Claiming His Tempting Mate novel Chapter 38

Savannah's POV

"Do you think it's a good idea?" I asked Hardwick again. I don't know what came into his mind that in the morning he suggested to stroll around the pack. Though it is an opportunity for me to meet the pack members, I am still quite nervous inside. It has been a week that I am living in Dark Forest yet I never got the chance to go outside. Almost everyday I would spend my time in the library or with him.

"You are the Luna, though the title has not become official but all the members have already taken you as one. You need to go out and meet them. Once you get familiar, you will feel good" he said as he wore his shirt infront the mirror.

I sighed. He is true to his point. I can't possibly live my whole life just inside the pack mansion. I have seen mom, accompanying dad whenever he goes and how the pack members show their respect to her. I always thought mom is special because she knows how to deal with things and hard situations.

"Are you ready?" Hardwick walked towards me and stretched his hand "just let your anxious feeling go. It will make more nervous"

I couldn't help but smile. This man, how did he know about my feelings? It's like he can see through me.

~ Because he is our mate. He can feel our feelings ~ Red replied in my mind.

~ Yeah, it's only me who can't understand him ~ I mocked myself.

~ you are lazy that's why ~

I rolled my eyes mentally. I don't know why but my own wolf is mocking me. Great. Hardwick led me towards the door. He pushed the door open and I saw Luina was already standing outside.

"Everything is ready, master," she informed him.

Hardwick nodded "good" then he turned to look at me "let's go"

We walked outside the pack mansion and strolled around the area. Hardwick was holding my hand as we walked. The whole area was covered with forest and high mountains. I can see the peak of it. We walked past many houses and a few pack members greeted us when they saw us walking.

"Why are there only a few people? How many people actually live here?" I asked, looking around. The starter houses look beautiful at the sides. There're rumours saying Dark Forest is secretive and rich. I never believed in those gossips but now coming here, I guess they are kind of true.

"Most of the youngsters are in the field training. So only the elders are here" Hardwick replied. He pulled me more into the area where the houses started to become deep.

Though the population of Dark Forest is quite heavy, I must say the whole pack is neat and clean. The way it was situated and decorated, the people living there must have worked hard to keep it in this way.

"How many pack members does Dark Forest have?" I couldn't help but ask.

"Over 3000 families"

I gasped "what?"

Hardwick looked at me amused "what? Can't believe it at all?"

"Wait, you are saying that Dark Forest has over 3000 families?"

"It's not accurate because not all of them live here," he explained. "Our ancestors have parted the pack. Though most of the members residence are located in this forest part but there's some who lives on East Side"

East Side? Isn't it the place that Cora said? Daisy was also sent there. According to him, the East side is also part of the pack. But why did they divide it in the first place? This is the first time I heard about a pack being partitioned like this.

"The East Side?" I frowned "since the pack has two difficult locations then is that also in your control?"

"Partly, because East side still has elders who used to supervised dad during his rule"

I sighed, "looks like Dark Forest is really dark with its mysteries"

He chuckled, "don't worry. You will get accustomed with it soon"

"You-" I was about to say when something bumped me. Frowning, I looked down only to see beautiful blue eyes staring at me. There was a cute little girl wearing a wolf ears headband with chubby cheeks.

"Alisa, don't run-" a voice stopped in middle and followed by apologising tone "I am sorry Master, Mistress, my daughter is little naughty"

I looked up and saw a woman a little older from me looking down.

"It's fine" I smiled then squatted down and pinched the little girl's cheek "your name is Alisa?"

Alisa nodded fiercely but while doing this the wolf ears headband suddenly slipped from her head and rested on her cute little nose. I chuckled and made her wear the headband properly.

"Why are you running so fast?" I asked softly.

"I wanted to show my ears," she said pointing towards the headband.

"Wow, you have such lovely ears" I complemented making her blush. Her chubby cheeks turned red as she shyly looked down. I couldn't help but feel amused. She is so little and the way she is blushing makes her more adorable.

"Alisa, give your thanks to Luna, sweetheart," her mother said.

Alisa looked up and grinned "thank you Luna"

I laughed and ruffled her hair "your welcome honey"

"Mistress, I hope you won't mind. My daughter is a little naughty and always runs around" Alisa's mom said as I got up.

"How can I mind such a cute little thing?" I smiled. Alisa ran to her mother and grinned.

"Thank you, usually she behaves well but today she got her new headband so she couldn't control"

I chuckled "it's fine, kids are angels"

"Thank you Master, Mistress" then she led her daughter away.

"So adorable," I whispered, still looking at Alisa's jumping figure.

"Shall we? my love?" Hardwick's voice pulled me out of my trance. I almost forgot that he is here too.

"Yes" I smiled at him. Intertwined our hands before taking me to a farther stroll.

Reese's POV

"How are you feeling?" Mom asked as she put the tray on the table.

"I am bored" I replied "mom, why can't I go out? I am bored to death sitting here all the time. I can't control anymore"

"Reese, don't talk like that. You need to control yourself because the current situation is not in our hands" mom said sternly.

