Chapter 17

Adelaide Maybe it was her imagination, but it felt as if Geoff was being distant with her all of a sudden. After Damion stopped her from spilling the news about her pregnancy, he'd been withdrawn. She knew this too well by now. Something was on his mind and it was going against his better judgement again. Maybe holding off until their wedding day to surprise him may not work after all. Yet when she wanted to tell him, he found some excuse to avoid her. He occupied himself at the pack house to get the reception hall figured out, but that still left her with everything else to worry about. "Hey baby girl." Nathan spoke up as he entered the living room. She was sitting on the floor with magazines sprawled around her. One open to dresses, another to bouquets, another to cakes. She had a notepad with several venues written down, but none would take her last minute request, even with who she was marrying. "Hey dad." She replied, not removing her gaze from the mess around her. He sat on the couch behind her. "Did you get anywhere?" He asked her and she groaned loudly. "No! Geoff won't give me his damn input for anything either. He's been avoiding me for the last four days and our wedding is in less than two weeks." She rubbed her face, trying to force back her tears. Nathan picked up one of the magazines, looking it over before setting it back down. "Why don't we go for a walk? Get your mind off of this for a little while." He suggested. She nodded, picking up her magazines and piled them on the table. "Oh, let me make sure Elias is ready to go to." She said before hurrying off. Once she got herself and Elias ready, they left the mansion behind and walked through the city. Maybe this would help her instead. She liked burying her face in a book, but getting out and actually getting it done would be far more sufficient. "Oh, I heard that they have the Christmas tree up in the center of the city. Would you like to see?" Adelaide asked Elias as he walked between her and Nathan. He nodded, pulling her along. "You remind me so much like your mother." Nathan suddenly said. She glanced his way, seeing the nostalgic look in his eyes. "I was so young when she passed away. What would she have done in my place?" She asked him as they turned down a street. Lights hung over the streetlights, giving off a soft glow to the holiday spirit that everyone was sharing. Each shop and restaurant had Christmas decorations out, going balls to the walls with trees, ornaments, garlands, etc. "Autumn wasn't afraid of a challenge. She'd take whatever was thrown at her and flip it to work out in her favor." He shrugged, but he was smiling at the thought of her. Adelaide continued to look around, making eye contact with a few pack members and waved shyly. They inclined their necks at her, but overall there was no inclination of their approval. Had her message not really gotten through to them after all? After they crossed another street, a large park laid out before them, people walking along the paths that wove through it. Each tree had lights laced through its branches. As they followed one path in, the found a large pine tree sitting in the center of a stone walk way. The stone path wrapped around the base of the tree. Several paths spiraled out from the center, each pathway lined with lit up trees. The large pine tree shared the same lights intricately through its branches. A large glowing star sat at the very top. "It's absolutely gorgeous." Adelaide complimented the breathtaking sight. Elias tugged on her sleeve, pointing at the bottom of the tree where a few other pups were playing. She recognized the she-wolves from the other day and approached them cautiously. "Hello. I'm sorry to intrude, but is it alright of Elias plays with your pups?" Adelaide asked politely. The women smiled at her and nodded. Elias smiled brightly, turning back to Adelaide and handed over Momo. "I will guard him with my life." She salutes to him. He immediately shifts, tearing apart his clothes and rushes off. "He's got the shift down to a tee." One of the women said as Adelaide and Nathan joined them. "Oh, he won't stop shifting. After Geoff got back, he had to show it off right away." Adelaide bragged a bit, watching Elias from afar. "Is Elias Geoff's son?" The other asked. "Oh no. He's his younger brother. He's staying with us probably through the holidays now." Adelaide told her. "They look so alike. It makes sense that they were related." The other replied. They all watched on as the pups played in the snow. "Oh, by the way Luna, how is the mating ceremony going?" One asked her. Adelaide let out a groan involuntarily. She gasped, covering her mouth. Nathan chuckled. "She's a bit overwhelmed right now, but she's got it handled." He responded for her. The women nodded in understanding. "Sorry, this is all new to me as well. I'm Nathan, Adelaide 's father." He introduced himself. "Renee." "Melanie." They