I Am His Wolfless Luna Chapter 158

Aria's POV

After finally shooing Ethan and Lucas out the door—a process that required Ethan stealing "one last kiss" at least three times and Lucas insisting on a goodbye hug for both me and "the baby sisters"—I sank into the couch with a contented sigh, savoring this rare moment of solitude. Those two had become absolutely inseparable, and equally attached to me.

I smiled to myself, remembering how Ethan had cupped my face before leaving, his thumb gently tracing my cheekbone as he whispered, "Be careful, love." The tenderness in those green-gold eyes still took my breath away sometimes. This morning, he'd spent ten minutes with his head on my belly, talking quietly to the twins about their "very important mission to not cause mommy too much trouble today," his large hand splayed protectively over my side. Lucas had copied him immediately, pressing his ear against me and giggling when he felt a kick.

I ran my hand absently over my rounded belly as I padded barefoot to the kitchen. At eight months pregnant, the morning sickness had finally subsided, replaced by a near-constant hunger that had me raiding the fridge at all hours. I popped some bread in the toaster and pulled out the package of bacon Ethan had bought yesterday—the man seemed convinced I needed to eat my weight in protein daily.

As the bacon sizzled in the pan, filling the apartment with its mouthwatering aroma, I found myself humming softly. Six months ago, I'd been fighting for my life in a hospital bed, uncertain if I'd ever hold my babies in my arms. Now, here I was, in a sun-filled kitchen, preparing breakfast while my twins performed their morning acrobatics. Sometimes the sheer normality of it all struck me as miraculous.

The toast popped up just as a particularly enthusiastic kick landed squarely on my ribs. "Easy there, little warriors," I murmured, placing my palm against the spot. "Save some of that energy for when you're actually out in the world."

By the time Zoe texted that she was on her way up, I'd polished off my breakfast and changed into one of the few outfits that still fit—a stretchy pair of black leggings and one of Ethan's t-shirts that hung comically large on me but at least accommodated my belly. I'd given up on style months ago in favor of basic survival.

Zoe didn't bother knocking, instead using the key we'd given her for emergencies. She burst through the door with her usual whirlwind energy, two coffee cups in hand. One look at me and she let out an exaggerated groan.

"Aria, I know I've said this before, but seriously—training camp? In your condition?" She thrust one of the cups toward me. "Decaf, before you ask. And yes, I remembered the extra cream and sugar."

I accepted the coffee with a grateful smile. "What would I do without you?"

"Probably drink regular coffee and give birth to twins with supernatural caffeine powers," she retorted, dropping her bag on the counter. Her eyes traveled over my outfit with a critical squint. "Please tell me you're not wearing that to the camp."

I glanced down at my ensemble and shrugged. "What's wrong with it? It's comfortable and functional."

"You're the Alpha's mate, for crying out loud! You can't show up looking like you raided the lost-and-found bin." She marched past me toward the bedroom, calling over her shoulder, "You have five minutes to finish that coffee while I find something borderline presentable."

I laughed, settling onto a barstool. "Good luck with that! Nothing fits anymore."

Her muffled voice carried from my closet. "Challenge accepted!"

True to her word, Zoe emerged minutes later triumphantly holding a flowing tunic and stretchy pants that somehow managed to look both comfortable and vaguely authoritative. I had to admit, her fashion sense was superior to mine even on my best days.

"This is why I keep you around," I said, taking the clothes.

"And here I thought it was for my scintillating conversation and unwavering loyalty," she replied dryly. "Hurry up and change. The sooner we get to camp, the sooner I can watch you terrify those cocky new recruits while waddling like a pregnant duck."

I threw a sock at her, which she dodged with practiced ease.

Once dressed, we made our way to Zoe's car, my pace considerably slower than it had been six months ago. She offered her arm with exaggerated gallantry.

"Your chariot awaits, Luna."

I rolled my eyes at the title. "I'm not officially Luna yet, so you can stop with that."

"Speaking of which," Zoe said as she helped me into the passenger seat, "when exactly are you two tying the knot? I need to know how long I have to find the perfect dress."

I laughed as she started the car. "We're waiting until after the twins are born and things settle down a bit."

Zoe made a sound of disappointment as she pulled onto the main road. "That could be months! I need an occasion to wear something other than training gear." She flashed me a sideways glance. "Speaking of wedding plans... I don't mean to pry, and tell me to back off if I'm crossing a line, but... are you inviting your father and his family?"

The question didn't surprise me; I'd been wrestling with it myself. After Ethan arrested Marcus and Bella, my father had fallen into a deep depression. He couldn't—or wouldn't—believe that one daughter would try to murder the other. Bella remained in Shadow Fang's detention facility, and Marcus had been lobbying Ethan for her release, claiming she deserved a second chance. Ethan, to his credit, had firmly refused each time.

"I haven't decided yet," I admitted, watching the scenery blur past the window. "But even if I invite him, I won't ask him to walk me down the aisle. That honor has been forfeited."

"Who would you choose instead?" Zoe asked, genuine curiosity in her voice.

I considered for a moment. "Probably Leo. He was there for me during those years in the human world when I had no one else. He never asked questions, just offered support when I needed it most."

"Leo?" Zoe's laugh filled the car. "The poor guy will be heartbroken—escorting his secret crush down the aisle to marry his best friend. Talk about rubbing salt in the wound."

I jabbed her with my elbow. "Stop it. The feelings between me and Leo were never romantic. We're like siblings."

"If you say so," she sing-songed, clearly unconvinced. "But I've seen how he looks at you when he thinks no one's watching."

I changed the subject, eager to shift attention away from myself. "Enough about my complicated life. You practically dragged me out today saying you needed to talk about something. Something about David, perhaps?" I raised an eyebrow, giving her a knowing look.

Zoe's cheeks flamed bright pink, the blush spreading down her neck as she gripped the steering wheel so tightly her knuckles turned white. Her eyes widened in panic, darting between me and the road.

"I never said—" she started, then stopped abruptly. I watched her internal struggle play across her face—her teeth worrying her bottom lip, her breathing quickening slightly. She opened her mouth, closed it, then suddenly blurted out in a rush: "Is it possible to get pregnant from just one night? Just hypothetically speaking."