•Epilogue• /part two/

"If the person wants to leave, let them go. If they come back, it's meant to be. If not - they were never truly yours."



[K A T O]



After the little surprise visit, Lukas made, my mom and dad had to kick him out of our house. King or not, but since I am supposed to be his mate, I am equal, so he has to respect my wishes, the same as I've been respecting his.
I didn't answer his question. It made me sick to think of how he was questioning his child, how he was still suspecting me in cheating. I love that man, but he's a complete idiot.

Since that day he hasn't tried to contact me, he hasn't tried to show up. I haven't tried anything also. We both need time to cool off, think and come to conclusions. We can not make decisions based on emotions, both of us carry way too much responsibility to act so carelessly.

Today I'm having my check-up with packs doctor and later on mom is joining me to pick out stuff for the nursery. I'm still laying in bed, wrapped in sheets, pretending to be a burrito. I sighed and threw sheets off of my body, deciding that it's time to get up. No, let me rephrase that, it's the baby deciding that I should go to the bathroom.

About thirty minutes later I was out, already had a shower and brushed my teeth. Today I decided to wear a plain white dress, I need bigger clothing. Mental note to myself- buy clothes.

I went downstairs to see my parents happily chatting about something. Since my unexpected guest, both of them decided to stick around me until the situation will get cleared out.

"Good morning!" I shouted happily, breaking their bubble of thoughts. Both of them hugged me and offered me a seat, which I gladly took.

"Breakfast?" dad offered. He's like my chief now, always making sure I'm eating healthy and having only fresh products.

"Yes, please. Can you make me those Nutella bacon toasts again?" I whined like a kid. Don't blame me, it's a delicious combination, no matter who says what.

Dad laughed and turned his back on me, rushing to make my breakfast as fast as possible. I took a sip from my mom's orange juice and winked at her.

"So what's today's agenda, lovely ladies?" dad asked.

"We're going to find out baby's sex today, later on, its nursery decoration and furniture shopping," I spoke excitedly. We all have been eager to find out the baby's sex, even some of the pack members have noticed that I'm pregnant, doing a great job to keep it as a secret.

"I'm betting on a boy. Take my credit card with you, if it's a boy, the whole nursery is on me!" he flashed a cocky, almost knowing grin at me.

"And if it's a girl?" I trailed off.

"If it's a girl, add the best stroller you can find. Princess deserves her carriage," he winked at me and placed the most mouth-watering toasts in front of me. I ate them in no time, not feeling bothered by the weird looks on my parent's faces.

"Oh, we should go. Bye, dad, love you," I kissed his cheek and headed toward the main door, thinking my mom would follow me on a trail. She didn't, so I went back to make sure that she's joining me.

"It's not fair that you decided what you're about to give your first grandchild based on the sex of the baby!" my mom whisper yelled at my dad.

Oh, they're arguing over my baby. How amusing.

"I can't help it, always hoped to have a granddaughter!" dad put his hands on his waist, looking overdramatic.

"Stop fighting you tow. Mom, we can't be late. Dad, I'm buying only needed things for the baby, so it doesn't matter, ok? All I want is my baby to be healthy, now let's go!" I reached my hand to my mom and dragged her away from the kitchen.

Dad laughed as we left the house and practically jumped into the SUV.

"Should I call Lukas? Do you want him there?" mom stopped the car on the red light and looked at me.

I shrugged my shoulders.

"I don't think so. He finally admitted that he has found a mistress. Mom, I have never even thought of approaching any other man than my mate, yet he accused me of cheating. He's questioning his child. He has another woman by his side. Now tell me, how does he deserve to join us? How does he deserve to find out the sex or hear baby's heartbeat?" tears filled my eyes so I had to look away.

"Have they... You know... Did they?" she bit on her lip, slowly driving off, closer to the pack hospital.

"No. I don't think so. I haven't felt anything yet, maybe he's feeling pity for me since he knows I'm pregnant. I don't know mom, let's drop this. Please. This is an important day and I don't want to ruin it by talking about my mate," as the last word left my lips, I shivered in disgust. Over the past two weeks, I've grown more distant. I can't cope with the fact of him having someone else by his side. I can't cope with him not caring about the pup. Our road has been rocky, yes, we had to overcome a lot, but I never thought that he might change like this.

Mom and I kept quiet until we finally got to the hospital. We headed to my doctor's cabinet and he offered us to come in as soon as we sat down.
I had to lay down, mom held my hand, wiping her tears away like a machine.

