My legs trembled with each step towards the cabin, and I soon lost my balance. But before I could even flinch, Cassian's strong arms encircled my waist, sweeping me up in a gentle yet firm grasp. I gasped, clutching our pup tightly to my chest. "Cassian, our pup!" I shouted, prompting a deep chuckle from him.
"You and our little one will always be safe in my arms," he whispered, his nose nuzzling my cheek with a reassuring smile.
We swiftly arrived at the cabin, and Cassian carefully set me down on the bed. Ruth and Lily followed us inside, worry etched on their sweaty faces.
"Ivy, are you alright?" Ruth questioned, eyes scanning me and the pup worriedly.
"Tell me if you’re feeling pain anywhere," Lily added.
I offered them a gentle smile and shook my head. "I'm all right," I reassured them. Now that I have my mate and pup beside me, unharmed, I feel better than ever. I looked up at Cassian only to see him looking around the cabin with a frown on his face.
Cassian's expression twisted in distaste the next second. "Ruth, prepare our room in the pack house. Ivy and the pup will move there soon. This cabin reeks of that rogue." He spat the words, his disdain evident.
Ruth nodded swiftly and hastened away to carry out his order. I reached out, my hand grasping for Cassian's, and gently tugged him back to focus on me.
"Lily, can you give us a minute?" I glanced at Lily and she immediately understood me.
"Of course, Luna," She replied, nodding before turning around and closing the door as she exited.
"Is everything alright, Ivy?" Cassian asked, a little worried at my sudden request for privacy.
"Sit down beside me," I told him and settled the baby on the bed. Cassian immediately complied to my request without question. I took a towel from the table and started cleaning off the blood from his hands. "I don’t want you to hold our pup with a bloody hand," I sighed.
Cassian nodded and remained still, allowing me to tend to his wounds. His eyes never left our sleeping pup, gaze filled with longing. "Can I?" he asked, his voice soft.
I smiled, my heart overflowing with joy as I carefully placed our pup in his arms. "It's a girl," I whispered, and Cassian's face lit up with a warm smile.
"No wonder she's pretty like you," he cooed, his fingers tracing gentle strokes on her tiny cheek.
"And she's also an alpha like you," I added, causing Cassian's eyes to widen in surprise. He gazed at me for a moment, then his attention snapped back to our pup, his nose twitching as he leaned in to sniff her.
"An alpha..." he declared, his chest puffing out with pride. I couldn't help but laugh at that, amused by the typical alpha behavior.
Alphas and their pride.
"I'll raise her to be as strong and resilient as you," Cassian vowed, his eyes locked on mine as if he’s promising me that. "She'll make a fantastic leader for our pack one day."
I smiled and leaned on his shoulder as we both looked down at our pup, her big eyes looking up at us with wonder. "I hope so," I whispered, stroking her little head.
"Have you thought of any names for her?" Cassian asked, his lips brushing against my head in a gentle kiss.
"Hmm, I don’t have anything in mind... What about you?" I asked, looking at Cassian for inspiration.
"Well, what about Alexia? It’s just a suggestion, we can always—"
"I love it," I exclaimed, interrupting him with a bright smile. "It's a pretty name, and Alexia Ansaldo has a nice ring to it," I said, already imagining our pup growing up with that name.
Cassian's face lit up with a wide grin before he leaned in to capture my lips in a languid kiss. "I'm glad you like the name," he whispered, his lips brushing against my forehead. "You rest now. I'll take care of our little Alexia," he said, his voice soothing.
I let out a contented sigh, finally feeling relaxed and peaceful after a whirlwind of incidents. "When will we introduce her to the pack?"
"In three months, once you've fully recovered."
"Really? I thought it would be tomorrow," I said, surprise evident in my voice.
"Absolutely not," Cassian replied firmly. "It’s important for a new mother and pup to rest and heal."
I let out a relieved chuckle. "I'm glad. I could use some rest. After everything that's happened, it's definitely needed."
Cassian's gaze dropped, his head bowing in guilt. "I'm so sorry for everything that happened to you. I should have been more careful," he said, his voice low.
I shook my head, reassuring him, and pressed a gentle kiss to his cheek. "It's not your fault. You saved us, alpha. And now we're all safe, that's all that matters. Don't burden yourself with guilt." My words coaxed a small smile from him, and his eyes locked onto mine with deep gratitude.
"I'm so grateful to have you by my side, Ivy. Thank you for standing by me, even after everything. Without you, I don't know what I would have become," he whispered, his gaze cherishing me as if I were a precious gift from the moon goddess herself.
"You're being cheesy!" I playfully teased, which only made his smile grow bigger.
"I'm just grateful," he said with a shrug, his eyes shining with sincerity. "For you, our pup, and our little family."
I snuggled my head into the warmth of his shoulder, gazing down at our baby, who was watching us with big, curious eyes. My own smile softened, filled with love and contentment. "Me too."
---
[Three Months Later]
Cassian stood on the elevated platform, our baby cradled in his arms as he addressed the gathering. "My beloved loyal members of the Darkwood Pack," he began, his voice strong and clear. I joined him on the platform, accompanied by his parents and Ryder.
The crowd erupted in cheers as Cassian continued, "I hope you're all having a wonderful time tonight!" The enthusiasm of the pack members was infectious, and I couldn't help but smile at the joyous atmosphere.
"I know that you’re already aware of the reason for the feast, but formalities are formalities," he said with a smile. "I invited you all here to celebrate the arrival of our future alpha and to formally introduce you to her." He announced before holding our little one in the air to face the crowd. "Meet Alexia Ansaldo, your future alpha!"
My heart swelled with pride as I heard the crowd cheer for our little one. I looked at Cassian with teary eyes, only to see him staring back at me with a small smile.
He pulled me close as I took our pup from his hands, cradling her close. "Look at her smug little grin," my mate chuckled, caressing our little one’s cheek gently. "She looks so proud of herself."
"Just like her father," I laughed.
Cassian nestled his chin on my shoulder, gazing down at our baby with a tender expression. "Everyone says she's a miniature version of me, but whenever she smiles, all I see is you," he whispered, his voice filled with affection. "She’s got your pretty smile."
I let out a small chuckle. "Maybe you're just seeing things because you love me so much," I said, trying to hide my own wide smile.
Cassian hummed, but I could tell he was grinning ear to ear. "I can’t deny that."