Ivy’s POV
“What is it?” I frowned, warily studying the girls in front of me.
Liya smiled at me before looking down shyly. “Uh…we're actually here to say sorry. That time we went a little overboard with the comments and all. We didn't mean to insult you like that,” she muttered with a sigh.
I stayed silent for a moment, the apology might sound genuine to anyone else but it didn't seem like that at all to me. It felt weird. I still had this feeling like in their minds they were laughing at me or something. Maybe I'm thinking too much but who knows?
“Luna, do you forgive us?” Jessica asked, a small pout on her lips.
Why do they want my forgiveness now? After all this time?
I looked away with pursed lips and then closed my eyes, taking in a deep breath.
Whatever. I really don't have the time to think about these silly things.
“I've forgotten about it long ago,” I lied, giving them an equally blinding fake smile back. “Enjoy the dinner, guys,” I turned to leave but Jessica stopped me by speaking again.
“We know it's not easy but we really hope you forgive us. We are sincerely sorry,” she said and I gave her a small nod in reply.
“By the way, where's Ruth?” Liya questioned with a frown, looking around everywhere for the girl.
“She has an exam tomorrow so she can't attend today,”
“Oh, that's sad. Weren't you both best friends?” The girl raised a brow.
“We still are,” I replied back with a frown. What does she mean by ‘were’?
Liya let out a nervous chuckle. “Oh, I didn't mean to offend you, Luna. It's just weird that your best friend isn't at your celebratory dinner. Like I can't imagine not going to Jessica's dinner like this,” she shook her head and shrugged her shoulders like it was something she couldn't even think of.
Jessica laughed at that. “Yeah, I will murder you if you do that,”
I let out a heavy sigh. I knew this conversation wasn't going to end pleasantly. “We already talked on the phone. She'll meet me tomorrow. The exam is important to Ruth so as a good friend I understand that. I don't know how things are between you and Jessica but it seems like you both need to work on it,”
Liya looked taken aback by my reply but she quickly covered it up with a smile. “I think our dynamics are different,” she laughed awkwardly. Jessica smiled with her but it didn't really reach her eyes.
“How far along are you, Ivy?” Jessica suddenly asked. “Oh, is it okay if I called you Ivy?”
“It's fine,” I nodded. “I'm at the end of my first trimester,” I said, placing a hand on top of my swelling belly. Happiness surged through me as I thought of the pup inside. Time is moving too fast. I didn't even realize it.
“Really? That's a surprise. I thought you were already four months in as it kinda looks like it,” Jessica threw me a smile while the one on my face faltered.
“Really?” I asked, looking down. Maybe I look really bloated or something.
“It must be hard for you. I mean, your body is changing so fast. I can't even imagine it right now. I'll lose my mind if I get stretch marks and loose skin when I'm this young,” Liya laughed, shaking her head as she acted like she got shivers from just thinking about it.
Oh, they're trying to make me insecure.
I gave them a tight smile. “Well, good for you that you aren't. But I'm very much happy about carrying my pup and being the Luna of this pack,” I smiled smugly, not giving them the satisfaction of making me feel insecure.
Jessica let out a nervous chuckle. “Yes, of course, you're mated and it seems like Alpha Cassian loves you dearly. So congratulations,” she tried to clear away the awkwardness.
“We should go then. You must be busy,” Liya said.
“When are you finally enrolling for pack duties?” I asked and the moment that question left my lips, Liya and Jessica froze.
“Uhh…next month,” she whispered, face growing a little pale.
“Good. The kitchen staff were saying they're very short-handed. They could use some help,”
“But Ivy, we were planning to help at the nursery,” Liya frowned.
“The nursery is filled with new mothers. Your comments might affect them negatively. I can't allow that,” I said, keeping my expression neutral. “It's best if you're not around them,”
“Ivy, we're—”
“Goodnight, guys. I'll take my leave now. My mate is waiting,”
—-
“What did they say?” Cassian asked as soon as he saw me. He gently caressed my head before tucking a strand of hair behind my ears. “You look upset. Do I need to talk to them?”
I shook my head and gave him a soft smile, trying to wipe away the frown on my face. “I'm just tired,” I tried to reason.
“Let's go back then,” he said immediately.
I looked around us. Everyone seemed happy and everyone was enjoying the party. “It's not nice to leave like that, Cassian. Everyone is enjoying the dinner,”
“Well, I don't care about everyone. I care about you. My priority is my mate and my pup. Let's go to our room, okay? I'm sure they'll understand,” he took my hand and stared into my eyes, waiting for an answer.
I let out a sigh and gave in after a moment. Cassian threw me a blinding smile before walking towards the exit of the grand hall, pulling me along with him.
I smiled to myself. I haven't seen him this happy. I never knew he could smile like this and I never thought he would care like this.
It's just so unreal to have him fret over me. These days there's a little skip to his walk, a playful tone in his voice whenever he talks to me, and a glint in his eyes that makes my insides warm.
This Cassian is a dream and this Cassian is my mate. The one goddess made for me. The one I'm sure will protect me till death.
This Cassian is mine.
