Chapter 81

(**Rayne**) 
*Two days later* 

The sun has risen on a fresh day. All their companions have already departed. Sebastion and Irina left the night before. Morty departed before dawn today. Arabella, Lynn, and Jazmine left an hour afterward. Their home is silent as they wander back to the bedroom. 

Parker pulls her back down to get some more sleep before they must leave for the clinic. He is adamant that she have an exam after almost losing their baby. Even after Arabella assured him that everything was ok. He is insistent that a physician provides the ultimate say on that. 

Rayne can’t fault him for his insistence. The way he behaved after she told him what happened made her fear about Sebastion’s wellbeing. When she informed Parker that had it not been for Sebastion’s sharp thinking and actions, the outcome would have been worse than it was.  

He sent Sebastion and Irina home in Monroe’s helicopter loaded down with offers of thanks. Most of the presents were baby stuff she purchased that he determined were superfluous. What he doesn’t know is that there is another shipment of baby stuff arriving in a few weeks. She has chosen to stay silent until it shows up. 

Edmund moved out of the loft apartment last night. He declined to say her where he was going or when he would be return. The hostility between him and Parker became so strong that neither of them could be in the same place for long. Her dad would invariably end up verbally assaulting Parker. When asked what transpired between the two of them, neither would explain it to her. 

Owen explained it to her last night when the scene exploded on them all. Edmund was furious with Parker for not giving in to Killian’s order to give Owen up for her recovery. Knowing her mate that way she does, she knows that the thought crossed his mind, but he dismissed it right after. Thinking Owen was dead all these years, merely to have him back now, Parker wouldn’t conceive of giving him up now. 

Parker would fight with all he had to save her. He did just that by calling in every single ally they had. They had all come. She is not angry with him for that because if their positions were reversed, she would make the same descion he made. Her father being furious at him, is unjust. Rayne hopes that when his anger cools that he will see that for himself.  

The sound of Parker’s phone ringing makes her grumble a little. He suppresses it immediately before drawing her backward against him. He hasn’t let her out of his sight since he carried her home. When she showers, he accompanies her. Every time she must pee, he stays right outside the door. When she settles down for naps, he falls asleep beside her. 

The actions are charming to her, but now they are becoming tiresome. A little time alone could do them both some good. Parker blames himself for what happened to her. With Nathaniel still out there, Parker feels she still isn’t safe yet. So, everywhere she goes, all she does is under his observant eyes. 

Arabella will return later today with the ladies. They went back to Paris to pick up all they would require to cast a blocking spell around the beach house and the bar. They will direct the spell at Nathaniel and his magic. If he shows up to either location, it will set off a second spell. This one will render his magic useless.

Once Nathaniel’s magic is nullified, Arabella, Lynn, and Jazmine will cast a third spell. This new spell will trap him then deliver him to the Witches Council in Rome. Until he shows up, Rayne will be under continuous guard by Parker and all their allies in town.  

“Parker, it is time to get up.” 

“Five more minutes.” 

“No, we need to shower. I don’t wish to smell when I visit the doctor.” 

“Rayne, my love, you could never smell.” 

“You claim that now, but just wait until I am covered in baby poop and vomit in a few months.” 

Parker’s head shoots up out of the crook of her arm. He narrows his eyes at her, then rolls out of bed. “That was an extremely nasty image to stick in my brain.” 

“Well, get used to it. We will have a baby soon. Baby shit and vomit go hand -in-hand with having a baby in the house.” 

“Woman, I know this, but I am not ready to see it just yet.” 

Rayne laughs as he scoops her up out of the bed. Carrying her into the restroom, Parker talks about how he needs to baby proof the house. If someone had suggested a year ago that this would be her life now, she would have called them ridiculous. Knowing it will be her future soon causes her to smile. 

Neither of them had a wonderful childhood. Death, lies, abuse, and pain chased them both into adulthood. Now that most of the past is behind them, the healing of old wounds is starting. She believes they will make excellent parents. 

