Three months later

"I look like a balloon." I said frowning at the mirror.

In three months my stomach had stretched out to the size of a watermelon. The dress I wore was loose around me but it didn't stop me from feeling like huge. It was even becoming hard for me to walk without wobbling.

Someone had the brilliant idea to throw me a celebration for the new coming pup- by brilliant I mean stupid. I didn't want to be in a room of people trying to touch my baby bump. It unsettled my wolf.

"But you're a beautiful balloon." Bre said smiling.

I rolled my eyes and stepped away from the mirror. I felt tired and already wanted to take a nap. This morning I hadn't woken up too cheerful. Shayne had woken me up early and told me he would be out welcoming Fallen Ash. The Alpha was a close friend of Shayne's. Apparently, Eric was also invited but he declined the invitation.

Everything had gone smoothly in the past months. Rider kept his distance and didn't try to pose any threat. I felt like he was waiting for the perfect moment. Shayne hadn't said much about Eric. His relationship with Shayne wasn't the best right now.

"This will be fun." Bre tried to be encouragingly.

"By fun do you mean torture?"

Before she could answer, Jake chose that moment to walk in. He looked formal yet casual. I smiled and stepped into his open arms.

"How are you feeling?" Jake asked.

"Grumpy." Bre answered for me.

"You'll be fine." Jake assured me.

"I don't want to go out there." I whined.

"You have to. Shayne already arrived and there are people downstairs waiting for you." Jake said.

I groaned but knew he was right. I had to remind myself that this was for the pack. They were happy for me and Shayne. This was a time to celebrate.

All three of us walked downstairs to the crowed of people inside of the house. I spotted Shayne by the door and made my way to him. He placed a loving kiss in my cheek when I reached him .

"Love, this is Sebastian. He's the Alpha of Fallen Ash and this is his mate Loraine."

I looked at Sebastian and reached out to take his hand. Like Shayne, Sebastian was tall and and radiated power. My attention moved to the Luna who was looking at me with curiosity. She looked younger than I had expected. stretched my hand for her to shake. She hesitated a bit but placed her hand in mine.

"It's nice to meet you both. You people as well." I said looking over Sebastian's shoulder.

"This is Peter and Micah." Sebastian introduced. "Two of my trusted men. I assume everyone else is out and about enjoying themselves."

"Everyone should." I said. "Enjoy themselves, I mean."

"Congratulations." The Luna said.

"Thank you." I smiled.

"Sage, will you keep the Luna some company while I discuss a couple of things with Sebastian?" Shayne asked.

"Now?" I didn't hide my disapproval from him.

Of course he would take now to ditch me and do god knows what. I would lose my patience if more than one person tried to touch my stomach. I never understood why people found the need to do that.

"It will only take a few minutes." He said kissing the top of my head.

"Sure, go ahead." I grumbled.

Sebastian walked behind Shayne toward Shayne's office. I frowned as I watched them disappear into the crowd. He was going to get an earful from me later today for leaving me.

"So, I'm going to go find the food." Bre said.

"I'll be back. I have to get your present." Jake said kissing my cheek.

"Sure, all of you leave me." I said, bitterly.

I realized that the Luna was still standing in front if me. The guy named Peter was next to her looking around the room. The Luna looked at me as if trying to figure something out.

"Do you guys want anything to eat or drink?" I asked.

"I have to pee." Peter blurted.

"Peter!" Loraine scolded him.

"There's a bathroom at the end of the hall." I said pointing in the direction while trying not to laugh.

"I can't leave Lori's side." He said shaking his head.

"I'll be fine." Loraine said, rolling her eyes. "The Luna will keep me company."

He looked reluctant to go, but natures call was stronger than himself. "I'll be quick." He said darting in the direction I had pointed.

I was now left alone with Loraine who seemed slightly uncomfortable. I couldn't blame her. I felt the same way being surrounded by so many people. People would stop at my side to gush about the big baby bump I had and it gave me anxiety.

After a while Loraine and I headed into the kitchen to get away from all of the loud noise. She seemed to be more relaxed now that we were alone. There were snacks and refreshments on the island. My stomach growled the moment I spotted the food.

"Take anything you want." I offered before I started to eat anything.

"Thank you." She smiled.

I grabbed a finger sandwich and started eating. Since I've been pregnant I have been eating more than usual. Wolves naturally take in more food because our bodies burn the calories at a high rate.

I walked to the refrigerated and grabbed two bottles of water. My eyes widened when I saw the pudding and jello snacks. My cravings were so out of control.

"Want one?" I asked Loraine before I got any ideas.

"Thank you." She said smiling.

