I decided to work from home for the rest of the day. I'm so amazed by everything that's happening and overwhelmed by how much our lives have changed in the last forty-eight hours. Two days ago, I was grieving the relationship I believed impossible, wishing against all logic that Ella could be a wolf. Now all our dreams have come true, yet I feel reluctant to trust these changes. It's all too wonderful, even if mysterious forces have clearly been at work—pulling the strings of our lives from afar.

I hate the idea that someone has been watching and manipulating us—even if it is the Goddess. Still, the Goddess isn't what frightens me most. What frightens me is knowing that someone out there knows the truth about Ella, knows secrets she and I have yet to uncover, and might use them against us. True, it seems that bringing us together was for our benefit, but the picture is never clear until it's complete. Shifters in this city know exactly how vulnerable Ella is right now, and we can't awaken her wolf for another three and a half months, at least.

Around seven, I realized I wasn't going to get any more work done that evening. Instead, I headed upstairs to my bedroom, expecting to find my sweet mate resting before dinner. Instead, I walked in to find Ella out of bed and pacing, overflowing with anxious energy. The second thing I noticed was that every pillow, blanket, and cushion in the linen closet had been piled onto the bed, and the canopy curtains drawn closed.

Ella stopped in her tracks when she saw me, wringing her hands. "Baby, what is it?" I asked, crossing to her. "You're supposed to be in bed."

She shook her head. "It's not right. I've been trying to fix it, but I can't it's not right."

I pulled her into my arms, purring softly as she tucked her head against my chest and breathed in my scent. "What's not right? How can I help?"

"The bed," she huffed, gesturing to it sullenly. "It's not cozy enough. Your pillows are terrible, and none of the blankets are soft enough."

For a moment, I thought she'd lost her beautiful little mind, but slowly it clicked into place. How many times have I heard about other fathers coping with a mate in this exact state? These instincts are as powerful as all the cravings and mood swings, and they're further proof of Ella's true identity. I chuckled happily, and Ella stiffened. "Are you laughing at me? This has been a really stressful day, you know. I don't need to be laughed at."

"No, not at you," I promised. "It's just that you're nesting."

"Nesting, like cleaning everything and setting up a nursery?" she clarified, her adorably furrowed brow showing her confusion. "But that shouldn't come until later, and we've already picked out most of the baby stuff."

"No, it's a little more literal with wolves, Ella. These are just more of your maternal instincts coming out," I explained. "It's probably made worse by the bed rest. You're stuck in this room with nowhere to go; it's only natural that you want to make yourself as cozy a spot to welcome the pup as possible."

"Except that I can't because your dumb bed is giant and everything is wrong," she complained, unbuttoning my shirt so she could nuzzle her face against my bare skin.

I hummed in sympathy, scooping her up. "Well then, let me help," I suggested, my own alpha instincts urging me to settle her. I deposited her on the bed, then moved to the intercom by the bedroom door, sending my guards for every pillow and blanket in the house.

They gradually carted them up over the next half hour, and I dutifully let my sweet little mate direct me as she created her nest. I handed her pillows and blankets, then accepted them back if they didn't fit the indescribable qualifications she was seeking. I had no idea what was going on in her mind, but I knew enough to realize this wasn't a matter of logic. Her inner wolf was pushing her to satisfy a powerful craving that she probably didn't understand any more than I did when my wolf urged me to scent-mark her. It's all feelings and one-word commands, primal and powerful—not to be ignored.

When the bed was finally right, she climbed in, preening with maternal pride and offering me a satisfied smile that made me want to kiss her so badly it hurt. "Am I allowed in there with you?" I asked, beaming down at her.

Ella frowned for a moment, obviously contemplating this. She narrowed her eyes. "As long as you don't mess it up."

Laughing, I kicked off my shoes and moved onto the bed, careful not to dislodge any of her carefully placed pillows. Right as I settled beside her, I accidentally knocked one of the overstuffed poufs out of position, and a kittenish growl rose in her chest. That's when I snatched her up, replacing the offended cushion as I pulled her small body onto mine.

For a while, I simply kissed Ella, elated that I was finally able to be with her so freely. Every other time we'd gotten carried away with affection, it had filled me with guilt and distraction about our tenuous future. But now it simply felt right.

"I keep daydreaming about what it will be like when your wolf finally emerges completely," I shared a little while later. "It was distracting me all day long," I admitted, stroking her spine as she nibbled my ear. "You've shown such ferocity already, and you have so much love to give—you'll truly be the perfect queen," I exulted, loving the shy blush that colored her cheeks. "We'll usher in a new era for the united packs while we raise a whole litter. I'll give you so many babies that you won't know what to do with them."

Ella offered me a sultry giggle, squirming against me in a way that told me she was getting excited just talking about this. Still, she sighed, a familiar look of hesitance on her lovely features. "Don't. We don't know what the future holds yet. And I'll be happy even if it's just the three of us."

"But you'd like more if you could get them?" I guessed, understanding her reluctance to get her hopes up. I knew only too well how hard it is to let yourself dream after so much disappointment.

"I've never shared a bloodline or DNA with anyone I've never had that bond. Rafe is the first person in my life who I'll experience that with," Ella confided. "It's part of why I wanted a child of my own. To be biologically connected—at least once. And I love being pregnant but I don't need all my babies to have my genes."

"What if I want my babies to all have your genes?" I teased, sliding my hand down over her luscious behind. "They're damned good genes."

Ella laughed but held firm. "If we can't have more pups on our own, I know how many orphans out there need a good home." There was something haunted in her last words, and I found myself squeezing her more tightly. Still, despite her pain, an incandescent smile took over her features, and she buried her head in my neck, laughing. "I can't even believe this is real," she exclaimed. "I never imagined that we'd get to have a life together I wanted to be a wolf so badly, and I never thought I would be."

Ella couldn't see my face, so I didn't hide my grimace. "I'm happier than I've ever been with you, you know that?"

She peeked up at me, a spark of mischief in her eye. "You're sounding awfully emotional there, Alpha. You're not going to start crying, are you?"

When I only frowned, the spark in her eye flickered out, and I hated myself for dampening her high spirits. "I think we've been putting off talking about your past long enough, Ella. It's more important than ever now."

"But I don't know anything," she insisted, looking confused again. "I was a baby when this all started."

"I know, sweetheart," I confirmed, "but if we're right about this then it's likely the people behind this have been watching you your whole life. The answer to all of this could be somewhere in your own history," I explained. "And besides, I need to know because because you're my mate. I can't take care of you if I don't know what you've been through. You did promise to open up to me eventually."

Her face fell, and I realized the naughty creature probably hadn't intended on actually following through on that particular promise. Ella looked up at me from beneath her lashes, as if she were testing my resolve. When I only stared gravely back, she sighed. "I don't even remember everything," she confessed softly. "I've blocked so much of it out."

"Then we can work with a therapist, or a hypnotist, but maybe you can tell me what you do remember?"

Looking as though she were headed to the gallows, Ella nodded. "Okay."