“I-I had a vision this morning,” I begin shyly. “I saw what the next three months are gonna look like for us…”
Thane's frown deepens for a heartbeat before his brows lift, his jaw dropping.
“You're…you're pregnant…?”
I purse my lips as I nod slowly, seeing the surprise and elation flashing in his eyes.
“Oh, my Goddess, baby! This is incredible!” Thane exclaims before meeting my lips with a joyful kiss. When he pulls away and gets to his feet, I frown up at him.
“What are you doing, Thane?”
He runs a hand through his hair, beaming from ear to ear. “I'm gonna go tell the others, of course! They have to know I'm gonna be a father!”
As Thane spins on his heel, I sit back calmly and watch him until he's at the door. He's about to slide it open when I wield just enough magic in one hand to form a bind around his arms, stopping him from moving.
With a flick of my wrist, I turn him back to me, and Thane's wearing a knowing expression as I stroll toward him.
“Not so fast, Thane. I don't want to announce it just yet,” I say as I release him from the magical restraints, reaching up to fold my arms around his neck. “I want it to be just us for a little while.”
Thane nods in understanding, his hands finding purchase on my waist.
“We'll tell them when we're back from our European tour.”
“Our Europe tour?” I frown, and Thane chuckles nervously.
“Yeah. It was supposed to be a surprise trip, and we were gonna leave tomorrow. That's why Elias called the meeting, so I could leave things in their hands for the next two months.”
“Two months?!” I exclaim, my jaw dropping. “Is the pack gonna be fine without you?”
“Of course they will,” Thane leans in. “There aren't any more demons plaguing us, and it's all thanks to you. You deserve this break.”
“It was a team effort,” I remind him, but Thane shakes his head.
“It was mostly you, my special girl,” he whispers before meeting my lips for another kiss, setting my heart alight as goosebumps of awareness pebble my skin.
When we break for air, I press my forehead to his chin, closing my eyes and whimpering.
“I know you were supposed to man the barbecue with the others. But I'm not ready to let you go right now,” I say as I cling to his shoulders.
“Neither am I,” he responds as he lifts me off my feet and cradles me in his arms, carrying me into our bedroom. His eyes are turning dark with desire as he stares at me, but there's nothing rushed about his movements as he gently places me on the bed.
He kneels on one knee in front of me, lifting a hand to cradle the cheek where I once had a gruesome scar that attested to my pain and suffering. As time went on and I gradually learned how to harness my powers, the scar began fading until that night when I met the Moon Goddess and used the full extent of my powers.
That’s when my scar disappeared.
It was also the night Thane professed his love for me.
Being back in Girdwood and being with him has been healing for me, externally and internally, too. Being Thane’smate was the best thing that fate could have dealt me, and I’ve never felt more alive than when I’m right where I’m supposed to be.
Thane reaches into his back pocket and produces a black velvet box that he holds between us.
“I wanted to do this when we got to Europe, but I can’t wait anymore,” he says as he removes the lid to reveal a gold ring encrusted with sapphire crystals. He takes out the ring and takes my left hand, gazing deeply into my eyes as he continues, “You have made me the happiest man on Earth simply by existing, Willow Barker. And just when I thought I couldn’t be any happier, you’ve given me the best news. And I promise”—he lifts my hand to his lips and places a chaste kiss on my knuckles—“to be the best father to our child. But most of all, I promise to be the best husband to you. Will you marry me?”
My heart skips a long beat, my eyes filling with tears. “M-marry you?” I giggle nervously, bottom lip trembling. “We’re already mates, Thane.”
“I know,” he smirks. “But I want to marry you in an official ceremony with all of Snehvolk.”
“Yes,” I whisper, choking on the sob lodged in my throat as Thane slips the ring on my finger. His lips meet mine for a kiss filled with gratitude, and he pulls back only to show off his broad, wickedly handsome smile.
