Page 36 of Pregnant By the Alpha Wolf

Everyone nods gravely, equally aware of how badly today could have ended.

Chapter 19 - Willow

“She’s here, shush everyone, she’s here.” I hear muffled voices and scattering feet as I walk up the steps to the lab.

I can’t help but smile at the less-than-subtle surprise welcome-back party. Rowan did a terrible job keeping it a secret anyway, with his insistence that I visit the lab at a specific time and wear one of my nicest dresses. He was practically shooing me out the door as we left, and now he’s trying and failing to hide his mischievous smile.

The lab doors have been repaired, and although I can’t see inside yet, I know the whole pack has been working hard to repair the devastation caused by the fight with Rian and the hunters. The building appears brand new, the doors look heavier, and I notice the enhanced security cameras that I know Kaiden and Grayson helped install.

I didn’t realize how much damage had been caused when the hunters attacked, but in the days after, as I recovered at home, Rowan had filled me in on the structural damage, broken machines, and ruined research. Thankfully, most of the research was backed up, and Rian couldn’t access all of it after our suspicions were raised about the lab being compromised. Still, it was clear the hunters would have been able to pass some information back to the Order, and we have no way of knowing what that will mean in the future.

I sigh deeply, pausing on the steps, and Rowan squeezes my hand. “Hey, are you okay?” he asks, looking concerned.

I shake the thoughts from my head and turn to him. “I’m just thinking about the research—”

He shakes his head comically, stopping me in my tracks. “No, no,” he laughs, “there is plenty of time for us to talk about the research. Will you indulge me a moment?”

I roll my eyes at myself and nod, laughing. If being with Rowan has taught me anything, it’s that I deserve a life beyond my research. I need to make space for the family we are creating—and that includes our wider family, the pack. I can still hear the hushed tones of the people inside, and Rowan clears his throat dramatically as if trying to mask the very obvious gathering taking place inside.

I feign ignorance and smile as he pulls me to the door and uses one of the new key cards to open it. The room is shrouded in darkness, but even without my shifter senses, I could make out the shining silver banner and shadows of my badly hidden friends and colleagues.

“Surprise!”

The room erupts into cheers as the lights come on, and I see just how many people have turned out. The room is filled with my colleagues from the lab, Sara, members of the clinic who cared for me, Griffen with the other pack alphas, and my luna friends. Finally, I see Forrest standing with Kaiden and Kit, beaming at me.

In a clamor of well wishes and excitement, Rowan leads me through the crowd. The lab looks immaculate and very festive, decorated with bunting and banners. Food and drink stations are dotted throughout the main reception area.

Sara rushes over and hugs me. “You are glowing, Willow,” she smiles. “Rowan has clearly been looking after you at home.”

I blush because it’s true. Nodding, I return her embrace, waving at the clinic nurses who helped me so much after the attack a couple of weeks ago. Next, I turn and see Kit, Senna,Kenzie, and Forrest smiling, waiting their turn to greet me. Rowan is shaking hands with the other alphas, and seeing the happiness radiating from him fills my heart. I smile widely at Forrest before he leans in and hugs me.

“It is so good to see you,” he sighs. “This has been quite the drama to watch unfold from afar. It’s so good to be here.”

I feel the lump form in my throat as I look around at my friends and feel a wave of support emanating from them, “I’m just so glad you’re all here.”

“Was it a big surprise? Seeing us all here?” Senna asks, grinning.

“Umm,” I laugh. “No. Rowan has been like a big kid wanting to show off the finished lab. They’ve put so much work into it all.”

“Did he ruin the surprise?” Kenzie says, rolling her eyes.

I chuckle, “Not intentionally; I think he knew I’d be excited about the lab reopening. He must have to make us all get so dressed up,” I say, gesturing to everyone’s semi-formal outfits.

I don’t miss how Kenzie’s eyes go wide, and Kit nudges her in the side. Before I can ask, I see their eyes look beyond me, and I turn to see Rowan standing behind me, the whole room falling silent.

My mouth goes dry as I take in the intensity of his handsome face. Confusion floods my system as I realize this party isn’t simply for the reopening and my return to the lab; I glance around and see smiling and expectant faces.

“Willow,” Rowan says, stepping forward and taking my hands. I feel them tremble in his as uncertainty clouds myvision. “I knew I couldn’t really hide a surprise party from you, but I think I have managed a slight deception, all the same.”

I know I must look completely dumbstruck as Rowan drops to one knee in front of me and gazes at me, both his beasts dancing in his silvery, mismatched eyes. “I did you a grave disservice when you joined our pack,” he continues. “Allow me to remedy that by giving you the mating ceremony you deserve. Allow me to tell everyone here how grateful and happy I am that you are my mate and luna?”

Cheers erupt as I nod through tears I didn’t even realize were falling. As he stands, he slips a beautiful antique-looking diamond ring onto my finger; as I stare at it, he lifts my hand to kiss it. “Not my mother’s ring, but one of the many jewels I’ve accumulated over the years from where they lived. I wasn’t sure why I’d kept this particular one until I realized it was meant for you. I think it always was. See, it’s made for you.”

I gasp, staring at the beautiful ring. It fits perfectly. “I don’t know what to say, Rowan.”

“You say your vows, love,” he says, turning me around to see how everyone is creating a stage area behind us. The lights dim as a projection of snowflakes fills the back wall, and music plays. I can’t believe what I’m seeing.

“Was everyone in on this?” I laugh as Forrest hands me some beautiful winter flowers.

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