Wolf Bond

Donovon's POV

My eyes involuntarily follow Ivory's every action, as she talks with Cole's mate Maria, and a small smile appears on my face when they land on her stomach.

Honestly, with whatever happening around having a pup was not something which I was looking forward to. But then when I heard that fluttering sound everything just felt right.

After the Luna ceremony, I know things are not normal as it seems to be. We are having a fight against an unknown enemy and it makes me extremely helpless because I don't know who is after her. And I can't discuss this with anyone as there is a chance that her secret will come out which in turn will bring more danger to her.

However, now with her being pregnant, things will become more complicated. As earlier I wanted her to train and strengthen her wolf but now it will not be possible as she will not be able to shift. Solely, relying on her human form to defend herself is going to be impossible for her.

So, now, I do everything which I can to protect her. That means staying by her side all the time. As with strong pull from our pup, combined with the mate bond pull, it is impossible for me to be away from her. It physically hurts to be away from them even if it is for a few hours.

On the other hand, the urge to mark her is always very strong, I just can't stop myself from marking her.

At the Luna ceremony, my instinct took over when I saw her getting pale because of the effect of wolfsbane and I marked her. That time it was not just about claiming her, but more like saving her life because while marking her, I tried to remove wolfsbane from her system. In our pack, to lessen the effects of wolfsbane we are given a small amount of wolfsbane from childhood. Our system is already introduced to wolfsbane so it doesn't harm us as much it can cause other wolves harm.

Moreover, marking her also means concealing her scent with mine so whoever is after her will not be able to find her through her scent. As whenever mates mark each other their scent merges and both carry each other scents.

That's why every time I mark her, I force her to mark me as well so along with our scents, our blood also mixes up with each other which only makes my scent stronger on her, and hers on me.

However, since last night this need to mark her has been increased tremendously. I have marked her nearly four times and still, I am not satisfied. The only thing which is controlling me, from not marking her again, is that she is in front of my eyes and within my reach.

My smiles widen when air carries not only the smell of cherries but it also has a hint of fresh lemony scent to it when Ivory walks towards me. While the small thumping sound brings a calmness inside me.

My arm goes around her waist, as I rest my hand on her stomach gently caressing it when she sits in my lap. Currently, we all are having our monthly bonfire night celebrating newly shifted wolves and the whole pack is in the celebratory mood, however, my reason for celebration is entirely different.

She turns her face to me with a smile, holding her face I peck her lips. Her cheek warms up under my palm, which makes me kiss her again.

Pressing my lips to her forehead, I pull away while inhaling her scent. She never minds with me showing her affection openly, neither she is hesitant and I am really glad for that because I feel there is nothing wrong in showing affection to your mate.

We haven't told anyone that we are pregnant, as I am not ready to share this news with everyone yet.

In a few weeks, everyone will notice the change in her scent and will figure that she is pregnant. Until then we will not disclose this to anyone, even Storm agrees with me. He doesn't want anyone to come even closer to Ivory and pup, and he is driving me insane. That's why I have completely blocked him for now as he going crazy with overprotectiveness with so many people around Ivory, even if they are our pack members.

She rests her head against my shoulder, silently, playing with my fingers.

"What are you thinking?" I softly ask as I can sense her distress.

"I saw a very weird dream today," She speaks, slowly, "In the dream, I was not able to feel our bond, and I felt so empty." Her voice is filled with worry.

"Relax, it was just a dream." I try to comfort her, but her worry doesn't lessen.

"This is our bond, proof of our bond." I press my hand against her stomach, "This ties us together and makes our bond, even more, stronger than before." I kiss her mark and smile against her skin when I feel her shudder under my touch.

"If you want I can make you feel our bond in various ways, that will forever imprint on your mind." Playfully, I nibble her earlobe, as her whole body goes rigid.

"Donovon!" She gasps when I slip my fingers under her shirt running small circles on her skin.

I chuckle when she slaps my hand and quickly moves away from me.

Shaking my fur, I stretch my body as I shift into my wolf. There is a pack run every month so every newly shifted wolf can experience being a part of the pack and the strong ties that they share with each of their pack members.

I watch Dad circling mom as he rubs his scent over her fur. The love they have for each other is so evident, and even after all these years their love never changed. However, it has only increased.

This kind of love is something that I wish for myself and Ivory. The love which increases with time and overcomes all the hurdles.

I nearly go into a panic when Fire emerges from behind the trees. Instantly, I rush towards my mate and growls at her.

She shouldn't be shifting it can harm our pup.

"Calm down, Storm, I can still shift for a few weeks more." She rubs her muzzle against my neck to calm me down, as sparks run across my body, "I would never do anything to harm our pup."

Pup.

A purring sound comes from my chest when our pup's scent reaches my nose along with the steady and strong heartbeat echoing in my mind.

I can easily differentiate between her and our pup's heartbeat, as the pup's heartbeat is faster than hers.

Inhaling her scent, I growl when my scent on her is not as strong as per my liking. Circling around her, I rub myself against her fur as she patiently stands, allowing me to rub my scent on her.

I can't stop myself from pulling her tail with my teeth when she flicks her tail from side to side. She yelps loudly and jumps around to glare at me.

But, quickly, I lick her face and go forward to join the rest of the wolves waiting for me to start the pack run.

"Bad mate." She growls as she follows me.

"I will tell you how bad I am when we will finish with this pack run," I playfully growl.

"No love for a bad mate." She huffs and turns her face away which makes her look adorable.

"Everyone is ready for the pack run Alpha." Beta Cole walks to me, he is still in his human form as he will stay behind to look after the pack until we return from pack run which will last for around four to five hours.

Turning my face towards the sky, I let out a powerful howl as others also join me. The area echoes with the combined howls of my pack, as pride swells inside my chest with the unity of my pack.

Taking the lead, I start running closely followed by Fire. I know she can overtake me any moment she wants, but she wants me to lead her which itself increases my love and respect for her.

We cover the entire land of the pack, then make our way towards our border. Turning my head to the side, I glance at Fire who looks absolutely breathtaking as the wind passes through her golden brown fur.

After making two circles of the border, so that newly shifted wolves can recognize our territory, the pack runs come to an end.

Some wolves shift back and some choose to stay in their wolf form as they play and stroll around.

Nudging Fire with my muzzle, I silently ask her to follow me because I want to spend some time with my mate.

She follows me as I take her to the hill which overlooks at the pack ground. But still, we are away from everyone's eyes.

She sits on the grassy ground, resting her head on her paws. Sitting beside her, I run my tongue across the side of her neck and her face affectionately.

I nudge her to lie down and she complies as I rub my muzzle against her fur. Her scent overpowering all my senses, and the sweet scent of our pup increases my urge to protect her and our pup.

Sitting beside her, I lick her belly fondly, running my muzzle against her belly. Resting my head on her belly I listen to the strong heartbeat of our pup, which spreads warmth inside my chest, filling my heart with immense love for our unborn pup.