8: EIGHT

When the car stopped, she knew they were back at her house.

"Can I come in?"

In fact, she wanted nothing else. He got out, even in the pouring rain, and went to her side. He let Tala out, leading both to the door. Once they got in, Tala ran somewhere and Marisol groaned. "I need to take off her harness."

"I'll do it, but let's get you dried off."

She giggled as he picked her up bridal style and took her upstairs. When he put her back on her feet, she could feel the water falling down her legs onto the floor. She shivered and he sighed, going into her bathroom. She could hear the shower turn on, and he grabbed her hand, leading her in.

"Check the temperature, make sure it's not too hot or cold. Take a long, warm shower, and then you will come out and tell me what happened. Are you hungry? It doesn't matter, I'll bring something up."

As he left, Marisol smiled to herself, pressing her fingers to her lips. What happened? And how could she make it happen again?

She decided after a warm shower to not say anything. He probably just kissed her knowing she was upset. What was she even thinking anyway? That somehow he'd fall for her and they'd live happily ever after with their baby that was from IVF even though both were completely capable of having kids?

She cocked her head, thinking, as she turned off the water and grabbed her towel of the rack. Now that she thought about it, she was never told she was unable to naturally produce kids...she could get pregnant through sex. Why would they go through all this work, all the money, when they could just have sex...

But she knew if they had sex she'd never recover emotionally because then the baby would be hers. Not hers, theirs. Somehow, in some illogical way, IVF seemed less personal than sexual conception and she kept telling herself that even though the child would be hers, it wasn't hers. If she had sex, got pregnant, and then had to give the baby up, she didn't think she would ever recover.

As she sat on the bed, wrapped in a blanket, eating French toast with the crust cut off, she almost felt like it was all...going to be alright.

"Tell me what happened."

She shook her head. "I don't want to talk about it."

She asked him to stay, and he fell asleep beside her. When she woke up, he had made breakfast. He told her he had to go get a change of clothes and then they would go to their appointment.

Sitting alone on her bed, her phone rung and she listened to the caller ID. It was her mother; she didn't want to talk to her. She didn't even have the courage to tell Grey even after all the times he tried to get her to open up.

When the call ended, she listened to the voicemail.

"Sweetheart, I'm sorry. You know your father has a temper. You are just so sensitive! Anyway, call me when you get the chance. Love you, baby girl."

Grey returned shortly after the call and she was embarrassed because she wasn't dressed. She couldn't get dressed by herself. She wished Brad was here.

"What's wrong?"

She wanted to cry from having to ask. Maybe she could walk in and just find a dress to wear.

"Marisol?"

"I-Brad usually picks out my outfit."

Grey ran a hand through his hair, looking at her closet that was seamlessly put together. "Oh, I can pick something. I have to admit, I don't have the same affinity for fashion as Brad."

He walked into the closet and starred at the copious amount of clothes. Maybe she would like the plaid pants with the striped shirt? No, it was cold out, something heavier was necessary. Eventually, after realizing why it took women so long to get dressed, he chose jeans and a sweater.

❥

"Good morning, Marisol, are you ready?"

Marisol nodded, but she was so nervous. She was told it wouldn't hurt, but still, she didn't know. Grey led her into the exam room and she was ushered into the bathroom where she changed into the surgical gown again. When she returned, she hopped onto the bed, and anxiously played with her hands. Grey grabbed her hand, sitting beside her.

"It won't hurt, right?"

"No, Marisol. They said it wouldn't hurt at all."

"What happens after this?"

"Well," he started, "in a few weeks, we'll know if it worked. Either you'll get morning sickness or the test will come back positive. Once we know all those annoying rules I told you start."

Marisol smiled, shaking her head. "You're controlling."

"Only with things that belong to me."

She swallowed her nerves. "We kissed."

"We did."

"Did it mean anything?"

"It meant everything, Marisol."

Before she could ask what that meant, Meredith walked in. She smiled, greeting both, and then put Marisol's legs in stirrups to embed the embryo. Beside Marisol sat her mate who worriedly ran his head through her hair, holding her hand.

"This is so uncomfortable," she joked.

"Next time we can just do it the old fashion way."

"Next time?"

He grinned as Meredith put Marisol's feet in stirrups. Marisol winced as she felt something cold hit her core, and Grey ran his hand over her hair to calm her down. She looked him in the eye as the procedure was completed. Meredith suddenly stood, slipping off her latex gloves. She lowered the stirrups and pulled down Marisol's gown.

"You may feel a bit of cramping, but you are perfectly safe to stand, walk, exercise, etcetera. In about a week, you'll come back for a blood test to see if the embryo took."

❥

Grey, as usual, walked her to her door. Except this time, he came in with her. "Are you hungry?"

She nodded. "Would you like to order something?"

He ordered for her, saying that he was not hungry. As they waited for her food, he got her a glass of wine. "I wanted to ask you something?" As she cocked her head, he continued. "I want you to come visit my family tomorrow."

