't even think about it how was I supposed to talk about it? If the pup was hurt because of me...

"Bee talk to me. Your thoughts are scaring me."

"He kneed my in the stomach Caden." Caden shot out of his chair and paced for a few seconds before picking me up and holding me to him.

"Bee the pup will be fine, you said it yourself, they're a survivor. They're strong. And if they aren't, promise me you won't blame yourself. This was not your fault. The fucking asshole that put his hands on you-"

"Caden I should've just ignored him. I tried to make him see how skewed he was rather than siding with my father. Maybe he wouldn't have kneed me."

"No. No. No. No. No. Don't think like that. This wasn't your fault. This was your father still wrecking havoc from six feet under." He squeezed me gently, "Don't blame yourself. I failed in protecting you Bee."

I shook my head but he made me look him in the eye, "I'll try Caden but I don't know what I'll do if they're hurt."

"Do you feel any pain?"

"No."

"Then they'll be fine. You'd feel pain if there was something wrong."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes." But I knew he was clinging onto it just as much as I was.

"Thank you."

He kissed my forehead gently and we stood there embracing each other.

------

Caden and I drove back to Bluelake pack house for the night. After today it was nice to just be home. Both packs are ours, but this one felt more like home. I hope we can make both of them that way one day.

I showered and laid in bed after Caden made me eat. It had been a few hours since we left the doctors at the other pack house.

I was laying on my stomach with my cheek on Caden's pillow. He smelt so good. I was in that state before you fall asleep where you know what's happening but at the same time are pretty much dead.

I felt relaxed and calm for the first time in hours.

Caden moved the blanket off my back and lifted my shirt up as his lips ran lightly up my side, "So beautiful."

I mumbled a bunch of gibberish into the pillow, causing Caden to laugh and lay his chest across my back so he was talking in my ear, "What language are you speaking babe?"

"Ass."

"Weird that word came out clear."

I laughed and rolled over and his face was mere inches from mine, "Isn't there a saying about the truth being free?"

He scowled before we both just laughed and he held me.

------

"Caden I don't want to. I want to sleep." I wrapped the blankets closer around me as I curled away from his prodding finger.

"Babe please just come with me. Then we can have breakfast and maybe even go to the pond."

"Another hour."

"Bee."

"Caden you said it yourself, if the pup isn't causing pain then they're fine. And I am too."

"Knowing for sure won't hurt anything. Please Bee, please can we just make sure our pup is okay?"

"Caden why can't we wait an hour? I'm exhausted."

"If I wake you up in exactly an hour, you promise to let me take you to the doc?"

"Yes now shut up and hold me sexy."

He chuckled, "I love your demanding side."

"Caden. I'm going to tell you where to go if you don't let me sleep."

He held back his laugh as he curled me into his side, gently running his hand over my stomach, "Sleep tight." I love you.

I love you too. I paused before adding, Ass.

He laughed and I fell asleep with a smile.

------

Not a minute past the hour mark Caden woke me up and dragged me into the shower.

Ten minutes later I was dressed and joined Caden as we made our way downstairs.

The doctor was at the other pack house still, apparently he spent the night after saving Phil's life.

"Caden what happened yesterday?" I asked as I enjoyed my yogurt and granola with strawberries.

His eyes turned dark with horror, "I was coming back from talking with Paul when I didn't feel you any more. You were slipping away and you didn't respond to me. You-"

"No, Caden I meant with your parents, I'm sorry." I hated to make him go through that again. Last night he didn't sleep well. He would suddenly hold me tighter to him and such as it went on a loop in his head. I woke him up once and after that he kissed me, did his creepy staring thing all over my face, and then he slept fine.

"Oh. They thought they were in an old bunker that was on the neutral territory where their scent disappeared but it was empty. Their smell was there so we went further. Bee there are tunnels everywhere."

"Tunnels?"

He nodded, "There are tunnels leading in six directions off the bunker. Paul said he had never heard of the tunnels so he's going to look into that for us as well. He thinks it was for wolves that escaped the rogues many years back when the rogues teamed eith the himand to kill us off."

"When the fated mates ended."