I rolled my eyes "what do you want me to do mom? Die here? What kind of sin did I do that they are not letting me go out of this room? Are they trying to confine me here till I give birth?" I felt anger rising inside me. It has been a week already yet I am still stuck here. Besides, Avan also refused to meet me.

"My dear, why are you so angry?" Mom said sitting on bed "how many times I have to tell you that, the greatest weapon a woman could have is her gentleness and calmness. If you behave like this then how will Avan feel anything for you?"

"Mom, he knows already. He knows that this pregnancy is a planned action. Now he doesn't even want to look at me or want to listen to me. What should I do?"

"You need to use this baby as a weapon," mom suddenly smiled.

"What do you mean?" I frowned at her.

"Even if Avan knows that we have planned this action, you are already pregnant and he is still single. So no matter how much he is angry with you, he couldn't hurt you. Because you are carrying his only child. This baby will be the heir of Bright Shine. Since that bitch is already out of the line, the only person remaining by his side is you and now you are pregnant. This is the great advantage you have in your hand. You need to use this situation to win back Avan"

"But he doesn't want to see me"

"Then make him see you. How can a man ignore the woman who is carrying his baby completely?" Mom suggested.

"Do you think it will work?" I asked, still unsure.

"I heard that these days Avan is quite busy handling the pack affairs and staying late at night doing work. You should go and confront him and tell him how much you care about him. No man can resist a woman in such a situation. Though he might be angry at first but then he will definitely cool down. All you need to do is use your charm" mom smiled.

Though the suggestion is quite tempting, Avan is ignoring me these days. He didn't even visited me here but also refused to let me out of the room. How can I just go and use seduction at this time?

"Mom, are you serious? You want me to seduce him at this time? Even if he won't hurt me, what if he gets more angry and what if the plan doesn't go as per our wish? I don't want to risk anything"

Mom frowned "what are you saying? I have put so much effort into getting you this position. Reese, are you doubting me?"

"Mom" I sighed "I am not saying that". I shook my head "I just think that this time is not right to take action. Can't we wait for a few days?"

"You need to work at the right time darling. If you just want to wait then it will only delay your time. Currently the situation in the pack is not favourable for us. Avan is angry and so does Alpha and Luna. Even your dad is not talking to me. And if you can't secure your position then it will be too late for you to hold it"

"Why is dad not talking to you?" I frowned.

Mom sighed heavily "he is accusing me of being irresponsible. Alpha is angry with him because of your pregnancy matter so you dad is little upset"

"Is he blaming you?"

"He is" mom nodded "but this is not the concern. As long as Avan accept you everything will be fine"

"But I can't go out now. If I sneak out then he will be more angry" I shook my head. I know Avan more than anyone. He is aggressive and moody. Things are not going according to him so he will be more aggressive towards anything. Though I know mom just wanted to reconcile our bond but I also need to think of it clearly. If it was before then I wouldn't have given much thought to it but now I am pregnant and if anything happens during our talk the only person who will get hurt is me. And I don't want to take any risk regarding this baby. This baby is the only hope left for me and I will never do anything that risks its life.

"Reese, I just want you two to behave like before. I don't want you to end up like me" mom suddenly sobbed.

"Mom please, don't cry. We have come so far yet you are still crying like this?" I hold her hand " I promise I will use my pregnancy to make up with Avan but I also need time okay, I know him well. If I try to pester him he will doubt me and I can't explain myself. Just give me sometime before I persuade him again"

Mom nodded "fine, as you wish. I have brought your favourite dessert. Do you want to taste some?" She opened the lid of the bowl.

"It looks delicious" my mouth watered instantly.

"Here have this" mom handed me the bowl.

"Thanks mom" I thanked before happily eating my dessert.

Later in the evening Avan visited me. I was surprised at first but instantly calmed myself again. He was ignoring me all these days but finally decided to show himself again.

"How are you?" He asked as he walked in.

"I am good. This pregnancy makes me tired all the time" I smiled at him.

He nodded, "are you resting properly?"

"Of course. I need to care for the baby properly"

"It's good"

I looked at him. He looked exhausted but still looked so handsome.

"Were you busy these days? I mean you haven't visited so..."

"Pack work"

"Avan don't exhaust yourself so much. I know you have work to deal with and many problems to face. But you also need to care about your health too. Don't forget this time it's not only me or the pack that need you but also our baby" I said gently, trying to put more sweetness in my words.

He looked at me for sometime before finally giving a nod "don't worry. I know what I am doing"

"I understand your problems" I smiled "I am just concerned about you. You look so tired right now" I said as I reached out to hold his hand. But before I could touch him he suddenly moved a little avoiding my touch.

"I have so many responsibilities to take care of. You only need to nourish yourself and the baby so that both of you are healthy and don't need to think about other things"

I bit my lips but nodded. It's better not to argue with him right now. Our relationship is not like before. Any single mistake will lead him away from me more.

"Okay, you take care"

He nodded "I will visit you again" then he walked out of the room.

I looked at his retreating figure then clenched my fist tightly. My nails dug in my skin bruising it but I don't care. Right now the pain seems more comfortable.

He is still so indifferent but there will be a day when he can understand my worth and at that time I will see how he stays indifferent like today.