My Mate's Joy

Chapter: Thirty

Chapter Thirty: Truth
Vale

When the doctor came in and informed me that my time with Joy was up I knew I needed to go back out and face my reality.

Thankfully I didn't have to face it alone as I found Nico, Claire, and Lydia in the waiting room.

I hugged Claire and then Lydia before Nico gave me a brotherly sort of hug.

"Dad sends his apologies, but with the recent rogues and what not, Alpha duties ya know?"

I knew all too well about Alpha duties and nodded.

"Have you gotten the chance to see her?" I asked in a monotone voice, I knew I was trying my hardest to keep my shit together.

Nico nodded alongside his wife who was crying.

"What happened?" Claire asked.

I sighed, "The cord was around the baby's neck and they tried to fix things before the baby's heart rate dropped too much and cut off the oxygen supply to the baby." I said, simply repeating the same words the doctor had told us earlier. "There was a complication and since her wolf had to be paralyzed to perform the surgery her healing capabilities were stripped and she wasn't able to begin healing and bled out."

"And the baby?" She asked.

"She's fine...she's born early so they'll have to monitor her for a few months to make sure everything remains fine."

"Good..." She sighed heavily, "That's good...well once she's all cleared to leave then Nico and I will take her."

"What?" I asked unsure I heard her correctly.

"I mean it'll be after the funeral, and like I said we want what's best for the baby so we'll need her doctor's clearance and everything...but you don't honestly think I'm going to sit back and let this baby be brought up in a pack her mother hardly even knew?" She said, "and no offense or anything but I'm the closest thing to family that baby's got now."

"That isn't true...I am her family now." I growled.

Nico stepped between his wife and I as he could sense things were getting tense now.

"Vale, we all appreciate how you helped Shelby by inviting her to stay here during her time of need but considering she's gone now...I'd say your generousity is done bro."

I shook my head and my anger came forward finally, "Shelby wasn't just some fucking charity case I extended a helping hand too..." I growled before trying to calm myself down "...she was my mate."

The three of them looked at each other and Lydia finally spoke up.

"Vale honey, when did you two find out?" She asked.

"The weekend of the rehearsal...everyone was Wrapped up in the wedding that no one really noticed us."

"Then how come neither of you said anything...I know my best friend, she would've told me." Claire sounded upset now.

I shrugged, "I only know why we didn't say anything to everyone else...being pregnant she wanted to enjoy just being my mate and being pregnant without the added responsiblilities of being a Luna all of a sudden...Her not telling you was her choice, I only told people she okay'd and that was like 3 people."

They all looked at me once again.

"You should of said something to someone Bro." Nico put in.

"Whatever, it was our life and our choice and that doesn't change the fact that we are mates and I had already accepted Shelby's daughter as my own...and by the way her name is Joy, Shelby picked it before..."

I couldn't say it again.

Claire started crying again, "That's my middle name..."

It made sense, the girls were close.

"I honestly don't know why she didn't say anything Claire...we even talked about telling you guys both, but I guess she had reservations about a lot of people knowing...the three that did know, I could technically order to remain silent about us, not that I ever would or had to...but maybe that assured her, I don't know."

After a while of letting the news settle in Claire and Nico went to see Joy and I sat with Lydia.

She held my hand and let me get everything out when the emotions would suddenly hit me again.

"Vale Honey..."

I looked at her.

"I think we need to call your brother and sisters and let them know what happened...you can't be alone right now and you can't do this all by yourself, plus Shelby was your mate...she deserves to be acknowledged as such, but to do so, we have to start telling people."

I knew she was right.

"I don't think I can make that call over and over again...it's enough I have to live it." I confessed, "I don't know what I'm going to do...Lydia she's my mate, She was suppose to be my Luna, Joy's Mom..."

"You'll do what you have to because that is the kind of man you are, you are a good and caring man and a strong Alpha, I know You did not plan for this but I know you will endure this and everything that's going to come along with this head on with strength and courage as you continue to be a great Alpha and now...an amazing Father to a little girl who will love you unconditionally."

I nodded.

"I'll call Everest and Ashton and I'm sure Flora wouldn't mind calling the Twins for you." She offered before she got up before I could even thank her.

I took in a deep breath and let her words sink in, I'm someone's father now.

It was the scariest and most rewarding moment in my life.

I didn't have a great father figure to begin with and hoped I'd be so much better than he ever was.

Having a small moment of peace I absentmindedly pulled out my cellphone and opened my messages.

[Vale: Call me as soon as you can...I need you Jessa.]

But after a few minutes I suddenly remembered that Jessa was in an accident and I wasn't with her, but I couldn't leave now.

I sat in my seat alone and prayed to the moon goddess to wake Jessa up and make sure she was alright, I needed her to be alright.