Chapter 22

Eric P.O.V

I took Sophie back down to the pack hospital despite her complaining. I wanted to make sure she and the pup were ok. Her cut on her arm was healing fast but I wanted to get a doctor to check her out just in case.

I wished Dr Sven were here to look after Sophie. He was discreet and effective at his job and I would be able to talk to him about my growing fears surrounding Sophie's abilities. I didn't want to frighten her, but I wondered whether her Mother had been a member of the Golden Sun pack. They were notorious for breeding with other magical beings. However, I wanted to focus on getting Sophie to trust me again. That was far more important.

We were waiting in a private suite while the doctor retrieved the portable ultrasound machine. In honesty I was excited to see our pup. I squeezed Sophie's hand and she giggled.

"What?" I asked.

"You. You look like a child on Christmas morning." She chuckled again and squeezed my hand in return.

I felt a little embarrassed. "I'm happy. Is that a crime?" I joked.

Sophie smiled at me which made me melt and I was about to speak when the doctor re-entered the room. I didn't withdraw my hand even when the doctor gave me odd looks. I knew she wouldn't say anything. And I didn't care what people thought.

"Alpha. Did you want to wait outside? I won't be long." She fiddled around with the machine before looking back at me again.

"No, I'd rather stay thank you." I said a little too curtly.

The doctor looked from me to Sophie. She was trying to understand why I was here with her rather than Tatiana, but I would not be divulging my private life. Obviously, the rumours about Tatiana hadn't started yet.

The doctor lifted Sophie's top exposing her perfect creamy skin with a hint of a little bump. She grabbed a towel and tucked it into the waist band of Sophie's pants while pulling them down just below her hips. Sophie looked at me and smiled. Gel was squirted onto her stomach before the doctor used a stick- like object to smooth the gel out, before pressing it onto Sophie. At first all I could see were some squiggly lines. Then I saw it. A tiny hand, the profile of a nose, a knee. Our pup looked perfect.

"Everything looks good Sophie." The doctor spoke snapping me out from my trance.

"Wow." Was all I could mutter. Sophie tried to hide a giggle. All I could do was stare at the screen.

"Would you like me to print out a photo?" Sophie and I both nodded and the doctor smiled.

"Is he meant to be that big? I mean I know it's a close up image but he looks huge!" Sophie asked.

"Yes. Werewolf pups grow faster than human babies. Your pup is about the same size as a 12-week human baby. When you come in for your 12 weeks scan your pup will be more like a 24-week human baby." The portable machine whirled before spitting out two snapshots of our pup.

The doctor took the machine away and I let Sophie clean herself up in the adjacent bathroom. I couldn't believe how magical that moment was. I kept looking at the printout as my pup's little arm was raised, a leg splayed out probably trying to kick his Mother. I chuckled. Sophie had said 'he' before. Did she know if it was a boy? Blaze purred as we looked at the photo.

I never felt like this with Tatiana. She'd clung to me, making me stroke her belly and I tried really hard to feel a connection but there was nothing there. Not like this pup. My pull to Sophie has become stronger and I haven't even marked her yet.

"Alpha, what do you intend doing about Tatiana." James' voice resonated in my head.

"I haven't decided James."

"She's been asking for you." He responded with a low growl

"She can wait." I glanced up to find Sophie standing in the doorway. She looked incredible. Her hair was wavy and glossy. Her breasts looked fuller and I wanted nothing more than to hold her, preferably naked. But I promised to earn her trust back. No matter how horny I was I would wait until I knew she was ready.

"Is everything ok?" She asked. I didn't realise I had been staring at her for so long.

"Yeah. Everything is perfect." I reached out for her and she took my hand. "Are you ready for our date?"

"What now?" She questioned, looking up at me in surprise.

"Why not?"

"Because my room is a mess. I need to tidy it up." I held up my hand and she let out a sigh in defeat.

"Not to worry. I will get someone to fix it." I quickly linked James and asked him to organise Sophie's room. "Come on. Let's get you something to eat." I walked her over to the door and we started off down towards the front entrance.

"I'm not dressed for going out…but I am hungry." She giggled rubbing her belly.

