Filed to story: Sorry Alpha I Am Wolfless Novel
“Is it? I didn’t know that the whole point was to have kids that are centuries apart in age. I was so wrong all this time.”
“Don’t worry, sweetheart, I will help you to stay on top of things. Starting with this.”
Joaquin lifted me and slid inside of me then. It was unexpected and perfect. He made love to me slowly and gently. It was something that spoke of love, devotion, and forever.
After our late afternoon break in the bathtub, along with the impromptu love making, Joaquin and I needed to hurry and get ready for dinner. It kind of ruined the entire point of relaxing in the tub, but I guess that it didn’t matter. Rushing like this was just part of our lives and I was used to it by now.
When Joaquin and I made it to the dining room, almost everyone was already there. And with the entry of Juniper and Paul just after Joaquin and I got there, it completed the entire group. It was a little more crowded than I thought that things were going to be in the living room, even though we had had this many people here before. It was fine though, and I didn’t care one bit. We were all family. Not all by blood, but by time and connection. These people were all special to me, and I wanted to share my news with them.
“Riviana!” Acacia ran to me when I was in the room. “I am so happy to see you. We’ve all been separated for too long.” Her and Cedar lived mostly in Faerie now. They came back when they needed to, but she was helping her family with the advancement of their business that they started a while ago.
“I missed you, Casey.” I said as I hugged her back.
“Riviana.” Cedar came and added his arms around me. “I can’t believe all of this happened.” When he pulled away from me, he looked up at Joaquin and pulled him into his arms. “You almost died, man. You almost left Riviana. How dare you! Didn’t I tell you twenty years ago to treat her right?” Cedar was laughing as he spoke, helping us all to see that it was OK now and no one needed to cry anymore.
“Yeah, I remember.” Joaquin patted him on the shoulder. “And that’s why I am here. I won’t ever mistreat her.”
“Oh stop it you guys.” Juniper rolled her eyes at them. “You’re such babies.”
“They won’t stop it.” Paul ran at them, pretending to cry as he threw his arms around Joaquin. “I thought I lost you, Joaquiny!”
“Eww, get off me.” Joaquin pushed him playfully.
“Don’t say that, Joaquin. We need to tell the others about our love!” At that he was pretending to try and kiss him and we were all laughing hysterically.
“And this is why I can’t take you anywhere.” Juniper grabbed the back of Paul’s shirt and yanked him away.
“Gwahh!” He yelled out as his feet momentarily left the floor.
“At least we know that it’s going to be a lively evening.” I took Joaquin’s hand and walked toward the kids. We needed to sit down and enjoy the meal that Abigail made for us. And she had done as I said, she was sitting with us and enjoying the meal while the other maids and cooks took care of everything.
At first, I was content to let the conversation go where it wanted to. And, of course, it went to the unbelievable events of the night before. Most people couldn’t believe how Joaquin had almost died, but they also couldn’t believe how Talia had been such a badass. Everyone was congratulating her, even though it clearly made her look shy and embarrassed.
We all talked a lot about how things were going to go back to normal. And how we didn’t have to worry about our people being hunted anymore. I know that this was a huge relief for them all, and I was happy to see those relieved sighs. It meant that this ordeal really was over.
I didn’t bring up the news right away. I wanted to wait until everyone thought that this was just a way for us all to reminisce and celebrate the end of this gruesome chapter in our lives. I wanted to let them all relax and fool themselves into that false conclusion. I knew that, just like how I surprised those in the throne room earlier, it would be so much more exciting and satisfying if I sprung this all on them at the last minute.
Only Abigail seemed to be waiting for me to spill the beans. I had told her that I had something to say though, so that was expected. And, sure enough, about every five minutes or so, she kept looking up at me and grinning. She was telling me that she was waiting, as patiently as she possibly could.
When I thought that everyone was relaxed enough, and not at all thinking that there was something else that needed to happen this evening, I rose to my feet. Joaquin, seeing that I had decided that it was time to spill the beans, jumped up beside me and took my hand in his.
“Ahem.” I cleared my throat to get their attention.
“Riviana and I have something that we want to tell you all.”
“What? We already know you love each other very much.” Paul pretended to cry. “Damn you, Riviana, you stole him from me.”
“Sorry Paul, he was mine first though.”
“Oh yeah, you’re right. OK, you can have him.”
“You let go of me that easily?” Joaquin was slightly offended. “I see how it is. Fine, I don’t want you either.” He turned away in a fake huff and once again the entire group cackled.
“Anyway.” I drew out the word to change the subject and get their attention. “Joaquin and I learned about something today. Something that was a bit of a surprise.”
“Apparently, last night there was a lot of magic flying around.” Joaquin added as I paused. “And that magic did something other than keep me alive.”
“You see, I am pregnant.” I dropped the bombshell and there were several gasps throughout the room. And a lot of people jumped to their feet to congratulate us. Even Paul put the jokes aside for the time being and cheered with Juniper.
“RIVI FAITH! WHY DIDN’T YOU TELL ME EARLIER!?” Juniper snapped at me but I just laughed. She would get that out of me later.
“Anyway.” I said that word again, dragging them back to attention once more. “I wasn’t pregnant before the battle. And Joaquin and I hadn’t made love since yesterday morning, before the battle. So, how did I get pregnant? And it wasn’t even that time of my cycle.”
“The magic?” Athair m贸r spoke softly. “You used magic to bring Joaquin back. Strong and powerful life magic. And that magic wasn’t done with Joaquin. It quickened his seed inside of you.”
“That is exactly what I think as well, Athair m贸r.” I nodded at him. “And that is why we will be having another baby.”
“I am going to be a big sister?” Zaley asked as she looked up at me.
“Yes, sweetheart, you will. Are you OK with that?” I was worried that, as the youngest, she would be a little upset. Yes, Zachary, Zander, and Zayden were the same age as her, but they were so much bigger that they seemed older, even if they were usually more immature.
“I love it.” She beamed at me, smiling at the thought.
“And I want more siblings too.” Zayden said as he leapt up. Zachary and Zander agreed with him as they came closer to me to hug me as a group.