Alpha Loren novel Chapter 63

November 15th

I woke the next morning a hungry pit in my stomach. According to my phone it was 10:00am and Leo was already awake and downstairs in his office.

I sauntered down into the kitchen and started scavenging through the cupboards.

I was craving something. I didn't know what, but when I found it I would.

I had looked through almost every draw and cupboard before I hit gold. Right at the back of a shelf I had to stand on to reach was a jaw of pickled gherkins. 

I opened the already half empty jaw and put one straight in my mouth without even bothering to climb off the counter first. Until that moment I didn't know anything could be so gross yet so glorious.

"Gherkins hey?" I heard Leo's voice from behind me. 

"Please don't judge me. I just woke up really craving them," I replied looking over my shoulder to see him walking into the kitchen.

"Gherkins are meant to be the number one pregnancy food crave," Leo said taking the jaw off me. "But maybe not these ones...they've been open about 10 years."

"Oh," I said wiping the corner of my mouth. "They didn't taste off, but then again I don't know what a not off gherkin tastes like so..."

"I'll get you some new ones," he chuckled, lifting me off the counter.

"Also," I said, "I want to you to meet my family."

"I've met your family..." he said, "Your brother hates me remember?"

"I want you to meet him properly. And my Mom too," I explained.

"Your Mom?" he asked, "You never talk much about her."

"Well...after my Dad died she was never the same again and I haven't seen her in two years so it's not the cheeriest topic to think about," I replied. "But things are different now.

"My father booted her from this pack seventeen years ago. What makes you think she'd ever want to come back even just for a visit?" he asked.

"Things are different now," I replied, "Her brother Milo Megestanis, is dead, her sister Madison is free, I'm the Luna and I'm pregnant and you'd permit her...right?"

"Of course I would," he said, "Do you have a way of contacting her?"

"I have a number. It's old but it's worth a try," I said. 

"Call it," he replied, "And if she wants to, she has my full permission to come and stay."

"...and Connor?" I asked.

He turned and raised an eyebrow, "Do you really think that's a good idea?"

"You haven't even tried to get along with him," I pointed out.

He sighed, "Call your Mom and I'll think about it."

I smiled and kissed him gently, "Thank you," I said before scurrying off.

It only rang twice before somebody picked up.

"Mara," a voice said, "Mara!"

"Hello?" I aked.

It was the gruff tone of a man.

"Who is it?" he demanded.

"Ella Jones," I replied, "Mara's daughter."

"Mara it's your kid," the man said.

There was a silent pause before I heard the rustling of the phone being handed over.

"Ella?" my mother said, her voice dry and croaky sounding.

"Hi Mom," I said smiling at the sound of it anyway.

 I missed her a lot.

"It's been awhile," she replied.

"Where are you?" I asked, "Who was that?"

"I'm living with a tribe of other rogues," she said, "Misfits, loners...a few weirdos. But they keep me company."

I smiled, "I wanted to call you because I found him."