Release me, Alpha Malachi!

Dani’s POV:

I was craving vanilla ice cream drizzled with virgin olive oil tonight. My cravings are getting weirder as I enter my third trimester. Malachi will be home late; he said the boys wanted to catch up after the hectic week. As an understanding partner, I just replied with a generic two-letter reply.

‘Ok.’

The only problem now is my craving. I have ice cream in the fridge but it's strawberry flavored, one smell at it and I was pouring my guts out. The bigger problem is, I had spotting. I didn’t want to call my OB but I texted Mal and got no reply. So, I did what I do best. Call for backup. My backup is Zoey. She’s my best friend, my sister from another mother, from pups to full-fledged wolves. Zoey lived nearby, just two blocks away from our unit on Park Avenue.

Today, wolves coexist in harmony with humans. Though we like to keep a tight community, gone are the days of isolation and hiding. So far, we haven’t run into trouble as long as we keep our furs and paws in the forests, away from them and their cameras. Our kind remains a myth to them and we love to keep it that way. Zoey arrived in less than five minutes. She was carrying the goods in one arm and on the other was her duffel bag.

“Thank you for the ice cream, Z. But…what are those? Is that your…?” I asked her, my eyes fixed on her bag.

“Yes, Dani. My emergency sleep bag. Get dressed, we’re going to the hospital and to answer your question, yes, I am sleeping here,” she shrugged and went straight to the kitchen to prepare my magical food. Z knows the house like the back of her hand.

“It’s just a spotting…they're pretty normal in pregnancy…”

“And?”

“This is probably nothing, Z.”

“Dammit, you're a nurse. That's not 'nothing'. Where is he?”

“He’s…um----” Z didn’t let me finish fabricating an excuse that would be acceptable to her taste.

“Let me guess, Malachi texted you to inform you that he’s going home late, and you didn’t want to ruin it for him--- because it’s boy’s night out. And he’s not going to be home until morning to freshen up and leave for work. Yay.”

A lump in my throat started to form. Z has no filter but I am not offended because she’s right. However, I have to defend my mate with a chuckle. “W-what? No…the boys had a rough week, that's all.”

Z shoved the massive ice cream cup in my face. I’m not sure I want it anymore.

“Eat it, I came all the way for that.” My best friend’s brows raised. A surefire way to tell that she’s not going to back down on this one. “You don’t even want to go the doctor. At least, text your OB so my mind is at ease.”

“Fine,” I rolled my eyes, but I was really grateful for Zoey.

I picked up my phone from the countertop and did what I was told and smiled when my wonderful OB replied that it was fine as long as it didn’t happen again in the next few hours and I should get some rest.

Malachi Pruitt, my mate, is not like any other wolves. He’s New York’s top dog, the Alpha of all Alpha’s and his responsibility has no limits. Apart from his obligation to the pack, he runs a successful business that helps America remain a Super Nation and to me, a little boy’s night out won’t hurt.

Well, that’s my opinion. Z thinks otherwise. She had this perpetual smirk on her face whenever I was left alone.

Just like now. Any minute now…Z will begin preaching.

“You know what? I am not leaving until I see that man walk in here. He’s been consistent, Dani. Consistent in leaving you alone and he knows pregnancy is not easy. And wait, do I see a ring? No. The baby came first because that’s what he wanted. You forgot that you’re his Luna and not a freaking baby maker.”

I lowered my gaze. Why does the truth hurt? “Z, w-we are getting there…”

“Yeah, when?” She spat at me.

“A-after the baby comes.”

Z scoffed. “Listen to me, Dani…Malachi is okay as an Alpha. I’ll give that to him. But as a partner? I am so sorry, but he isn’t. You’ve always dreamed of walking down the aisle before having a baby. And now you have it in reverse. There’s no doubt you love him. But…I mean…what if he changes his mind? Come on, at least when you’re married----Mal couldn’t throw you like a rag when he’s done cooking his bun using your oven.”

The truth is, I badly wanted my mate’s attention and care. Again, Z was right. He’s a very good Alpha…but a mate? No, he’s not.

Because seriously, he should be here, right?