Reckless Regrets
Chapter 45

Morgan

Kade and I had a long and active night, but at some point, we both passed out from overexertion. When I woke up, I was surprised to see that our usual sleep positions were reversed. I was on my back, and Kade had his head nestled in my bosom, and his hand resting comfortably on my belly.

He looked so content like he didn’t have a care in the world, but I knew that as soon as he woke up, he’d have to go back to playing Alpha and dealing with the stress that came with it. So for now, I allowed him time to relax, and even though my boobs were sore from the surge in hormones, I didn’t make him move.

I ran my fingers along his spine and watched his muscles twitch at the sensation. It would be incredible if all of our days could start like this, but with the dedication Blue Moon required, mornings like this were far and few in between.

“You know that tickles me, but you keep doing it,” Kade groggily stated.

“Your heavy pumpkin head resting on my t**s hurts, but I didn’t make you move. We all make concessions for the ones we love.”

He lifted his head and looked at me.

“Are you saying I have a big head?”

“Absolutely. I hope this kid takes after me; otherwise, my labor is going to be pure hell,” I replied.

He feigned offense, then began to tickle me until I took back the insult.

“You’re mean! But you’re sexy as hell, so I’ll let it slide. What time is the appointment?” he finally asked.

“8:00 AM. I wanted to get it done early, I didn’t want to have to wait all day thinking about the procedure,” I replied.

I hadn’t realized that I’d placed a protective hand over my belly until Kade leaned down and kissed it.

“Well, the only procedure we’re thinking about today is an ultrasound. I wish we could see the baby’s face, but she probably looks like an alien tadpole right now.”

“You keep saying ‘she.’ I don’t want you to get your hopes up, babe.”

“It’s a girl, I know it. Let’s go down for breakfast before we head over. You want Belgian waffles?”

Did I want Belgian waffles? Was the sky blue? Hell, yes, I wanted Belgian waffles.

“Only if they have a ton of fresh fruit and whipped cream,” I replied. I had to play my excitement down; Kade was already cocky enough.

He picked up his phone and sent a text message to who I didn’t know, then went into the closet to get dressed. I know he missed not being able to link everyone, I’d never been able to do it myself since I was a bear, but I was sure that it was missed, especially in times like these.

“How much longer until Xander takes over Canyon Woods?” I asked as I pulled on some yoga pants and a T-shirt.

“Everything should be done by Monday. Remember the DNA test I told you I took before I left for Oregon? Those results are back now and add that with Thorne admitting to changing the samples and the test that Nate took, Xander is good to go.”

“How will it work? That pack is over two hundred miles away,” I asked. I’d always been curious about this detail.

“Two hundred and seventeen to be exact. As long as their border is within two hundred fifty miles of ours, they can be absorbed,” he said.

That explained very little.

“What do you mean ‘absorbed?’ I still don’t understand.”

“Think of it as a satellite location. The Canyon Woods wolves would be Blue Moon in every way imaginable, just in Oregon instead of Cali.”

“And what would that mean for Marisol? She expected to be Luna, what will she be now?”

“She’ll be another member of the pack. She wouldn’t hold a rank, and Cameron would no longer be next in line for Alpha. I mean, her pack would essential no longer exist, so any Canyon Woods arrangements would be gone as well.”

“That will be tough to take. I was just a Beta and being demoted sucked. I can’t imagine what going from Luna to ‘normal’ would be like,” I replied.

“Just a Beta? You really are mean this morning Sugar Bear; I thought I was giving you the world when I made you mine,” Kade dramatically stated.

“Oh, cut the crap, sir. You know what I mean, and I loved being Beta. Gamma is not so bad either.”

“We’ll all go back to normal when this is over; I’m sure Tyson will be happy to take those Gamma responsibilities off his plate.”

When we were dressed, he took my hand and led me down to the dining room where my waffles were hot and ready, loaded with strawberries and blueberries. We sat down and enjoyed breakfast with the rest of the group, and as time ticked along, I became nervous about the appointment.

We were going to see our child and make sure it was okay. Somehow, that realization was more nerve-wracking than the thought of the abortion when I’d initially scheduled the appointment. Crazy.

Kade must have noticed my change in mood because he reached over and took my hand then began to rub soothing circles with his thumb. He didn’t have to say anything, and neither did I. We just understood each other and knew when one needed the other.

“Alright, Momma Bear! Let’s go take a look at that baby; I’m so excited!” Taylor squealed from across the table.

I returned her smiled, and nodded. I was ready.

***

Kade

I stood guard by Morgan’s head and watched the doctor squeeze the weird blob of lube on her belly. Why she needed that crap was beyond me, but I also wasn’t a doctor, so what did I know?

“Okay, so that you know, your pregnancy will run five months. Since you’re a bear, you’ll have less of a problem giving birth to a bear/wolf hybrid because your body is more equipped to pass a larger cub than a wolf is. We won’t determine s*x until nine or ten weeks, so this will just be a wellness check, making sure you and the little one are healthy. Any questions?”

“None from me. Let’s see what we’ve got,” I excitedly replied.

Dr. Bennett smiled up at me then ran the wand through the gel until a weird grainy picture formed on the screen. She hummed while she studied the image, and I found that I couldn’t take my eyes off it. I really had no clue what I was looking at, but I knew that it was a child that I’d made with Morgan, and that made it the most perfect creature in the world to me.

“We’ve got three heartbeats,” the doctor stated.

“Like hell, we do!” Morgan shouted before clapping her hands over her mouth.

I just stared at the screen. Three? At the same time? I could feel myself getting weak and just prayed that I wouldn’t pass out.

“I, uh. Are you, I mean, how can you…”

Complete gibberish. I was prepared for one, not three. Having to protect three little girls was going to be torture.

