POV

Stone

You know that place that we go when we are asleep, that place that seems empty, whenever you don't remember the dreams you had, it seems like a blank spot, darkness in your memory. Well, that's where I was. I can't say how long, just that I was there.

And then I wasn't, I simply woke up, and a dense woods, a stream of rocks and clear water seemed to run through the woods, for a far as my eyes could see.

The woods were enormous, my ears could hear far, farther than they had before, bugs and birds, there voices bouncing off all the trees. Light from a sun, so bright you'd think to look at it would make you blind, shone down into the woods. I looked up at them and as I did, I realized where I was. Like a flood, memories came to me, flashes of me bleeding out on the table, flashes of Lucas's face, his and Doctor Mason's.

I was dead, and if I was dead, then I was standing in the Woodlands, the birthplace of Earthern werewolves, Luna's home, our version of Heaven. I stood there feeling eyes grow wet. I couldn't believe I was gone, that rogue snuck me, I was a fool to look away, a fool to even fight them, I should have packed up and used the tunnels. All these thoughts raced through my head.

And as the thoughts pushed through my mind I felt tears fall, I wouldn't see my mate again, I wouldn't see my son grow to be a full Alpha, or my child be born. I was dead. Upon my realization, I lowered my head, blinking away tears, looking up after blinking the atmosphere changed, I was still in the woodlands, only it was pitch black, a huge moon hung visibly in the inky sky.

I was in a different space, the trees were thin and went straight up, the spaces between them causing a shadow.

The ground was wet, and puddles of water were splashed here and there. This part of the Woodland had no bugs, just the night air whistling, and the sounds of distant howls. Looking around tears blurred my vision, I could hear multiple loud howls in the distance. In the shadow of the full moon, I felt my legs vanish, and I fell to my knees. I hadn't noticed I was naked, not until my knees hit the ground, splashing into a rather big puddle.

My throat grew sore as I fought the need to sob, it was a fight I quickly lost. Pathetic sounds ripped itself free from my throat, and a wail followed. I cried out asking why; screaming at the moon, asking Luna to take it back. I begged her, scream, pleading for her to hear me. I knew she could hear me, I had faith and my faith wouldn't let me stop praying, even as it felt like I couldn't breathe.

(Why should I ?) A voice asked.

I looked up expecting to see someone, but there was no one, just a strong presence. (Why should I let you go back to your mate? You rejected my gift, why should I give it back to you ?) The deep feminine voice asked. I wiped my eyes keeping them on the bright full moon. "I need to make it right, I want to be forgiven. And I was close, I know I was close... I need another chance, please Luna, please." I implored her.

(Will you love him? Treat him better than you treat yourself? Will you honor him as your mate, the part of you that makes your soul whole? Will you provide for him in all things? ) She asked, and I nodded along to every question. "I promise, I swear it on my Alphahood. I will never forgive myself for my insanity, I don't deserve forgiveness, but please have mercy on me." I cried.

(Perhaps you have changed, perhaps you have grown. I knew the day of your birth when I created your wolf and Lucas's, I knew there was a chance you'd take this road. I am proud to see you choose the correct crossing, I am proud to send you home ) At her words I literally jumped for joy, I had to catch myself, and remember I was in the presence of my goddess.

( But first... You aren't dead, I simply allowed Falken to rest. I will return him to your body when I wake you up. You've been asleep for quite a while. Lucas is... Well you'll find out ) She chuckled, and I went to ask her what she meant. What she meant about Lucas, but as soon as I thought about asking, I was suddenly falling. Falling hard and fast.
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POV

Lucas

He wouldn't wake up, two months, and two weeks. The pack doctors keep saying he's physically fine, but if that were the case wouldn't he be awake? I bathed and dressed him every day, why won't he wake up... I kept asking myself that question. I'm four months pregnant, he hasn't seen any of the pup's growth, two months more and he'd miss the birth. I've haven't spent more than three hours away from his bedside.

I just watch his facial hair grow, trimming it so it doesn't become unmanageable, I think he looks good with it. I needed him to wake up, I wanted him to know that I could forgive him, I wanted to. I was truly ready to let go of the hurt, the anger. I was ready to be happy. Prepared to experience the fullness of matehood.

On the third day of my fourth month of pregnancy, I sat in a rocking chair beside Stone. He lay there in a coma, somewhere off on pack land werewolves went about there normal lives. Nancy and her rogue mate were being held in the bane cells, rooms covered in aconite. I wanted Stone to decide their punishment. Little Stone came to see him every day, but I didn't allow him to stay longer than an hour.

That day didn't seem as if it were going to go any differently, Stone was laying there, I was beside him running my hand over my stomach, smiling when I felt my pup kick. Doc said I was lucky there wasn't more than one pup, most she-wolves, and Omega gives birth to more than two pups at a time. So I was glad I was only able to carry one.

