The Rejected Luna’s Prince By Aurora Archer
Chapter 80 Epilogue 3 – Rachel & Jack
(Rachel)
“The prince? The werewolf prince? Willa’s mate? The Alpha of our pack? The Alpha that runs our territory?” Jack’s voice climbed higher and higher.
“Anything else to add?” I tried to lighten the mood.
“Prince Alpha Dracos!” His eyes were wide, and his mouth hung open in frozen shock.
Join Our Telegram Group for Update Notification and Novel Query
“Yes,” I tucked a piece of hair behind my ear, looking down.
I wasn’t keeping it from him. Honestly, it was so long ago or felt like it was at this point. I was around because I was Willa and Cali’s friend, not because I used to share Alpha’s bed occasionally.
“And you never thought to bring it up?” His eyes were still wide.
“No,” I winced.
Honestly, I didn’t. I finally understood how Caspien forgot to mention me. After you find your mate I realized just how insignificant and inconsequential our time together was.
“I’m going to throw up.” He leaned back, putting his hands behind his head and closing his eyes.
We were on the plane back to Italy, bumped up to first class by Caspien, but I knew it was Willa who did that.
“I didn’t mean to keep it from you,” I whispered.
He never asked, not that that was an excuse. We had hours on the plane to talk, and he asked how I got to know Willa and Cali so well, even though I wasn’t mated to a ranked member.
“I’m sorry,” I t*ouched his arm.
“No, don’t be,” He took my hand in his and placed a k*iss on the back of it, “I’m not mad at you, it’s your body, I am just feeling extremely insignificant at the moment,” he shook his
head, “A werewolf f.ucking prince was your ex-lover,” He ran the hand that wasn’t holding mine through his tousled hair.
“Don’t be,” I relaxed after he told me where his problem lay, “Nothing will ever compare to being with you.”
I didn’t have to lie or inflate his ego.
Nothing I ever had compared to what I experienced with Jack. Even those I thought I cared for before. The bond, the depth of our emotions, took every physical aspect to another level.
“A werewolf f.ucking prince,” He breathed shaking his head before looking at me with those familiar eyes.
“Yes, and now you know I enjoy s.ex with you more than I did with royalty,”
That got him to smile, “I’ll choose to believe you.”
“Here it is,” I fished for my key from my purse, I don’t know why I felt nervous, but I felt like the apartment I loved for the past few months wasn’t enough.
He moved to Italy for me – with me. He gave up his title, not only because of me but I knew that was a deciding factor. He gave up everything just so that I wouldn’t have to and I felt un-worthy.
“It’s not much,” I opened the door.
He stepped past me into my apartment, it was big for the area it was in. I loved how old it was with large windows and mismatched tiles. Everywhere else I had lived was more modern, sleek and clean, and I had grown to love this place for its imperfections.
“This is, wow,” He circled around, “You are, I mean, this is perfect. Are you sure I can stay here?” He sounded serious.
“Do you actually like it? We can move, I want you to be comfortable.” I took a few steps towards him trying to read his mood.
“I love it, I love you.” He said before clamping down on his words, his eyes wide.
“I love you too,” I nuzzled into his chest and he let out a sigh of relief.
I was working here, hybrid, so most of my time was spent at home. Jack fell in love with the area quicker than I did but I sensed he was getting restless. At first, it was a vacation for him, but I had to keep reminding myself he came from a place where he was ranked held power, and now he was essentially my house husband.
“I know that look,” Jack came into the bedroom where I was folding laundry offering me a fresh cup of coffee.
“What look?” I asked.
“Your ‘is Jack happy here’ look,” He flopped on the bed studying my over his mug. I pursed my lips, I almost hated how well he knew me, but I didn’t at all.
“They offered us a liaison position over Blue Ridge,” I mentioned.
“I know, and it’s a nice offer. I just don’t know how I feel about babysitting Nolan. Despite everything, he was my Alpha, and good friend for most of my life.” Jack sighed.
I tiptoed around usually tiptoed. From what Willa told me and what I saw myself, he was a complete a.sshat. I didn’t know him like Jack did, and I knew they had a history and a mostly decent friendship, so I wouldn’t get involved with my opinions unless he asked.
“Caspien also offered you a position on his council, and he has jobs around the city in different sectors,”
“I don’t want to get handed a job without qualifications,”
I eyed him, “You were the Gamma, wasn’t that similar?” I teased.
He pursed his lips but didn’t say anything, pinning me with a mock frown.
“Look,” I took his mug and placed it on the bedside table so I could sit in his lap. He encircled his arms around me laying his head on my chest, “We have all the time in the world to decide. I want you to choose something you’re passionate about, you get a choice for once in your life. Do whatever the h.ell you want. Get into pottery, we need new mugs, or try to become an astronaut, whatever you want.”
