Nora
It had been a few days since I arrived at Bloodclaw pack, and Grandma welcomed me.
“You need to eat some more. I mean, the baby needs it,” she urged when she made my favorite, and I smiled.
I was still hurt by what Mason did, but I wanted to make that part of my past. Besides, I had a new future for me, for my baby, and for Grandma. Grandma returned to the kitchen to get her bowl when the doorbell blared.
“I'll get it!” I said and pushed myself up from the dining table, rushing towards the door.
“Who's—”
The words died in my mouth the moment I saw who was standing there. A sharp V formed in both our foreheads.
“Who are…” We said it simultaneously, and there were no words.
“Who is it?” Grandma asked, but I was unable to answer. I didn't know the young man standing there.
“Asher.”
I nodded, slightly turning my head into the house. “It's Asher.”
“Oh Asher, let him in.”
Grandma was still in the kitchen, but I let him in anyway. She returned to the dinner table, and they hugged, making me confused. Then she set the two bowls she had brought from the kitchen.
“Sit, you must be—”
He smiled. “No, Grandma, I brought fresh veggies for you.”
I didn't respond and was nose-deep into the meal I ate. I must have been so invested, I didn't notice he was staring at me.
“Who's she?”
“Nora, my grandchild.”
They made small talk, causing me to roll my eyes.
“You should eat, Grandma; the food is getting cold.”
Not once did I raise my head. Well, I didn't mind until Grandma forcefully made him sit at the dinner table with us.
“I must say, Nora is gorgeous.” Creased lines built up on my forehead. I had heard that before.
Oh right, Mason. He said that and ended up hurting me like I didn't matter.
“Can we perhaps hang—”
“No.”
“But Nora,” Grandma intervened. “He could show you around the pack. You need friends.”
I rolled my eyes. “No, Grandma, I don't. I'm better off alone with my baby!” I held my tummy and pushed myself off the chair. Whatever was said seemed to have triggered my memory of Mason somehow.
“She'll come around. She's just hurt because someone hurt her, but she's the sweetest person you'll ever meet,” Grandma apologized like he was an important personality; well, I didn't care.
Days turned into weeks and weeks into months; my stomach grew, and so did my closeness with Asher.
I found out why Grandma was so careful with her words; it was because he was the future alpha of the Bloodclaw pack.
“Do you love hockey?”
I blinked, taking a pause as I leaned on the tree. He had urged me to go for a little walk, but I started to feel that was a huge mistake.
“No, no, I don't, and please don't tell me you play hockey because I'm going to lose my mind.”
His sudden silence suddenly made my eyes widen. “I can't believe it. I won't make the same mistake again.”
I tried to rush out of there, but he was quick to catch up with me.
“You're not making any mistakes. I have liked you from the moment I set my eyes on you. I also told you I don't care about you being pregnant. We can raise the baby on our own.”
I sighed, shaking my head. “You can't be with me. You need a better Luna, and you're a hockey player.”
He shook his head. “I don't care; I won't stop until you finally agree to be mine.
****
“Who's ready for the game!!!” Asher yelled, and Lucas stretched out his hands to be carried.
“Me, me!”
I watched from a small distance, smiling. I guess this was the best decision I ever made, to put the past behind us and let the future continue.
We weren't married yet because he needed to settle some things with the elders, but he had brought me to the packhouse and gifted me a personal handmaid.
The last two years have been crazy. I had my son, Lucas, moved from Grandma's place to the packhouse. He lost his dad and quit hockey to rule over Bloodclaw.
“Are you ready?” He lowered his voice, capturing my lips in a short kiss.
I nodded, smiling. We usually watched hockey games as family time, and I wanted to admit I fell in love with it.
We arrived at the venue and sat in the front row, eyes fixed on the players seated in the rink.
“It's about to start.” He seemed excited, and Lucas did too. I smirked gently, watching how they bonded.
The match started, and in less than five minutes, a name echoed.
“Mason Storm scores one point.”
The name was too familiar, and my smile immediately faded as sweat formed on my face.
I doubted Mason was here. He properly quit hockey just like Asher to focus on his pack.
I watched again, and my heart skipped a beat when he saw it.
The same technique he used for his back strides. My heart skipped a beat.
“Three points!”
“Asher, I don't feel so good; I need to—”
My eyes were fixed on the rink, and it was then I sensed someone staring at me. He didn't waste time and took off his helmet, making the crowd go wild, but I froze as blood drained from my face.
“Babe, are you alright? You seem…”
His teammates swarmed him. This was my chance.
“I feel unwell. We need to leave now.”
Asher's eyes soften. “Can't you—”
“No, I feel sick.” I forced a gag, and his eyes widened. He grabbed Lucas, and I rushed out of the place while he followed behind me.
My heart raced, and I didn't calm down even after getting into the car.
He got into the driver's seat, staring at the car.
“What's wrong, do you need a doctor?”
I shook my head. “I just need to get home. I feel so sick.”
He nodded, stepping on the accelerator.
By the time we got home, he helped me to my room.
“I'll hold Lucas for a while; you rest, okay?”
I nodded, smiling softly. “I'm sorry I—”
He shook his head. “Don't worry about it. You deserve rest.”
I nodded, but the moment he stepped out, panic set in.
Mason had seen me. Would he look for me, or did I still mean nothing to him?
I had so many fears.