“And you promise me that it will look similar to the pack house?” I ask, feeling slightly uneasy.
“Yes, Alpha Hannah. The dormitory will look similar to the pack house, though it will lack the historical charm from the wear and tear caused by years of standing tall,” Aidan teases.
I stick my tongue out at him, eliciting a boisterous laugh. This catches the attention of a few of the wolves working nearby, and they wave, asking how I’m doing. I wave back, replying that I am restless waiting for my pup to come, and they wish me all the best before resuming their work.
“As agreed upon, the top floor will be for single wolves and the bottom for new families. We might need to start looking for places to build homes, though,” Aidan says once his men resume working, pointing to the slowly progressing project.
“Can we discuss that part next year?” I ask with a slight grimace, rubbing the back of my neck.
“I need to focus on getting my business off the ground and turning a profit before I can think about spending more money,” I add with a sigh. Building a pack has drained my finances, and with this new building, I wonder if launching Haven Trail’s security is a good idea, especially considering I will be busy with a new pup soon.
“You know we don’t mind working for free,” Aidan says, his lips set in a frown. “You have given us all a place to call home, and it’s the least we can do.”
I hold up my hand to stop Aidan from speaking, giving him a helpless smile as I look between him and the wolves working hard just a few feet away.
“I can’t do that, Aidan. Your team is working hard between your own business and helping the pack. Paying you is the least I can do,” I state, refusing his offer.
He just sighs, knowing that I am not going to budge on my decision, before giving me a small smile. “How about talking to Serina, then? I hear she is trying to help some humans sell their businesses. Maybe one can catch your eye and help grow the pack’s finances,” he suggests.
My eyes light up at this, and I agree that it’s a brilliant idea.
After telling Aidan to keep me updated on the progress of the dormitory, I waddle toward the golf cart I took here and climb inside. This was another investment that I initially thought was a useless idea. Jiya had been the one to convince me to buy at least two golf carts, stating they would be perfect for driving between different facilities. Once again, my wolves had been right, and Idon’t think I would have been able to get around the immediate area without this golf cart.
Serina,I call out to my friend through the link, feeling her stir before she pops into my mind.
Yes, Hannah?she asks, sounding slightly distracted. She must be with a client.
Aidan told me you are trying to sell a few businesses. Do you think there are any that I could swoop in and buy that would turn a profit?The link lights up with excitement, and I chuckle, parking the golf cart in front of the pack house garage and sliding out of the driver’s seat.
There are two I think you could handle. Do you mind talking about it tonight when I return home?Serina replies.
Sure. I will see you tonight then in my office after dinner,I readily agree, carefully waddling up the stairs and stepping through the open pack house doors.
Packmates are leaving to patrol the border as I step inside, greeting me with smiles. I wave them off, telling them to be safe as I waddle toward the back of the mansion where the kitchen is, searching for Jiya.
“Shouldn’t you be resting so close to your due date?” Aileen’s voice calls from behind me, and I grimace, turning to face the vampire.
“I should, but I also have duties as an alpha to perform,” I counter, receiving an eye roll from her.
“Duties can wait for a month. Claira is doing an amazing job as your beta while you two are in school, and Haven Trail isn’t growing just yet, so things can move slowly. So go sit down and relax,” she chides, her motherly tone surprising me.
I sigh, resting a hand on my large belly, and lean against the wall beside me. “To be honest, I am not sure how to relax,” I answer with a sad smile, looking at the vampire before me.
Serina’s eyes soften at this, and she moves closer, leaning against the same wall I am on.
“Well, I can show you how,” she says with a grin.
I smile back, nodding my head as I slowly push myself off the wall. Suddenly, a gush of wetness seeps down my legs, and I freeze. Judging by Aileen’s reaction, she realizes what happened, her eyes just as wide as mine as she looks down at the puddle pooling around my feet.
“I… uh… did your water just break?” she asks, her voice filled with shock.
“I… I think it just did,” I reply, taking a deep breath.
Aileen tells me to stay there before zipping away, her body becoming a blur. I close my eyes, feeling the first sensation of cramping, and I groan. It seems today my pup will be coming.
Aileen returns quickly, wrapping her arms around me and helping me to the front door. By now, Jiya and Claira are waiting there, worry and concern on their faces.
“Claira, Jiya, and I will take Hannah to the hospital. You and your dad secure the pack and keep Jiya updated on any issues,” Aileen says as she and Jiya help me down the few steps to the pack house and toward Aileen’s convertible. Claira says something in reply, but a painful cramp—a contraction, to be precise—rips through me, and I scream, not used to this type of pain.
