I leave the healers office with a lack of understanding on all life decisions. Ares walks right next to me but keeps his hands off while I process everything that keeps happening.

"So what do you want to do for the rest of your day?" He breaks the silence between us, I fight off a scream.

"I would like cheese dip, and a movie with a fluffy blanket." I mumble. I can't hear anything he responds while we walk together to his house. People wave at us, some trying to talk, but Ares waves them off. My feet are my only guidance, my heart wavering between slow and fast.

I might have to mark Ares? What kind of bullshit is this?

The pack celebration is the last thing on my mind as I walk into his house. He walks me to the movie room handing me the remote, "The help are bring the cheese dip. Let me grab you a fluffy blanket." Ares steps away from the couch pulling a large blanket from a closet. He shakes it out next to me then lays it over my feet immediately feeling the warmth.

"How fucked am I?" I mumble to him when he sits down on the couch. He scoots as close as possible without touching me. Ares knows that's the last thing I want right now. The tears return. I know some people say that it takes time to feel the joy of pregnancy, but all I'm feeling is absolute terror.

What if I fail as a mother? What if Ares dies in the challenges? What if someone finds out I'm pregnant and decides to kill me? This seems like much more than most have to worry about, but the biggest fear I have is the most human. What if the baby doesn't make it? How can I guarantee that nothing happens to it between now and the day I give birth? I might have wanted to wait... many, many years, but I also know that I never want to lose a child that I have a chance to bring into the world.

"All those fears, love, are valid." Ares whispers to me reaching out his hand, but I slide away.

"What you can hear my thoughts again?"

"No you were mumbling aloud." He's being gentle. I can tell that this is hard for him too, but he doesn't hide his excitement well. Since the moment I met him he's wanted to have kids, and now he has that chance. I shouldn't be the one to take that happiness from him, but I can't help my selfish thoughts that beat against the side of my head, "Don't worry, love. Nothing will happen to you."

"But what if something happens to you! Asshole!" I scream in return. The help enters with the cheese dip dropping it on the table then running from the room.

"I swear to you, my Luna, that nothing will happen to me as long as I have you to come home to." He sighs looking around the room before coming back to me, "However, it is more important than ever you begin work in the office. I can't protect you while I'm working, and wolves of 12th will make sure to take care of you."

"I doubt you'd let me say no."

"I think I'd drag you there." He laughs. I don't.

"Ares, please think this through. I can't be left alone, you can't die on me. Fuck. Being alone is what got me in that diner running from all my problems. Now I have your ass-holery to deal with..."

"My ass-holery?" The smile he has breaks my resolve finally bringing me back to center. I smile back at him and lay my hands on my belly. Ares picks up a chip covered in cheese dip holding it out for me. I surprisingly allow him to feed me, an unexpected response to this crazy situation.

"You know I love you. In this very fucked up way, that I can't explain to anyone else like at all, I love you."

Ares nods, a permanent smile across his face, "I know, love. And I've already swore to you that I'll protect you. I mean it. You're my everything, and I won't let any harm come to our little family."

"Family." I whisper. My thumbs run back and forth over my abdomen. I can't believe my ears at the sound, "All it takes is one time hm?"

"That's what the pamphlet's say at least."

I snicker, "Thanks, by the way. For making sure to keep yourself... un-fertile? It means a lot."

He frowns squinting his eyes, "But I failed, Veronica. How can you thank me when I couldn't control myself?"

"The effort I suppose. I also agreed to be fucked against a tree, but knowing that you weren't planning on forcing pregnancy kinda makes this easier to accept. I feel like a teenager that forgot the condom."

"I don't know if that's a compliment."

"I don't know either." I sigh leaning in to grab another chip. Ares takes a bit for himself causing a glare from me, "Hey pregnant woman food rights!"

"You found out less then an hour ago and you're already playing that card?"

"And I will for another six months." I grin ear to ear laughing at our interaction, "Now, let me eat this and then I have a party to get ready for. It's time this pack meets their whatever."

"The words Luna."

"Bless you."

He raises his brows, I shovel cheese dip in my mouth like I'm using a spoon, "What? That was a terrible, non thought through joke."

"But it got you distracted from the cheese dip." I end with licking the bowl.