Chapter Fifteen: The Repairs Continue

Evelyn:

Everyone was acting weirder than usual, dodging my question. The first clue was the fact that everything was already set up, and the boys were already gone. Sighing to myself, I was happy that Hudson was making new friends. Finishing up the food, everything was ready to eat. The woman who helped never really warmed up to me, but it was all to be expected. Here I stood, doomed to be hated for the rest of my life. Tears welled in my eyes, my fingers digging into my palms. Dismay dimmed my eyes, the sound of a car approaching exciting me. James' car pulled up just in time, my Hudson nowhere to be seen. His scent wrapped around me, his strong arms wrapping around my tiny bump. His hair brushed against my neck, his gentle eyes gazing into mine lovingly. A sly grin danced across my face, I was going to figure everything out. Spinning around to face him, lips kissed mine sensually as his hand slid down my back. James cleared his throat, everyone staring at him. A honk in the far distance alerted me, the fellow clan members trembling with excitement. Something was off her, Hudson tying a black silk piece of fabric around my eyes. Surprises always scared me, cold sweat soaking my skin.

"You guys aren't going to kidnap me, are you?" I questioned cautiously, Hudson chuckling to himself. "This is the literal beginning of every horror movie." His inner wolf told me to be patient, my inner wolf barking back at him. Rumbling broke the still air, the smell of leaded gas wafting up my nose. Hudson untied my blind fold, my jaw dropping to the ground. Tears welled up in my eyes, Hudson pressing the keys into my palms. In front of me sat a green Mercedes-Benz 280 SEL 4.5. Turning back to the village people, then to Grayson and James. Grayson cleared his throat, stepping in front of James. Bowing his head in shame, he crossed his hands. This new version of him was rather pleasant, hopefully he keeps growing in the right direction.

"This is an apology gift from all of us for treating you like crap." He stuttered anxiously, Hudson pulling me closer to his waist. "So will you accept our apology." A million emotions were running around in my head, the actual Bates Motel car sitting in front of me. No words came to my lips for the first time in my life, wondering if they all really had chipped in to give me this car. A soft blush rose to my cheek, tears streaming down my cheeks. Maybe they didn't mind me after all, the key feeling heavy in my palm.

"Thank you so much." I stammered nervously, my hormones only this way worse. "I love it. I already forgave you guys a long time ago. I am so humbled by this. Thank you for caring. Now let's eat." Devin turned the car off, tossing me the spare key. Mouthing thank you to him, he ducked out of the way. Hudson shoved the keys into his pocket, his crooked grin making me happier. Guiding me to the head table, he left me alone as he went to go get some food. Guilt ate me, I had taken some money from everyone. Stop it! They thought kindly enough to get you an apology gift, so accept it with the joy that was screaming inside of you. Setting down a plate with a hot dog with mustard and a large pile of potato salad, all of waiting for everyone else to begin to eat. Holding each other's hands, we created a human chain. Hudson cleared his throat, everyone bowing their heads.

"Thank you my moon goddess for this meal. We will howl in your honor, and again thank you." He proclaimed cheerfully, all us howling. Letting go of each other's hands, we all howled. Moonie floated up high in the sky, waving at me. Her robes fluttered in the breeze, her silky hair floating around her face. Shooting me a thumbs up, she hopped onto a cloud and drifted away. Cluttered chatter filled the air, everyone talking with their friends. Sitting silently, a wave of nausea hit me as the smell of the potato salad made me sick. Covering my mouth, my appetite ran away. Excusing myself, Hudson followed. Fresh tears welled up in my eyes, the pain of me not being able to eat my favorite side dish torturing me. A goofy grin illuminated his face, a chuckle tumbling from his lips.

"What is so funny?" I wept softly, clutching my stomach. "Potato salad is so good, and I can't have it." Scooping me up, he carried me upstairs to our bedroom. A fever burned on my cheeks, cold sweat soaking my skin. Handing me the empty trashcan, breakfast flew up my throat. Maybe the morning sickness was beginning earlier, just not as loud.

"You look so broken over a side dish." He joked lightly, holding my hair back. "I will be back with some ginger tea and toast." Nodding numbly, the room spun around me. My vision blurred, Hudson's voice fading in and out as he set down a cup of iced ginger tea. A packet of saltines sat on the tray, my body trembled with morning sickness. Hudson closed the curtains, pulling out the remotes for the large television in our room. Setting them down next to me, he began to take off his black t-shirt.

"You should go eat with your people." I whispered tiredly, sipping the iced tea. "I will be okay." He hesitated, shaking his head. Grabbing my hand, the tea only made me feel worse. Taking it from me, he brushed my bangs back. Kissing my forehead, a soft blush rose to my cheeks.

