Chapter 2 - Jax's POV

I wasn’t sure what to do at this point. Do I wake her up and question her about this? Do I let her sleep and deal with it when she gets up? I had so many questions running through my mind at the moment. As I was having an internal battle, she stirred on the couch. Her movement catching my eye and causing me to look in her direction. She felt around looking for me before sitting up and looking around the room. When our eyes met, she stood up and walked towards me.

“Honey, what’s wrong?” She asked tiredly.

“I’m sorry hun. I didn’t mean to wake you, but your phone was ringing and I thought it might have been Alida but I didn’t get to it in time and…” I was rambling. I was sure she would be upset with me.

“Honey, it’s ok. Calm down. I have nothing to hide from you and I trust you. But why do you look like you’ve seen a ghost?” She asked reaching for my face.

When she softly placed her hand on my face, I closed my eyes and turned into it.

“You received a text message when the call wasn’t answered. I was afraid you would be pissed at me for…snooping…I guess?” I shrugged and mumbled into her hand. I wasn’t even sure if she heard me, but when she wrapped her arms around my neck I knew she did.

“Honey, I’m not upset that you have my phone. Like I said, I have nothing to hide. I mean what if it was Alida and they were in trouble?” She asked taking a step back. “Anyways, what was the text?”

“Here, you can see for yourself. I’m afraid I’ll shift if I read it again.” I said holding her phone out.

Tora took her phone with worry in her eyes. I watched as she turned it on, opened the message, and read it. She continued to stare at the screen for five minutes. I started to take a step towards her but she stopped me.

“Maggie?” I asked softly.

When Tora looked back up at me I saw some dark yellow specks swirling in her eyes. I slowly placed both my hands on either side of her face to keep eye contact with her. I could feel my lycan stirring around within me, wanting to just hold her, but I knew confining her would only make it worse.

“Maggie, listen to me. I promise I will take care of her. I will not let any harm come to her.” I said as calmly but just as seriously as I could.

Tora closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and held it for a few seconds before exhaling. When she looked back up at me, her eyes were filling with tears. Seeing her like this upset me more than I’d care to admit. I just did the first thing that came to mind. I immediately wrapped my arms around her and pulled her close to me. I felt her choke back a few sobs before pulling away and wiping the few tears that escaped her pretty doe like eyes.

“Tora, listen to me. Let’s just ignore this for now ok? Alida and Gunner are coming home today and we should be happy. Whatever this is can wait ok? I’m not saying it’s not important, because it is. It’s very important actually, all I’m saying is let’s welcome them home first. Then we can talk to Alida about whatever has been going on. After all, she is the Queen Alpha of lycans and wolves. I’m sure she can help.” I offered a reassuring smile.

“You’re right honey. I’m sorry…”She started.

“No need to be sorry. Not at all.” I said. “Why don’t we make some breakfast?” I asked wrapping my arm around her shoulders and leading her to the kitchen. “What would my majesty like this morning?” I joked while going through the cabinets and refrigerator.

Tora started laughing, “Waffles sound good.”

“Just as long as you don’t start calling me Donkey from Shrek then waffles it is.” I said getting the waffle iron out.

Tora lost it sitting there at the table. She was laughing so hard she was crying. At least these were happy tears this time. It damn neared killed me to see her crying from pain just a few moments ago. She went to wash her face and change her clothes while I made our waffles.

By the time she came back out, I had both our plates on the table along with glasses of orange juice for each of us. We sat down and started eating while talking about the things we had to do today. I was trying to keep her mind off of this morning’s events as much as possible. Although my lycan wouldn’t let me forget. I could feel his rage seep into me once in a while.

We still had a few hours until Alida and Gunner’s plane was due to arrive, so I decided to take Tora shopping. Not your typical clothes and accessories shopping, but house shopping. We went to every store around looking for things for the new house.

“Good thing we have a spare bedroom at the apartment to store all this stuff in.” I joked while holding up like ten bags in one hand.

“Oh stop it. It’s not that much.” Tora looked at the back of the SUV before looking back at me, “Is it?”

“No hun. It’s perfect.” I smiled and then pecked her cheek before heading into the apartment with the first load of bags.

We had just gotten everything in when my phone went off. I pulled out my phone then plopped in my chair.

“Hello?” I answered.

“Hey Jax, it’s Ben.” Ben said.

“Look I might be old, but I have figured out caller ID ya know?” I said more as a statement than a question.

“Oh yeah, sorry about that. It’s a habit I guess. Anyways I’m calling to see if you and Tora are going to the airport to pick up Cheyenne and Gunner?” Ben asked.

“We had planned on it. Why?” I asked back.

“Ok, good. Chelsea is freaking out about their welcome home decorations and whatever else…” Ben started.

“Enough said. I will let you know when we leave the airport.” I chuckled.

