Becoming a Leader

Chapter Nineteen - Excuse me What

So it’s been a month and a half since the accident and Merrick is on edge. We’re going today for the appointment with the OBGYN and I’m hoping we get good news so Merrick can relax. He’s been in touch with The Sapphire Pack and they’ve worked on a plan to not only get their people Alec kidnapped but to take him down once and for all. I’ll find Merrick either in his office or on the training grounds late at night. He’s been working on his temper and I’ve noticed a  big difference.

Sydney and Valencia have been helping me more and more lately. I’ve been so drained and the morning sickness is no joke. Emma is around 18 weeks now and the gender reveal party is in a few days and I’ve started planning her baby shower for in a couple months. With everything that’s been going on I”m trying to give my people and myself a bit of normalcy. We all deserve it at a time like this. 

I haven’t been able to leave the pack lands since the accident because Merrick is so anxious about my safety. Which I understand where he’s coming from but I also need time out. I’d like to do some shopping and get some things once we know the baby is okay. Even though we live in such a big house I’m starting to get a bit stir crazy. It’s starting to get cold out so the pool is going to be closed soon and you can only watch so many movies before growing bored. I’ve gone on runs as often as I can because once I hit the third trimester it won’t be safe for the baby if I shift. 

“Hey Luna.” Sydney says while walking into my office.

“Hey Syd, whats up?” 

“I’ve got a few omegas working on gift bags and center pieces for the tables. I’ve gone through your list and made sure we have everything for the party. Is there anything else you need before I head for lunch?” 

“That sounds great, thank you for all the work you’ve done. You’re free for the rest of the afternoon.” I tell her while standing up. I close my computer and walk out from behind my desk. “Let’s go get some lunch.” 

We walk out of my office and walk down the hallway until we reach the front door. I’m surprised to see Merrick walk in the house with a bouquet of flowers. He struts over to me and kisses me before handing me the flowers. 

“This is a nice surprise.” I say while smelling the flowers. 

“I didn't want to be late for the appointment this afternoon and I know you like calla lilies so I wanted to bring you some. “  Merrick replies, He puts his arm around me. “I’m sorry I’ve been working late, I don’t want you worrying about taking care of me.” 

“You’re my mate, it’s my job to worry about you.” I look up at him. “Thank you for my flowers.” 

“You're welcome my love, now let’s go get you some lunch before we go see the doctor. “ 

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I’m laying down on the table in the doctor's office at the pack hospital with Merrick sitting next to me. He’s trying his best to hide his emotions but I can feel how nervous he is. Even without a mate bond I could tell he’s nervous by the bouncing of his legs and the scared look on his face. The nurse already took my blood pressure and took a family history from both of us. We’ve only been waiting for five minutes but it seems like forever. I hear two sharp knocks on the door and a woman with brown hair and a beautiful face walks in the. 

“Alpha, Luna.” She bows her head. “ I’m Dr. Kearns it’s a pleasure to finally be meeting you. How are you feeling today?”

“Pleasure to meet you doctor. I’ve been feeling tired and nauseous but not bad.” I respond.

“Have you had any spotting or sharp pain?” Dr. Kearns sits down in front of her computer and starts typing. 

“Nope.” I reply.

“Good, now I’m going to give you a full check up and get a look at our future alpha.” She spins around in the chair with a smile on her face. I watch as she stands up and walks to the sink, where she washes her hands and puts gloves on. She pulls an ultrasound machine over and sits back down on the other side of me. She squirts some jelly on my lower stomach and brings the wand up. My heart starts to race with anticipation. Merrick squeezes my hand lightly to remind me he’s right there with me. After a minute we start hearing whooshing and thumping coming from the ultrasound machine. I feel happy tears come to my eyes as we hear our babies heartbeat for the first time. 

“Congratulations you’re pregnant with healthy twins.” Dr. Kearns says.

“Excuse me what?” Merrick asks.

“Did you just say twins?” I say.

“Yes Luna, see right here?” She points to the screen at two blobs. “Twins. You’re around nine weeks, almost ten weeks. Their heartbeats are strong and active.”

“Twins?” Merrick says.

“Yes Alpha, twins.” She answers again. Dr. Kearns starts pressing some buttons and I hear the machine print something. “Here’s a few pictures for you to have.” She hands me some ultrasound pictures that show both of our babies. 

I stare at the picture and my mouth goes dry. I remember the nightmare I had last month about holding twin boys and trying to protect them from Alec. Was the dream a warning from The Moon Goddess? I’ve heard stories of people who got visions from The Moon Goddess before but I never thought it to be true. So if this was a vision from her then I need to take this seriously, I have to do whatever I can to protect these babies because they’re special. They’re special to me and Merrick and they’re obviously special to The Moon Goddess.

