The following morning is much different than others I've had. Ares left early to start his training with deltas, and I find myself laying alone in the bedroom. The help walk in and out attempting to clean the mess I've caused this time, but I'm not in the mood for the noises their making. I guess it's irritable Veronica today. I don't mean to be so harsh lately, but even the healer helped me understand that wolf pregnancies are much more than human. I'll experience everything ten-fold, especially cravings. Today as soon as my feet hit the floor, I want nothing but donuts.

"Alpha just informed us through the pager that you want donuts. Do you have any preferred favorites?" One of the servants peaks her head up from the broom she's using. The device on her hip a message from the Alpha himself. That's sweet. Even in training he made sure to take care of me.

"I really enjoy blueberry cake donuts. And will you get enough for the staff as well? I think you all deserve them after the amazing Lunar Ball. With that, can you buy yourselves lunch later?" I listen to the nice crack when I stretch my arms above my head standing on the side of the bed. The servant nods violently with a large grin covers her face.

"Thank you, Luna! That is so kind of you." She finishes sweeping quickly then rushes from the room to announce the news to the rest of the staff. I'll have to talk to Ares about giving them more rewards. While some of them are rather annoying and this is part of their service to the wolves, they still deserve a special thank you for all they do every now and then.

Is that right?

"Ah!" I scream aloud looking around the room for the man. Ares is nowhere in sight, but I know I heard his voice.

You've developed enough now we can mind link. I'm still on the training field taking a break.

"That is fucking awesome." I mutter walking into the closet. A small bump that looks like a major bloat has formed meaning that most of my outfits are sun dresses and sweatshirts. I don't think it's that noticeable, but after Ares made a comment that wolves stare a little too hard at everything, we both decided that wearing more concealing outfits would be key. The healer scared us both when she mentioned the pop my belly will do towards the end of the first month to accommodate the rapid growth, like a twenty-week pop of a human child. The increased speed won't slow until month three, then becoming a regular increase until birth. Birth.

Are you alright? You seem a little apprehensive this morning.

"I'm fine." I speak aloud because I'm not sure how the mind-link works. He can read my thoughts but putting thoughts into another head is a completely different story, "Just working through some stuff. You know, stressing over the minor details."

No need to worry yourself. I'll handle the wolves at the trials and then we'll finally have some peace to enjoy the pregnancy.

I think to myself, but it apparently worked regarding our conversation. Ares sends his laughter down the bond. We've knocked out issue after issue together, mostly the strong wolf Ares handling the brunt of the load, but more continue to persist. Now that we've gotten through the Lunar Ball, my main objective is to relax and stay calm. I'm most vulnerable in these early growth stages, and stress doesn't help any pregnancy. However, that feels completely impossible when your friend is suddenly a deceptive bitch and you're worrying about the death of your mate in the coming weeks. Just when you get happy the world wants to take it all from you.

I left a gift on the office desk. Why not go look?

"Huh?" I pull some shoes on and tie my hair back running from the room. The servants make way for me as I barrel down the hallway into the private office Ares keeps at the house. Just as he said, on the desk sits a well wrapped gift box bigger than my head, "No you didn't! Ares." I groan knowing he can hear me. Strutting over to the desk, I drop in the seat pulling the gift close to me.

I can feel his hovering in my mind as I work through the bow and pull open the gift looking down at the stack of new tech filling the box. Inside is a few items top of line: a laptop, cell phone, and tablet with the matching tech pencil. A little note is scribbled and tossed inside with everything, For my beautiful mate. You'll need the best of the best for college and your dreams.

"Ares!" I grab at the cell phone clicking the button to turn it on. It glows to life with all the numbers I need already installed. The laptop is the same, all synced together and ready for use immediately.

Your office is still being decorated at the bank. While you won't work for me, I figured you could use it as a study and workspace for yourself. It also has a desktop and other goodies for you to make sure you succeed.

I don't feel as though I deserve this, but he keeps reassuring me I do. With a subtle reminder to start applying to places, and a new credit card that I can use at my leisure, there's nothing holding me back from school. Except the child. What will I do when they're born? I can't abandon them to follow my own path. The hope I had moments before deflated. All of this is wonderful, but I know at the end of the day it'll be many years before I can work towards my personal goals.

As it would have it, I have a personal nanny that would be able to take care of the child in any location you find yourself. Especially our home. She's worked with most of the pack's working families and would love to help you go to school and be a mother.

Only because you would limit yourself. As the servants to take you shopping today or do something for yourself. I can send in someone to do your nails if you would prefer that as well.

That's why I work, love. Now enjoy. I must go.

I ask myself sometimes how I could've fallen so quickly for him, and in these moments I remember. Ares always puts me first, makes sure that I'm taken care of before worrying about himself. I know I'm difficult, hardheaded, and all the worst check boxes, but he treats me like a queen, "Luna! We have your donuts."