Their baby will have more love than he or she can handle. Not just from the two of them, but from all those who they have embraced as their friends, family and allies. All those people who showed their love and loyalty when they came rushing to the rescue two days ago. 

“What are you thinking in there?” Parker asks. He pats the top of her head as he dries her off after their shower.

Rayne spins around in his embrace and grins up at him. “I was just thinking that we will be amazing parents.” 

Parker releases her, suddenly taking a step back. He opens his mouth like he is going to spesk, but then closes it. With a shake of his head, he strides away, leaving her alone in the restroom. 

Wrapping the towel around her, she pursues him. Parker is murmuring to himself as he pulls clothes out of the closet. The last thing he mutters catches her attention. How can someone with a broken soul be a wonderful father? She closes the distance between them, wraps her arms around him, and holds him tight when he tries to draw away. 

“You are not broken, Parker.” She swings him around to face her. “We were both broken souls when we met five years ago. That was then, Parks, not anymore. You are my other half in all we do.” 

“It wasn’t always that way.” 

“You have been my other half since the day you remained with me here instead of traveling back to Montana.” 

“Then I became more when the Moon Goddess paired us together. What would you have done had that not happened?” 

“I would have died of a broken heart the day you discovered your mate. That didn’t take place and now you are mine for the rest of our lives.” 

Parker leans down and fuses his mouth to hers. “I love you and our baby more than life itself, Rayne.” 

“You will make a wonderful father, Parker. Now let’s get dressed so we can go learn how our baby is doing.” 

An hour later, Rayne lies on the exam table, with Parker standing next to her. His hand cradling hers as the doctor squirts the gel on her abdomen. She tenses when the cool gel hits her skin. Moments later, however, her mouth falls open. 

The sound of her baby’s heartbeat fills the room. Unable to glance away, she stares at the screen as her baby move within her belly. A joy so profound fills her heart and soul. Looking away from the monitor, she glances up at Parker.  

There are tears spilling down his cheeks as his eyes watch the monitor.  

“Parker,” she sighs. 

The moment his eyes find hers, a silent vow is established between them. Their baby will be cherished, and no matter the cost, their baby will be protected.  

Parker fuses his mouth to hers in a kiss that conveys all the love in his heart. For her, their baby, and the life they have together. It isn’t a kiss full of passion, nor is it as wild as he can be. This kiss is gentle and chaste, but full of all that matters to them both. 

After having washed up and dressed, the doctor says the crisis has passed. They make an appointment for more scans in a few weeks. There is still worry over the baby’s progress. As of now, everything looks normal. The concern is for what kind of hybrid will their baby become. 

For now, nobody can rupture the bubble of joy she feels at this moment. They go back to the bar to tell everybody the great news. All will be calm for now.

At least until Nathaniel shows himself. 

(**Parker**) 

Hours later, with Rayne sleeping soundly in their office, he leaves Lena with, then heads downstairs to the sanctuary. Arabella returned from Paris while they were at the clinic. It is time to find out what she learned from Asher. Time to know who and what he is. Then it will be time to decide what to do with him. 

However, what he finds in the living room of the sanctuary lets him know that won’t be happening today. Arabella is sitting on a sofa alone. There are no others downstairs with her. There are tears on her face that make him go to her instantly. 

“Arabella, what happened? Where are Lynna and Jazmine?” 

“They have gone to Redwood ahead of me. I came to deliver a message.” 

He takes a seat next to her. “What happened to Asher?” 

“When we returned to Paris, they were gone. I have no clue how he broke my spell. He did, however, leave a note.” She hands him the folded up red stationary. 

Parker takes the note from her, then unfolds it to read what Asher left behind. 