"T-they know about me?"

He nodded. He was lying. They didn't know about her yet, but he would tell them tonight. He couldn't resist the announcement that he had found his mate. He wanted to bring her home with him, protect her, worship her, watch as she grew with his pup.

"Do they know I'm blind?"

"Should I tell them?"

"It's just sometimes people don't know how to react to people who are different. I want them to be prepared."

"I'll tell them. Marisol, you know that your loss of sight doesn't mean you lost your humanity. You deserve the same respect–"

"I know that," she said. "I just don't want them to be shocked."

"They won't be. They'll love you."

"Can Brad come too?"

"You don't need him. You have me."

"I-I know, but you'll be busy with hosting and I'll need help. I don't know your house very well and I don't want to embarrass myself."

"Okay, Marisol. Dinner tomorrow, 7PM."

As he made his way into the packhouse, he was immediately bombarded with the sound of laughter and charisma. "Aye, Alpha, do you want to–"

"Give me a second, I'll come kick your ass in pool soon." Grey did the 'bro' hug with his Beta. "Do you know where my parents are?"

"I think they went home. What's up? Everything okay?"

Grey nodded. "Everything's fine. Meeting in an hour everyone!" He only stayed long enough to hear the chorus of 'okays' before he left. Their pack land was extensive, but his parents always remained close to him. He knew it was his mother's doing, and he had to admit, he was a bonafide mama's boy. As old stereotypes go, his father was always hard on him; he always had to train with the best, studied to be top student, work with diplomates– Grey always had to be the best Alpha. He was happy that his father trained him so hard because it was successful; he was the best, admittedly.

But his mother– his mother was loving, and forgiving, and spirited. She practically raised him because his father was gone many days out of the year. She would sing him to sleep at night, make him cookies, play with him, but most of all, she taught him that it was okay not to be okay– that it was okay, even for a man, to cry. She would let him sneak into their bed when he was scared, she taught him to play piano, she taught him how to love. He knew that's what made him the best; not only was he a meticulous Alpha, but he was a loving one too.

He knocked on the door of their quaint home in the middle of the forest. He smiled as his bubbly mother opened the door and wrapped her arms around his shoulders.

"My baby boy! To what do we owe the pleasure?"

"Is dad home? I have something to tell you."

"Of course, sweetheart. He's in his office. Is everything alright?"

Grey nodded, walking into the home and going upstairs. He went to his father's office and knocked on the door once before walking in.

"Greyson," his father greeted, standing. He took off his glasses, and put down the paperwork. "Is everything okay?"

"Yes, dad. Do you mind coming to the kitchen? I have something I have to tell you and mom."

His dad nodded, following Grey down the hall and downstairs. His mother insisted on making him a cup of tea and talking about how the pack was before he was able to tell them what he wanted.

"Anyway, what was it you had to tell us?"

Looking at his mother, he smiled. "I found my mate."

Both Grey and his father winced from the loud shriek from his mother. "My baby found is mate! Oh, what does she look like? What pack is she from? Who is she?" His mom stopped as Grey looked away.

"Son, who is she?"

Grey looked at his father. "She's human."

There was a brief pause as his mother looked at his father, but both smiled shrugging. "Well, that's okay! Human mates aren't unheard of. She's still your chosen."

Grey was relieved to see both of his parents accepting, although his father might have been a bit more reserved by the idea. Again, his mother's face fell. "What aren't you telling us?"

"She's blind."

"O-oh," his mother said. She tried to smile, but it fell again. "A blind Luna... that's..."

"What do you think, Greyson?"

Grey looked at his father. "She's my mate, dad."

"That's not what I asked."

"I think she'll make a great Luna."

His father simply nodded and his mother fidgeted with the kitchen rag in her hand. His mother smiled. "I'm still excited to meet her! Speaking of which, when are we?"

"Tomorrow."

"Sweetheart, am I getting old or did our son really just say tomorrow?" His mom waved her arms around frantically, immediately starting the oven. "Tomorrow! Son, you're giving me a day? Do you know how much I need to clean? Oh my Goddess, I'm going to need Abagail's help... what does she like to eat? Any allergies– I hear humans have those–"

He interrupted his mom. "Relax, mom. She's...incredible. Don't worry."

"Well, the pack has to hunt before she comes over."

"She's bringing someone with her, so we have to eat cooked food tomorrow."

Both his mom and dad winced but nodded. They were lycans; they preferred the hunt and liked raw meat, but they were able to eat what humans ate. Sometimes it just made their stomachs hurt, though.

"Does she know about..."

"No, she doesn't know what we are."

"When will you tell her? Son, if she's pregnant..."

"I know," he sighed. If she was pregnant and found out, it could cause major health issues for her and the baby. If she was too afraid or panicked... he couldn't think about it.

❥

"I hope you know we are breaking quarantine."

