Chapter 258
Rebecca’s POV
The late afternoon sunlight streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows of our bedroom at Sterling Manor, casting long golden shadows across the polished hardwood floors. I stood before the glass, gazing out at the sprawling gardens below, my hands resting on my heavily pregnant belly. At nearly nine months along, I felt enormous, ungainly, and completely, utterly in love with the little life growing inside me.
A particularly strong kick made me catch my breath and smile.
“Someone’s feeling energetic today, I murmured, gently rubbing the spot where I’d felt movement.
I sensed Dominic before I heard him, a warmth spreading through our bond as he approached. His strong arms encircled me from behind, his hands coming to rest over mine on my swollen abdomen.
“Only a few days left,” he said softly, his lips brushing against my temple.
I leaned back against his chest, guiding his hand to where our daughter had just kicked. “Feel that? She has her father’s temperament.”
Dominic’s deep chuckle rumbled against my back. “Let’s hope she has her mother’s beauty and wisdom instead.”
We stood in comfortable silence for a moment, both focused on the movements of our unborn child. I couldn’t help but think of Lucas, our firstborn, who had just celebrated his first birthday two months ago. My heart swelled with love for both my children-one in my arms and one still beneath my heart.
“Do you think Lucas will adjust well?” I asked, voicing the concern that had been nagging at me. “He’s so young… will he understand what it means to have a sister?”
Dominic’s arms tightened slightly around me, protective and reassuring. “Children are more resilient and understanding than we give them credit for,” he said. “Besides, he already shows signs of being protective-it’s in his nature.”
I nodded, knowing he was right. Even at his young age, Lucas displayed the protective instincts inherent to wolf cubs, particularly when I’d begun showing. He’d developed a habit of placing his small hand on my belly and growling softly whenever strangers approached too quickly.
Later that afternoon, I found myself in Lucas’s nursery, sitting in the rocking chair with my son on my lap-or what was left of my lap, given my current state. Lucas, with his father’s dark brown hair and blue eyes, was examining a plush wolf toy with intense concentration.
“Lucas,” I said softly, “you’re going to have a little sister soon. Would you like to see what we’ve prepared for her?”
His eyes lit up with curiosity as I reached for the small pink blanket I’d brought with me. “This is for your sister,” I explained, letting him touch the soft fabric.
Lucas grabbed the blanket, bringing it to his face and inhaling deeply-already developing the scent-recognition instincts of his wolf heritage. He pulled it away, giggling.
“That’s right,” I said, smiling. “That’s what your sister will smell like. And you’ll be her big brother. You’ll help protect her, won’t you?”
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14:33 Thu, Oct 2 M
Chapter 258
Lucas nodded solemnly, as it understanding the gravity of this responsibility despite his young age. I showed him the small stuffed rabbit we’d chosen for his sister, and he examined it with the same seriousness before placing it carefully next to the pink blanket.
From the doorway came Dominic’s voice, low and affectionate. He’ll be an excellent brother.”
I looked up to see my husband leaning against the doorframe, watching us with tender eyes. The sight of him still made my heart skip a beat-this powerful Alpha who had become my partner, my mate, my everything.
“How long have you been standing there?” I asked.
“Long enough,” he replied, crossing the room to kneel beside us. He ruffled Lucas’s hair, earning a delighted giggle. “He already has the protective instinct. Did you see how carefully he handled her things?”
I nodded, feeling a surge of pride. “He’s going to love her.”
“Just as we will,” Dominic said, his hand finding mine.
I found Marianne in the solarium, surrounded by elegantly wrapped packages in soft pastel colors. Her face brightened when she saw me, her eyes dropping to my rounded belly with obvious affection.
“Rebecca,” she greeted me, rising to kiss my cheek. “You’re glowing. How are you feeling?”
“Like I’m carrying a future soccer player,” I replied with a smile, easing myself onto the cushioned wicker sofa. “She’s been particularly active today.”
Marianne laughed, the sound light and melodious. “Dominic was the same. Couldn’t keep still, even before he was born.” She gestured to the packages. “I’ve brought some things for my granddaughter.”
One by one, she unwrapped traditional wolf-clan baby items: a rattle engraved with protective runes, a soft blanket woven with symbols of the Sterling lineage, tiny clothes made from the finest materials.
“These are beautiful,” I said, genuinely touched by her thoughtfulness.
“And this,” she said, presenting a small cloth bundle with particular care, “is something special.”
I unwrapped it to find a small amulet on a silver chain. The craftsmanship was simple, the embroidery on the protective pouch not particularly fine. I looked at it curiously.
Marianne’s cheeks colored slightly. “I made it myself,” she admitted. “It’s a traditional protection charm. The older women of the pack usually make them for new cubs.” She hesitated. “I know it’s not as well-crafted as the ones my mother made, but…”
“It’s perfect,” I interrupted, feeling a lump form in my throat. I reached for her hand. “Thank you. It means so much that you made this for
her.”
Marianne squeezed my hand, her eyes suspiciously bright. “I want my granddaughter to come into this world safely, surrounded by love and tradition.”
I nodded, unable to speak past the emotion tightening my throat. Instead, I leaned forward and embraced her, this woman who had once regarded me with suspicion but now welcomed me fully as family.
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14:33 Thu, Oct 2 M…
Chapter 258
1 jerked awake in the darkness, momentarily disoriented by the sharp pain that had torn me from sleep. The digital clock on the nightstand read 2:17 AM. As I shifted to sit up, I felt a warm wetness spreading beneath me.
‘Dominic, I gasped, recognizing what was happening. “My water broke.”
Beside me, Dominic was already alert, his enhanced senses having detected my distress even before I spoke. He sat up, instantly awake and focused.
“Are you sure?” he asked, though I could feel through our bond that he already knew the answer. His normally composed face showed a flicker of concern mixed with excitement.
Another contraction answered for me, making me wince and grip the sheets. I nodded, trying to regulate my breathing the way my ob-gyn had taught me.
Dominic was out of bed in an instant, moving with the fluid grace that never failed to amaze me even after all this time. He pulled out his phone, already making calls as he helped me into a sitting position.
“Doctor, it’s time,” he said into the phone, his voice calm but with an underlying urgency. “Yes, her water has broken. We’ll prepare the room as discussed.”
He ended that call and immediately made another. “Marcus, alert the family. And make sure Lucas remains asleep-Diana will stay with him.” A pause. “Yes, everything is fine. Just as we planned.”
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14:33 Thu, Oct 2 M
Mated by Contract to the Alpha
