Chapter 75

However, nothing ever came from the look on Dana’s face. Two more months had passed and things were going rather smoothly. Arthur and I had kept our promise to his grandmother. We had invited her back into the pack and most everyone was happy about it. Dorothea had been loved when she was luna.

The only person who threw a little tantrum was Roman, but there wasn’t much he could do about it. I still wasn’t sure what had made him turn his back on his mother, but I was hoping that they could reconcile. Although I didn’t think Roman would break first.

At seven months pregnant, I was having a harder time getting around. The baby felt like she was growing bigger and bigger with every passing day and I’d had to slow down quite a bit. I was barely able to keep up with going to Noah’s and working at the gallery.

So Arthur had made me cut back my hours. Now I only went in twice a week. The rest of the time I was stuck at the house. Which I was fine with. Werewolf pregnancies were much harder than human ones. The amount of energy the baby needed was wearing me down.

I felt guilty though. I couldn’t help but feel like I was letting Noah and Molly down. Noah said he was understanding of my situation, but I knew he was disappointed that I was only coming in two days a week. Molly had just scoffed and called me weak. I knew that as luna I shouldn’t let her talk to me that way, but it just wasn’t worth it.

Arthur was also incredibly busy lately. I barely saw him other than the few times he would come home to sleep. Most of the time he just stayed overnight in his office. No matter how many times I told him it wouldn’t bother me if he woke me up coming home, he wouldn’t hear it.

The small comfort I had was the mate bond that connected us at all times. Sometimes I would just send all my love to him down the bond and relish in the affection that I would receive back.

Today was one of my rest days, but I was honestly bored out of my mind. I had been to the spa so often that I didn’t think I could possibly get any more relaxed. Or have any more muscles that needed massaged.

So I decided to call Cathy. I hadn’t seen her since the wedding and I missed her. She was one of my only friends and I was afraid that I may have been neglecting her. Hopefully she’d be able to come over and we could catch up.

I held the phone to my ear, biting my bottom lip as it rang. If Cathy wasn’t able to come over, I didn’t know what I was going to do. I was fresh out of any new ideas for paintings. Pregnancy brain and all that. It also was quite painful to paint for longer than an hour now.

I let out a sigh of relief when she answered.

“To what do I owe this pleasure, Luna?” she asked reverently, but I knew her well enough to hear the faint trace of sarcastic teasing in her tone.

“Shut up! Don’t start with all that Luna nonsense!” I told her, laughing. She joined in and we dissolved into giggles. Something in me relaxed. I guess I had really been nervous about calling her.

“Alright, Almara, what did you call me for? Do you need something?” Cathy asked when we finally caught out breaths.

“Well, I was wondering if you’d like to come over. I’m -” Cathy cut me off before I could even finish the sentence.

“Say no more. I’ll be there in twenty,” she said before hanging up. I stared at my phone. That had been so easy. I definitely should have invited her over a long time ago.

For the next twenty minutes, I waddled back and forth in front of the front door. I was too excited to sit still and if I sat down, it would be a struggle to get back up anyway. This was the best compromise that I could find.

Kaylee stood just behind me, ready to help me if I needed anything. She had been a goddess-send lately. I had gotten myself into many embarrassing pickles ever since my baby bump had exploded out of me. If she hadn’t been there, I may have still been stuck.

When I heard Cathy’s car pull up, I immediately went for the door, but Kaylee gently pushed me back. She stuck her head out and gave me a thumbs up when she confirmed that there was no danger. She stepped away and I went outside, bouncing on the balls of my feet as Cathy made her way up the steps.

“I will never get over how big your house is, Almara,” Cathy said, giving me a hug as she reached me. I hugged her back, tears instantly making my vision blurry. I was so happy to see her.

“Neither will I,” I agreed and led her into the sitting room. She whistled low as she took in everything. There hadn’t been much time to show her around during the wedding, something that would definitely have to be remedied.

“You’ll give me the tour later?” Cathy asked and I was about to agree when Kaylee cleared her throat. I glanced over at her and she gestured to herself. I shook my head at her and she glared at me, pointing to herself more firmly. I sighed.

“I would love to, but I’m afraid I get a little tired if I walk around too much. Kaylee has offered to give you a tour. Even though it isn’t her job,” I said pointedly, glaring right back at her. Kaylee smiled and I stuck my tongue out at her.

“I’m glad you’re getting along with everyone here,” Cathy said as she watched our interaction. I didn’t tell her it had taken some time for Kaylee to open up to me. She had treated me like a job for the longest time, but we had found a more natural relationship and I was very glad for it. We might never be friends, but at least she treated me like a person now.

“Well, not everyone,” I said, dropping my voice to a conspiratorial whisper. Cathy leaned in, eyes gleaming with curiosity.

“Ooh, drama. Tell me everything,” she demanded and I didn’t even have to look at Kaylee for her to close the doors. She knew that I didn’t want anyone else to hear this.

And so I told Cathy everything that had happened with Dana. Other than Noah, she was the only other person that I had told. As I filled her in, I could feel a weight lifting off of my chest. It had been more of a burden than I had admitted to myself.

When I was finished, Cathy just stared at me, her expression thoughtful. “I know you didn’t ask for any advice, but why don’t you bait her? And get a recording of it? That way you would have definite proof of her hostility.”

I shook my head. “Arthur heard what she said to me in the spa. Unless I was willing for things to get violent, I don’t think that would work.”

Cathy made a face. “Then I don’t know what you could do about your beta problem. But if she starts shit, let me know. I’ll take care of her for you.”

“It’s okay. I’m just glad someone else knows and believes me,” I told her and it was the truth.

For the rest of our visit, we talked about anything and everything. When she finally left, I felt lighter than I had since the baby announcement. I really had to get together with my friend more often. It was so healing. And it had given me the energy I needed for tomorrow’s work day.