"Oh! Come in. Join me while I eat." I wave them in moving the box of tech to the ground, so I take the donuts from her. She and her friend drop into the seats across from me with overly nervous smiles across their faces, "What's wrong? Do I have something on my face?"

"No!" The friend yells out waving her hands wildly, "We've never been asked to join the leaders before. Or any of the wolves. They treat us so well here, but we're still so secluded from them. We're confused by your invitation."

I scoff at them with a smile, "Let's change that. I'm Veronica Smite, Ares's mate. And you two are?"

The original servant pipes up first with a glaring look from the other, "I'm Monica, and this is Reynolds. We both started here about two months ago after the wolves took care of our debt. Both her and I lost our parents in the same fire, but neither could handle the multi-millions they left us to pay back. Gamblers, who would have thought."

I'm dumbfounded. I've never had to think of a response to such a brash death, "I'm glad the wolves were there to... um... help." I hand them both a donut they gladly take. It's just the normal glazed so I hope that it's tolerable for them. Only two blueberry donuts sit in the box, and the baby won't let me share, "How long are you in debt to us?"

"The Alpha went easy on us because of our age. Tried to get us to work at the bank, but we both didn't like the idea. Only three years!" Monica smiles chewing on her donut. Reynolds smiles as well thanking me with a nod.

"We're only eighteen and the Alpha believed that we're too young to serve twenty-five years like our debt would normally lead to. So, instead of that, he made us promise to avoid alcohol and men until twenty-one and he would let us off early." Reynolds snorts whipping her hands together after she inhaled the donut.

"Well, do you like it here?" I ask to neither in particular.

"We love it! They teach us how to fight, feed us well, our rooms are dreams! And the paycheck is so nice. I didn't expect to receive something like that. And Alpha promised to write us outstanding recommendation letters when we need them." Reynolds responds with absolute glee.

"Shouldn't you both be in college at this age?" This blueberry donut is hitting the spot.

"We should," Monica starts with a frown, "But it was this or we lost everything we ever knew. College is too expensive, and these paychecks allow us to save. While we'll be starting life a little late, we'll have homes, cars, and savings to come back to. It'll be worth it in the end." Reynolds nodded in agreement, both grabbing another donut when I offered.

I wasn't expecting the fit of laughter when Reynolds leaned forward with a devious smirk, "And the chance of finding a werewolf to worship me? Who'd pass that up?!"

~

The chef personally calls me down to clarify that he doesn't have to cook for the masses today, "You are correct Chef. I've instructed the help to buy lunch on us today as thanks. That includes you. Enjoy the afternoon off!" I yell back while leaving. Ares encouraged me to do something for myself, and today that is going to be walking around the land figuring out the placement of things. Of course, my lovely mate encouraged personal stalkers to follow me around, but that's neither here nor there.

"Can you two at least walk beside me and not hide in bushes?" I groan at the hidden men almost an hour later. They both move out from behind trees walking up to me with their heads dropped in shame, "I appreciate you looking out for me, it's a real honor to be protected, but it's weird watching you body roll into the dirt."

"Apologies Luna. The Alpha wanted us to give you some privacy to enjoy your first free day." The taller of the two muttered. I laugh waving my hand at them much like I had towards Monica and Reynolds earlier. While I'm in a bad mood, it's refreshing to finally speak and learn about the other people of the back.

"Non-sense. I'd love to make a few friends today. Ares is wonderful and all, but he's an Alpha and busy. If you two will be guarding me when I leave the house, we should at least make polite conversation, yes?"

The men seem to take a moment to think it through. The shorter of the two gives me a lip ripping smile, his arms raising in the air in excitement, "This is so cool! The Luna wants to talk to us!"

"Yes?" I scrunch my brows trying to figure them out, both the men pull each other into a hug screaming absolute glee.

"My name is Mark, this is Jackson. We're mates," He leans into whisper, "That's why we're trusted with you." Mark is the taller of the two, Jackson hanging off his arm.

"That's exciting." I sound like a schoolteacher with my responses.

You sound like a mother.

Would you be up for a detour of your walk around the land?

My mother is planning to take a silver bullet to my head if you don't introduce yourself.

"Mark, Jackson, do you know where Ares's mother lives?" Both the men halt their laughter looking at me with the widest eyes I've seen in a while. Jackson leans in close looking me over. It's as if he is checking for mental injury.

"You want to see Mrs. Gray?"

"Ares asked me to visit her, I suppose I should stop by." My eyes move between the two very uncomfortable men. Both give each other side eyes before focusing back on me. Even their body language changed to something stiff lacking the fluidity that most wolves have mastered.

"Just a warning. She's..." Jackson starts, Mark finishing, "Harsh."