The Messenger( Iva) novel Chapter 315

Help-1

Iva dialed Lori’s number with trembling fingers, her heart pounding with barely contained excitement. The news had been burning inside her since the moment the physician had confirmed it, and she couldn’t wait another second to share it with her best friend.

The phone rang once. Twice. Three times.

Then Lori’s voice came through, warm and familiar.

“Iva! I was just thinking about you. How are you? How’s everything?”

Iva’s smile was so wide her cheeks ached.

“I have news,” she said, her voice barely steady. “Big news.”

Lori’s tone shifted, becoming more alert. “What kind of news? Good news? Bad news? Don’t keep me in suspense!”

“Good news,” Iva said, laughing through her tears. “The best news. Lori, I’m pregnant.”

For a moment, there was silence on the other end.

Then Lori let out a shriek so loud that Iva had to hold the phone away from her ear.

“PREGNANT?! IVA, YOU’RE PREGNANT?! OH MY GODDESS! I’M GOING TO BE AN AUNT! I’M

GOING TO BE AN AUNT!”

Iva laughed, tears streaming down her face.

“Yes, you’re going to be an aunt. And I’m going to be a mother. It’s… it’s still so surreal.”

“I can’t believe it!” Lori’s voice was thick with emotion. “You’re going to have a baby! A little wolf! A little prince or princess! Oh, Iva, I’m so happy for you!”

Iva wiped her eyes.

“I can’t wait for you to meet them,” she said. “I can’t wait for you to hold them and spoil them and tell them all about their crazy aunt.”

Lori laughed.

“They’re going to be the most spoiled pup in the kingdom. I’m going to buy them everything.”

They talked for a while longer, their excitement bubbling over as they discussed names and nursery colors and all the plans for the future. It felt like old times-the two of them,

1/3

Help 1

dreaming about what their lives could be.

Then the conversation shifted.

Claim

“Speaking of the future,” Iva said carefully, “there’s going to be a ball at the palace. In three weeks. I’m going to announce the pregnancy, and I’m also going to try to match some couples. I’d love for you to be there.”

Lori hesitated.

“Iva, I-” She paused, her voice dropping. “I don’t know if that’s a good idea. We’re lone wolves now, remember? Your society doesn’t exactly welcome people like us.”

Iva’s heart ached.

“I don’t care about what society thinks,” she said fiercely. “You’re my best friend. You’re family. And I’m not going to let anyone keep me from being with you.”

Lori was silent for a moment.

“You really mean that?”

“I really mean it. I’ll send a car for you and Attia. I’ll make sure you have a suite in the palace. And if anyone gives you trouble, they’ll have to answer to me.”

Lori let out a shaky laugh.

“I don’t know what I did to deserve you.”

“You existed,” Iva said. “That’s all you had to do.”

There was a pause, and then Lori’s voice became more serious.

“Now for real,” she said. “How are you really doing?”

Iva took a breath.

“I’m… I’m good,” she said. “Better than I have been in a long time. But I won’t lie-it’s been hard. The stalker, the trial, all the pressure. I’m exhausted.”

“I can imagine,” Lori said softly. “But you’re strong, Iva. You’ve always been strong.”

“What about you?” Iva asked. “How are you really doing?”

Lori was quiet for a moment.

“It’s been… challenging,” she admitted. “We had a few brushes with some pack wolves while doing groceries in a neutral territory. They didn’t recognize us, but it was a reminder of what

2/3

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify