Blood Moon: Lunar Eclipse

Ariella

I hadn’t realised that I had missed my last two periods. From the constant training, I didn’t pay any attention to it.

I looked at Logan with large, worried eyes.

“B…But I used my magic. My mother couldn’t do that before because it could hurt the baby!” I panicked.

“Calm down. We’ll get Clara to check you out the second she can,” Logan spoke soothingly, the twitch at the corner of his lip failing to hide his secret smile.

“Maybe it’s different because you’re only half witch?” Caroline suggested. “Your werewolf genes have faster healing abilities.”

That did make sense.

“But I can’t be…” I panicked; I never thought about having children. The war had just ended, leaving much to do without a child to care for!

Logan held me by my shoulders, gazing deeply into my eyes.

“Ariella, take a breath. We didn’t plan for this, but sometimes the best things in life come unexpectedly.

“I will talk to Clara; in the meantime, you stay with Caroline and unwind.”

Logan left me alone with Caroline, who was probably already scheming my baby shower and future play dates.

I placed a hand on my stomach, staring at the missing bump. I was growing a person inside of me and I never even knew.

I felt an indescribable need to protect it; my wolf was already overprotective of her pup.

I never saw myself as a mother; the thought of being one terrified me.

“Ariella, you’ll be amazing,” Caroline reassured.

“I don’t know the first thing about being a mum. I didn’t even plan for this!”

“There are options if you’re not ready,” Angus spoke from the bed.

Abortion?

I couldn’t.

It was not the baby’s fault. Besides, it was usual for the Alpha and Luna to have a child soon after mating.

Instead of thinking about it any longer, I took a deep breath, waiting for Logan to return.

As Clara applied the cold jelly substance to my stomach, the tiny raspberry-sized baby sent me into a trance. Clara confirmed I was 8 weeks pregnant. They were perfectly healthy, so I guess Caroline was right.

Logan refused to let me walk home; I thought I was the protective one, but he was a lot worse. I wanted to protest; however, my wolf instantly submitted to his request to carry me back; he was the dominant mate, after all, and right now, I couldn’t be asked to argue.

Once we got home, he fussed about, grabbing blankets to shield me from the chill and a warm cup of fresh mint and camomile tea. He turned the TV on before asking what I wanted to watch. I chose a rom-com as Logan made me enough dinner to feed three people. I still couldn’t stomach the sight or smell of meat, so he banned it from the kitchens until I gave him the ok.

By the end of the night, after the warming bubble bath Logan made soaked with lavender and rose petals, he carried me into bed. I lay on my back, still unsure as to how I felt about all of this, as Logan laid on my chest, his face towards my stomach and a hand caressing the soon-to-be growing bump.

“You’re not even here yet, and I love you so much,” Logan whispered, his thumb stroking my stomach so tenderly I could barely feel it.

His words were so tender it warmed my heart, and my wolf bristled with adoration.

No matter how I felt, I knew I could get through anything as long as I had Logan with me.

7 Months later

The last few months have been a rollercoaster. All of the newly joined members of our pack had moved to the Blood Moon pack in the last few months. The Shadow pack was demolished. Logan plans to use it as a base for any future wars or threats, including a holding cell for anyone trespassing or threatening the pack’s safety.

The first thing we did was destroy the Wolfsbane Fenrir had grown. We had to dispose of it safely, and the best way to do that was to burn each poisonous flower slowly so it didn’t harm anyone.

Most of the Shadow pack left on their territory were more than pleased to join us. Many were women and children who had suffered at the hands of their previous Alpha. They joined our society smoothly, providing them with the necessary help in order to make them feel at home and deal with any trauma Fenrir and his warriors had caused.

By now, I was as large as a house. We didn’t want to know the sex of the baby; we wanted it to be a surprise. Logan was worse than a bridezilla on her wedding day. He wouldn’t let me go anywhere without him or a guard. He would personally cook my meals 3 times a day, and if an unmated male so much as approached me, all hell would break loose.

My wolf felt safe; although he was clingy and overly possessive at times, I loved him. He made sure I was comfortable, fetching me my random concoction of snacks at all hours of the day. I get why his wolf was so protective. Females get defensive over their pups; we are weary of who we keep as company. But males are unduly protective of both their female and pup. They always want to keep you near; if they could, they would lock you both away in a secure and quiet place for 9 months until it was time to pop.

I turned off the shower, wrapping myself in a towel as I made my way to the bedroom. I would have preferred a bath, but at the size I was right now, I could barely get in the tub myself, let alone out.

I dressed in a comfy pair of joggers and Logan’s oversized jumper. His wolf was calmer when I wore his scent, especially when walking outside the packhouse or with other people.

Logan came in just as I was getting under the covers. His top was exposed, revealing a toned wall of muscle and glistening beads of sweat, clearly from training. I subconsciously bit my lip, wanting to taste his juicy lips as I entangled my hands in his dark brown hair, which glittered with hints of gold.

He must have sensed my arousal as a smirk made its way onto his face.

I couldn’t help myself. These last few months, my hormones have been driving me crazy!

All I wanted was to have my mate. There was a constant arousal that was never satisfied. It’s similar to the heat, though, minus the pain.

He stalked towards me, leaning over and splaying his elbows on either side of my head.

“I can smell you,” he chuckled deeply, “What will this make today? Seven?” he teased.

“You know I can’t control myself right now,” I answered sweetly whilst running my hands down his abdomen, over his defined v-line and into his trousers. I instantly felt his hardened cock, begging to be released.

He groaned, and his eyes closed.

“The showers going to have to wait,” was all he said before he was on top of me. His lips tangled with mine, our tongues fighting for dominance as his hands fumbled with the bottom of my jumper.

I ground against his member, feeling myself slick with wetness.

Then, the wetness grew as though someone had poured a gallon of water all over my groin.

Logan sniffed the air as I looked between my legs.

“L…Logan,” I stumbled.

“It’s time,” his face lit up with a magnetic smile that would usually send me over the edge. But right now, I was frightened. All the baby groups and doctor appointments could never prepare you for the real thing.

It was happening!

Our baby was coming…

As I was in a panicked trance, Logan had already retrieved the large duffel bag from the wardrobe, which contained everything we needed before and after the baby arrived. He had thrown on a shirt and plucked me from the bed as though I didn’t weigh 50 pounds.

“Everything is going to be fine,” Logan reassured, kissing my temple lovingly as he lowered me into the car.

Then I felt it…

My first contraction.

My hand slammed on the dash of the car, and my claws elongated as a crashing wave of pain erupted in my uterus. It felt like it lasted forever as I sensed Logan leaning over me and soothingly rubbing my back.

Once it was over, I strapped in, and Logan drove to the pack hospital.

Clara was already waiting in a private room for me and Logan. She ushered me inside, followed by who I assumed was a trainee doctor.

“How far apart are her contractions?” Clara asked as Logan placed me on the bed.

I felt another surface, and the pain was worse than before.

“25 seconds,” Clara said as it eventually died down.

“You still have a while until you need to push, so get comfortable and drink plenty of fluids.”

“W…What!” I clamoured.

3 hours.

3 damn hours, and I was finally ready to push.

I held Logan’s wrist in one hand whilst the other latched onto the bar at the side of the bed. I nearly broke his hand the last time I felt a contraction, so we both agreed it was safer to hold his wrist instead.

Clara was between my legs as she told me to push. I took a deep breath and pushed with everything I had.

I pushed a second and a third time until beads of sweat streamed from my head. Logans reassuring cooing was partially helping and partially pissing me off.

“I can see the head!” Clara beamed. “Ok Luna, just one last push.”

I felt so exhausted I could collapse at any moment, but instead, I pushed one last time. It was the second worst pain I ever had to endure. But the ache and fatigue shattered the moment I heard my baby’s cries.

I couldn’t peel my eyes off Clara as she wrapped my little bundle of love in a fluffy white blanket and handed her over to me.

“Congratulations, she’s a girl.”

I almost balled out as I watched her soft, tiny hands curl around my pinky. The cries stopped the second she was placed on my bare chest. She had fiery strands of fluffy red hair on her head and the cutest button nose.

“She’s perfect,” Logan’s voice broke as he spoke, leaning down and placing a loving kiss atop her head.

“You want to hold her?” I turned towards Logan.

He didn’t hesitate as he placed her on his chest and then sat beside me on the bed.