He nodded, "The war was crazy and we all know we're lucky to be safe now. Paul thinks we hid in the tunnels, he was across the county at that time amd they didn't have tunnels there, but he doesn't know about here."

I nodded, finished my yogurt and we kept talking about the tunnels. Caden told me they are searching them all. If they find anything we'll be the first to know.

Alpha, Luna, I'm in my office when you're ready.

We're on our way Doc. Thanks.

We put our dishes away and I reached up to close the cupboard door. I blocked Caden again as the pain went up my side. Like a knife being dragged down.

"Bee?" Caden was soon beside me, "What's wrong?"

"Nothing-"

"Blake."

I looked down, "It's the same pain as before."

He lifted my face to look at him, "Please don't block me out."

"Caden you don't need the pain."

"You blocking it from me hurts more." I saw the sincerity in his words and nodded. "Thank you Bee. How many times has it happened?"

I couldn't lie to him, "Three times."

His head dropped before he hugged me, "How bad does it hurt?" Before I could respond he interrupted me, "Honestly."

"It's like a knife running up my side."

"Always the same side?"

I nodded. He squeezed me gently before placing his lips on my forehead.

"Let's go talk to the doctor."

I nodded and the doctor welcomed us into his room. We sat and Caden held me on his lap.

"I hope you're doing okay Luna."

"Yeah I'm fine-"

"She has pain in her side doc." Caden said and gave me a pointed look.

I sighed, "Sometumes when I reach up or something I get a pain in my side."

"Is this new? I know you were hurt yesterday."

"I had it before yesterday a couple times, and earlier today."

He nodded, "What does it feel like?"

"Like a knife up my side."

He got me to stand and pressed his fingers to my stomach slowly working his way over. Caden growled once and the doctor raised an eyebrow to him, "Should I stop Alpha? I have complete respect for you son, and with all due respect, I have my own mate. I would never do anything."

Caden clenched his jaw before nodding, "Sorry doc."

"I understand son."

The doctor continued and I felt Caden tense slightly.

"You don't show any sign of pain Luna."

"No it doesn't hurt."

He nodded, "Can you put your arms straight up?"

I did so and my side felt uncomfortable but not painful.

"Any pain?"

"No it's just uncomfortable."

"Is it always the same side?" I nodded. "Try to reach as high as you can."

The pain was instant. Caden brought my arms to my sides as he stood behind me, "Not again doc." He growled lowly.

He nodded with a slight bow.

Bee are you okay?

Yes Caden. I'm fine.

The doctor brought his eyebrows together and got me to move my arms again in different ways but none of them hurt.

"Did you hit your stomach recently?"

"I took a knee to the stomach yesterday but I felt this before then."

"Is the pain worse now?"

"The same I think."

He nodded again before he decided to do my two month checkup now but nothing new turned up.

"Doc what is it?" Caden asked as the doc seemed to think of something.

"Have you always been this thin Luna?"

I nodded, "I'm bigger now with the pup than ever before."

"Have you been hungrier or more tired lately?"

I shook my head but Caden nodded, "She sleeps longer and is tired faster lately. That's normal right doc?"

"Yes and no."

"Doc?"

"I might be right then, let me show you."

"Doc is Bee okay?"

"Yes. If I'm right she's better then okay. You might be close to three months right?"

I nodded, "Maybe. We didn't notice right away."

"Then you may not have shown early."

"Right about what doc?"

He smiled and started movinf a few machines around, "Let me show you Alpha. I don't want to ruin the surprise."

Caden brought me over to the table and I laid down as the doc asked me to lift up my shirt. I did as Caden glared at him, Caden let him do his job.

I wish I had become a doctor Bee. Then I could've done this.

I laughed and he scowled playfully at me. I tried to lay still and Doc brought the ultrasound screen to where we could all see it. He put the clear gel on my stomach and I gasped at the cold feel. He put the handheld gadget to my stomach and moved it around before stopping.

He smiled wider, "I was right Alpha, Luna. Do you see that?"

I knew exactly what he saw. I looked to Caden and my smile widened as I saw the love in his eyes at the picture on the screen.

I love you Bee.

I had never seen Caden happier than right now as he looked at the little screen of my stomach.

I love you too Caden.