Chapter 44

James crashed through trees, jumping over ditches. His heart pounding at what his wolf just revealed. Is it true? Was Trishanna really pregnant? James made his way back home in record time with no memory of how he did. Not even bothering to transform, he rushed straight to his room and closed the door with his nose. Only when he was safe he shifted and curled into a ball right in front of his door. Tears came to his eyes as a million thoughts rushed through his brain. At one point he wondered if it was Bradley's, but his wolf strongly confirmed that he knew without a shadow of a doubt that it was his pup.

James stayed on the floor for over a hour, until he felt like his head would explode. Getting up, he made his way to his shower and got ready for bed. Now he was in a numb state as he didn't know what to do. Drying his hair, he just decided to sleep and figure it out tomorrow. After putting on a pair of boxers, he made his way to bed, so sure that he would spend the night tossing and turning, but surprisingly, he drifted off as soon as his head hit the pillow.

James was walking through the woods. It was a beautiful day in autumn. The sun was just hot enough to keep the chill in the air from being too much. Soon he came to a clearing that led to a lake. The water was so crisp and clean that he wondered if he could take a swim. James heard humming coming from his right and when he turned he found Trishanna sitting on a blanket. His feet took him to her and he fell to his knees behind her. Shaking he tightly wrapped his arms around her and buried his face in her hair. Inhaling deeply, he began to silently weep, happy for just this moment. "Trishanna, I'm sorry. I'm so, so sorry. I know that you'll probably never forgive me, but I'm sorry."

Tishanna tried to wriggle out of his embrace, but James didn't want to see the look of disgust on her face. He held her tighter until she squeaked out, "Please James, you're squishing my belly." James immediately let her go, not wanting to cause her any more pain. Trishanna turned and tsked at him. "What am I going to do with you? You almost squished 'tutti-frutti'."

"Tutti-frutti'? What the hell is that?" he asked, confused as hell. Trishanna giggled and took his hand, placing it on her rounded belly. "Did you forget that's what you wanted to call the baby?" Trishanna shook her head, "I swear, sometimes I think that you have the 'baby brain'." James stared at his hand as it curled around the warm bump that was her stomach. He felt the life growing within and tears came to his eyes. "My pup. You're having my pup?" He couldn't believe it. As if to confirm its presence, the pup decided to move, kicking against its father's hand as if to say that it was real.

Trishanna chuckled at the look of awe on James' face. It was a look that she's never seen before, but one she knows she will not forget. It was the first time that she felt the baby move so strongly and was glad to know that the little one was doing well. James laid his head on her lap, pressing an ear against her belly. Soon the strong heartbeats could be heard and he and his wolf was overjoyed. His wolf couldn't stop wagging his tail. He would have howled in joy, but it would block the wonderous sound.

James shifted and looked up at Trishanna. His breath caught in his throat at the look of acceptance on her face when he thought he would see contempt. Tears filled his eyes and he opened his mouth to apologize once again. He didn't think there were enough days in his life that he would stop apologizing for the wrong he did. However, Trishanna simply shushes him with her hand over his lips. Shaking her head, she moved her hand to gently stroke his hair. "There is no more need to say sorry. What's done is done and no amount of words will change that." Trishanna sighed as she looked towards the evening sun reflecting upon the gentle waves of the lake.

After a moment, she looks back at James. "No matter how it happened, right now, there is a life growing inside me, and I for one am more interested in the future. Don't you think that's the best approach?" James nodded and turned his head to snuggle closer to his pup. He took a moment to feel the bond begin to grow between him and his pup. "Trishanna, can I ask you a question?" James felt her nod as she continued to play with his hair. "Could I be there when the pup is born?"

Trishanna turned his head to look into his eyes. Smiling she replied "Of course. This is your pup as much as it is mine."

Trishanna jumped out of her sleep. Reaching for the lamp, she switched on the light wondering what kind of strange dream was that. It was so real that if she wasn't in bed, she would have believed it was true. She could almost taste the chill of the autumn air. Why would she dream about that man of all people? And why would she be nice to him? It's true that she's having a pup thanks to him, but she could have been marked and mated and pregnant with Bradley's child if it wasn't for him.

Trishanna headed to the bathroom and washed her face. There was no way that she would be able to go back to sleep. Curling up in the comfy armchair, she looked out the window at the partial moon slowly weaving its way through the clouds. She wasn't sure what was going on, but she hoped that whatever it was would not repeat itself.