“You look exhausted. Why don’t you get some sleep?” Logan voiced as he looked at our daughter in adulation.

“Trying to get rid of me already Alpha,” I teased.

He chuckled then looked my way.

“I’ll take tonight,” was all he needed to say as my eyes instinctively closed, and I fell into a deep slumber.

I awoke to the sound of a soft cry; the sun streamed through the curtains of the private hospital room. I could tell my body was nearly fully healed, as only my tender muscles tightened as I walked towards my daughter.

She lay wrapped in a lilac blanket and fully dressed in her cute little white hat and finger-sized baby gloves.

I thought Logan must have popped out to grab some food as her crying continued. She might be hungry.

I delicately picked her up, took myself towards the nursing seat in the corner and started breastfeeding. I guess the countless baby group sessions really did pay off as she latched almost immediately.

Looking at her now, I feel foolish for worrying before. She is the most precious thing in the world to me, and I wouldn’t change her for anything.

Logan re-entered the room, holding a tray with plates of steaming food and two fresh-smelling coffees.

My mouth watered as he placed it on the side and made his way over to us.

“My two favourite women,” he said, brushing a strand of hair behind my ear.

“We still haven’t given her a name,” I spoke just as she stopped suckling and her breathing evened.

She was sleeping.

I placed her back in the cot before we both peered down at our daughter, who was sleeping soundly.

“What about Lovetta?” I voiced.

I liked the name. I don’t know where it came from, but it seemed... right.

Logan beamed and placed his arm around my waist.

“It’s perfect,” he said, never once tearing his eyes away from our pup.

Our little Lovetta.

18 years later…

Lycan King

A knock sounded in my room.

“Enter.”

A woman sauntered in, wearing a sheer black dress that openly displayed her teasing undergarments.

I have existed for far too long, more than I care to admit, so having a woman to keep me company occasionally wasn’t uncommon, primarily as I haven’t found my mate.

I gave up finding her a while ago, yet my Lycan refused to listen.

“My King,” the woman curtseyed until her knees touched the floor and her plunging neckline was on full display.

I held my finger beneath her chin, lifting her gaze to mine.

“Strip,” I commanded.

With an excited smile, she obliged. The flimsy material fluttered down onto the floor.

I liked my women obedient in the bedroom. Their submission was something I craved and commanded as their King; punishment came when one disobeyed, but every woman I had been with relished in it. Some a little too much.

I don’t think I had come across a single female who had cringed at my advances or shuddered when I commanded their submission. It made me wonder if every woman had a secret dark side, just like me. One that was waiting to be unlocked.

I stood at my towering height. The female’s arousal got more potent by the second as she bit her lip and squeezed her legs together.

One tiny thought crossed my mind as I stared at this woman.

I wondered if it would be the same had I met my mate. Was she shy and timid or strong-willed and stubborn?

Or both?

Would she submit to me like every other female does, or would she take control?

I guess I would never know.

I wrapped my hand around her long, blonde locks. I was ready to lower her to her knees when I scented something so intoxicating that I became paralysed on the spot.

It was coming from outside, far from here. My senses were sharper than your average wolf as I was a Lycan. The sweet, invigorating scent, blanketed in vanilla and jasmine, meant something I had given up hope in finding…

My mate.

Lycans could smell their mates from miles away. Wherever she was, I will find her.

The hair on my arms and legs grew thicker, and my bones began to crack and morph. My golden irises brightened in the darkness, reflecting off the window as my vision sharpened. My once-human hands turned into sharp claws, and my teeth elongated into razor-sharp canines. I stood, a towering creature twice as large as my human form.

My Lycan was in control, and I was at its mercy.

I jumped out the window of the three-story mansion and landed gracefully on all fours. I sniffed in the direction of my mate, trying to locate her.

Found it.

I ran into the night with only one thing on my mind.

Nothing would get in my way; if they did, that would be their last foolish mistake.

I will return with my Queen; nothing can stop me. Not now that I’ve scented her.

“I am coming for you…

“Mate.”

End of Book 1

Keep an eye out for Book 2 as you’ll be taken on a rousing journey alongside Lovetta, a young and gentle woman who harbours a dangerous secret, and her mate, the mighty Lycan King.

I wonder how this story will go?