“Thank you man! See you soon.” Was all he said before hanging up.

Tora was leaning against the corner of the wall from the living room to the hallway, trying to refrain from laughing. She knew how bad Chelsea was and with her so close to her due date, it just made things worse.

“Well shall we then?” I motioned towards the door.

“We shall!” Tora said still trying not to laugh.

Tora and I walked back out to the SUV and took off towards the airport. We were going to be about a half hour early but Tora wanted to make sure we had enough time to park and get inside before their plane landed. I had only ever been on one flight and that was when I left Scotland and came here, so I didn’t know how exactly this whole thing worked. I let Tora drive this time since she knew how to work the parking at the airport.

Once she found a “suitable” spot, we walked inside. There were tv screens everywhere showing every flight incoming and outgoing and if they were on time, delayed, or canceled.

“There’s their flight. It’s on time.” Tora said pointing towards one of the screens.

Before I could even find it, she grabbed my arm and yanked me towards one of the large hallway looking things. I later found out they’re called gates. Why would you call it a gate when there’s no actual gate? It made no sense to me. We didn’t have to wait very long until I could sense Alida’s powerful aura.

“They’re close.” No sooner did I say that I heard a female squeal from the hallway we were standing in front of. I looked up and Tora took off leaving me standing there looking like an idiot. Tora and Alida ran to each other and wrapped themselves in a hug. Gunner and I were both shaking our heads and laughing at the site of them. You’d think they’d been lifelong friends or something with the way they were acting.

Gunner and I shook hands and “bro hugged” before turning back towards the girls. When they finally broke free from each other, Alida gave me a hug to which I returned, and Tora hugged Gunner. Once the hugging ceased we made our way down to the baggage claim to pick of the rest of their luggage before heading out.

Once we were in the SUV, I pulled my phone out and sent a text to Ben to let him know we were on our way. Gunner and I were up front while the girls were in the back. Alida was telling Tora about all the places they went and the pro’s and con’s to each place.

It didn’t take long to get back to the pack house. I made sure to park out front so that we would have to walk through the front door. Chelsea was afraid they would try to sneak in through the back door. That’s a whole other story for a different time. Once we were out of the SUV, I grabbed Tora’s hand and we walked behind Alida and Gunner into the pack house.

“SURPRISE!” Everyone shouted as they walked through the door.

Alida jumped at the surprise and put her hand over her heart. I had to laugh at the fact that she actually got surprised for once, but I knew someone was getting their ass kicked later for it. She hated surprises, and the thought of it made me chuckle.

“What’s so funny?” Tora asked nudging my ribs.

“Alida hates surprises. So “someone” will be getting their ass kicked later.” I air quoted the “someone.”

Tora laughed knowing exactly who I was talking about. “I gotta see that when it happens!”

Alida and Gunner were making their round to everyone saying hello. Some gave hugs while others just shook hands. Once the greetings were done, everyone started breaking apart. Some went for food, some went out to the beer garden, while others just lounged around.

“Chelsea!” Alida hollered and ran up to her. “I missed you! Oh and I’ve missed you too my little nephew!” Alida said lowering herself so her face was next to Chelsea’s now very much pregnant belly.

“I wish he would just come out already!” Chelsea groaned. “He’s killing me with all the kicking and flipping!”

“So he’s an ass like his father. Good to know.” Alida said looking at Ben.

“Hey! I’m not an ass!” Ben defended himself.

“That’s right. I forgot. You’re right. You’re not an ass.” Alida paused and looked back at Chelsea, “He’s an ass-monkey.” Both the girls started laughing while Ben’s jaw hit the floor.

“I see how it is. You leave me here for forever and three years with a hormonal pregnant woman, and when you finally get back you want to call me names. Well two can play at that game…” Ben argued while moving towards the back door. “Your highness!” Ben bowed.

“You son of a…” Alida started before taking off and chasing him out the door.

We all followed them out into the open yard just beyond the beer garden. They caught everybody’s attention while running through and yelling back and forth. It didn’t take very long before Alida leaped up and tackled Ben from behind, making him stumble and eat dirt.

Some of the wolves and lycans started cheering which only egged Alida and Ben on even more. They started grappling on the ground while Gunner, Chelsea, Tora, and I all stood around watching and laughing. Every chance Ben got he was pleading with Gunner to get a hold of his mate or to help him out. Gunner would just laugh at him and tell him that he did this to himself.

They went on for a solid twenty minutes before Alida got him in a choke hold and Ben tapped out.

“Mercy! Uncle! I give! Pineapple! Peacock! What the hell is the damn safe word?!” Ben choked out.

We were all laughing so hard, even Alida was to the point she had to let go to stable herself before they both fell over again. Chelsea had tears rolling down her face from laughing so hard until she suddenly stopped and grabbed her stomach. We all stopped dead in our tracks and looked at her. Tora and Alida both ran up to her, each putting one hand on her stomach themselves.

