Alpha King's Missing Mate (Book 1 Of The Regal Eclipse Pack Series)

Chapter 27

Jenna had been well aware of the attention she was getting in the cafe, though she still had no idea why. She'd been aware of the blond man across the cafe staring so intently at her and had seen his beautiful blue eyes carefully taking her in. He was quite gorgeous with his full beard and piercing blue eyes. His t-shirt stretched tightly across his bulging arms leaving no doubt he was a werewolf. She was now convinced that there were quite a few werewolves in the area and must be a pack close by.

She watched him get up and walk towards her, and wondered if he was going to join her, but he'd passed her by and went outside, leaving her a little confused.

She felt a little drawn to him, though not the way she had been drawn to Daniel. Probably because, like Daniel, he was a werewolf as well. It was a small comfort, which was rather dumb, but it was her only connection to Daniel at the moment besides her baby.

After several moments, he came back in and returned to his table. He glanced at her again, before diverting his attention to the server who had approached their table. The woman was gorgeous, and Jenna watched him smile at her.

Tyler suddenly sat down across from her, surprising her. She'd been too focused on the handsome blond werewolf. She found herself briefly wondering if he knew Daniel at all. How small was the werewolf community? Probably not though. Talia hadn't known who he was.

"Hey, have you been waiting long?" Tyler asked with a smile.

"No. Maybe ten minutes or so," Jenna returned his smile. Tyler looked tired but excited. "How was the seminar?"

"Great! I've learned quite a bit already. Jenna, you look completely worn out. Did you overdo it today?" Tyler asked with concern.

"Hi, welcome. Can I get you something to drink sir?" The server asked as she approached their table, smiling brightly at them both.

Jenna breathed a small sigh of relief about being interrupted, knowing Tyler was probably going to lecture her. But she also knew he more than likely wouldn't drop it either.

After she had left with their orders, Tyler turned his attention back to his sister. "Jenna? Did you overdo it?"

"No, well, maybe I overdid it a little. Right now, I just want to eat, then go back to our hotel room, take a cool shower and sleep," she sighed, sipping on her milkshake. She felt gross, and sort of miserable. A meal would help, and so would a cold shower but sleep would help even more.

"Maybe you should stay at the hotel room tomorrow while I'm at the seminar," Tyler suggested.

"I might. Depends on how I feel. There are some other shops I'd like to visit but I may be too tired," Jenna conceded and stifled a yawn. She had a feeling she'd be sore tomorrow and the thought of it was rather depressing.

"Tomorrow, the seminar ends at one and our flight leaves at four, so keep that in mind," Tyler told her, concern in his eyes as he studied her.

Jenna nodded as the server brought over a milkshake for Tyler, promising their food would be out soon. Perhaps she would take his advice and just rest in their cool room. But it wasn't like she came to Texas every day.

An hour later, Jenna was back in her hotel room. Tyler had rented one room with two full sized beds, which was perfectly fine with her. He'd come back, flipped the AC all the way down and told her to take a shower first. He'd spent most of the day in air conditioning while she'd been out in the heat.

She now stood in the bathroom staring at her naked body in the mirror. Thoughts of the last time she'd been in a hotel room crossed her mind, and she closed her eyes, running her hands up her body, remembering Daniel's expert touch.

You're mine, Jenna.

Always.

Her eyes snapped open, and she sighed as she looked at herself in the mirror again. Her body had changed so much since that night. She was no longer the petite little thing she used to be. Now, besides her big belly, her hips were much wider and her breasts much larger. Would Daniel find her beautiful? Or would he be disgusted with her? More than likely, he wouldn't be attracted to her like he had been. Her body would never look like that again.

She scoffed and sighed. It didn't matter. The chances of her ever seeing him again were slim to none. She had her baby to focus on now. Daniel was just a happy memory, and that's all he would ever be. The sooner she could accept that, the better.

Jenna slipped into the shower and flipped it on cool, eager to wash off her tacky skin. She needed to forget about him. She had her own family to focus on now. Not some man who probably didn't even remember her, or their glorious night together.

***

November came in with colder temperatures and the scent of snow in the air. Jenna was constantly exhausted. She found herself napping two or three times a day anymore, and when she'd expressed concern to Dr. Gray, he had said what she was experiencing was perfectly normal. She needed to rest as much as possible and keep her feet up.

The only thing she could think of was the fact that her baby was half werewolf. She really didn't know, but Dr. Ben didn't seem the least bit worried. She wondered if he would be if he knew what she was carrying. She still thought the man was a werewolf, and if he was, he very well might know then.

She sat on the couch now with a notepad, working on a menu and grocery list for Thanksgiving, which was just a few days away. Not that she'd even dream of going to the store herself. That would wear her out completely. Everything did anymore.

Her father and brothers, along with some help from her mother, would make dinner. Jonah would come home on leave, and Michael had talked their father into a deep fryer for the turkey that was currently thawing in the fridge.

Jenna glanced up at the time. Tyler and Caroline would be back soon. He'd taken her in for some scans at the hospital in the city to make sure she was still cancer free. Jenna had wanted to go along, but had decided it was best if she didn't since they were going to be gone most of the day. She would never be able to handle it. They were going to do a bit of Christmas shopping beforehand.

Jenna looked up from her notebook when Caroline walked into the house. She headed down the hall, slamming the door to her bedroom and making Jenna jump. She watched her brother walk in a moment later. "What happened?"

"Her cancer is back," Tyler said quietly, sitting down in one of the chairs. He rubbed his hand over his face and sighed.

Jenna stared at her brother in shock. That wasn't what she wanted to hear. "Okay, we'll get her through this. Same as before. We can do it." She said, trying to be optimistic.

"Jenna," her brother said, stopping her. "Mom is refusing treatment."

No. "What?" She dropped the notebook in her lap. "Why?"

"She said she doesn't want to go through it all again. You saw what the chemo did to her." Tyler couldn't meet her eyes.

Jenna swallowed hard. She really couldn't blame her mother. Having her body pumped full of poison week after week, making her sicker and sicker had been torture for Jenna. She couldn't imagine how it had been for her mother. "How long does she have?" she whispered, afraid of the answer.

Tyler shrugged. "A few months maybe."

Jenna got up off the couch and headed up to her bedroom. She closed the door behind her, then sat down on the bed, tears streaming down her cheeks. She thought Caroline would be there for her, to show her how to be a mother to her own little one. She needed her mother. Needed her to help her through this, especially since she didn't have Daniel. She knew she had her brother, but her mom was the one she needed most.

She sighed as she brushed the tears away. She really couldn't blame her. She was angry that the cancer was destroying their family. She placed her hands over her belly. Hopefully you'll get to meet her, and one day I'll tell you all about what a wonderful, strong woman she was.