Alpha Loren novel Chapter 63

November 15th

I woke the next morning a hungry pit in my stomach. According to my phone it was 10:00am and Leo was already awake and downstairs in his office.

I sauntered down into the kitchen and started scavenging through the cupboards.

I was craving something. I didn't know what, but when I found it I would.

I had looked through almost every draw and cupboard before I hit gold. Right at the back of a shelf I had to stand on to reach was a jaw of pickled gherkins. 

I opened the already half empty jaw and put one straight in my mouth without even bothering to climb off the counter first. Until that moment I didn't know anything could be so gross yet so glorious.

"Gherkins hey?" I heard Leo's voice from behind me. 

"Please don't judge me. I just woke up really craving them," I replied looking over my shoulder to see him walking into the kitchen.

"Gherkins are meant to be the number one pregnancy food crave," Leo said taking the jaw off me. "But maybe not these ones...they've been open about 10 years."

"Oh," I said wiping the corner of my mouth. "They didn't taste off, but then again I don't know what a not off gherkin tastes like so..."

"I'll get you some new ones," he chuckled, lifting me off the counter.

"Also," I said, "I want to you to meet my family."

"I've met your family..." he said, "Your brother hates me remember?"

"I want you to meet him properly. And my Mom too," I explained.

"Your Mom?" he asked, "You never talk much about her."

"Well...after my Dad died she was never the same again and I haven't seen her in two years so it's not the cheeriest topic to think about," I replied. "But things are different now.

"My father booted her from this pack seventeen years ago. What makes you think she'd ever want to come back even just for a visit?" he asked.

"Things are different now," I replied, "Her brother Milo Megestanis, is dead, her sister Madison is free, I'm the Luna and I'm pregnant and you'd permit her...right?"

"Of course I would," he said, "Do you have a way of contacting her?"

"I have a number. It's old but it's worth a try," I said. 

"Call it," he replied, "And if she wants to, she has my full permission to come and stay."

"...and Connor?" I asked.

He turned and raised an eyebrow, "Do you really think that's a good idea?"

"You haven't even tried to get along with him," I pointed out.

He sighed, "Call your Mom and I'll think about it."

I smiled and kissed him gently, "Thank you," I said before scurrying off.

It only rang twice before somebody picked up.

"Mara," a voice said, "Mara!"

"Hello?" I aked.

It was the gruff tone of a man.

"Who is it?" he demanded.

"Ella Jones," I replied, "Mara's daughter."

"Mara it's your kid," the man said.

There was a silent pause before I heard the rustling of the phone being handed over.

"Ella?" my mother said, her voice dry and croaky sounding.

"Hi Mom," I said smiling at the sound of it anyway.

 I missed her a lot.

"It's been awhile," she replied.

"Where are you?" I asked, "Who was that?"

"I'm living with a tribe of other rogues," she said, "Misfits, loners...a few weirdos. But they keep me company."

I smiled, "I wanted to call you because I found him."

"Your mate?" she asked.

"Yes. And I'm pregnant with a little boy, Mom," I said softly.

She let out a little weep, "Oh Ella, my baby. I'm happy for you. So...who is he?"

I froze for a moment. 

How was I going to break this to her.

"Ella?" she repeated.

"Alpha Leonardo Loren," I replied quietly.

"No," she whispered. "You can't be serious?"

"I want you to meet him," I said reassuring her.

Silence.

"And I know you were born and raised in the Stella pack," I added, "Your brother, Dad, Madison, how you got kicked out...I know the whole story. But Leonardo welcomes you back. We want you to come and stay with us."

"I can't do that," she said, "I'm sorry Ella. You know the story so you know why I can't return."

I could tell she was holding back tears. 

"Milo Megestanis died Mom. 10 years ago from pneumonia," I informed her.

"What?" She choked. "And I didn't know?"

"I'm sorry."

"No. It's just shock," she said, "I feel no grief for him for what he did to our family."

"Why didn't you tell us?"

"After we left, your father and I decided to start a new life. Free of the dysfunction of the past. Of course, the new pack and the new life brought more problems but we kept our pact never to burden you and Connor with our history."

"But I know it all now," I replied, "Now you can come back and meet Leo. He's not perfect but there's a side to him that they don't tell you in the stories. I swear to it."

An hour later, I got off the phone. My Mom had plans to make her way North to Stella soon. I wasn't counting on it but I had hopes.

"Luca's coming. I've got things to be done," Leo said as I came out the office.

He was stood by the front door with his car keys in his hand.

"Okay that's fine," I said. I like Luca. He's funny.

"And that girl...Polly...she's been moved to a village where she is being provided for," Leo explained.

"Thanks, Leo," I said wrapping my arms around his waist.

He quickly kissed my head before he opened the door to reveal Luca coming down the drive.

"Oh my God!" Luca exclaimed dropping his keys and running up to me.

"What?" I asked as he got onto his knees beside me.

"I can see the Alpha," he explained wrapping his arm around my stomach. I was wearing a loose t-shirt and yes you could see the very beginnings of a baby bump, but I was very surprised he noticed.

I looked up at Leo with a dumbfounded expression and he rolled his eyes.

"Alright, Luca. Excitement over you can get off my mate now," Leo said seriously, but with a humoured undertone.

"Sorry Alpha," Luca replied straightening himself up and gesturing an apology to both of us.

"Well I guess on that note I should be leaving. Good luck Ella," Leo said before abruptly leaving and closing the door behind him.

"I'm so excited," Luca stated engulfing me in a bear hug the second Leo was gone. Guess he was just a touch-feely kinda guy. "Can I be the Godfather?"

My eyes widened as I stood with my neck stretching to rest on his shoulder.

"Well..." I started. "A Godfather is someone that looks after your child if anything happens to you and-" I continued.

"I can look after kids," He replied releasing me from the crushing hug, "How hard can it be? Just swing them around and they'll be entertained for hours."

I let out a nervous laugh, "I'll talk to Leo."

"Promise?" He asked holding out his pinky.

"Promise," I replied with a severe lack of confidence as I took his finger in mine.

Oh boy.