"First let's listen to baby's heartbeat," the pack doctor announced.

We both nodded our heads and smiled like an idiot as soon as the heartbeat sounded throughout the speakers. That's my baby...

"Would you like to find out the baby's sex or will we keep it as a surprise?" the doctor asked.
That's the main reason why I chose him as my doctor- he has the decency to ask questions and consider other's wishes.

"I would love to," I said and bit my lip, keeping the gaze on the little screen in front of the doctor. It was hard at first, but after a while, I finally noticed how the baby's body was floating inside of me. I could see a tiny head, tiny hands, and feet, tiny legs. Is this real

"Well, congratulations, you're having a healthy boy!" He flashed a million-dollar smile at me, making me break down in tears.

"Have you thought about names, sweetheart?" my mom squeezed my hand gently, I still couldn't get my eyes off my beautiful baby.

"Eros," I stared. Up until now, I didn't have any idea how would I name my baby, but after seeing the first glance of him, I feel like it would suit this baby the most. He is, after all, a miracle.

Mom and the doctor had small talk while I got dressed again. We said our goodbyes to him and decided when my next check-up would be.

After seeing him, I forgot about everything that was happening lately. It doesn't matter, not now. We got back in mom's car and drove to the shopping center, I grew more excited just by thinking of how the nursery will look now. I did do some research online and found the perfect set already. All that's left is to buy it and set up.

Thankfully it didn't take too much time to find everything, pay and get it delivered to the packhouse almost instantly. Mom mind-linked dad, announcing that his responsibility is to set everything up before we get back home. At least he has enough time since we still have to buy some more clothes for the baby, me and get something to eat. My appetite has grown, I eat like a pig now. Not for two, no, it feels like I'm waiting for a whole village.

Time with my mom was exactly what I needed, we had some careless conversations and altogether the day was going perfect. After finally getting shopping done, my tunny filled and dad's card almost drained, we decided to head back home before it gets too late.

As mom parked in the driveway, dad already stood in front of the packhouse, smiling like a maniac.

"What took you so long?" he frowned as we got out of the car.

"Need to pee," I blurted out and ran inside, leaving them to deal with shopping bags. I heard them laughing before I got inside the house. Those two are amazing.

I got out of the bathroom to be met with my parents, waiting for me in the hallway. Both of them had the biggest grins on their faces.

"What?" I raised an eyebrow.

Mom gestured towards the staircase, both still silent. I giggled like a child, rushing to the nursery. He must be finished, there's no way they're so happy without a reason.

As I reached the door, I stopped to take a few deep breaths. I must calm down a bit, my behavior is not near to one Alpha female should have.

I slowly opened the door and peeked inside. My jaw must have dropped to the floor.
The walls, pained beautiful baby blue shade, with light elements of clouds here and there. A baby crib, above it a little shelf with letters, already spelling out my baby's name. A little closet and some toys, amazingly fluffy white carpet covering the whole floor, dad even hang beautiful blue curtains, hiding the room from evening darkness. There's a big white armchair in the farthest corner of the room, must be placed there for me when I breastfeed. The smile didn't leave my face as I let my eyes roam all over the nursery. It's perfect.

My dad cleared his throat, now standing behind me.

"It's perfect. Thank you, dad!" I kissed his cheek, letting him hug me.

"The dinner will be ready in an hour, feel free to enjoy your time here," He placed a small kiss on my forehead, reminded me how proud he was of me and left.

I went towards armchair and sat down, instantly looking down at my baby bump. Only now it finally feels real. I'm about to become a mom.

I placed my hands on my belly and drew weird figures on it with my fingertips. A smile never leaving my face, a possibility only growing wider with each move I felt.

"I can't wait to see you, baby. Look how amazing room granddad has made for you, the lovely clothes your grandma has bought for you. We all can't wait to meet you. Especially me, your mommy. I want you to know that already now I love you more than anything. I don't think that I'll ever be able to love anyone more than I could you. You're my reason to live, you're the one who brought light into my life after all this time. For you, I want to try, to fight, to live. I want to do anything in my power to become a better person, to be the best mom I could ever be. We would do so much together, like best friends. I hope you'll like me," I kept talking to him, hoping that he does hear me. I've been doing it since the day I found out that I'm pregnant. The doctors said that the baby can hear me, so it didn't felt so weird anymore. At first, I thought I was going crazy. So many things went through my head when suddenly Lukas crossed my mind.
Unknowingly tears filled my eyes, sobbing I kept talking.

