Page 73 of The Alpha's Auctioned Pregnant Mate

As they reached the peak of pleasure together, their bodies trembled with release. Wren's walls clenched around Articus, her name a whispered prayer on his lips as he found his own release inside her.

Their cries of ecstasy filled the room, mingling in a harmonious symphony of pleasure. The intensity of their connection was palpable, a raw acknowledgment of their deep-seated desires.

Breathless and sated, they clung to each other, bodies slick with sweat and skin flushed with passion. In the aftermath of their lovemaking, they lay intertwined, hearts beating as one.

Afterward, they lay tangled in each other's arms, Wren's head tucked under Articus's chin. His hand rested protectively over her stomach, where their child grew.

"I can't believe we're going to be parents," Wren murmured, a mix of excitement and nervousness coloring her voice.

Articus pressed a kiss to the top of her head. "I know," he said softly. "It's scary, but... I can't wait to meet our little one. To watch you be a mother."

Wren smiled, snuggling closer to him. "You're going to be an amazing father, Art."

As she drifted off to sleep, safe in Articus's arms, Wren felt a peace she hadn't known in years. For the first time sincelosing her parents, she felt like she truly belonged somewhere. She had found her pack, her family.

The next few days passed in a blur of rest and recovery. Cassius's pack healer, Elara, visited daily to check on Wren and the baby. Each time, she left with a smile and reassurance that both mother and child were doing well.

Articus barely left Wren's side, fussing over her in a way that was both endearing and slightly exasperating. He made sure she ate regularly, bringing her meals himself and hovering anxiously until she'd cleaned her plate.

"Art, I'm pregnant, not made of glass," Wren laughed one afternoon as he fluffed her pillows for the third time in an hour.

He had the grace to look sheepish. "I know, I know. I just... I want to take care of you. Both of you."

Wren's expression softened. She reached out, taking his hand and placing it on her stomach. "You are," she assured him. "Just by being here."

As her strength returned, Wren began to explore Cassius's fortress. It was a far cry from the rundown bar where she'd worked or the shabby apartment she'd called home. The halls were wide and airy, filled with artwork and tapestries depicting wolf pack history.

Cassius himself proved to be a gracious host, always ready with a kind word or a funny story to lift her spirits. Wren found herself warming to the gruff Alpha, seeing glimpses of the man Articus called family.

One evening, as they sat in the fortress's cozy library, Cassius regaled them with tales of Articus as a pup from the one time he and his Dad had visited the Dark Side. Wren couldn'thelp but laugh at the image of a young, mischievous Articus getting into all sorts of trouble.

"You should have seen him," Cassius chuckled, his eyes twinkling with mirth. "Barely waist-high and already trying to boss around wolves twice his size. My father always said he was going to be the greatest Alpha the White Moon pack had ever seen."

Articus groaned, burying his face in his hands. "I was a child," he protested weakly. "You can't hold that against me."

Wren grinned, nudging him playfully. "I don't know," she teased. "I think it's cute. My little Alpha in training."

As the days passed, Wren found herself growing more and more comfortable in her new role. The idea of being an Alpha's mate, of helping to lead a pack, no longer seemed as daunting as it once had. With Articus by her side, she felt like she could face anything.

Still, there were moments of doubt. Late one night, unable to sleep, Wren found herself on one of the fortress's many balconies, staring out at the moonlit landscape.

"Penny for your thoughts?" Articus's voice came from behind her, soft and concerned.

Wren turned, offering him a small smile. "Just thinking about... everything," she admitted. "It's a lot to take in."

Articus came to stand beside her, wrapping an arm around her waist. "Having second thoughts?" he asked, a hint of worry in his tone.

Wren shook her head, leaning into him. "No, not at all. It's just... I've been alone for so long, Art. The idea of suddenly having a whole pack, a whole family... it's overwhelming sometimes."

Articus pressed a kiss to her temple. "I understand," he said softly. "But you don't have to face it alone. We'll figure it out together, step by step. And if it ever gets to be too much, you just have to say the word."

Wren turned in his arms, looking up at him with a mixture of love and gratitude. "What did I do to deserve you?" she murmured.

Articus smiled, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "I ask myself the same thing about you every day," he replied.

As the end of the week approached, Wren felt strong enough to consider returning to White Moon. The idea filled her with equal parts excitement and nervousness. This would be her home now, her pack—the place where she and Articus would raise their child.

The night before their planned departure, Cassius hosted a small dinner party in their honor. The dining room was warm and inviting, filled with the delicious aromas of roasted meats and freshly baked bread.

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