The Prince’s Unwilling mate by Mutya

215 Ayla “When we spoke this morning you told us that both of you wanted a more natural crib for your pup. Unlike the modern styles you find at the baby store. So we hope you guys like our idea and will accept our gift.” Rodrick states, making it clear this was his idea.

| was beginning to suspect what was wrapped up in old blankets. I just wasn’t sure how they managed to find the perfect crib when we didn’t. All | knew was that it was most likely why Rodrick seemed in such a rush after our second meeting of the day.

“First off, Mom and Dad, I'm so thankful you went out of your way to help us. But | have to say | am a little curious about what it is you brought us.” It was Griffin who answered his parents. He voiced my thoughts as well as his own. Because | too was very curious about what kind of crib they brought into our living room. I just hoped | or better yet we would love it. Because | would feel awful rejecting a kind offer from my in-laws.

“Well then unwrap it, that is what you do with gifts right?” Before Griffin and | could stand up to walk over to the gift. Isabella added “Preferably together” So we did, we walked over to what we both knew was the crib together, we just didn’t know what kind of crib it was and how they got it. I still didn’t when we removed all the blankets, it was an older style crib, but it still looked brand new there was not a scratch on it.

0.00% A 11:44 215 Ayla 200 (Vouchers “Mom, Dad, are you sure?” Griffin mumbled something about this crib had made him feel emotional. | could only B imagine him. reacting like this because it was a family heirloom of sorts. But again the state this crib was in seemed to contradict that idea.

“Well when you outgrew the crib, your father and | had it restored. There were sdents and scratches in the wood. But you know, we never got to fulfill our wish of putting a second baby to sleep in that crib. We're not sad about that anymore, not when we look at what we do have. But feel free, to be honest, if that’s not cooomphhf” | knocked the air out of Isabella’s lungs with how had I hugged her. Or maybe it was because it was so suddenly, as she was still explaining why they had gifted us Griffin's old crib.

| “I love it, and seeing how my mate practically jumped in your arms | feel safe to say she loves it too” Even without looking at Griffin | knew he was smiling | could just hear it in his voice. Rodrick smiled at me, winking | knew he found what Griffin told them amusing. Since it was true. That didn’t stopfrom thanking them myself.

This tnot with hugs but by using my words; “Griff, is right | love it both how it looks. And the idea behind it and the fact it used to belong to Griffin” | told them. Of course, Rodrick still wanted a hug, like his mate had gotten. It was all in good fun, and we spent the rest of the night chatting about our future and our plans for the baby.

“Oh before we go, feel free to invite your human friends to the wedding. We trust the two of you. And the judgment you made” Rodrick told us, he winked and | was sure he knew this before. He 22.07% A 11:44 1915 Ayla 288 Wouchers just needed to keep up his appearance as he would with any pack member. I'm still baffled sdays by how | went from never wanting to find a second chance at love. Comforting myself with the fact | would at least get to stay close to my parents. To finding a second chance mate, and a second family. That night. when | got into bed | felt a little lighter. The night had been a testimony to how good my life was slowly but surely becoming.

The past two weeks have flown by, now it was tto tell the rest of the pack | was expecting. It has been quiet for the last two weeks, with no , Griffin seemed less worried about everything. I just hoped that Cynthia would not cto the pack meeting. She hadn't ever since we banned her from the castle for two weeks a little while back. Or if she did, that she would not comment on the pregnancy news. If she did not make a scene during this meeting. Griffin might finally be fully convinced we were no longer in danger.

Despite getting smaternity clothes, | still mostly wore dresses because by now most of my clothes didn’t fit.

And | was scared that my shirt would rise up revealing the fact | was wearing pregnancy clothes. Now with this meeting, it was the first t| felt comfortable wearing it to a pack meeting. By the end of the night, they would all know | was pregnant, and | was sure they would be happy for me.

“Ready, Darling” Griff huggedfrom behind, inhaling my scent. He was the one askingif | was ready. | knew that question by 48.16% 11:44 215 Ayla | 1288 (Vouchers now, it was not just asking if | was ready to go. He was asking if | was emotionally prepared. | used to need questions like that, | used to need sreassurance back when | was still timid and insecure.

Now with the way he was sniffing my mark, it seemed like he was the one who required the reassurance. | turned to face him, not wanting to let on | knew how much he needed me. Because honestly, | did not get it. | was more than sure he was happy with the fact that | was pregnant. Not only had he toldmore than once. He showed it towith everything he did. So it made no sense he seemed hesitant to tell the rest of the pack about it.

We had talked about finally being able to get started on the nursery this weekend. To match the aesthetic of the crib we scoured Craigslist for a rocking chair | could use as a nursing. chair. Shelves for storage and a dresser to change diapers on and to put clothes in. We decided on a thfor the nursery. Every bit of furniture we collected from humans, Griffin told them that it was for a nursery. Griffin was the one to suggest that we would ask one of the kids in the pack if he would make a wall painting. | know the kid, but | hadn’t seen much of his art.

According to Griffin, he was more than talented. We wanted a mural with the White Oak from my old back and the silver moon from our pack. A bit like the necklaces Griffin gave me, to thankfor giving him a family.

“Are you ready, baby?” | ask him to see if he wants to open up toand tellwhat's on his mind. He doesn’t he just givesa fake smile, lying tothat he is excited to tell the pack that we are expecting. | want to know why he is lying but | have no tto 72.11% 0 [e] 11:44 my and figure Haut Because we have to leave for the gack matting 215 Ayla try and figure it out. Because we have to leave for the pack meeting.

288 (Vouchers 98.85% 11:44