Unexpected: Forever His (Book 1)

Chapter 33: A Gathering of Wraiths

I pulled the strap of the simple one-strap red evening gown over my shoulder and smoothed down the fabric as it fell to the floor around my feet. The fabric hugged my skin around my waist which accentuated the small growth of my stomach. It wasn't enough of a difference for anyone to automatically assume I was pregnant, which I was grateful for. I didn't really care for Dante to find out on this occasion.

A soft knock on the door caught my attention and I turned towards it. "Come in."

The door opened and Ashley and Nina stepped through. The glow of pregnancy lit Ashley's face. She glanced over at Nina and smiled. "We heard the news of you and Amari, Lala. It kind of surprised us, but I think it is a good thing. He speaks with so much adoration of you. Xavon was happy you chose a strong warrior like him."

Nina nodded her head in agreement. "Noveah was in agreement as well."

I smiled as they both pulled me into a hug. "I hope the rest of the pack accepts it as easily."

Just then a louder knock sounded on the door behind them and the door opened revealing Xavon and Noveah. "Luna, the escorts are ready and awaiting your command. Only the very elite warriors will be accompanying you and Amari to the Shadowlands."

I nodded and stepped past Nina and Ashley. "You mean Lord Alpha Amari?" I waited hesitantly as they glanced at each other and back at me. "At the very least, King. I have chosen him after all, with a blessing from Eleric."

"We would call him King, Luna, but the title of Alpha must be earned."

"Well, then, I am up for the challenge, gentlemen, but we have more important matters to attend to at present, don't we?" Amari's sultry voice captured my attention before everyone else's in the room and I smiled past the other two men at him. Xavon and Noveah both turned and nodded. "I see there are three warrior guards waiting out front. I thought Kayla instructed 5 to accompany us."

I nodded at him. "Yes. I did."

It was Noveah who spoke. "You see only three, my Queen because the other two are in front of you now."

Nina and Ashley both rushed past me and stopped right in front of Noveah and Xavon. Nina appeared to have tears in her eyes as she started to speak. "You...you can't really be...be thinking about going...not when he will be there."

"I agree." Ashley looked up at Xavon in a pleading regard but spoke her plea in a gentle whisper. "Please don't go."

Xavon sighed and looked up at me. "I would not be able to rest knowing that she is in Donovan's lands and I did nothing to protect her. If something were to happen..."

"If something were to happen, she would be guarded by the most elite warrior of the pack. I may not have your respect as Alpha yet, but you have hers as your Luna and Queen and she has chosen me. You will not go. She needs to know that she has someone here who she can count on to take care of the people."

I nodded and stepped around them to Amari. Once I was beside him, he looked down at me and his eyes traveled down to my hips and I heard a low rumbled growl in his chest. I smiled up at him and whispered. "Any other commands, my King?"

He looked up at the others in the room and spoke. "None of which I would make known to the others present."

Noveah laughed first and then Xavon. I smiled at the ease of tension that took over after that and by the time we departed for the Shadowlands, it was easy to see that Xavon and Noveah would come to respect Amari as their new leader.

A black town car was the transportation of choice until we reached the gate. Of course, the warrior guards would wait there until Amari and I returned or we needed them.