Marisol rolled her eyes at Brad. "We aren't even in quarantine here."

"Well, we should be! Millions of people don't wash their hands, do you know how gross that is?"

"Can you please just act normal?"

Brad narrowed his eyes as they walked up the stone steps onto the porch. He could see ceramic sculptures of wolves on the banister. "I'm getting serious werewolf vibes–"

"They are not werewolves!"

"How do you know, cuh? I know you can't see but we are in a forest and they have goddamn pillars with wolves on them. Serious Volturi vibes I'm getting–"

"The Volturi were vampires–"

"Yeah, well maybe there's a werewolf equivalent!"

"Can we just please go in?"

"You knock I'm not knocking."

"What? Why?"

"Because if we are entering a house filled with wolves I'm using you as bait to get away."

Marisol smiled. "Asshole." She raised her hand and knocked swiftly on the door only to have it pulled open rather quickly. She could hear a hearty sigh before someone's arms were wrapped around her.

"Mom, please." Grey. That was Grey. He came to her rescue, helping her inside. "Hello, Marisol."

"Hey Grey," she whispered.

Brad, realizing he wasn't going to be introduced shrugged it off. "Hey Brad, how are you? Oh, I'm fine Grey, thanks for asking."

Grey looked over at her friend, holding out his hand. "I'm sorry. I get distracted when she's around."

Brad smiled, shaking his hand. "Most men do. Anyway, you must be Grey's mom."

"Yes! Hello, my name is Irabella." She held out her hand for Brad and then looked at Marisol. "I'm sorry if I startled you. I'm very excited to meet you."

"It's a pleasure to meet you too. I'm sure you have a lovely home."

"Thank you, darling. Please come sit. We have much to discuss!"

Grey walked his mother to the table, leaving Brad and Marisol by the door. As Brad looked around, he could see at least 20 people going to sit at the table. "Oh my God, it's a fucking cult," he whispered to Marisol.

Marisol rolled her eyes again. "Well, Grey can initiate me any time he wants."

"See, you're thinking with your vagina instead of your head." Brad smiled as he led his friend to the large table. Her arm was wrapped around his until he pulled out her chair and she sat down. Brad sat beside her.

"Hello again, Marisol."

She cocked her head to where the voice was coming from. She could tell by the scent who it was. "Hello Nolan, how are you?"

"You remember me? You can tell who I am?"

She nodded. "You're Grey's business partner. You smell like almonds to me."

"You can smell who you are talking to?"

Marisol turned to the voice. "Yes. Once I lost my eyesight my other senses grew stronger."

"Ah, I see. Well, Greyson told me about your career but he couldn't give the details."

Marisol smiled, cutting the meat on her plate. "Well, I studied International Studies and Economics in undergrad with the intent to pursue a law degree. Once I graduated, I went to law school where I focused on cooperate law. I wanted to study international law, but considering my circumstances..." she sighed, shaking the sentence away.

"And what exactly does being a lawyer entail?"

"A lot of reading," Marisol joked. "I go to court about once a week, but the rest of the days I spend researching case precedents and create contracts between agencies."

"That sounds very fascinating!"

Marisol nodded at Grey's mom. "It is. I love what I do."

"I sometimes wish I would have gone to college."

"If you ever have the chance, go. Find something you love and then do something you love more."

The dinner continued and Greyson's family eagerly asked her questions. Towards the end, a teenage boy was particularly curious about her condition.

"How did you go blind?"

"Greyson!"

Marisol laughed. "It's okay. I get asked a lot." She felt Brad gently grab her hand to make her feel better. She didn't like talking about it, so she often lied about the truth. "I was in a car accident."

Grey could tell by her heartbeat that she lied, but he demanded his pack to move on. Marisol and Brad helped clean the table once they were finished. The same boy asked her another question as she washed a dish.

"Do you have any superpowers?"

She chuckled. "I'm afraid not, but I'm pretty good at chess!"

"You are?"

Marisol dried her hands with a hand rag as she turned toward the deep voice. She didn't recognize it. "When I went blind it was one of the only games I could play."

"I'm Carlisle, Greyson's father. I'm sorry I didn't introduce myself."

"It's alright. It's lovely to meet you."

"Would you like to play a game with me? No one else enjoys it quite as much as I do."

"I promise you I enjoy it far more," she said, jokingly. "I'd love to play." Carlisle immediately walked away, but Marisol didn't realize. He must have realized he had left a blind girl alone in the kitchen because he turned around and gently grabbed her hand.

"It's this way."

"Check."

Carlisle grimaced at the board. He made his move only for Marisol to declare mate on the next move.

"Don't feel bad," Brad commented, noticing how literally the entire house surrounded their game. "She's literally a chess master."

Carlisle scoffed with a hint of a smile. "You didn't tell me that."

"You never asked."

"You played me."

Marisol laughed. "Want to play again?"

"We are playing until I beat you!"