“GUNNER! TRUCK NOW! BEN GO GET THE GO BAG!” Alida started issuing orders.

“Jax help us get her to the truck!” Tora was now ordering me around.

“Do you want me to carry her?” I asked.

“Yes but be careful!” Alida said.

“CLEAR THE WAY! MAKE A HOLE!” Tora shouted to everyone standing around.

Everyone, drunk or not, got the message loud and clear and parted, making a clear path to the door to the pack house. Tora ran in front of us clearing a path in the house to the front door, where Gunner had already pulled the truck up to. Ben was flying back down the stairs just as we were going through.

Alida jumped in the driver seat, while we got Chelsea into the back seat followed by Ben. Tora jumped in the front with Alida, while Gunner and I jumped in the bed of the truck.

“Hold on.” Gunner said just as Alida through the truck in drive and peeled out slinging gravel everywhere.

To say we made it to the pack hospital in record time would be an understatement. I don’t think the truck was even stopped before I saw Tora jumping out and running into the emergency doors to get help. She came back with about three nurses and a doctor with a wheelchair. Gunner and I jumped out of the bed to help Ben get Chelsea out of the truck and into the wheelchair.

“I’m sorry but only the father is allowed back with her. The rest of you will have to wait out here.” One of the nurses said as they took her down the hall and behind a set of doors. Ben took off towards his mate, while the rest of us went to sit in the waiting room.

“I thought she still had like a week or something before she was due?” Alida asked looking between all of us.

“It’s common for a female to go early. My mom told me that I was two weeks early but my sister was almost three weeks late.” Tora said.

“No offense, but the species thing…” I said quietly.

“Oh shit. I’m sorry. I forget about that sometimes.” Tora chuckled.

“How do you forget that?” Gunner asked.

“I was dropped on my head to much as a baby? I don’t know.” Tora shrugged and we all laughed.

“I’m going to go check with the nurse. Just wanna make sure she’s alright.” Alida said standing up.

She walked up to the nurse’s station and I could hear them mumbling but couldn’t make out what they were saying. When she returned with a smile on her face, I think it was safe to say that things were fine and there was about to be a new pup in the pack. We sat in the waiting room for a couple hours before Ben walked back out. He had the biggest smile on his face that I’d ever seen before.

“Who wants to meet the future alpha of Blood Moon?” Ben asked excitedly.

The girls were the first ones to jump and run, not even waiting on any of us guys. Gunner and I hugged Ben before he led us back to Chelsea’s room. When we walked in Chelsea was holding a brand-new baby boy wrapped in a baby blue blanket with a baby blue stocking cap on. Alida and Tora were on either side of her both bent over gawking at the new little addition.

“You want to hold him?” Chelsea asked looking at Alida.

“Of course I do! Give me give me give me!” Alida said holding her hands out.

Chelsea carefully passed the baby to her while Gunner walked over behind her. It really was a beautiful site. In all my years, I have never had the chance to witness something like this. I was lost in the moment, while Tora was snapping pictures with her phone of everyone taking their turn to hold the little guy. Then it was my turn and I was snapped back into reality.

“Uh no, that’s ok.” I waved.

“Why not? Are you scared?” Alida joked.

“I’ve never…uhh…I’ve…” I stuttered out.

“You’re not going to hurt him. Look, I’ll show you.” Alida said.

She had me sit down and then showed me how to hold my arms, then Ben came over and carefully placed the baby in my arms. I looked down at him and I couldn’t believe it. He was so tiny. How could something so delicate grow up to be something like us? My emotions were all over the place at the moment but I didn’t let any of them show.

“Ok my turn baby hog!” Tora said coming over and taking him from me.

I continued to watch every one gush over him, and then I caught myself staring at my mate. My mate that was holding a baby. She looked so happy. I know we had already talked about kids, but now I was wondering if this would change her mind. I would do anything for this woman. I know she was worried about what they would turn out with as far as genetics. Maybe that was something Charlie could help me with too. I made the mental note to ask him when we met to start taming Maggie.

“By the way, have you guys chosen a name yet?” Alida asked handing the baby back to Chelsea.

Ben and Chelsea looked at each other and smiled before Ben spoke, “We have. We actually picked it out awhile ago but didn’t want to tell anyone.”

“Holy shit! Ben kept a secret!?” Gunner asked shocked.

“Shut it ass!” Ben smiled.

“Children knock it off! What’s his name?!” Tora asked this time.

“His name is…” Chelsea started before looking at Ben again, who nodded. “His name is Darian Jax.”

Everyone gasped and looked at me. It took me a minute before I processed what they said, and when I did, my eyes betrayed me and started filling up with tears.