I laughed. I really wanted to take her hand. But I knew she was self-conscious of everyone watching her. I knew I would need to address the whole Tatiana thing before people started seeing Sophie and me together more often. They needed to understand that Sophie would be their Luna which meant I would have to call a pack meeting. A few people looked at us in confusion, but I just smiled and nodded at them. I would not have Sophie feeling uncomfortable.

Once we'd reached the front courtyard, I steered Sophie towards the garages where we kept all our vehicles. I picked out the keys for my Lamborghini Sián FKP 37. It was the fastest car I owned, and I wanted Sophie to feel the excitement a V12 could offer. I grabbed her hand and pulled towards the car.

"Wow!" She said reaching out to touch the metallic blue exterior. "Is this yours?"

I nodded. "It's my fastest car. Do you like it?" I pushed the button on the keys and the garage flashed orange. She grinned one of her disarming grins. I could tell she was excited.

"I think its amazing." She giggled as I opened the door for her. I raced around to the other side and jumped in next to her. "So, where are we going?" Her hands glided over the front dash and sides of the seat before putting on her seatbelt.

"I thought we'd go out of the territory. Go somewhere no one knows us." I smiled at her before putting the Lamborghini into gear. "Are you ready?" I asked over the roar of the engine.

"Yes!" she screamed in excitement.

The garage doors opened, and we thundered out onto the street. I didn't go fast, there were to many people around. We took off down the road, weaving around the streets until we were on the open road leaving the territory. Our journey had been quiet so far and I took the chance to sneak a look at Sophie. She leaned back in her seat, smiling with her hand resting on her stomach. I couldn't help but smile as well.

Turning out of the territory road I pushed my foot onto the pedal, and we raced off down the deserted highway. Sophie squealed and laughed as we sped along. The sleeping cows blurred, and the fields and paddocks became mixtures of colour. I reached out and grabbed her thigh giving it a gentle squeeze. She looked over to me, smiling her perfect smile and laced her hand over mine.

After driving for an hour or so we found a little town. I remembered there had been a good little restaurant here. I found somewhere to park while the locals ogled my car. After getting Sophie out we crossed the road and walked into the restaurant. The lighting was dim, but the atmosphere was romantic. Each wooden table was dressed in a white tablecloth and a small posy of flowers.

"Good Evening Sir, Madame. Welcome to Luigi's." Said a waiter who approached us.

"Good Evening. Table for two please." I replied with a smile. The waiter motioned to a table by the window. I was a little relieved, I could keep an eye on my car.

The waiter pulled out a chair for Sophie and she sat down still smiling. Her eyes were alight with happiness, I knew I had to be doing something right.

"Here are the Menus. Zuppa del giorno is Leek and Potato. The Pasta del giorno is Americana. Can I get you something to drink?" The waiter looked towards Sophie.

"Um, I would love a Lemon Squash." She beamed at the waiter, who was surprised at her choice of beverage.

"I'll have the same." The waiter looked at me and nodded.

"I'll be back with your drinks in a few moments." He sauntered off towards the bar.

"You could have had something stronger than soft drink." Sophie said leaning forward with her menu.

"That wouldn't have been very fair. Besides, I don't drink if I'm driving." I pretended to look at my menu but secretly glanced every now and then at Sophie. She glowed and it set my heart on fire. Blaze whined a little. He loved her and wanted nothing more than to be in her arms.

"Can you stop staring at me?" She folded the menu and lent back in her chair.

"Sorry." I mumbled pretending to focus back on the menu. "I can't help it. There's this beautiful woman in front of me."

Sophie looked around. "Where?" she asked giggling. "Do you know what you want?"

I finally focused on the menu. "The soup sounded nice and then I think I'll have the Veal Limone." I placed my menu down. "What about you?"

"I was thinking the soup as well. But I also want Pollo Fungi Gnocchi." She grinned again. This time my manhood jolted, and I had to discreetly adjust myself in my seat.

The waiter returned with our drinks and I relayed our order. I also asked for some garlic bread for us to share. Sophie and I sat in silence for a bit. She seemed lost in thought.

"What's on your mind?" I asked curiously. Her smile might have disappeared, but she was still radiant.

"What's going to happen? I mean where do you see us going?" She shuffled in her seat.