We both sat down at the island and it was quiet for a moment. I could tell there was something bothering her. I wanted to aid but I also didn't want to pry in her business.

"Can I ask you a question." She finally said.

She looked nervous and a bit shy. Her short hair was in small curls making it stick out around her face. I had to admit that the Luna was very pretty.

"Sure." I said.

"I don't mean to be nosy but Sebastian said you were the Luna that tried to run away." Loraine said with a blush coating her cheeks.

"The Luna that ran away..."

I thought over her words and smiled. I guess that was true. When I first got here I tried running away so many times. I never got away with it though and I think deep down I never wanted to.

"Yeah, I guess I did." I shrugged.

"Why?" She asked.

"Why did I try to run away?"

Loraine nodded and waited for me to continue. I wondered why she wanted to know that.

"Well, I had a lot of things going on. I was kicked out of my old pack and I had gone Rogue. When I found that Shayne was my mate I was scared. I've done some pretty bad things I'm not so proud of." I explained.

"You were scared he wouldn't want you?"

"No. I was scared he would get hurt because of me. I've done that. Hurt people. I guess in a way you're right. I didn't want him to abandon me after he found out what I did."

"Sebastian told me a bit about what happened."

I wasn't surprised about that. Shayne had been telling me for a while now that Sebastian would be coming. Every time he talked about him it was like he was talking about his brother. Shayne told me he informed Sebastian about what happened. Shayne thought it would be good to have Sebastian on our side in case Rider brought a fight down on us.

Despite what Sebastian's pack has gone through lately with the Luna, they were still a strong pack. Sebastian was a good leader. A bit of an idiot if you ask me but still a good Alpha. I was well aware of the problems happening in that pack.

"Did you ever just think about leaving for good?" She continued.

"Yes. I thought about it the several times I tried to escape."

"Tried to escape?"

"Yeah. I thought that maybe by leaving I would have one less problem. But I was wrong. All I was doing was running away from my problems like I had been for years."

"I-I wanted to turn my back on the bond it have with Sebastian." Loraine said quietly looking down at her hands. "I ran away after the war we had."

I looked at her and she looked like a fragile girl. She looked two or three years younger than me. I could imagine how hard the title of a Luna might seem to her. If it was hard for me it must also be hard for her.

"I didn't come back for a while. I didn't want to."

"I would have done the same." I admitted.

"Really?" She asked surprised.

"Sure. You seem really young and I know the pressures of being a Luna. Shayne told me a couple of things that have happened with Fallen Ash."

"Seams like the Alpha's like to gossip." Loraine said a bit sourly.

"More than us girls." I agreed.

"I just don't know what to do."

"About what?"

"It's just that I do love Sebastian but he has hurt me so much."

"He's your mate. I'm sure he loves you just as much as you love him- maybe even more. Shayne hurt me too at one point."

"And you forgave him?"

"Yes."

"But why?" She asked confused.

"It was my fault. I know most of what happened was because of me. I admit my mistakes and he's my mate. No matter how much he has hurt me I was destined to be with him from the beginning." I explained. "Mates are there for each other. We're part human and you should remember that. We all make mistakes. I wasn't ready to be Luna. I was scared and I didn't want to be. I didn't want to screw up. Now.....now I want to be the best I can be. People need me."

"Don't you get tired of it sometimes?"

"I do but that's my job. We all have a roll in the pack. My role is important to the pack and it makes us all stronger. I know you're going through some tough times. You're young but I believe that you can do it."

"Really? You really think so?"

"Yes. You seem strong. You were destined to be with Sebastian. He needs you and you may not realize it but you need him too. We can't be without our mates. This will be hard but it'll get easy. We each have battles to fight. We might fall but you have to get back up and try."

"I think I get what you're trying to say." Loraine said looking a bit relieved.

"If you ever need someone to talk to I'm always available." I said.

"Thank you. This really means a lot." Loraine said smiling.

We hung out in the kitchen while I finished eating. Peter had found us in the kitchen and joined our small talk. After a while we decided to join everyone back out.

I kept coming in and out of the house trying to greet people. Jake had taken my present upstairs to my room. He was sticking next to Bre just so he wouldn't have to mingle with people.

I tried to avoid Shayne's parents but they found me. They both smothered me and touched my belly. I tried to keep calm, but it was becoming difficult.

Loraine was still at my side since Sebastian and Shayne were still in his office. People were still coming in the house. It surprised me when someone actually rang the door bell. I grumpily walked over to the door when no one seems to care about opening the door.

I opened the door and stood frozen. I looked at the last person I thought if see here at this gathering.

"Eric, wha-what are you doing here?"