The One

Pregnant?!

 Meanwhile, back at Theodulf, Luka awoke alone and immediately reached out to his mother through their private mind link.

'Mum, where are you?' he thought, his mind tinged with concern.

'Luka, darling, I'm so sorry for not being there to wake you. I'll be away for a while, helping your uncles and aunts,' came her soothing reply.

'That's okay, Mum. Just please come back safe and sound. I love you,' Luka responded, punctuating his words with a kissy sound in his mind.

'I love you always, sweetheart. I promise to be safe, and I'll return as soon as I can, okay?'

'Okay, Mum.'

'Luka, could you hand your dad the letter I left on your dresser?'

'Yes, Mum. I'll give it to him when he arrives. Oh, and Mum,' he added, hesitating slightly.

'Yes, sweetheart?'

'Can I stay with Dad until you come back home?'

'Of course, my dear. Just remember to inform your grandparents and Aunty Sharon too, aright?'

'Aright, Mum. Thank you. Please take care of yourself. Bye.'

'...'

Luka's premature farewell made her chuckle. 'Seriously, this boy. I haven't even finished saying goodbye yet, and he's already closed the link. I wonder where he gets that attitude from,' she muttered to herself, shaking her head.

Almost a month had passed, and her mood swings had become erratic, setting everyone around her on edge as they tiptoed around her emotions.

"Gosh, I feel like a ticking bomb," she exclaimed, entering the guest room.

"Karol, to be blunt, you are," Jess replied, her tone frank.

"Indeed, I am," she chuckled, shaking her head. "It's been nearly a month now, and aside from minor incidents, everything at the office has been quiet. I think it's time I head back to my son."

"You should, Karol. I bet Luka misses you terribly," Jess encouraged.

"More than terribly! He's been pestering me about how dangerous my absence could be. I swear he's inherited more of his father's traits than mine," she replied with a smirk. "I'll pack my things now and head out tomorrow morning. Just lock the door behind me, and have fun, you two. And for heaven's sake, don't forget to use protection!"

She laughed as Jess and Brian exchanged stunned looks, their mouths agape in shock.

That evening at dinner, Karol informed the others of her plans to return home and expressed her gratitude to the Aspen family for their warm hospitality. As she fell asleep that night, excitement bubbled within her at the thought of reuniting with her beloved son.

Upon arriving at Theodulf airport, she hailed a cab to the mansion, practically power walking through the halls as she greeted smiling pack members who welcomed her warmly.

As she reached her mate's room, she slowly opened the door, revealing an utterly adorable scene that melted her heart. There lay Luka and Arlo, sleeping in a loosely tethered embrace, perfectly positioned as if drawn together by some invisible thread.

'Could they be any more adorable?! Honestly, I could just squish them both like a sandwich. But dear Lord, I'm starving; that can wait,' Karol thought, closing the door gently as she rubbed her slightly protruding belly, noting she might have indulged a bit too much of late.

With a playful grin, she opened the curtains wide, the bright morning sun flooding the room. Luka stirred, instinctively shielding his eyes from the light while still in slumber.

Giggling softly, she climbed onto the bed and began showering her son with kisses, relishing the moment. In her enthusiasm, she inadvertently woke a fiercely protective Arlo. He growled lowly, instinctively pulling Luka close, but as soon as he caught sight of his mate giggling beside them, he relaxed and let his son go.

"Morning, mate," she greeted him, warmth radiating from her smile.

Arlo's amber eyes lit up, a sparkle of love and mischief dancing within. He breathed in deeply, the scent of his family surrounding him. As he moved to the other side of the bed, he affectionately called out, "Mate~," his voice a soft caress amid the morning light.

Arlo gently tugged his mate up while inhaling the sweet scent of her neck, the air thick with unspoken affection and urgency. He settled himself at the foot of the bed, his heart racing, and placed his ear tenderly against her belly, caressing it with soft, lingering touches that radiated warmth. His eyes sparkled with joy as he purred contentedly.

Karol looked down at him, bemused by his peculiar behaviour; his purring and intimate positioning made her eyebrows furrow in confusion. "What are you doing?" she asked, her voice a mixture of curiosity and bemusement.

"Mine. Pup, no pups," Christian murmured softly, the words laden with significance, his mind reaching out through the pack link, bombarding the air with congratulatory wishes from their pack members, a chorus of excitement surrounding them.

"Huh? What are you mumbling about?" Karol replied, still processing his strange actions.

"Mate, do you know that you're pregnant?" Christian asked, his smile wide and genuine, one hand entwined with hers while the other lingered possessively on her belly.

"No~ impossible. I don't feel bloated and there's no morning sickness," she retorted, disbelief creeping into her tone.

"I'm not playing, love; I truly think you are pregnant," he insisted, his smile unwavering, redoubling his earnestness.

"And you deduce this by pressing your ear to my belly?" she shot back, her mood shifting dramatically. A pang of indignation flared up within her, and she pulled away slightly, crossing her arms defiantly. Arlo's shocked expression at her sudden coldness was met with his determination to soothe her before her anger sparked into a full-blown storm.

"Okay, baby girl, why don't we go and check with the doctor? Just to be certain, because I may be wrong on this," he suggested, his voice calm yet concerned, his gaze shifting as he noticed her wearing his sweater. "And is that my sweater you're using?"

A sweet smile crept onto Christian's face as he tried to lighten the mood, hoping to ease her irritation. "Let's wake Luka up, shall we? He misses you a lot, you know."

"Luka baby, look who's back!" Karol called out playfully.

"Mummy?" Luka mumbled, groggy and disoriented as he rubbed the sleep from his eyes. When he finally focused on his mother, a radiant smile broke across his face. He launched himself towards her, enveloping her in a tight embrace, his small frame pressing against her protectively.

Arlo, instinctively protective of his mate and any potential new life, stepped in, cradling Luka in his arms while ensuring his son could still hug his mother. "Luka baby, you need to be a calm and gentle little one. Don't jump on your mother like that; she might have back pain."

Luka, sensing his father's caution, released his mother and playfully leapt onto Christian, who expertly caught him and held him securely. They stood together, and Arlo helped his mate to sit, still concerned for her comfort. But in an instant, Luka reattached himself to her, inhaling deeply, seemingly searching for something in her familiar scent.