My Lycan Mate of Suicide Forest

Special shout-out to annachomer for inspiring the nickname "Moon Bun" used in this chapter! <3

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"Do you know what was going on with Lucas?" she asked. "That was disturbing. He's never acted like that. And then he was going to try following me out of the dungeon when I was leaving."

Graeme groaned and pulled away from her, but then he started chuckling, running his hand over his beard. "I'm sure he was trying to follow you."

"What does that mean? Why?" she frowned.

"He just had a unique experience, my love. One he has never had before. No one younger than me has ever experienced it. I have never experienced it, for that matter. Not until now," he smiled, his eyes gleaming with affection.

"What are you talking about?" she asked, thoroughly confused.

"His eyes beheld the singular beauty of a radiant, pregnant Luna in our pack. You are glowing, Little Red," he replied, pride swelling within him.

She chuckled. It was a common expression to say pregnant women were glowing. "No, really. Be serious," she prompted him for the truth.

"I am being serious. You have the most beautiful ethereal glow about you. Like the moon," he hummed to himself appreciatively, reaching to run his thumbs over the contours of her face.

"What?" she sputtered a laugh caught somewhere between confusion and surprise.

"It signals for the pack that their Luna is pregnant with the Alpha's heir. That way they know to be extra vigilant in protecting her. Your scent has likely also vanished for everyone else but me," he explained. "It is said that these things are meant to protect a pregnant Luna from enemies. She cannot be tracked or followed by her scent, and it is only members of her pack who are able to see the radiance she has been given."

August's mouth was hanging open, her eyes having grown wide. How much weirder could things get around here? "You are saying that I am literally glowing right now? And Lucas could see it?"

He nodded, reaching again to cup her face. "It's the most beautiful thing… I've only ever heard about it," he swallowed, rubbing her cheeks with his thumbs as his voice went deeper with emotion. "The last time was when my mother was pregnant with Greta and me. I couldn't stand Lucas' eyes on you, seeing the beauty of your truth to me and to this pack before even I did. My true Luna."

August gaped back at him, attempting to soak it in. She was literally glowing? No one had mentioned this was something to expect.

"So it just h-happened… it just started now? Today?" she stuttered. Was it like a light switch was flipped and now suddenly everyone could see this strange phenomenon on her skin?

"It seems that way," he chuckled.

"Zoe didn't seem to notice when I was speaking to her," she whispered.

"Then Zoe is not part of our pack," he replied.

August licked her lips. Her mouth had gone dry with this startling additional confirmation of her pregnancy. It was really true, then. This was happening. All the denial vanished, replaced instead by the stark realization that this irreversible and life-changing thing was truly underway. And she would be performing it in front of everyone. There would be so much attention. All of their eyes would be on her from here on out.

Was she ready for this? How could she be ready for this? What kind of strength would this require of her? A 'true Luna' birthing an heir? And she was going to be a literal glowing beacon walking amongst them?

"Your thoughts are racing. Take a deep breath, darling. It's going to be okay," Graeme soothed her, his words somehow coating the anxiety that was escalating. "I'm here now. And I'll always be here. We're in this together."

She was shaking. She couldn't help it. But as she clutched his shirt in her hands, something bright passed between them again. It came from deep within Graeme and sprang to life in her chest and in her mind. Joy. She chuckled softly, breathing her acceptance of it against her mate. There was really a life inside of her—a life that her and Graeme had created together. It was almost incomprehensible.

Graeme tilted her head up to meet his eyes--those vulnerable eyes of his that no one else in the world got to see but her. His expression was one of unrestrained love and trust—it reminded her of a child. He was right—it was going to be okay. Looking into his eyes then, she felt it flood her—the immense love and gratitude for him and the boundless depths of his love for her.

"We're going to have a baby? For real?" she breathed.

A radiant smile spread across his face. "A little moon," he cooed, and she shook her head.

"A little Bun," she countered.

Graeme leaned in to kiss her. "A Moon Bun, then," he smiled against her lips.

"I like that," she giggled softly. "Our little Moon Bun."

"Thank you," he whispered against her. "Thank you for being here. For being you and being mine and being fierce and beautiful and strong and embracing all the things the Goddess has gifted you. For putting up with me. This is a chaotic time, and I haven't been fair to you. I will do better. For all of us," he promised, resting his large calloused hand over her stomach as he did.

"Are you hungry?" he asked suddenly, shooting up from his position in front of her and walking toward the kitchen to see what he could make for her. "I need to have Greta bring you some vitamins. Those are important, I've heard. You haven't had any nausea like Greta have you?"

August shook her head, amused as she watched him become a flurry of thoughts and activity.

"Wow," he stopped suddenly, leaning against the counter. "Both you and Greta are pregnant at the same time," he chuckled in awe.

"That is a little crazy, isn't it?" August nodded.

"It's perfect. There has never been a more beautiful time in my life than this."

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A new month of privilege starts tomorrow! I will be adding TEN NEW CHAPTERS and changing up the tier structure a little bit. And since so many new chapters will be added, I'll be taking one day off of the regular two chapter update for Feb 1st.

If you have questions about privilege, please ask. You can catch me in the comments, on Facebook @author.emmez, on Instagram @author_emme_z, and on my discord server where you should come hang out anyway if you aren't already! The invite code is 5y9Xn9FEXG.

And Happy Chinese New Year! <3