"Evie, why would I leave you alone?" He growled playfully, my body curling into a ball to fight my sore stomach. "Besides, you are and will always be my first priority." Biting my lips, people were milling about in the town center. Latia rushed upstairs, another glass of iced ginger tea in her hands. Condensation dripped to the floor, my vision blurring again.

"Hudson, everyone understands if you choose to stay up here. In fact, a couple of them joked that their wives were glued to their bed when they were pregnant." She chirped cheerfully, her red dress hugging the curve of her bump. She was already showing, my bump seems small. Feeling self conscious, the silk of the pillow felt nice as I buried my face. Hudson sent her away, taking off his shirt and jeans right after she closed the doors.

"I am sorry." I apologized weakly, his strong hands peeling off my dress. "You really sh-" Shivers shot up my spine, him crawling into bed next to me. Wrapping his arm around my waist, his lips brushed the nape of my neck. His scent relaxed my muscles, him sniffing my hair. Clicking on the television, he passed me the remote.

"I don't care." He whispered sweetly in my ears, rubbing my arm. "I want to protect you when you are sick. So sleep if you need to, and also I won't leave your side." His words made my wolf happy, sweet slumber taking me off to dreamland. The number on my white alarm clock was the last thing I saw, letting exhaustion win me over.

Snapping awake, Hudson was snoring away next to me. Checking the clock, three o' clock flashed at me. Swinging my feet over the edge of the bed, I pulled on one of his many black t-shirts. Yawning, my bare feet stumbled down the hall. A deep growl caused my face to redden, hunger making her appearance. The stairs squealed, the house was much quieter since Latia moved in with Grayson. Pots and pans were clanging in the kitchen, my fingers wrapping around the handle of a broom. Flicking on the light, the broom swung into the black shadow digging through my cabinets.

"What the fuck?" Grayson's voice called out, a scream exploding from my lips. Hudson popped up behind me, a growl rumbling in his throat. Dropping the broom, awkward silence poisoned the air between us all. Clearing my throat, Hudson's muscles still tight with tenseness. A soft blush rose to my cheeks, Grayson backing towards the door.

"What is she craving?" I interrogated irritably, her key swinging on his wrists. "She clearly sent you." Rubbing the back of his neck, he looked under dressed in his gray t-shirt and gray sweatpants. Hudson said nothing as he opened the tallest cabinet, opening a secret door. Pulling out a bunch of junk food, he passed it down to Grayson.

"I am assuming you need her stash of junk food." He groaned, rubbing his eyes. "You can go now." Grayson took all of the food given to him, scurrying into the night. The way he left reminded me of a raccoon digging through the trash. Pulling a pot from underneath the sink, he crushed up a couple packets of instant noodles. Watching him fill the water, he placed it gingerly on the glass burner closest to me. Turning it on, he sat down next to me. Rubbing my back, my stomach growled again. Winking at me, he got up to stir the noodles. Sitting down again, he set me down on his lap. Playing with my hair, he yawned in my ear.

"I can cook my own food if you want to go to bed." I yawned back, my stomach growling again. "Your pup is making me super hungry." His bare chest pressed against me, his sweatpants feeling soft against my legs. The noodles were about to boil over, surprise widening his eyes as I leapt off of his lap. Taking it off the burner, I drained the broth into the sink. My fingers wrapped around two blue bowls, the glass clanging down on the clean counter. Separating it into two bowls, the silverware drawer squeaked open as my fingers wrapped around two pairs of chopsticks. Bringing them both over, he pulled me down onto his lap.

"You do know that I can take care of you two." He mused playfully, kissing the nape of my neck. "Thank you, Evie." Rolling my eyes, my chopsticks scraped against the bowl as I picked up a clump of noodles. The first bite was amazing, the simple noodles filling up my stomach without making it sore. Finishing it up real quick, he slid his bowl over to me. Embarrassment burned my cheeks, shame dimming my eyes.

"Go ahead, have my bowl." He offered sweetly, guilt dimming my eyes. "I am still full from earlier. You didn't eat dinner. If you don't take it, I will feed you myself." Taking his warning seriously, the other bowl of noodles slid down my throat. Spinning me around, his face was inches from mine. His lips brushed my skin, goosebumps popping up. Melting into his arms, he smelled so good. Tracing his chest, his hand slid down to my bump.

"Thank you for feeding our baby." I thanked him lovingly, kissing him sensually. "I love you, Alpha." Scooping me up, he carried me up to our bedroom. Setting me down on our bed, he stripped on my t-shirt. My body trembled, ready for him to take me.