The Alpha's Mother-In-Law's Forbidden Love (The Cresta Chronicles)

Ravyn

"PREGNANT?"

She sat there in shock, holding Jude's hand, with Azandra rattling off do's and don'ts now that Ravyn was carrying a pup and an Alpha's heir.

It was one thing to know intellectually that witches could have babies well past childbearing age in human women, but to know that she now had a pup growing inside her …

"How far along am I?" she asked.

Azandra cocked her head. "It's just been a little over two weeks or so since Jude bonded with you and claimed you, yes? You may have gotten pregnant right away … which meant Hades was endangering your pup, too. Another reason I'm not exactly sorry he's gone."

Jude wrapped an arm around her, his eyes full of wonder. "I wanted more pups. Emer and I just couldn't have them. I know she would have been happy with a bigger family, since we both come from parents that seemed to beget pups like mad. Another child! I'm practically in heaven."

A pup growing inside her.

As a wolf, she'd feel the birth even more than a witch would. She'd seen how fast Garnet, a natural-born shifter witch, recovered from pregnancy. Garnet lounged around with newborn Tiberius and Lucina for a few days–Ravyn suspected Jiro had a hand in that. After a few days' enforced rest, Garnet declared she felt absolutely fine and had enough of lying around. Even Jiro couldn't wheedle her into being pampered for another few days.

Her hands drifted to her belly, even though she wouldn't feel the pup's presence for months. Just the idea of the baby nestled within her made her dizzy.

Jude frowned at her. "This is good news, yes? You want my pup, right?"

Did she?

She'd wanted more children after Lilia, but witches didn't tend to have big families, and she'd never slowed down at the shop long enough to really concentrate on expanding her family with Daxius. She always told herself "later," and "not now," but later never came … and then Daxius disappeared.

"YES," she said, and kissed him.

Not because it was expected, not just because his face lit up like the sky at dawn when she said it. She wanted this pup. This little sibling for Lilia, Bram, and Emer.

"Oh my Goddess," she howled, crushing him with her hug. "I can't believe it."

His arms closed around her, and he buried his face in her hair. "It's like a dream," he murmured. "A gift to us and to our pack. Our people will be so happy. I'm the happiest wolf in the world."

Azandra cleared her throat. "I hate to interrupt, but a pregnant woman needs her rest. Go back to bed now. This is an order from the pack healer and the beta's wife, whichever carries more weight."

Helping Ravyn down from the crystalline bed, Jude thanked Azandra and escorted her upstairs to their room. His arm seemed molded to her body, because he refused to let her go, and once they lay in bed together, he gathered her into his arms and held on for dear life. As though she were the most precious thing in the world.

"My pup," he muttered into her hair. "Growing inside you. Another Faolan to love and spoil. I might be a bit looser with this one than I was with Bram and Mali."

Ravyn's eyes sparkled. "I'm not sure how they, or Lilia, will feel about having a sibling three decades younger … but the elves manage to have babies decades apart and they do just fine."

"I suppose they do," Jude said, holding her close. "Lilia will be fine."

"It'll be an adjustment," Ravyn mused. "But a good one, I hope."

They lay together quietly, considering the possibility of new life. He could feel Ravyn brimming with excitement and also nerves. Restlessness surged within her like a churning river.

"You feel so eager," he murmured.

"I have to tell Lilia and Dane."

His arms tightened around her. "In the morning."

"But–"

"NO. You're still surrendering to me." He nipped her ear. 

"Jude, I just want to–"

He nuzzled her, blazing a trail of pleasure down her neck to her collarbone and breasts. "It can wait. I don't want to share this moment with anyone. This is OURS." his hand pressed against her belly. "My pup is growing there. I remember when Emer was pregnant with our children. I loved seeing her big, round belly. Show me a shifter who doesn't love seeing his mate swollen big and round with their chld, and I'll show you a liar."

Ravyn laughed softly. "Dane absolutely worshiped Lilia when she was six months pregnant. Patch drooled all over Anneliese. Jiro wrapped Garnet in velvet. You shifters love pregnant women."

"Why wouldn't we? That's the future of our pack. And some of us like pregnant male omegas. I don't happen to be in that category in terms of attraction, but any shifter that's with child gets my respect."

He kissed her belly, marveling at it. She felt a wave of joy and tenderness from him. 

"It is remarkable," she murmured. "I wanted another child …"

But this complicated things. How would their families react? Could she go through another pregnancy? She'd be a grandmother and have her grandbabies playing with her own pup. It was bizarre, to say the least.

