The Mates of Monsters
Chapter 71

"I think it's done."

I lift my eyes from my computer screen to look at both Bonny and Jeremy as they sit at the dining table with me. Jeremy says, "Let's hear it."

"Okay," I mutter and straighten up in my seat. Bonny watches with encouraging eyes, and I loosen up my shoulders. "Here it is."

We've been working for the past two days since Bonny arrived. We leave for Germany the day after tomorrow, and the final piece of our preparations is my speech for the main discussion. And I think I've done it.

"Hello, good afternoon, I am Luna Amin of the Amin Pack in North America, but please, call me Brigette. It isn't a secret that I am new to the Union, to leadership-I haven't been a Luna for even three months... but it didn't take me long to see the pain we are in. And if you're thinking that you're not in pain, look to your side at the women I know you cherish so much. Because it's our mates, mothers, sisters, daughters who are suffering.

"Over these near three months, I've heard stories. Stories of mothers who have struggled, friends who have considered unbearable things to protect themselves and their children, stories of Lunas who have died trying to keep their packs alive. And I am sure you have heard your fair share as well.

"It's no secret that this proposition calls to alter a structure that we have lived by for centuries, and I am aware that such changes have been rejected in the past. I am also aware that our packs are dying. Our Lunas are dying. And these deaths are ones we could have entirely avoided by honoring the Alpha blood of our daughters..."

I continue with the main argument-an expertly researched collection of statistics and facts regarding the preservation of our packs. The truth is blunt and unforgivingly harsh, but these leaders need to understand how their mistreatment of Alpha women is harming their people, their mates, and themselves.

I don't notice David's presence in the archway of the dining room until I reach the end of the fifteen-minute speech. I peer up for Jeremy and Bonny's reaction, and along with what seems to be their approval, I also receive a look of pride from my mate.

"I think it's great," Bonny chimes in, breaking the silence. "I'm sure the emotional appeal will spark their last sense of sympathy. Goddess knows they need to find it."

"I agree," David says, catching their attention. "I think it's perfect."

I clasp my hands together. "Well, good. Because we don't have the time to draft something new."

Bonny yawns and checks the time, saying, "It's getting late. Should we stop here for the night and pick up again tomorrow? We should discuss the logistics of the trip, no?"

"I can brief you both tomorrow," Jeremy says. "I have all the information regarding the accommodations and scheduling. It will be a crammed two days, but we'll manage." "Tomorrow afternoon, correct?"

Jeremy nods at me. "Yes, you have an appointment in the morning, so we will resume in the afternoon."

We stand from our seats, each a bit stiff from sitting for so long.

"I'll walk you back to your guesthouse, Bonny," I offer.

She doesn't decline, and I tell David that I will be right back. We'll head upstairs to sleep when I do; my appointment is wonderfully, yet annoyingly early, and we're going together. I haven't gotten my period yet, and even though it's only three days late, we decided it's vital to know before I leave so David can get ready to accompany me if I'm pregnant.

My heart has maintained a constant thrum of nerves all day. My stomach has been in knots, and eating anything at all has been a challenge despite Helena's urging. I'm too nervous to function. It's a miracle that I had enough focus to finish the speech.

It's sprinkling rain outside when Bonny and I leave for her guest house. There's supposed to be a thunderstorm tonight, and I already catch flashes of white lightning in the distance.

"Are you well, Brigette?" Bonny asks.

"Oh, yes. I've been busy with all of this, but I'm well, are you? How are you?"

She faces the path ahead. "I only ask because you seem worried. Are you nervous about the trip? You handled the Union meeting up North so well. This one should be similar, if that helps settle you."

"You're very observant," I comment and flinch when a raindrop splatters on my cheek. "It's not the trip. I'm actually excited for the trip; I've always wanted to go to Europe."

"Something else then?"

"Yes. My appointment tomorrow is a doctor's appointment."

Her full brows rise. "I think I understand now."

"I know it's early. I haven't been a Luna for—"

Bonny lifts her hand and I shut my lips. "No need. I know how things can be during the first few months. Many women get pregnant after finding their mates; it's difficult to be a part."

I huff a laugh. "Yeah it's definitely been something."

"Don't worry, it gets easier. Time passes and the bond lets you relax. We all go through it."

"That's a relief. It's good to know that I'm not alone."

She smiles with a worldliness about her. "You must be early on."

"Actually, I don't know if I am yet. We're going to find out."

"Now I really understand. You have a lot on your plate."

"Nothing I can't handle," I tell her. "After Germany, things should calm down, and if I am pregnant, I'll have time to enjoy it—at least for a couple of months until the next union meeting. By then Aurora will have given birth. And then if I have a baby, it will have a friend. That would be kinda sweet, wouldn't it?"

"Are you hoping you're pregnant? It sounds like you're excited to be a mother," she asks.

The rain picks up, and we move a bit faster. "I tell myself not to think too much about it to avoid disappointment. But I guess I've already thought too much. I don't know, having a child wouldn't be the worst thing."

"Surely not. Especially when you're a Luna. You know I've been trying myself. Perhaps I will get pregnant and all of our children can play together."

A brightness lights in my eyes amid the darkness of the night. "That would be perfect."

By the time we reach the guest house, it's pouring. Bonny loans me her umbrella for my walk back, and I gratefully take it. Lightning flashes and thunder cracks, so I hurry along and avoid forming puddles as I go. David gets me inside the second I reach the house. He takes the umbrella, closes it, and kisses the top of my head.

The storm rages on as we unwind upstairs. I ramble about the appointment as I get ready for bed, and of course, David listens. My hopes soon become obvious to me but admitting this to myself only worsens my anxiety. I told myself I wouldn't approach this with expectations, and here I am, doing exactly that. The only things on my side are a measly three days. I feel like I'm stepping into battle with a wooden sword.

David settles in bed and I promptly follow.

"I don't know how I'm going to sleep," I say and sink under the covers. The strobing effects of the storm light up the room, the beating of the rain carries on, and I beg my chest to stop its aching.

"Come here," David says while drawing me to him. "Just try to relax. No matter what, everything will be fine."

I snuggle into his embrace and rely on his affections to soothe me. Winds collide with the wall behind us and howl in objection, yanking and fighting against my mate's tender tactics. I bury my face in him and hide away. "I'm scared, David."

"I'll be right there with you."

"Is it bad if I want it?"

Silence. My gut cramps.

"No," he finally says. "It's not bad."

When I wake, nature's fury has quieted to a gentle rainfall. I bite down and am immediately made aware of the discomfort grinding under my belly.

Something isn't right.

I note the time as I head into the bathroom: 2:57 am. David is asleep, so I close the bathroom door before turning on one of the dimmer lights. My body wants to move slow, but my brain is fueled by some kind of adrenaline. There's a sense of familiarity to my discomfort, so when I sit on the toilet and see blood in my underwear, a part of me isn't surprised. The other part, however, is devastated.

I stare at the splotch like I'm trapped in a photograph. There's nothing else I can do. There's not a thought in my head.

Damn it.

I let myself expect. I knew I shouldn't have thought so much about it-damn it. I-I knew better.

My hands ball up on my thighs, and I lick my lips. I was worried about disappointment, but all I feel is anger. I'm angry at myself, at my body. My gaze shifts from my underwear to the wall ahead of me. I don't want to cry; I'll just be more upset with myself if I do.

I clean up and go about this scenario as I have since I was thirteen. Under the counter, I have a box of tampons. I do what I have to do and leave the bathroom for a clean pair of underwear. David shifts when I open the drawer and step into my panties. The light from the bathroom prompts his eyes to open. He finds me and deeply asks, "Everything alright?"

I turn back to the bathroom to shut off the light. In the moment that I'm faced away from him, I clench my teeth and squeeze my eyes closed, needing to relieve some pressure.

"Um. Just cancel the appointment," I mumble and get back into bed.

"What happened?"

"I bled. Just-just cancel the appointment."

I hear the covers shuffle as I'm turned away from him. His hand strokes my arm. "Maybe we should still-"

A whimper escapes me. "Please, David."

I feel him grab onto me. He turns me and brings me against his chest. "I'm sorry," he murmurs.

"It's fine," I force. "You can stay here and I'll go. I'll be back in three days; it'll be quick."

"I can still come with you if you want."

"It's okay. I have Bonny, Jeremy, and Lyde. We'll be fine."

The rain fills the gap of silence before he asks, "Are you okay? Tell me the truth."

I smother my hurt and say, "It was only three days."

And Goddess did I cherish each one of them.