In a few days, I was scheduled to get my first ultrasound. And I was in the process of explaining all of that to Stone, he showed no signs of hearing me, but still, I described everything, as if he could hear. Doc said he might be able to. It was while I was talking, that I noticed the first twitch. Doctor Mason said it could happen, but he hadn't done that before, so excitedly I ran to get anybody. I raced out into the hallway, feeling how pregnant I was by the windlessness that struck me just when I reached one of the ten Omega who worked as nurses.

"H-he moved!" I panted. The Omega was my height and blonde, he was obviously new to the pack, well new to me. He looked at me, giving me a look of pity like I was desperate for any sign of life, and it made him feel sorry for me. "Luna, I-I'm sure you aware that subtle movement and twitches are common happenings, but that doesn..."

As the guy was talking, basically telling me I was wrong, my attention focused behind him, where I watched Stone walk out of his bedroom. I brushed past the Omega, not stopping until I was kissing my mate. Before I wanted Stone pulled away from me, opening my blousy shirt and looking at my stomach. "Wow... I'm sorry." He said, and tears just fell as I pulled him back to me. "Alpha, we need to get you back in bed, let me call a doctor." The Omega said, but before he left I stopped him.

"If something like this should happen again, do not question me again. Simply indulge me."  I said, waving him off. I walked Stone back inside the room. "Stone, I was so scared," I said, and he shushed me, telling me everything would be alright. He sat down on his bed, pulling us with him. "You look so good like this, swollen with our pup, did you find out what we're having?" He asked.

"I wanted to wait for you a few more days, but we have the first ultrasound coming up. My morning sickness stopped." I told him, and he pulled me closer to him, nudging my mark with his nose. I shivered, accidentally grinding against him. He moaned grabbing my hips. "I thought I lost you, I thought I lost the chance to make up for what I did. Angel, I promise to always appreciate you. I will work every day to earn your forgiveness, even if it takes the rest of my life." He said, his hands leaving my hips and going to my baby bump.

"Before we do anything, you need to decide what happens to Nancy and her rogue mate." I hissed, getting mad at the thought of them. "When I was asleep, I went to the Woodlands. I spoke to Luna. She showed me things, future things, things from the past. I-I want to release them. Let them leave, Nancy will be banished, Phil has the ward up and running, right?" He asked, and I just stared at him like he lost his fucking mind.

"Are you kidding me?! Let them go!? He almost killed you, she orchestrated the entire thing, no, they must be punished. I say exterminate them both." I demanded. "We will not fight about this, Angel. It is my decision and it is just, everyone deserves a second chance. Trust me." He said, and I rolled my eyes, mad but unwilling to fight with him when I just got him back.

"I am losing my mind looking at you, there's a real baby in there." He said, wiping the scowl off my face as he smiled at my belly. "He moved!" He shouted, "It could be a girl." I argued.

#   #   #

Hours later, after the doctors made sure he was good to go, we walked into the packhouse to find a welcome home party in full swing. Arthur, Cheyenne, our parents, little Stone and Soren, Lucy and Phil and a host of pack members. Food was laid out and the music was playing. As soon as we got through the door people rushed us. My mother and Stone's laid into him for not telling them I was pregnant.

Little Stone jumped into his father's arms, and he stayed there for a whole twenty minutes. I didn't let my mate leave my side, not for a second. We enjoyed ourselves, we spent time with our pack. Then as the party wound down I smiled over at my mate, I had my mate back, and for the rest of that night, all other concerns were cast aside.

#   #   #

Behind the door of the Alpha suite, Stone grabbed my hand, stopping me from going any farther. "I know I've said this a hundred times, but I want you to hear me... I truly regret what I did, you didn't deserve that...I'm sorry and I love you." He said, and I believed him, he meant it. "Stone, I love you t..." He placed a finger to my lips, "You don't have to say it, not until you really mean it..." He said, trailing off into his feelings.

"No, I know you messed up badly, and I know people will say I'm crazy for forgiving you, but I do forgive you... When they brought you into the infirmary, you were losing blood so fast, and we all thought you were going to die, and I suddenly understood; none of the past mattered, I was happy again. You fixed it. So, maybe I'm crazy but I do forgive you, and I'd be lying if I said I didn't love you. I do Stone, I love you." I said, and the mate bond hit me with his emotions hard.

He was overjoyed, in disbelief, then his eyes went dark, not the black of his wolf, but dark with lust, want, desire. "Say it again." He demanded, striding closer towards me, popping the buttons on my loose-fitting shirt. "I love you," I moaned when his mouth covered one of my nipples, they were more sensitive because of my pregnancy. "Again." He commanded, his hands lowering my sweats, while somehow still feeling me up.

I'd been self-conscious about my body, but Stone clearly found it sexy. When I was completely naked, he lifted me in his arms, carrying me through the flat style suite to the bedroom, like I weighed nothing. "I love you," I said, kissing his lips and running my fingers through his beard. "You are so beautiful to me." He groaned as he laid me down on the bed, taking in my entire nakedness.