When Taylor and the doctor began to laugh, I was confused. This s**t was not funny. I’d need to get a job; Beta money was good, but I didn’t know how it would pay for three college tuitions.

“I’m just kidding; it’s only one cub in the oven. Taylor wanted to play a joke on you, and I was all too happy to help her out,” Dr. Bennett cheerfully stated.

“You, b***h,” Morgan said, shooting her friend a murderous glare.

“I needed to lighten the mood, everything was so tense,” Taylor replied, still smiling.

“Everything looks good so far. Plenty of rest, water, vegetables, and take your vitamins. When you come back next month, I’ll be able to tell you two what you’re having,” the doctor chimed in.

She cleaned Morgan’s belly then stood up to leave.

“Wait. What about my test results? Xander said they would be ready today,” I asked.

“They were sent to the Alpha this morning; because he asked that I only provide the results to him, I can’t share them with you.”

She looked embarrassed. It was my DNA test, and she couldn’t tell me the results? But I was with her when Xander gave the order, so I understood.

“It’s fine. I’ll head up there after this and get the news. Thank you for working so hard to get them back so quickly. I appreciate it.”

“You’re welcome, Alpha Thomas. I’ve got rounds to do, but I’ll see you back here in four weeks. Take care of that beautiful mate of yours.”

She then left the three of us alone.

“Alright, you guys, I’m off to go find my husband. I want to spend some quiet times with him before he transforms back into that man who used to scare the s**t out of me,” Taylor said with a frown.

“Don’t worry, beautiful; no matter what happens, he’ll always come back to you. Whatever he does this weekend, it’s just to survive so that he can see your face again,” I told her.

She was so nervous over all of this, but because of her devotion to the pack, she kept quiet. I wanted her to know that I understood and that she’d get through this.

“Thanks, Kade. Congratulations on the little one, I can’t wait to meet him or her.”

By the time Taylor left, Morgan was dressed and ready to go, and I figured she’d probably go find Alaia or Aires to spend some time with while I spoke with Xander. I was right because as soon as we were back in the main house, Aires popped up out of nowhere going on about making Henry cupcakes for some romantic dinner she was planning. Morgan seemed all too happy for the distraction and happily went to the kitchen to figure out what Aires needed.

With Morgan taken care of, I went up to Xander’s office, where he, Matt, and Alexi were already waiting.

“Was there a meeting that I missed out on?” I asked.

“No, we were just looking over the software Tyson is leaving us with, making sure we completely understand it all. You here for your test results?” Xander asked.

I plopped down on the couch and closed my eyes. I’d missed slacking off up here.

“Yes, sir. Dr, Bennett wouldn’t tell me since her Alpha told her she couldn’t,” I teased.

“She’s a good doctor and even better pack member. But it’s just what we’ve thought. 0.00% chance you’re the father. I’ve let the Elders know, and we’re all set. I’ll be going back to Oregon with you tonight, and tomorrow the pack will officially be mine.”

“Thank the heavens. And when can I have my old job back?” I asked.

“Now. Take it, please,” Matt replied.

“After the small ceremony tomorrow where you’ll officially pass the pack to me, we can reinstate you as Beta whenever you want. But it can’t be now, not when you’re technically still an Alpha,” Xan replied, looking at Matt.

“Fine, whatever. I was just trying to be accommodating.”

“I miss the bond. I’m linked to Canyon Woods, but it doesn’t feel as deep as my bond here was. I can’t wait to have that back,” I told the room.

“Well, it’s all over now. You should be proud of what you accomplished, Kade; you always thought you couldn’t run a pack, and you did. A poorly organized one at that. I don’t ever want to hear you underestimate yourself again,” Xan told me.

He was right, and I wouldn’t. If I could deal with Canyon Woods, I could deal with anything.

***

Morgan

The hours slowly ticked away, and finally, it was 10:00 PM and time for the men to leave. Xander and Kade would be heading off to Oregon, while Henry and three of his top fighters would escort Tyson to The Badlands, which we’d found out was in the middle of Death Valley.

This desert was one of the hottest places on Earth, so it only fitted that a virtual hell on Earth would be situated here. It had been decided that once Tyson gave the signal that they were ready to escape, Aires and Henry would shimmer to the location to pick everyone up, then drive home in a truck they would stash in the area tonight.

After Taylor gave Tyson a tearful goodbye, Matt took her hand and led her back into the house. I felt terrible for her; I knew all too well how it felt to be without your mate. Xander then walked over and offered Tyson a handshake.

“$15 million, that’s how much it cost to get you in there. You’re reputation proceeds you, and it costs me money,” Xander joked.

“I can hack their account when this is all over and get the money back if it makes you feel better,” Tyson replied.

“Nah. This time tomorrow, those ladies will be members of Blue Moon and my responsibility. I won’t spare any expense to keep the wolves under my watch safe. Be careful and don’t crack too many skulls while you’re inside.”

“I make no promises.”

I then walked over to Tyson and gave him a tight hug. Even if I wanted to, I wouldn’t cry. I loved that prick, but I wouldn’t let him see how much; I was too proud and stubborn.

“I’ve got this Mo. Keep an eye on my family while I’m gone for me, please. If I know you’re on the job, I won’t worry so much,” he looked down and said.

“Of course.”

I kissed him on the cheek then moved to Kade, who’d just thrown his bag in the truck he and Xander would be taking.

“FaceTime me when you get there, and I want you to come right back home as soon as you can. Got it?” I asked.

“I’ve got it, Sugar Momma. You know I can’t stay away from you for too long,” he replied.

We shared one last hug and k**s, then both trucks were loaded up, and I stood in the driveway and watched the taillights disappear in the distance. My heart was being split in two different directions, and I prayed that both pieces would come back home safe and sound.