Chapter 49: Lucien Again

Dex finally went to work and Emma dialed Leyton’s number ready to share her news. “Hey.”
“Hey. Do we have an appointment today?”
“No, but I have news.”
“Go ahead.”
“I’m pregnant.”
Leyton squealed. “Oh, Emma. That’s the best news ever.”
“We need to move everything up, Leyton. Can you make some calls for me?” Emma asked.
“Sure. Who can I call?”
“The bakery and anyone who is making food for the wedding,” she said.
“Got it. You’ll call the dressmaker?”
“Yes”
“How are you feeling?” Leyton asked.
“Okay, but I was queasy this morning. I hope that isn’t a habit.”
“No. That wouldn’t be fun.”
“We’d better get on these calls. I’m worried the dress won't be done in time.”
“She’ll do it, Emma. You’re our Luna.”
Emma grimaced. She didn’t want to be known as a demanding Luna, but she needed this dress sooner than expected. “I hope she can do it.”
“She can. It’ll be fine, Emma. I promise.”
They disconnected, but Emma wasn’t so sure about this phone call. She made it and the dressmaker assured her that she would have the dress in time.
Emma wandered around the house in thought. She hadn’t invited her parents to the wedding, but being pregnant changed things for her. Should she give them one more chance? Maybe a grandchild would soften them up.
She called Dex.
“How is the beautiful mother of my child?” he asked.
“Feeling good, but needed your advice. “
“I’m listening.”
“I want to call my parents.”
Dex sighed. “I get it, Emma. I do. You’re now carrying their grandchild.”
“You think I shouldn’t.”
“I think you’re going to be disappointed. Again.”
Emma sighed. He was probably right. “I feel that I need to tell them this, that a grandchild may change things. Even if it doesn’t, no one can accuse me of keeping the information from them.”
“You have such a good heart, Emma. I don’t want to see it get broken. Still, I’ll support whatever your decision is,” he said.
“Okay. Thanks, Dex. I”m going to call them.”
“Okay. Call me if you need to afterward.”
“I hate to bother you when you’re doing pack business,” she said.
“It’s never a bother and you’re part of my pack business. Always, Emma. Love you.”
“Love you, too.”
Emma tapped her chin thinking about her next phone call. Would her mother even answer it? Would she let it go to voicemail if she knew Emma was calling her? No, her mother wouldn’t pass up another chance to berate Emma on her choices.
Emma laughed. “I’m a glutton for punishment aren’t I?”
She dialed the number for her parents’ house, her heart beat staccato in her chest, her palms sweaty.
“Emma?”
She didn’t sound glad to hear from Emma. “Yes, it’s me.”
“I thought we said all we had to say the other day. Have you come to your senses?”
“I’m marrying Dex, but I wanted to give you some news.” She took a deep breath. “I’m pregnant.”
“That guy knocked you up. Don’t come to me if he dumps you.”
Emma’s eyes fell closed. Dex had been right. She was getting her heart broken. “We’re getting married. In two weeks.”
“We won’t be there.”
“Okay.”
Emma disconnected without saying goodbye. Why had she called? Had she really expected anything to change.
A truck pulled stopped in front of the house. Emma rose to look out the window. “Dex?”
“Just checking in. You called your parents.”
A statement, not a question. “You sensed something.”
He held her face in his hands. “I could tell you were upset. I don’t know it all the time, Emma. You know when I’m upset.”
“I do.” She rested her head on his chest. “I appreciate that you came home, but I’ll be okay.”
“I know. I want you to know I’m here.”
“I know that Dex. Thanks.”
“Did you get things arranged for the wedding?”
“As much as I was able. Leyton did the rest,” Emma said.
He put a hand on her stomach. “Don’t overdo things. We want that cub to be healthy.”
“I won’t.”
“How is your day going?” He looked grim all of a sudden. “What’s wrong?”
“Come here and sit,” he said, leading her to the kitchen table.
“You’re scaring me Dex.”
“Nothing to be scared about, but I want you to be aware of what’s going on.”
She reached across the table and took his hands in hers. “Of course. You can share anything with me.”
“I got some intelligence today.”
“Okay.”
Dex frowned. “Someone challenged Lucien for Alpha of Fang City. He lost.”
Wow. Good for whoever did that. “Fang City will be better off without him as Alpha.”
“I agree. I haven’t met the new Alpha, but I’ll be reaching out to him. He might become an ally.”
“Good thinking.” She eyed him. “Why do I think there’s more.”
“When an Alpha is defeated, he is banished from the pack.”
“Oh.” Then it hit Emma. “Wait. He’s been banished. He has no pack?”
“No. He’s a lone wolf. No pack wants a deposed Alpha. He won’t find a place to live anywhere.”
She frowned. “So we’ll have Lucien on the loose.”
“Yes, I’m afraid so. Not even his former allies will want to take him in. They would risk any alliance they wanted to keep with Fang City. It would be disrespectful.”
“Would anyone hide him?”
Dex shrugged. “A pack might, but can you see Lucien keeping a low profile for long?”
“No.”
“I’m glad we’re having the wedding in the Grand Hall. We can protect that.”
“That means some of the pack won’t be able to attend. This wedding isn’t just for us. This is a new beginning for Wolf Woods.”
“I know. I’m working on that. If I can hire some mercenary wolves to provide security then everyone can be there,” Dex said.
“You know some?”
“ When you’re without a pack, you make some interesting friends along the way.”
Emma laughed. “I have a feeling I don’t want to meet some of those friends.”
“I’m not embarrassed by them, they are just not fit for pack life.”
Emma laughed. “Okay.”
Dex squeezed her hands. “What happened with your parents?”
“They aren’t coming and they’re sure that you’re going to abandon me now that I’m knocked up. My mother’s term for what I am right now.”
Dex laughed. “I’d stay whether we had children or not, Emma. You’re mine. That’s it. I couldn’t be happier and everyone in the pack will get to celebrate with us.”
“I think you’re looking forward to this, too.”
Dex nodded. “I am, Emma. We need this as a pack. War is taxing and for one day we can forget about feuds.”
“Are you inviting anyone outside of the pack?” Emma asked.
“Like who?”
“Maybe Lugo and his mate. They have been good to us. It also cements the partnership.”
Dex leaned back in the chair studying Emma. “You’re pretty smart. That is a good idea.”
“Has anyone else helped you along the way? A wedding is a time of unity, bringing people together.”
“I admire your strategic brain.” His stomach rumbled. “What’s for dinner?”
“Steaks.”
“Yum.”
“Dex, do you think Lucien would try to crash the wedding?”
“Yes.”
She liked that there was no hesitation on his part. “I’m done living my life looking over my shoulder. We’re getting married and Lucien be damned