I watched him undress, wondering how I got to the point of lusting over him. So much had changed in the time since I came home, and Stone had been right, I was his. What would staying angry have accomplished, it would have left me bitter and lonely, but that wasn't my destiny, Stone fixed it, my heart was on the mend and I was thankful. I would be happy again after years of misery.

"Come here." Stone demanded after undressing, he walked to the edge of the bed, pulling me to him by my ankle. He took my lips gently, running his tongue sensuously along my bottom lip, asking for entrance and I didn't fight him. My head hit the pillows and he ground down against me, his eight and a half inches grinding across my six and a half. "Make love to me." I moaned, and he did not stammer, he placed his tip at my leaking opening.

"I love you, Angel." He groaned as he slid into me. My eyes clamped shut when he ran right into my prostate. He was being so gentle like he was afraid to break me. "H-harder." I implored. "I-I don't want to hurt the pup." He said, and I giggled then groaned. "Alpha... I-I promise you won't... just go harder." I groaned, pulling him into a kiss. He snarled in his chest, before moving his hips slightly harder.

I flipped him, I smirked down at him, beginning to ride him quickly before he could stop me. One hand found my hip, and another held my baby bump, supporting it so it wouldn't bump into his abs. "So beautiful." He cooed, moving my hips faster. "Cum for me, Angel." He said when he realized I was close. He flipped me and grabbed my dick, stroking it lazily.

My eyes shut tight as I came, I started begging him to mark me. He kissed my mark twice, before biting down. I came again the second stronger than the first. "Tell me you love me, Angel." He said, knowing I was barely coherent.

#   #   #

The next day I awoke wrapped in Stone's arms, I had to pee but when I attempted to move Stone growled, pulling me closer into his body. "I gotta go," I whined, and he chuckled no longer pretending to sleep. "Go, pee babe, we have to get ready anyway, the Elders are expecting us, we have to let them know Nancy is being banished. "I-I'm going to petition the Elders to reverse your decision, I can't trust the wards, not to mention the witch is still out there," I said.

I was peeing when he came up behind me, kissing my mark, and cupping my bump. "I know you're mad and maybe scared, but they deserve a chance together, I want you to forgive them, as you did me... Can you do that for me, huh Angel?" He asked, kissing my mark again, rubbing my bump. "You're asking a lot of me, Alpha." I sighed. "I know, but you can do it, they will take this opportunity, trust me." He said.

#   #   #

Stone and I were seated on the platform that served as seats of judgment, he was in the Alpha's chair and I in the Luna's chair, Arthur was seated just behind Stone and Cheyenne as the Luna's assistant sat behind me. We were outside, in the open fields behind the packhouse. Most of the pack was gathered, standing, and sitting here and there. The Elders were seated at their own platform, including the junior Elders, Lucy standing out to me the most.

In front of the platform, Nancy and her mate were being forced by two members of the Alpha team, both her and the rogue were bound by aconite laced silver er. "Nancy De'mora, you and this... rogue, stand accused of attempting to kill the Alpha, and trespassing on pack land,  you, Nancy, stand accused of treason. How do you plead?" Elder Shore asked, her trademark bun nit and tight as always.

"My mate told me how your Alpha used her... He broke her. I wanted him to suffer for what he' done. I plead guilty, I only ask that you spare my mate." The rogue said, his face stern and unafraid. "Answer the question, Nancy?" I demanded, knowing she had nothing to fear, hating that she had nothing to fear. "I'm guilty, but I beg you ... Execute me, I can't lose anoth... Please." She said, finally showing some sort of emotion.

"Alpha, they are guilty, what would you have us do?" Elder Shore asked. "I move to pardon them both, I want Nancy De'mora banished, never to return to this territory. All in favor raise your hand." Stone said while I took in Nancy's shocked face. Hands went up, but a lot did not.

"Understand the forgiveness, for Luna will judge you with the force by which you judge others." Stone quickly added. The Elders who didn't raise their hands suddenly had a change of heart, but I didn't, Lucy didn't, and neither did Shore or Elder Dukes. Stone looked over at me and sighed, linking our minds to let me know he understood.

"Nancy, do you and your mate accept this decision?" Elder Shore asked, her tone dry. Nancy was crying, probably thanking the goddess she was so lucky. "We accept your decision." The rogue said, and Stone nodded. "Take them to the north border, Philip would you go with Smith and Brown, open the wards then close them," Stone commanded, and Elder Shore dismissed the two members of the Alpha team and Phil, Smith, and Brown practically dragged Nancy and the rogue away.

"Wait!" I shouted, causing the men to stop. "Nancy, if you or your mate every come back here. I will see to it, that you're not only killed but you'll be tortured first. Now take them." I said, looking away in disgust.

They were dragged away and little Stone started a loud cheer that quickly spread through the pack. I looked around and I genuinely couldn't believe I was actually back home, back in the embrace of my family, back with my mate. It was like a waking dream.

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