The Alpha Of The Shadow Pack And His Mute Luna (by Beatrice Putnam) novel Chapter 136

Chapter 136

Vanessa POV

I had forgotten entirely about the bathhouse. The bathtub always had clean water because Alfred made sure it was emptied and refilled. Alfred had me sit on his lap and began to massage my back and shoulders, pausing occasionally to warm his hands in the water. Feeling his hands and being next to him felt amazing, like usual. We had made up from our little argument this morning. I wanted to make love to him, but I was too tired. He focused on massaging my shoulders and then moved to the middle of my chest, again pausing to warm his hands. I could sense something was on his mind, but I knew he would talk about it when ready, so I didn’t press. He pulled me closer so he could massage my chest more easily.

I expected him to try to grope me, but he simply massaged the middle of my chest, under my breast, and then my shoulders, sometimes dipping his hands into the water. He kissed me on the cheek and then massaged my thighs. I jumped when he hit a sore spot–I was sore all over from using muscles I forgot I had. My legs, back, and my whole body hurt, but it was a good hurt, unlike the pain from my parents‘ beatings. I was deep in thought when Alfred cleared

his throat.

Umm, are you OK, little one?”

“Yes, I’m fine.

“Good, I don’t know what I would do if you ever left.”

Why would he say that? His words made me wonder if he was thinking about Mac and his mate. I recalled they had fallen out and she left, not because she

rejected him, but because they couldn’t resolve their disagreement. Knowing this made me realize his heart had been hurting all this time from missing her. I felt a mix of delight for them trying to reconcile and a renewed certainty that I would never leave Alfred, even after arguments. My feelings shifted to gratitude for all he had done: saving me, supporting me, and helping shape my new role as a mother, a future queen, and Luna of a pack.

Babe, I’m not going anywhere, no matter how badly we argue.”

“Good, because I would be a lost fool without you.”

That I believed, since I knew how deeply an alpha’s mate could affect them. Remembering how my parents were loving to each other but abusive to me and my sisters brought a wave of old sadness and confusion. Pain returned as I recalled how I was the one most often beaten. My mind shifted between the warmth of now and the hurt from before. As emotions tangled, Alfred’s voice broke through and steadied me.

* Little one, you need to quit thinking about those people.”

“I will try.”

It was hard not to think about them. Not because I loved them, but because they had upended my life so much that I never learned how to deal with it. Alfred pulled me close as I started to cry, I cried for what felt like forever. The hot tub stayed warm as I began to doze off. Alfred gently shook me awake.

Little one, let’s go back to the house, shower, and go to bed.”

‘Sounds good to me.”

I was exhausted from the day. We’d enjoyed a great meal together before moving from the hot tub. Alfred helped me out, carried me to the house, and gently sat me on the bed. He started the shower, then helped me undress and brought me into the bathroom. He had also undressed. We rinsed off in the shower–whoever invented shower chairs was amazing; I was so tired I could fall asleep standing. We weren’t in the shower long. Alfred had laid out pajamas, but I was too tired to dress. He helped me dry off, and I moved across the bed to my side and lay down to wait for him.

He climbed into bed and adjusted the blankets before pulling me close. I fell asleep quickly. It felt like I had just dozed off when the alarm went off at six. I

1/2

Chapter 136

was still tired. As I stretched, I groaned in pain–my whole body ached from exercising. I planned to do yoga with Stacey this morning. Alfred got out of bed

and started the shower.

This will help with your muscles this morning.

Alfred handed me some pain medicine, which I took right away. I slowly got out of bed as Alfred left for the kitchen. In the bathroom, I stepped into the shower without worrying about clothes, since I had slept naked, and let the hot water run over me. I finally started to feel better with the pain medicine and hot water. My muscles still hurt, but not as badly. After, I picked out a pink workout outfit from my closet, which was roomy after remodeling. I liked the

stretchiness for yoga.

Looking out the window, I saw the rain begin and shivered at the thought of the cold. The heater kicked on just in time. Thankfully, yoga replaced running today. Entering the kitchen, I was hit by the smell of waffles and fresh maple syrup, stirring my appetite. Alfred stood to pull my chair out, then poured me coffee, brought water, and offered orange juice, all with my vitamins. Although I felt I no longer needed them, it wasn’t worth arguing over something minor. Seeing Mac join us that morning truly pleased me.

How did it go last night?”

It went amazingly well.”

I knew he was telling the truth because he was smiling from ear to ear. Shortly after that, Stacey walked into the house. She was carrying our yoga mats. She

walked into the kitchen and got herself a cup of coffee.

• What are your plans for today, babe?”

* I have some work to do in the office, then after you get done with yoga, we are going to see Junior.”

I was so excited to hear that. We all sat there and ate some breakfast. I could tell that Alfred had been feeling better since last night. I know that I had

reassured him. I got up and pulled my plate over to be nearer to Alfred. I then sat on his lap.

“What’s wrong, little one?”

* I just wanted to sit on your lap.”

He chuckled and pulled me close. I finished my breakfast and looked at the clock. It was already eight o’clock. We were scheduled to be there at eight fifteen. I then kissed Alfred and tried to get up. He pulled me back down on his lap, and I giggled. Then, Stacey spoke up.

Ok, you two love birds, let’s go.”

He finally let me go. I kissed him one more time. I then grabbed my raincoat, which has a liner to keep me warm. Chris had a car waiting for us. I was relieved to know we were not going to walk, but I was delighted that Chris had the car warmed up.

The Alpha Of The Shadow Pack And His Mute Luna