"I'm not going to make you do anything your uncomfortable with." I started. "How about I tell you what I would ultimately like to happen, and you can tell me what your comfortable with and we can go from there."

She nodded and seemed to relax a little. "That sounds like a good idea."

I took a deep breath and released it all the while keeping eye contact with Sophie. "Ok…um… well…" Why was I a blubbering mess? "I ultimately want to make you our Pack's Luna. We'd get married and we would rule the Blue Moon pack as one. I want to be with you forever." My heart raced and I looked down at the bread plate next to my elbow.

"I don't think I would make a very good Luna." She said softly.

I glanced back up. She didn't look frightened or angry or even sad. I was surprised because I assumed me telling her what I wanted would scare her, but she didn't show any emotion.

"Out of all that your issue is with being a Luna?" I chuckled as her eyebrows knitted together. "Isn't being a Princess every girl's dream?"

"A Luna isn't a princess and no, I never wanted to be a princess. I wanted to be an adventurer." She giggled playfully.

"Why don't you think you will be a good Luna?" I truly wanted to know why. To me she had already demonstrated all that a Luna could offer and more.

"A Luna is graceful, she's beautiful. She understands a pack's wants and needs. I can barely keep track of my own life let alone an entire pack's." She shook her head and looked around the room nervously.

"From where I'm sitting you are graceful and very beautiful." She blushed and I took her hand in mine. "Do you remember when you first came to Blue Moon?" She studied my face for a minute before nodding with recognition. "You wanted to fix those cottages on the territory outskirts. That is a true Luna."

"But wouldn't someone like Tatiana make a better Luna? She was even being groomed by your Mother; she must have had potential." She withdrew her hand when our soup arrived.

Once the waiter left, I returned to our conversation. "Tatiana didn't care about the Pack like you do. She wanted power and the title nothing more." I sunk my spoon into my soup and brought it to the edge of my bowl. "I've started preparations to get those cottages fixed by the way." I kept my eyes fixed on my bowl.

Sophie looked up at me and I sheepishly met her gaze. "Did you do it because of me?" She asked timidly. I nodded as I took a mouthful of soup. She let a small grin grace her lips.

For what seemed like a lifetime we ate in silence. The soup was surprisingly delicious. But I was desperate to know what Sophie wanted. However, I didn't want to push her either.

"Tell me how you're feeling." I asked placing my soup spoon down and pushing the bowl away.

"Honestly, right now I don't know what to feel. I still don't have Dove back yet and then there's this mystery surrounding my biological Mother…oh and we can't forget the Black Wolf…oh and I'm pregnant at 18!" It was her turn to babble and I chuckled a little.

"I meant more about us being together. But I get it. You have a lot going on right now."

The waiter cleared our table and Sophie asked for another glass of Lemon Squash. I let our conversation drift to getting to know each other better. Sophie seemed a lot more relaxed talking about her past and what she was like as a child. I enjoyed telling her about my childhood and what it was like growing up as the Alpha's son.

By the time we had finished dinner it was almost eleven at night. As we left the restaurant, Sophie yawned, and I pulled her into my side, letting her rest her head on my shoulder. Blaze was a little restless, but he wouldn't tell me why. I had an uneasy feeling, but I pushed it aside focusing on Sophie.

"I had such fun tonight. I wish it didn't have to end." Sophie said after another yawn.

"It doesn't have to end." I grinned before realising that might have been a bit to forward.

She laughed. "What do you mean?" She had a mischievous glint in her eyes. I couldn't help but smirk.

"There's a Bed n Breakfast just outside this town. I noticed it on the drive in."

"Alpha Eric, are you trying to seduce me?" She giggled again which made Blaze yap with happiness.

"Not at all. You look tired and I don't feel like going back to the Pack just yet." I swung my arm around her shoulders as she nestled her head into my chest. This was the best sensation. I never wanted this to end.

We walked over to the car and then drove down the main street arriving at the little Bed n' Breakfast. The lady at the reception desk was very accommodating and gave us her best room.

The uneasy sensation flooded back over me as we climbed the stairs to the suite. Blaze growled and I felt his hackles rise. I stopped and looked back out over the darkness of the street below. Sophie gripped my hand and instead of happiness on her face she looked frightened.

"Someone is watching us."