*Dear Valiant Warriors.* 

*My brothers and I must take our leave from you. You have my thanks for not killing us like you could have. I regret my part in everything that happened. Had I known Rayne was pregnant, I would have walked away from the job. I don’t hurt pregnant women.*

*Your Warlock problem has been taken care of. His magic has been rendered usless, well for him at least. Nathaniel has been a bad boy by the way his magic tastes. He may still come for you, but essentially he is now human, deal with his as you see fit.*

*I have a feeling that we will all meet again one day. This time on the same side of the fight. Until that day, keep the ones most precious to you close. There are dark forces at work against all supernatural creatures. They are humans known to most of our kind as The Collectors.* 

*Stay safe.* 
*Asher* 

Well, that is disappointing. It leaves more answers than anything else, but it solves two problems at once. Now to deal with another. Edmund. His angry as hell, father-in-law. The anger Edmund feels for him is understandable. The anger he feels for Arabella is just ridiculous.  

“Is Edmund the reason for your tears now?” 

The way her body stiffens at the sound of Edmund’s name lets Parker know he is correct. He grabs her water off the side table and the box of tissues then hands both to her. “Here.” 

Arabella takes the water from him. Placing the box of tissues next to her, he angles his body into the corner of the sofa. Then he waits for her to speak. 

“Edmund was here when I got back from Paris. He was the only one in the taproom when I came in. The moment he saw me, there was instant hostility.” 

“You have dealt with that before. What makes today different?” 

“He walked right up to where I stood rooted in place, looked me straight in the eye, and told me to leave. That I wasn’t welcome here or in his life. Not now, or ever. Then he formally rejected me as his mate.” 

That son-of-a bitch!  

“When I didn’t move or say anything to him, he walked away, but stopped in the doorway to the hall. The look in his eyes when he turned back to me felt like he stabbed me in the heart. He meant every word he said next.” 

Arabella takes a deep breath, then opens the bottle of water. After taking a drink, she closes the bottle then continues. Her words come out shaky when she speaks again. 

“Edmund told me with dead certainty that no matter how long I take to accept his rejection, he will never change his mind. There is one woman that owns his heart and soul. Only one woman will ever be his mate. Mia.” 

As shots to the heart go, that one is brutal. Mia will always have Edmund’s heart. To him, her death is still fresh, as if it just happened months ago rather than years. Parker understands how Edmund feels. Even he doesn’t approve of how Edmund is handling it. 

“What are you going to do?” 

Arabella looks away then stands up walk around the room in her agitation. “I will respect his wishes. When we are finished here with these spells, I will go to Redwood to help Sebastion and Irina. Then I will go back to Paris.” 

“Will you accept his rejection?” 

“In time.” 

“You will stay away from us because of him?” 

Arabella stops in mid-stride to look at him. “Nothing will ever keep me from you and Rayne. I will remain your friend, guardian, and hopefully godmother to your child.” 

Parker smiles at her. He knew she would say that, but he just wanted to hear the words. “Do you think Nathaniel will come here now that his magic is gone?"

"Yes, his delusion that he can bring Olivia back, is very strong. He may be without is magic now but he is still dangerous. Keep your guard up."

With a nod of his head, Parker stands from the sofa. "I will leave you to calm down before you go to Oregon."

There is one problem that needs still needs tended to. It all comes right back to Edmund. After he moved out of the loft apartment, Edmund refuses to talk to Rayne or Parker. There have been no signs that he is staying at the bar. When he does come to work, his mood is dark, his temper short, and he spends all his time locked in his office.  

Rayne mentioned after their honeymoon that Edmund asked the Werewolf Council for permission to restart Jade Moon. From his contact with the council, Parker has learned that Edmund was granted permission to be the Alpha of the new Jade Moon. He also moved up his timetable to move to their fresh territory. 

Edmund will leave California in a week. The new territory for Jade Moon is in British Columbia, Canada. Rayne be devastated when she learns that not only was Edmund leaving California, but he was leaving the country altogether.  

Now all Parker must do is decide who should be the one to tell her. Him or Edmund.