____
I waited for the alpha to get in bed with me while I adjusted the temperature in the room. It's very cold. I made sure my hair was dry or else I'd have to hear an earful from my mate about how I could catch a cold from sleeping with wet hair.
Cassian soon got out of the bathroom with only a towel hanging loosely around his hips. I ogled his body like a perverted maniac. I have high doubts that the pregnancy is making me feel horny twenty-four-seven.
The alpha caught my stare and smirked like he always does. He shamelessly took off his towel and revealed his gigantic…. thing, causing me to blush. He was doing it on purpose. He always did this. Shameless bastard!
“Have you got no shame at all?” I huffed in annoyance.
“Says the one who was drooling while staring at me,” he let out a chuckle and my hand immediately went to my mouth to check. A blush crept up my face when I realized he was making fun of me.
“I wasn't!” I glared at the alpha.
Cassian raised a brow, a smug smile on his lips. “But you weren't very sure about that,” he replied while putting on his boxer briefs.
“Yours isn't that impressive! Nobody likes it when it's too big,” I lied through my teeth just for the sake of not letting him win.
“Really? But that wasn't what you were saying the last time you were hanging off of my knot, love,”
“You are shameless!” I hit his chest when he came close to me. “It's just because you're my mate! It only feels good because you're my mate,” Why am I even trying to lie? He can see right through me.
“It's okay, baby. No matter how much you say you don't like it, I know you're lying,” he laughed.
I let out a huff and looked away, jutting out my lips as I rolled my eyes. “Okay, you win. Fine?”
“It's not a competition, love. I love your body too and even if you're drowning in my bigass shirt right now, I just can't keep my eyes off of you. You're just that pretty,” Cassian whispered in my ear before he wrapped his arms around me and pulled me into his lap.
His hand sneaked inside my shirt and settled on my belly. “It drives me crazy to see you swollen with our pup like this. My alpha is very proud,” he laughed. “I can feel him puff out his chest in pride every time we see your belly growing. He's so proud that we got you pregnant,”
A blush crept up my face at that information. I put my hand on top of his. “My omega is happy too. She's so happy and proud every time I think of our pup.” I smiled, leaning against my alpha's chest.
“My alpha likes it so much that I'm afraid he's planning to keep you pupped up every year.”
“I'll cut your dick off,” I threatened.
Cassian's chest rumbled as he laughed. “Will you? But I think you like it a little too much to do it,”
“Urgh!” I groaned, elbowing him softly to shut him up. Cassian laughed again as he buried his face in the crook of my neck.
“I got you something,” he whispered while nipping at my mating mark. I was about to ask what it was when I suddenly felt something cold against my neck.
“What?” I mumbled while looking down. It's a thin silver necklace with a pretty small blue stone at the end. “It's so pretty,” I whispered.
“It's sapphire,” Cassian said as he unbuttoned my shirt to see it better.
“I love it,” my smile widened. “Thank you,”
“I should be the one thanking you,” Cassian kissed my neck as he scented me, affection oozing out of his words. “Thank you for being my mate. Thank you for carrying our pup. You are the perfect mate and mother. I'm forever thankful to the goddess for having you,”
I turned my head to the side to look at him. Cassian's gleaming golden eyes stared into mine and in a second our lips met naturally. His warm hand cupped my chin before it slipped down to my chest. I let out a whimper when it brushed against my nipple.
Cassian pulled back to stare at me with wild eyes. “Hurts?”
My face grew hot immediately. “Yes, they're a little sore,”
He let out a stuttering breath. “Can I see?”
I bit my lips, thinking about it for a moment. “Yes…” It looked like the alpha was holding his breath as I turned around to straddle his lap. Cassian leaned on the headboard before he unbuttoned the rest of the buttons of my shirt.
“You're not wearing anything underneath,” he whispered, looking dazed as he moved the fabric. I leaned back on my hands and looked away, feeling a little embarrassed.
“Yeah…this is comfortable,”
I flinched when his thumb suddenly pressed against the swollen nub.
“They're darker now….and a little perky,” he said before swallowing thickly.
I bit my lips while staring at him. His scent had taken up a spicy note and before I knew it he was leaning in, stopping an inch away from my nipples, his dark eyes still trained on them. I felt goosebumps rise on my skin from the way his warm breath was hitting the sensitive buds. Warmth pooled in my abdomen and a gasp fell past my lips at the feeling of slick trickling out of my entrance.
Cassian's eyes shot up to meet mine in a second, his jaws clenched, and eyes clouded with lust. “Can I?” He asked before wetting his lips.
My hands gripped the sheets as a shaky breath slipped past my lips.
“Yea–ah!” I gasped when I felt his warm tongue immediately press against one of my tender nipples. Soft, gentle….careful.
Cassian lapped at the tender flesh with extreme care, not even once sucking or biting harshly to cause me discomfort. I closed my eyes in pleasure when he swirled his tongue over it. My fingers threaded his hair, keeping him there as an aching need bloomed in my core.
Cassian pulled back to look at me for a moment. “God, Ivy, I want to eat you up,”