“Merrick, are you okay?” I ask, squeezing his hand.

“Yeah, I’m just shocked. We’re having twins, Sky.” He says, with a smile. “Twins.”

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We are sitting in our room after dinner, I couldn’t eat anything though. I can’t stop thinking about the dream I had. I need to talk to Merrick about this but I’m worried about his reaction. 

“Merrick I have to talk to you about something. After the accident I had a dream that we had twin boys.” I tell him.

“Boys? That’s great, I would be happy either way but boys? That would be awesome.” Merrick says.

“But in my dream I was running from Alec, trying to protect them but in the end they were gone. I looked down and they weren’t in my arms anymore.” 

“It could have just been a nightmare baby. Don’t worry I won’t let anything happen to our children.” 

“But what if it was a sign or a warning from The Moon Goddess? What if-” I start to panic.

“Skylla, don’t get yourself worked up. Nothing is going to happen.” Merrick says, taking my face in his hands. “Now you and our babies are healthy and perfect. I don’t want you worrying about Alec and the rogues, just keep yourself and the babies healthy.” 

“But she’s given people visions before, I’ve heard stories about it. Something significant that was about to happen or to have them stop a death of someone she thought was special. Someone she wanted to be saved, to go on to do something grand. What if that’s what the dream was? What if our babies are special to her and supposed to do something grand?” 

“They are special, we haven’t had twin Alphas for years in this pack.” Merrick says. 

“You know that’s not what I meant.” 

“What do you want me to do? How are we to know if it’s a vision or just a dream? What do you want me to do?” 

“What if we found a witch or something? Someone who might be able to get us in contact with The Moon Goddess.”

“We are not going to a witch. Plus The Moon Goddess hasn’t contacted anyone in years.” 

“But Merrick a witch could help us with more than this-”

“I said no witch!” He yells. Merrick’s jaw clenches and he storms out of the room.  

I’m stunned at his actions but get up quickly and follow after Merrick. He’s too fast so I’m unable to keep up with him. I decide to go on a run to help my nerves relax. When I make it to the woods I start getting undressed and shifting. I’m so frustrated that Merrick wouldn’t even give me a chance. I run for a while before I have a feeling like someone is watching me. I stop and look around, but I don’t see anyone. I trout around for a while until I see a bright light and a gorgeous woman stepping into the forest. I’ve never seen someone with so much beauty before. She has long brown hair and is wearing a beautiful white dress. Her feet are bare as she walks over moss and dirt, her skin is glistening, and her eyes are kind. I feel warmth in my chest as she looks at me. She steps up to me and brushes my fur, I feel so much power surge through my body.

“Hello my child.” Her voice is like an angel. So smooth and addicting to hear. 

“Moon Goddess?” I ask in my mind.

“Please call me Artemis.” She speaks and sits down on a fallen tree. 

“Was I right? Was that dream a warning?” I ask while sitting near her.

“It is a warning my dear child. I’m sorry for all the loss you’ve gone through and the pain that this life has given you. These babies will be special. I’ve given them gifts to help them through life because the future holds so many unknown obstacles.”

“Obstacles? What do you mean?”

“I can’t tell you my child, it’s their future and their actions will have many consequences.” Artemis stands. “Protect those boys.” She touches my head and I feel more power surge through me once again.

“But what if I do something wrong? I don’t know how to be a mom, I’m still learning to be a leader."

 “You’re going to be a good mama, don’t worry. All your children will be amazing and with you and Merrick guiding them they will make great leaders.” Artemis starts walking back from the way she came.

“How am I supposed to protect them if I don’t know what dangers I’m protecting them from?” I call after her.

The Goddess stops and walks back to me. She touches my head again and says, “Do you feel that?” 

Again I feel more strength than my own flow through my body. “Yes.”

 “You have everything you need to protect them. To protect everyone. Now I must go, my child. I’ll be here for you if you truly need me.” Artemis turns around and I see the bright light come back. As she walks into the light she turns her head and smiles at me before she disappears. 

What is this supposed to mean? I’m left with more questions then I had before. Why my children? Why did she choose me? What gifts are my boys going to be born with?  What unknown obstacles?

 I wander around the forest just thinking about Artemis’s words and all the questions I have swirling in my head. Before long I hear Merrick in the back of my mind calling for me in a worried tone. 

“Skylla where are you? Sky!!”

“I just went for a run.” I reply.

“Babe that was five hours ago.” 

“I’m on my way right now. I’m sorry I didn’t realize I’ve been gone that long.” I start making my way back home. How am I going to tell Merrick that The freaking Moon Goddess came to me in the woods?