exchanged, "Luna..." "Please, just Adelaide . I'm not too much for formality." Adelaide said. Melanie smiled at her, pushing her red hair out of her face, casting her eyes back out to the pups. "Adelaide then. Can you tell us about the ceremony?" She asked her. Renee leaned forward, her dark brown eyes lit with excitement. "Oh, please! We need something to distract us from the sports and the last minute Christmas shopping." Renee said. Adelaide half smiled, looking up at the tree. "In all honesty, I'm lost." Her eyes followed the lights, constantly getting tangled in the branches. "Geoff is handling things for the reception, but with Christmas so close, I'm not getting anywhere with venues, dress shops and the like." Adelaide rubbed her temples. Nathan rubbed her back gently. "That is tricky." Renee said, letting out a sigh. Melanie clapped her hands together. "We'll help you!" She said cheerfully. "How?" She asked her. Renee hopped to her feet next. "Our mom group that we're in. A few of their husband's own restaurants and shops. We can talk to them tomorrow for you." Renee told her. Adelaide felt weight lift off of her shoulders. "Really?" She asked, feeling a bit of doubt. Melanie kneeled down in front of Adelaide , taking her hands. "Adelaide , you are our Luna. Our Queen. We all heard your interview. Some will remain quiet, but the rest of us will stand with you." She told her. Adelaide felt tears sting her eyes. "Thank you so much." She sniffled. Melanie leaned in close. "By the way, how far along are you?" She asked. Adelaide gasped, staring at her. Renee winked at her. "We have what you can say a sixth sense for this sort of thing." Renee told her. "Adelaide , is that true?" Nathan asked her. Adelaide wiped a stray tear from her cheek. "Yeah. I found out four days ago." She told him. She watched her father's eyes glisten with emotion as he hugged her. She let more tears flow this time. "Does the Alpha know?" Melanie asked quietly as a couple walked passed them. "No, I wanted to surprise him, but I don't know if I can wait." She wiped her eyes. Melanie helped wipe her eyes before taking her seat again. "News like this is a huge deal. Not just for him, but for all of us." Melanie told her. Great, nothing like more pressure. "I wish there would be some way for everyone to see it happen." Adelaide said, her eyes going back to the tree. She inclined her head at it before inspiration hit her. "I got it!" She launched to her feet, "We'll have the wedding here." She turned back to them. "Here?" Nathan asked as he looked around. "In front of the tree. It's perfect. The area is large enough for everyone in the city to attend." She was smiling, looking around at the lights. "And it's already predecorated." Melanie joined her. Renee only smiled. Nathan stood up, stretching his back. "Alright, that knocks off the venue, the decorations and the audience." He checked off for her. Adelaide sighed in relief. "Leave the food to us." Renee told her. Adelaide looked at the two she-wolves, feeling respect for the women. "I can't thank you enough for your help. If you two or even the mom's need anything at all, please don't be afraid to ask." Adelaide told them. The women shared a look and smirked. "We want an invite to the baby shower." Renee told her. Adelaide looked between them and let out a laugh. "Absolutely." She told them. Adelaide looked back at the pups and let out a soft whistle. Elias looked up, his tail wagging as snow sprinkled his black coat. He barked at the other pups before running over. Her father picked up his tattered clothes. "Is this what I get to look forward to as a grandpa?" He mumbled to himself. Adelaide giggled at him as she picked up Elias' wolf form. She looked at the tree again, another thought coming to mind. "I think we need a little touch of Christmas at home to. What do you think?" She asked Elias. He growled softly in response. She waved farewell to the she-wolves as she pulled out her phone. "Damion, I need your truck." She said. "Am I already assisting with hiding bodies?" He joked. "I'm not Erica." She giggled. He chuckled. "May I ask why?" "I want to the decorate house." She told him. "Say no more, your majesty. I will meet you with your chariot." He continued to joke before clearing his throat, "I'll meet you in an hour. Your future husband is giving me a death glare." He said. "Wait. Is he okay?" She asked him. Elias was playfully nipping at Nathan's fingers. "Okay as in?" "He... He hasn't been talking to me the last few days." Her voice hitched a bit. "Has he said anything to you at all?" She listened to Damion clear his throat. "No, but I'll talk to him for you." He told her before hanging up. Adelaide looked at her phone before looking at her dad. He half smiled, rubbing her back again. "Autumn would be very proud of you, Adelaide ." He said to her. She smiled, nodding. She straightened her shoulders, letting the strength of his wolf work through her nerves.