"Your daddy, he loves you too. Trust me, he does. He's just a little off. He's a busy man, doing good things and caring for lots of people. He has a huge responsibility for everyone in packs here, so sometimes he can't be around enough. But he will. I think he will. Even if he won't, you have to know that he loves you. We both do. You are the missing puzzle piece to our lives, even if he doesn't understand that yet. With time, he will. I know it sounds silly, but your dad is a bit stupid. He caught your scent on me and, oh, silly old daddy thought that mom was meeting another man. Little did he knew that your mommy has never even thought of another man... I don't know why I'm telling you this, since you're just a pup, growing in my tummy, but I feel like I need to explain myself. I feel like it's my fault that you can't hear his voice yet, can't feel his presence or receive any affection from him. When he questioned me, I was so hurt, I chose to let it go. I couldn't deal with that. I couldn't deal with pain in his eyes. Your mommy is weak and I'm sorry about that, I am. Just know that no matter what, I'll always stick by your best interests and wish nothing but happiness. If you'll want to be around him, I will never in my life take that from you. My little Eros, I love you so, so much," I choked on my last words, closing eyes and letting the tears flow. I wasn't hiding or fighting my emotions anymore. Now it felt like lifting a huge rock off of my heart when I've said this out loud. To my baby.

"You're naming him after my grandfather. So it's a boy," I almost screamed in surprise, opening my eyes and seeing Lukas standing in the doorframe.

"What are you doing here? Wait, how much did you head? For how long have you been standing there?" questions, one after another left my lips frantically. My eyes went wide when I look in his appearance. He looked like he's been lacking sleep or having little to none at all.

"I heard everything," he simply stated, inviting himself into the nursery and closing the door behind.

My palms started sweating and heart racing as he moved closer to me.

"Everything?" my voice became raspy from crying, throat almost dry as sand.

I was about to back off, when he approached me and dropped on his knees, gently grabbing me by my hips, holding in place.

"Kato, I'm so damn sorry. I'm such an idiot," his head hung low, not even once he tried to make eye contact with me.

"Why aren't you with your mistress?" out of nowhere, my confidence dropped all over him. The weak and vulnerable side of me, hidden deep down.

"Because I don't fucking have one. I am idiot, alright? I will never be able to repeat it enough, there will never be enough sorries. Never. Because I can't take away all that I said or did with some stupid sorry. When I caught the scent, I went crazy, livid. The thought of you being pregnant never crossed my mind and since we spent most of our time apart, I went for the worst. I'm an egoistic, possessive moron. I made that all up to seem like careless King in everyone's eyes, even though it hurt like a bitch. You're here, doing everything on your own, for OUR child and I haven't even tried to be the mate I'm supposed to be. I don't know what to do, to make things right. I don't want to lose you. I don't want to spend the rest of my days thinking about how would it be to spend life together, to have our own family. You're the greatest gift from Gods and I couldn't appreciate it. I know I fucked up, I know I ruined everything, but please tell me, is there anything I can do to make things right? I need you. I need both of you," he finally looked up at me, I've never seen him so vulnerable.

As if in cue Eros stared kicking and stretching. I leaned down in slight pain, hugging my belly. That baby is one Hell of a strong pup, even now.

"What's wrong? Did I hurt you? Please tell me what's wrong love, let me help!" Lukas almost yelled in a panic to what I just laughed. His facial expression was hilarious.

"Nothing. It's the baby, stretching," I took a deep breath and straightened my body once again.

Lukas stood up, placed his hands on my baby bump and smiled.

"I can't believe we're having a baby. I can't believe you're giving me the most precious gift a woman can give to man. I still can't believe you're mine," With each word spoken, he leaned his face closer to mine, switching his gaze between my eyes and lips.
"I love you," he whispered and leaned in to kiss me. I wrapped my arms around his neck and enjoyed the fireworks happening in my belly. After all those years, the feeling and passion never died. He smiled against my lips and soon broke the kiss.

"Please come home?" he pleaded, looking straight into my eyes.
I smiled and nodded in approval. My dad could take care of pack a little since Eli is rumored to return soon and I can't deal with this while being pregnant.

We both joined my parents for dinner, talked out everything, all misunderstandings, and all hurt. We announced that I'm moving back to the castle once and for all. We are building our family, it's time to distance ourselves a bit. My parents seemed to be happy with us. And so was I. Needless to say what level of relief I felt after finding out that the mistress rumor turned out to be fake.

Seems like we do deserve our happily ever after. We do deserve that! And I'm so ready for it!