“I don’t even know what I want to do, I never had to think about it. Since birth, I was going to be Gamma and I trained for that.”
“Do you regret it?”
“Not for one moment.” He said, resolutely, “There is nothing I wouldn’t give up to be with you, and I don’t feel like I gave up anything. That place -1 outgrew it. I am infinitely happier.” I ran my fingers through his soft tousled hair. I believed him, “I have no idea what I like, what hobbies I would enjoy outside of what I learned.”
“We can figure it out, we have the rest of our lives,” I buried my head into his hair breathing in his calming scent.
“I know I like you,” He pulled back looking up.
“I have enough money saved, and so do you, we don’t have to do anything for a while. Let’s just enjoy life, the two of us.”
“But we need to save that for the babies,” he grumbled.
“When we choose to have kids-”
Jack’s wide-eyed expression cut me off. He pulled back further and looked between me and my stomach.
“I’m not pregnant,” I laughed.
“Are you sure? My wolf just..” he shook his head.
“What? I’m not.” He just stared at me. I peeled myself off him, “I might have a test somewhere.” Jack growled.
“Accidents happen,” I raised a brow, “But I’ve never been pregnant.”
I went to the bathroom and checked the cabinets. I fished out a box from the back that had two tests. I think they should still be okay. I panicked too much about getting pregnant before finding a mate so no matter how safe I was, I obsessively took them.
I peed on the stick and set it to dry on the edge of the bathtub before washing my hands. I don’t know what his wolf was telling him, but there was no way. We weren’t careful. I didn’t want to be with Jack. We knew we both wanted kids but didn’t want to be committed to a timeline, especially if we weren’t blessed with one.
“So?” I jumped back, Jack was standing right on the other side of the bathroom door.
“I don’t know,” I pushed him back, lightly, smiling up at him, “It takes a few minutes. But Jack, I don’t think it’s possible. I’m happy to try, I want nothing more than to start a family with you, but I would feel it.” I told him gently, he seemed so excited I didn’t want to break his heart.
“How about now?” I raised an eyebrow.
“It’s been a few seconds.” I grabbed his hands, “If this happened soon, would you want it to? Or wait?”
“Yes,” He didn’t hesitate, almost cutting me off, “Unless, I mean, we can wait. We’ve only had a few months in Italy, and I know we talked about moving back if and when we wanted to try for kids,” he shrugged, but it was too tight of a movement, he was anything but nonchalant.
“Now?” He asked eagerly.
“Sure,” I let out a breath.
He barreled past me, there was a long pause, and I turned. He was studying the test.
“Do you even know what you’re looking for?” I tried to contain my laugh but I couldn’t.
“No,” he smiled sheepishly.
I took a few steps toward him and opened my hand, “One line is negative, and two..” I glanced down. Two red lines stared back at me.
“What?” Jack said, “Are you okay?”
“I guess we’re having a baby,” I didn’t know what to feel, mostly shock, but no trace of fear or apprehension.
“Really?” Jack gave me a broad smile, his eyes brimmed with tears, “Unless, I mean, unless you don’t want to then,” He shrugged.
“I do,” He took me into his arms and spun me around as much as he could in the bathroom.
“Let’s go make sure that it’s true,” He carried me to the bed and laid me back gently.
“I don’t think that’s how it works,” I laughed.
“Call it insurance then,” He k*issed my marking spot, sending shivers through me, “Or calling it making love to my mate, and mother of my kids.”
“Why do you keep saying, kids?”
“There’s three of them,” he said matter of factly.
“Shut up,” I laughed, hitting his shoulder, but his face was still serious.
I ignored that comment, engrossed by my mate’s attention.
Jack’s dumb wolf was right. There were three of them. Two little circles on the screen, apparently, one held two of them. I blinked a few times, unable to say anything.
Three?
Three?
Jack’s lips formed a line, but his eyes shone bright even in the dimly lit room.
“What?” I asked him.
“I’m waiting for your reaction so I don’t blow it.” He swallowed, pursing his lips.
“I’m, I mean, three? At one time?
Three?’
“We have our parents. That’s two of us for one kid,” He shrugged, “We got it.” He brushed the back of my hand against his lips.
“Okay,” I closed my eyes before returning to the screen.
Three. At once. Three.
“Can I react now?” He whispered.
“I never stopped you-”
“We’re having three f.ucking babies! Sorry, s.hit shouldn’t cuss in front of them,” I couldn’t help laughing, “Three babies in little tiny baby clothes. They are going to be the most perfect things ever. We need to get home. You can’t move. Let’s book a flight tomorrow, I’ll pack.”
“Stop right there,” I smiled at him, his excitement was contagious, “We have months, let’s not rush anything just yet.” He nodded at me and captured my lips in a searing k*iss, butterflies erupted, and when he pulled back, I swear the little sacs were dancing.
