Chapter 127

(Jacques POV)

After that day, we all looked at life differently. Together we may be strong. Together we fought for the good of all. But we had many enemies, many we didn't know of, thus, we had to be cautious.

Hope and Alexander, together with most of their team, immediately flew back to the safety of their territories. Hope had decided for the time being she would live like she had before, as a human who had no magic, no power and no wolf. She would allow her pregnancy to take its natural course even if it meant she could not help as much as she wanted to. She did leave me with a huge check and told me if I needed more, to give her a call. She would definitely send the money straight away, no questions asked. I promised her I would be present for the birth of their child. She kissed me on the cheek and told me she would expect me to be there or else.

Arthur, my mother, and Alarick stayed to help me rehabilitate the members of my pack and help rebuild Lune Sacrée. Since Alpha Bailey had no heir to speak of, it was agreed that the remaining highest member of the pack would take over and that was the pack's Delta. The Delta coincidentally was the nearest possible kin of Alpha Bailey who detested the criminal acts of his former Alpha. As Delta, he had no choice, but to follow orders or be banished. He could not leave his family behind therefore, he grudgingly followed Alpha Bailey's every whim. He was most concerned with the possibility of his daughter serving at the men's club, so he put up with the madness of Bailey even if he didn't like what he was doing. When it was agreed that he would be the pack's new Alpha, he was very willing to rise in rank and very happy for the generous offer of Hope to help rebuild his territory.

Many lives were lost in this whole struggle of revenge and power and I knew there was a target on my back for those who wished to seek vengeance for the death of their kin. I was lucky my uncle had no family to speak of but his high ranking members had families who did not wish to see a change in leadership nor a change in their lifestyles. Why would they when they had benefited the most? Their daughters and sons were never used to quench the lust of wolves nor humans alike. They were never treated as slaves. So I demoted all of them to be slaves so they would know how it was to work day in and day out until their body gave up. I evicted all of them from their nice, cozy homes and made them live in the slaves quarters where I found had no beds, no tables nor chairs and little food.

The omegas and slaves of the pack who once lived in unfavorable conditions were given homes. The women and men who served as prostitutes, I sent to school. Those who needed help from drug abuse, I sent to rehab. I provided my pack members livelihood so they would turn their backs on crime. Most of the men were so good at remodeling and customizing cars, I opened a garage for them to put their skills to good use.

Since I could not stay at Lune Brille, I made Juliette, Alpha. Juliette was respected among the pack because she would protect them as much as she could from Jean Luc. When she connived with Alpha Bailey, it wasn't merely for her sake alone, but for most of the girls and boys who worked as sex slaves. She didn't like seeing anyone get hurt just because a certain amount was not met. She would rather put her life on the line than see someone whipped because it was a slow night at the sex dens.

With Juliette as Alpha, I knew she would heed my every word. l felt the wolves would not honor me as their Alpha given I was mostly bear and I did not want them to feel the need to rally against me at all times. When it was announced, the wolves were pleased. This way, I could get what I want which was to rehabilitate everyone, and the pack will be happy knowing the pack was still headed by a wolf of their own.

I created a peace treaty between the wolves and the bears and had each Alpha in the vastness of France sign their allegiance. They also agreed to do business with one another, since I had given the bears full reign of the shipping line Arthur and I had established and operated for 3 years. I just had to warn them not to smuggle any more.

Alexander, on the other hand, had given me the bank chains that he had bought on Arthur's bidding. He said he wouldn't be needing the extra stress managing all the banks when he had a business of his own to run and because I had a degree in business administration, he said it would be proper to give the business to me. He also said it would give an opportunity for wolves and bears to work in finance and corporate with me at the helm. I immediately told the bears and the wolves to go and finish their education and come to me. There will be enough positions to fill.

The bears from the Alps had a difficult time adjusting to their new life. They were still scared to go out of the comfort of the territory I had provided for them near Southern France. So, with some of the money Hope had given me, I built them a school and a hospital hoping one day they would venture out into the world on their own. Claude and some of his men were slowly gaining confidence. Their work at the shipping line had shown them that possibilities are endless. Claude, on the other hand, has a daughter who is doing well in school. I know one day I may bring her to Paris to work at the bank.

Time flies by so quickly. Tomorrow, the full moon of the Winter Solstice will rise high in the sky. Arthur and I were patiently waiting for the helicopter to bring us to the airport. It was almost Christmas and we had decided to spend it in Washington and stay there until Hope's birth.

My phone rings suddenly and I see it was my mother. My mother had left a while back for New York, however she was currently in Washington awaiting the arrival of the grandchild of her dearest friend Adella.

"Are you at the airport yet?" My mother said, panic clearly in her voice.

"We are waiting for the helicopter to bring us. Why? Is there anything wrong, Meré?"

"Hope, dear, might be in labor. I think that's what the doctor just said." I heard Alarick's voice in the background say, "Yup, that's what the doc just said."

"WHAT? Meré, that's impossible. She isn't due until next month. Right?" I immediately calculated the number of months in my brain. Yep, she was suppose to be due next month.

"I don't know, Jacques. It might have something to do with the full moon and the eclipse happening. If labor is difficult for Hope, the doctor says she will perform a C-section." My mom was talking so fast.

"What's that?"

"Jacques, a caesarean section. Surgery!" I heard her chuckle. "The private plane is waiting for you at the airport and I have given instructions to fly out immediately. Jacques, mon cheri, I'll see you soon. Give Arthur my love." She hangs up.

"What's happening, Jacques?" Arthur asked, his eyes confused.

"Hope might be in labor. That's what my mother just said." I had to say it quickly. There was no other way.

"WHAT?!" The same reaction. I laugh. "Isn't she suppose to be due next month?" Arthur's eyes glanced up towards the grey sky looking for the helicopter. "Where is that damn helicopter when you need it?!" He stomps his foot in frustration.

"Calm down. We didn't expect this would happen. She'll forgive us." I try to ease his panic.

"Easy for you to say. You aren't her grandfather." Arthur scratches his head. "I promised her I would be there in time for the baby."

"I did, too."

"We should have left France sooner. It's an almost 11 hour flight. She'll have our hides for this." Arthur starts to pace up and down, clearly worried.

We both give off a sigh of relief when we saw the helicopter. By the time it landed on the helipad, we were already there, tapping our feet impatiently.

At the airport, Mark and Ava were waiting beside Alexander's private jet. We all shook hands, happy to see each other once again.

"We gotta go. Hope is in labor." Arthur ran up the stairs into the private jet. I took our luggage and placed it into the luggage compartment. Good thing we both were travelling light.

"Yep, let's get a move on. Hope won't like it if we don't get there in time," I tell Mark and Ava.

"Wait. Hope's in labor already?" Mark asked, confused. He looked at Ava and she just shrugged her shoulders.

"My mother just called to tell us. She said she gave instructions to fly out immediately."

"Yeah, but she didn't say why. Everyone in and put on your seatbelts. We need to get stateside as fast as we can," Mark said. Once inside, Ava locked the plane's door while Mark rushed inside the cockpit to alert the tower.

I sent a final message to my mother saying we were about to leave France. I turned off my phone, leaned back on my seat and utter a silent prayer to the Moon Goddess to keep Hope and her baby safe.

Hope, we will be there soon.