And they still didn't know what happened to Hades. Life was far from peaceful. The Dark Goddess hated their rebellion against her. She'd want revenge. To bring another child into this world …

But Lilia was willing to, and Thessi was. She couldn't falter now. She couldn't be a coward compared to her daughter and daughter-in-law. The Luna of the Silverpaw Pack had to show courage and resilience.

"It's wonderful." She wound her arms around him, peppering him with kisses. "A miracle."

* * * * *

Kelara POV

Kelara felt the baby move within her. At over five months pregnant, she felt the pup kick and move enthusiastically. It kept her awake, as if the experience with Hades hadn't made her fearful of sleeping. She might see the Dark Goddess' nightmare realm in her dreams.

Reaching across the bed and William to Talon, she murmured, "Are you awake?"

His too-alert voice answered. "Hard to sleep. I know he was evil, but what a waste."

"Even the worst of us have probably done one good thing in their lives," she said, stroking William's black hair and the soft fur of Flufftail, the bunny, who slept, making the occasion bunny snore.

Brooding, Talon stared up at the creamy ceiling. "He could have taken her with him when he died. That would make up for everything."

"I think it'll take more than his death to destroy her–if he's dead for real. I can't sense him."

"TRY."

The intensity in his deep voice shook her to her bones. "I have."

"Try again. He has to be out there. He can't be gone."

Concentrating, she tried to push through what looked, in her mind's eye, like a thick, gray veil. Like a deep fogbank. With her unique sight, she tried to pierce the veil … but couldn't.

"Kelara, you can do it."

Head aching, she shuddered, holding onto William so hard the little boy made a noise of protest and turned over. "I can't. Don't make me."

The blue flames in Talon's eyes faded, and he stroked her hair gently. "I'm sorry. I just–"

"Please, I just want to think about our future, and our family." She placed his hand on her belly. It diverted him every time.

His eyes widened, feeling the pup kick. "He's an active one. He's not harmed at all."

"No. We're all safe. We'll tackle the other problems tomorrow, but for tonight, let's just be together as a family."

Pressing a kiss to her forehead, he murmured, "I love you."

"I love you, too."

* * * * *

Dane POV

Dane loved mornings with Lilia. Especially lazy mornings. Those were often in short supply as a busy Alpha and a father, but when he could spend a morning in bed with Lilia, he grabbed the chance. Today was a holiday, by his decree. Their new visitors and the success of the mission demanded a pack-wide holiday.

Snuggling with Lilia, stroking her golden hair, he couldn't believe how lucky he was.

He might mourn Hades' death on principle, which made no sense, but he felt grateful the monster was gone. Of course, he would probably turn up again. The Dark Goddess seemed unwilling to let him go. But, for now, Dane felt safe.

Lilia stirred against him, stroking the stubble on his face. He hadn't shaved since their ordeal began. It wouldn't become a beard. He couldn't grow one, not like Jiro.

"Sandpaper," she murmured, exploring his chin. "Or pinecones. Or tree bark."

"Ha, ha." 

He kissed her forehead, rubbing her belly in slow circular motions. Goddess, he loved her pregnant body. She wasn't showing yet, but soon, she would. 

"Are you going to shave?"

"I'm going to make love to my mate," he whispered. 

"Is that so?" She gave him a coy smile.

"Oh, it's guaranteed."

He slipped his hand between her legs, and it felt like a river poured out of her.

"You're so wet and warm," he growled in her ear. "And my mate. My beautiful mate."

Hungrily, she kissed him, because she wanted him. Because, no matter what troubles they faced, the desire and passion between them hadn't dimmed. He devoured her mouth, accepting her silken offering, and then set about making her feel as good as he felt.

Much later, they strolled downstairs, lured by the aroma of brewing coffee, and discovered that everyone else had decided to get up slowly. Ravyn and Jude sat at the polished wood Cresta dining room table, looking at Lilia and Dane expectantly. Dane smelled more than coffee brewing.

"Dane, Lilia, good morning," Ravyn said. "Jude will get coffee."

Taking a seat across from Ravyn, Dane studied her. Moon Goddess, she looked pale, her amethyst eyes popping even more in her face. However, she seemed to be faring better than he'd expected.

Jude returned with four cups of steaming coffee on a tray and passed them out, then sat next to Ravyn, regarding Lilia and Dane in a fatherly way. Dane had gone from losing his father Jericho to having two father figures in Daxius and Jude. An adjustment, but he knew it would be positive.

Ravyn took a deep breath. "We have something to tell you both …"