When we got home, there were two boxes and a thick envelope waiting for us outside our place. Jack bent to pick them up.
“For you or me?” I asked, unlocking the door.
“Us,” he said, helping me in and placing them on our dining room table.
I reached for the envelope and opened it first.
King Rendell and Queen Grace Dracos invite you to the wedding of their son Prince Caspien Dracos to Princess Wilhelmina Balfour.
“They’re finally doing it,” I smiled, handing the invitation to Jack. We hadn’t been home since Cali, and Holden got married, even though that was a few months ago, it felt like years. I knew Willa wanted to wait until after they had their little girl. There was no rush anyway, I think Caspien wanted a wedding more than Willa did.
“This one is for you,” Jack handed me a box.
I pulled off the black ribbon and opened it up. Inside was a shoe box, a velvet jewelry box, and one that looked like it would hold earrings.
They were all empty.
“Hell y.eah,” Jack cheered, holding up a bottle of whiskey and glasses that looked like they were made of diamonds themselves.
I found a card at the bottom.
Will you be my bridesmaid? – Willa
P.S. These boxes won’t remain empty, I just need your help choosing.
I smiled, clutching the note to my chest. She knew me so well, and I loved that she wanted me there to help her finalize the wedding and trusted Cali and me enough to decide on our own accessories.
“I guess this is a good reason to head home.” Jack said looking at my stomach.
“Another one,” I agreed.
Leaving Italy wasn’t hard.
I would miss my favorite cafes, the few friends I made, and the village I came to know as home. The pack I spent time with there, though, never felt comfortable to me.
I knew my time abroad, mostly spent trying to find my mate in vain, would always mean something to me. I had time exploring but was ready to settle down, return home, and create a home with my mate by my side.
I nuzzled up to him on the flight back, and he wrapped his arm around my placing a soft k*iss on my forehead.
We picked up the keys to our new apartment. Eventually, we might move out to a pack apartment or house outside the packhouse in the city. For now, my parents were living there, and Jack’s were going to move there, as well. His parents followed him to Crescent Moon when he left but opted to stay in a renovated cottage near the old packhouse.
“I’ll bring the stuff up in a bit, let’s get settled first.” Jack wrapped his arm around me.
I mentally thanked whoever it was for getting us an apartment on the floor below my parents. It gave us some semblance of privacy – enough for me to be comfortable, at least.
“This is us,” Jack scooped me up, and I stifled a scream, “This is our first home together, well, one that we both started so,” He nudged open the door.
“Oh,” Willa stood up, from whatever she was doing sitting on our couch.
“Welcome back, b.itch, what took you so long?” Cali sauntered up.
“What?” Jack said, not letting me go.
“We didn’t know you were going to be here so soon. We wanted to help you get ready, get some groceries and things.” Willa explained.
“I picked a plant,” Holden came from the kitchen area and held it up, “It’s., a urn.. It’s green.” He shrugged, setting it on the counter behind him.
“I’m sorry, we meant to be long gone,” Willa walked up.
“I was planning on staying here, we have a lot to catch up on,” Cali shrugged, flipping her ruby curls over her shoulder. Willa rolled her eyes at her best friend.
Jack gently put me down.
“Welcome home; we’re about to get out of your way.” Willa threw Cali a look. She came up and gave me a hug, stepping back with wide eyes staring at my stomach.
“We were waiting to tell you in person,” I shrugged.
“That’s why Jack’s parents wanted to move in here,” She chewed her lip before meeting my eyes, “Congratulations, I am so happy for you both,” she clasped her hands, bouncing up and down a little.
“Don’t worry. They should come before the wedding.” I told her.
She waved her hand. “No, no, don’t even think about that. This is so much more important. You don’t even have to-”
“I want to,” I grabbed her hands, meeting her eyes.
Despite how we met and who I might have been to her mate, I was incredibly glad to have her in my life. I felt more than honored to have such a good and genuinely amazing person as a friend.
Willa wrapped me in another hug before Jack scooped her up, stealing her from me, “ You’re going to be a dad,” Willa smiled widely at Jack, “You both will be -1 just, I am so happy.” Her green eyes sparkled.
“Wait?” Willa’s dark brows creased as she looked at me, “They?” She finally picked that up.
“Oh my, um, Goddess! Oh, my Goddess.” Cali came up, clutching my hands, “Me too,” She pressed her stomach against mine, and I looked down.
“Seriously?” I looked at her, and she nodded her eyes bright.
“A bit over a month, but this thing is growing,” She shook her head, “I almost miss human pregnancies.” Holden came to circle his arms around his mate.
“You do not,” he nuzzled her.
“They?” Willa repeated, eyeing my stomach.
“We’re having three,” Jack said, and all eyes were on us.