The Alpha's Warrior Mate

8 Months

Are you excited for the mate ball?” Mason asked as he wrapped one arm around my shoulders. I was walking to the new training facility to help some of the warriors on their skill sets when he came up beside me. 

“Yeah! I think I am,” I smiled warmly at him.

We had decided to wait until after the Mate Ball to have our mating ceremony. That gave us some time to recoup before another big pack event. The mate ball was this week, our ceremony was to be held the week after. Everyone had been happy to hear of our chosen mate decision. Darian had clapped Mason on the shoulder. He would be announced as his Beta as soon as we were mated. Miriam on the other hand had smiled but something behind her smile told me that she wasn’t too pleased. Mason hadn’t noticed but I was dreading my 8 month check up later that day. I knew she had wanted to say something to Mason, but she hadn’t- at least not yet. 

“I am too. I think it will be good for everyone. You know, pack morale,” he said with a serious expression. “Plus, a few other packs are sending members to come support,” he said nonchalantly. I felt like my heart was going to stop. 

“Which packs?” I forced myself to keep an even tone. He began to list a those that were attending and when he stopped I let out the breath I didn’t know I was holding. Silver Crescent was not on the list. He leaned over to kiss the side of my head. 

“I’ll see you later, tell Darian to take it easy on you!”

. . . 

After training I walked- more like waddled- to the pack house and into the infirmary. Miriam sat at her desk focused on a piece of paper until she noticed me.

“Oh! Sorry, Anna, I was just trying to figure out this order form for the medical supplies. Come in!” She ushered me to the bed that I normally lay on during my appointments. I sat still as she took my vitals, studying her face as she did her work. Eventually she pulled out a small machine used for hearing the baby’s heartbeat. The monitor wooshed until the steady beating sound appeared. 

“One fifty six,” she said turning around to hand me a towel to wipe the jelly off.

“You don’t like Mason’s decision to choose me as his mate,” I said it more as a statement than a question. Her brow furrowed as I watched her formulate her response. 

“I just worry. What if he meets his mate later in life? Where does that leave you and this baby?” I considered her words carefully. I had thought about it. I knew if he met his mate, I would be happy for him. It would hurt because Mason gave me the stability I craved and we liked each other, but we weren’t mates. We weren’t trying to fool the other into thinking we were. 

“Miriam, if by some small chance his mate is out there, there’s nothing I won’t do to make sure that he gets to her. I love him, not as mates do, but I do. I care about him and I won’t stop him from being happy.” Miriam looked at me with tears in her eyes. 

“ Being a mother is the most exhausting form of love there is. My son has kept me on my toes all of these years. I want him to be happy with you, Anna. But the exhaustion comes from worry. You’ll learn that feeling soon,” she patted my knee letting me know it was time for me to go. I left the infirmary and headed into the kitchen to grab a snack. The baby rolled in my belly and I had a sinking feeling that Miriam was right about me finding out the worries of parenthood soon.