Chapter <b>197 </b>
Reba’s <b>POV </b>
Sunlight streamed through a gap in the curtains, warming my face and gradually pulling me from sleep. I stretched my arm to the side and felt Dominic’s presence beside me. Yesterday had been exhausting after returning from the clinic; I’d fallen asleep before he even made it home from thepany. Opening my eyes, I found him watching me with a gentle smile.
“Good morning,” I murmured, still groggy from what must have been a long sleep, “What time is it?”
“Just after nine–thirty,” he replied, <b>already </b>dressed in a perfectly tailored charcoal gray sult that entuated his broad shoulders. His deep brown curls were neatly styled, and his blue eyes brightened when they met mine.
I pushed myself up against the pillows. “Did you manage to sort everything out at thepany yesterday? I’m sorry I couldn’t stay [awake.”
“No problem at all,” he <b>said</b>, leaning down to kiss my forehead. “Everything’s been handled. And <b>you </b>needed the rest–you slept for nearly ten hours.<b>” </b>
“Great,” I muttered, pushing myself up further. Since my pregnancy and the elerated changes to my body, I’d been needing more rest, but oversleeping still frustrated me.
“I was hoping you’d sleep in today,” he said, sitting <b>beside </b>me on the bed, his hand naturally finding its way to my growing belly, a gesture that <b>had </b>be second nature to him. “How’s our boy doing this morning?”
I couldn’t help but smile, cing my hand over his. “Active. I think he’s inherited your early–bird tendencies.”
Dominic’s eyes lit up with that special glow they always had when we talked about our son. This powerful Alpha, future leader of the Silver Shadow Moon <b>Pack</b><b>, </b>transformed into an ordinary expectant father in these moments.
“I was thinking,” he said, his thumb gently stroking my stomach, this weekend we could go to <b>the </b>mall to shop for baby things. I’ve already had space cleared in the second bedroom–we can <b>start </b>setting up the nursery,”
“Really?” Excitement bubbled up inside me. Despite everything we’d been through, these normal moments of nning for our child’s arrival filled me with joy. Tve been looking at some designs–what do you think about a forest theme? Trees, animals, night sky….
very fitting for a wolf cub.”
“Sounds perfect,” he chuckled, “very
I bit my lip, suddenly remembering a more pressing concern. “The wedding nner is video calling today about <b>cake </b>designs <b>and </b>other details. I’m a bit worried about…”
“About what?” His expression grew more serious.
“Your mother,” I admitted. “She seems to have opinions about every decision I <b>make</b>. <b>Yesterday </b>she implied that red and gold as theme Colors weren’t traditional enough‘ and that white and silver would better uphold Sterling family standards
Dominic’s expression tightened momentarily before he forced it to rx. “Don’t pay too much attention to her opinions. This is our wedding, not hers.”
“But she’s the current Luna,” I said softly. “The entire pack respects her. I don’t want to start off by offending her.”
He took my hand, his gaze intensifying, “Listen<b>, </b>Reba, I’ll handle my mother. She just needs time to adjust to the changes. Bear with it for a few more days, okay? After our wedding, everything will settle down.”
I nodded, though I wasn’t entirely convinced. The way Marianne looked at me always contained a enfdness and scrutiny I couldn’t ignore. But not wanting to warry Dominic, 1 managed a smile.
“Alright, I try to get along with her.”
<b>He </b>kissed the back of my hand and stood. “I need to go. We’ll talk more about the wedding tonight. He paused at the door, his eyes twinkling with mischief. “And remember what the doctor sald–don’t overexert yourself.”
I yfully tossed a pillow at him, which he caught easily,ughing as he l
left the room.
As the door closed behind him, a wave of unease washed over me. I shook my head<b>, </b>attributing it to pregnancy hormones. Today would be fine. I just needed to stay positive.
Dressed in afortable light blue maternity dress, <b>I </b><b>sat </b>in the main dining room of the Sterling mansion, surrounded by breakfast foods and facing <b>a </b>tablet showing Charlotte, our wedding nner.
“This four–tier design features silver and pearl–white detailing, with a custom bride and groom topper, Charlotte exined enthusiastically. “The hand–crafted silver leaf borders represent forest elements–traditional yet modern.”
I frowned slightly. “I preferred the earlier design with the red berries and gold ents. It felt warmer, more vibrant.”
Just as Charlotte was about to respond, the dining room door opened silently. Marianne Sterling, <b>Dominic’s </b>mother and current Luna of the <b>Silver </b>Shadow Moon Pack, glided in with effortless grace. She wore an Impable beige Chanel suit, her hair perfectly coiled at the nape of her neck, and a delicate <b>pearl </b><b>ne </b>adorned her throat. Every step she took radiated authority and nobility.
“Good morning, Reba<b>,</b><b>” </b>her voice was soft yetmanding, perfectly modted. “I hear you’re reviewing cake designs?”
My body instinctively tensed. “Yes, Luna. I’m discussing options with Charlotte”
“Please<b>, </b><b>call </b>me Marianne, dear,” she said, her lips curving into what barely passed <b>as </b>a smile. “After all, we’ll soon be family.”
Though her words <b>sounded </b>friendly, I could feel the distance she maintained<b>. </b>She took a <b>seat </b>beside me, turning her attention to the tablet
“Charlotte, it’s been too long,” she nodded toward <b>the </b>screen. “I recall the beautiful wedding you nned for my niece,”
“Mrs. Sterling, Charlotte
e responded respectfully, “it’s an honor to serve the Sterling family again.”
“I thought I might offer some assistance, Marianne turned to me, her eyes gleaming with something I couldn’t quite read. “The Sterling family weddings <b>have </b>specific traditions and expectations. <b>As </b>the future Luna, your wedding will be scrutinized by the entire <b>pack</b>.”
I maintained my smile through sheer willpower. “I appreciate your help, Marianne. Dominic and I have discussed wanting a wedding that honors tradition while expressing our own personalities.”
“Of course, dear,” she patted my hand lightly, though the gesture felt more controlling thanforting. “But some traditions <b>aren’t </b>negotiable. For instance, the cake should feature silver and white as primary colors, symbolizing purity and strength. Red in our culture
12:48 <b>Sat</b>, <b>Sep </b><b>27 </b>
represents challenge <b>and </b>blood battles–not appropriate for a joyous asion like a wedding.”
Charlotte looked ufortable, her gaze darting between us. “I could design something that incorporates both aesthetics…
“Perhaps we should look at other designs first, 1 Interrupted, struggling to keep my voice even. “There might be options that better suit both our preferences.”
For the next half hour, Marianne offered “suggestions” for every design i liked. Whether it was bouquets, table settings, or invitation designs, she always found a reason why <b>my </b><b>choices </b>weren’t “traditional enough or didn’t meet “Sterling family standards.”
“You know,” Marianne said after Charlotte disyed the final set of designs, “being Luna is more than just a title. It requires deep understanding of our history and traditions.”
I took a deep breath, trying to control my emotions. “I’m learning, Marianne. Dominic <b>has </b>given me many books about pack history and traditions.”
“Books are one thing, dear,” her voice carried false sympathy, “but true understandinges from bloodline inheritance. That’s why…
*Why Elizabeth Collins would have <b>been </b>a better choice?” I asked directly, unable to tolerate her insinuations any longer.
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