Chapter 37: Welcomed

Emma knocked on the front door with a casserole in her hand. The she-wolf here just had a cub and Emma was making her first visit as a Luna. Her heart sped up a little, unsure of the reaction she would receive. She suspected not all of Dex’s pack would welcome her.
The door was opened by a small boy who looked at her with big eyes.
“Daren, I told you not to open that,” a woman yelled.
She appeared a minute later, a baby in her arms. Her hair was up in a messy bun and she had food stains on her shirt. “Oh, hi. You’re Emma right?”
“Yes. I brought food,” she said, then realized how dumb that sounded.
Her nerves were getting the best of her.
The woman, Carrie, nudged her son out of the way. “Go finish your snack.”
He left and Carrie opened the door wider. “Come in.”
“Where can I put this?”
“If you don’t mind, the kitchen would be great.”
Carrie led Emma that way.
“Please excuse the mess,” Carrie said.
“You’ve just had a baby. Housekeeping should be a low priority,” Emma said, putting the casserole in the refrigerator.
Carrie flopped down on a chair across the table from Daren. “Can I get you some coffee?”
“How about I get you some coffee? Just point to where the mugs are.”
Carrie did and Emma brought her a fresh drink and settled next to Daren with her own. “So you’re a big brother now.”
The boy nodded and stared at her. Emma hadn’t been around many children so she took it as normal behavior.
“He’s been a big help,” Carrie said, sipping her coffee. “Would you like to hold her?”
Emma’s arms itched to do just that. “Yes.”
“Her name’s Catherine.”
They both rose and Emma took the small bundle from her mother. She smelled wonderful. There was nothing in the world like the smell of a baby. Emma couldn’t have inhaled enough of it, ever.
“She’s so small.”
“Yes. Daren was much bigger, but she’s so far a pretty easy baby.”
“That’s good. Did you want to take a shower or something? I can take care of the kids while you do.”
Carrie’s eyes lit up. “You wouldn’t mind?”
“No. Daren can help me with anything I need.”
“Thank you.”
She left and Daren stared at Emma as he ate. The baby only fussed a little so Emma walked around with her. What would it feel like to do this with her own child?
Carrie was back before Emma had her fill of baby, but she reluctantly handed off the little one to her mother.
“You can heat up the casserole at three twenty-five for twenty minutes.”
Carrie followed Emma to the front door. “Thank you again for both the casserole and the shower. I feel a little more human now.”
“If you need help, feel free to reach out.”
“I’m sure as a new Luna you’re busy,” Carrie said.
“I am, but never too busy for anyone in the pack.”
Emma left and walked back to her home. Too soon she remembered that Lucien and her marriage were still lurking out there. She hadn’t heard back from the Elders yet and hoped they would plan a meeting soon. It was the last part of her old life and she was ready to be done with it.
Dex came home for lunch and kissed Emma.
“You always seem so happy when you come home from doing pack business.”
Lucien had never been in a good mood.
“It’s because I’m finally doing what I’m supposed to be doing, Emma. I‘ve formed this pack and I’m needed. I like that feeling.”
She eyed him. “I can understand that.”
He sat at the table where she’d put down lunch. “Something put you in a good mood.”
She settled across from him. “I held a baby today.”
“That is some gleam in your eyes.”
“Do you want kids Dex?”
“Of course.”
She smiled. “Good. I don’t want to do anything until Lucien and I are officially divorced. I was thinking about writing him a letter.”
“And saying what?”
“Asking him to grant me this divorce. He could grant me one now and then we don’t have to go before the Elders.”
Dex reached across the table and held her hand. “I admire that you can think that he would do that, but there is no good in Lucien, Emma. He’ll resist this at every turn. It’s not honorable.”
Emma frowned. Dex was right. “Then I’m going to call The Elders again. I want this done with.”
“I do, too, Emma. I want to begin our life.”
“Then I’ll call them after lunch.”
She would still write the letter to Lucien. It couldn’t make things any worse.
“What else is on tap for your day?” Dex asked.
How nice to have your partner interested in what you were doing. “Leyton and I are going to read to some preschool kids at the library. I’ll take over for her starting next week.”
“What time? If I’m in the neighborhood I’ll stop in.”
“Not until two.”
“Not sure where I’ll be.”
“Are you concerned about the reception I’ll receive?”
“A little. We are in an unusual situation, Emma. I want to make sure that everyone understands that you’re here to stay. I’m the Alpha and no one else has a say in who my Luna is.”
She frowned. “Have pack members said anything to you?”
He waved a hand. “No, just making things clear for anyone who might have doubts.”
Dex didn’t need to be concerned, Emma found out. The library staff all welcomed her and Leyton.
“The kids are excited to have our new pack Luna here to read to them,” one librarian said.
Emma sat on a small chair. Many pairs of eager eyes looked up at her.
“How do we welcome our new Luna?” the librarian said.
“Good afternoon, Miss Emma.”
“Good afternoon, everyone. Miss Leyton picked out the story that I’m going to read to you.”
Emma glanced at Leyton who stood in the doorway. Emma had begun taking over Luna duties. Leyton seemed happy to give up the responsibility.
When storytime was over, Emma looked up to see Dex in the doorway, a small smile on his face. “Look who has decided to visit us.”
The children all turned to Dex.
“Hey, kids. Are we all being good wolves?” he asked.
“Yes, Alpha.”
She imagined Dex didn’t often get to stop in at the library. The kids surrounded him and he squatted down to talk to them all. He’d make a great father as he gave each of them his undivided attention while they were talking.
It made Emma’s heart almost burst. She had to get that divorce going. The sooner she could dissolve her marriage, the sooner she could have kids. Dex’s kids.
The parents came and collected their tots and Dex walked Emma to his truck. “I’ll take you home.”
Emma waved at Leyton who climbed into her own vehicle. “I’m calling the Elders when I get home. I wasn’t able to get ahold of any of them earlier.”
Dex held her hand the whole trip home. “It’s okay, Emma. You’re mine no matter what the Elders or a piece of paper says.”
She couldn’t help the smile on her face. “I know, but it’s better if it’s official.”
“True, but what I say goes and you’re my Luna.”
After Dex dropped Emma off at home, she called the Elder she’d spoken to. He answered this time.
“This is Emma.”
“Yes. I did get your message. The Elders aren’t scheduled to meet for two weeks. I can put you on the agenda for then.”
“I can’t get in to see you sooner than that?”
“I can’t grant you a special meeting, no.”
“Did Lucien put you up to that?”
He cleared his throat. “That is none of your business. Two weeks from now or later than that.”
“I’ll take it.”
“We’ve never had a divorce in the history of our pack.”
She wasn’t going to feel guilty for what she was doing. Nor was she going to badmouth Lucien. “I’ll see you in two weeks.”