Eric's POV
I go straight from Thor's room to my room to shower and get ready for the day. There's no time to waste since I've got two weeks of work to catch up on today.
I arrive at my door and pause with my hand on the knob. I smell different essences coming from inside my room.
'What are they doing here?' I wonder before pushing the door open.
'Yeap, I smelled them alright. Good to know I'm not mistaken.' I think to myself when I find waiting for me inside my room, the members of the team, excluding Timothy the new addition.
"Good morning!..."
"Surprise!..."
"Morning!..."
"Good morning Beta!..."
They each greet me as I enter.
"Well, good morning everyone. What a surprise indeed! You all didn't sleep in my room, did you?" I ask with a smile. Of course, I know they didn't sleep in my room. I'm sure they just came around to find out beforehand how Thor is doing that morning. They can't wait until they see him to confirm for themselves
"Of course not, Beta. We each slept in our rooms." Ella answers. "Well, truth be told, I don't know if Henrik did, since Ivar and I met him here very early in the morning when we arrived and Bear arrived after us." She says and we all laugh except Henrik of course who is wearing his usual serious expression.
"Oh, okay then," I replied to her. I'm surprised to hear it isn't a meeting they planned. They just genuinely care and couldn't wait to find out how their Alpha is fearing
"Seeing you laughing freely, I trust the General is back to himself this morning?" Henrik asks and I nod.
"Of course, he is okay now. I even woke up to a cup of one of his healthy smoothies." I replied and they all happily cheered again. Even the stone-faced Henrik is not left out of the happy cheering this time.
I look around me, looking for where I can sit but no surface is vacant. They've taken all the available chairs in my room, including the bed so I have no choice but to remain standing.
"That's a relief," Bear says with a sigh of relief. "I have one concern though..." He continues, looking at me like he's asking for my permission before saying what is on his mind.
"Okay, let's hear it," I say and he nods
"I think it's time we tell the General about this. He's not going to be happy if we keep it from him for too long, you know."
"What!?" Ella exclaims and chuckles in disbelief after Bear finishes speaking.
"And how do you propose we do that? Do you want him to go from not knowing who she is to us telling him he has a baby on the way with her?
Have you forgotten about Miranda the usurper whom he still thought was his mate!? How do we then suddenly start explaining another mate to him? Tell us please because I honestly have no idea how to start that conversation with him."
"I understand your points, Ella but my point is, we can't just keep quiet about this! That's his real mate! The Luna of this pack with his child in prison! The prison that he unconsciously sent her to himself! He will blame himself I know but I still believe we should tell him as soon as possible. The sooner we tell him, the faster we can get her out of there.
I don't know how we will start that conversation with him as you've said but we just have to think of a way to lessen the blow when we're ready to tell him" Bear says in his gentle manner. He's like a gentle giant. His voice was surprisingly soft for a man his size
"I know we can't keep quiet but what about his mental health? Whatever it is that's happening right now, we still need to put his mental health into consideration you know. The seer said we should wait for a month and we still have two more weeks to go...
I think we should wait. Two weeks will be over in no time. He's just getting better, we can't risk him going feral. We have to apply wisdom here, Bear! The Trial is coming up tomorrow. We can't afford to upset him before then."
"Okay, but with the rate, the baby is growing, what if she... I mean what if she gives birth before the two weeks elapse then?" He said with a worried expression on his face
"Yeah right! Don't be silly, Bear!" Ella says with a chuckle. "How can she give birth in two weeks? It's simply impossible according to what Dr. Anders said."
"Well, I won't be surprised if that should happen because, in my entire existence, I have never seen or heard a fetus grow that fast, or have you EVER!? What if Anders is also wrong about the timing?" Bear replies, emphasizing the word 'ever'
Ella wants to continue talking when Ivar immediately interrupts.
"Okay! You both have raised valid points and we've heard, now I think we should allow the Beta to speak. The final decision lies with him" He says and they all look at me.
He's right. The final decision lies with me as Thor's Beta
"This issue has been on my mind since two weeks ago when I learned about her pregnancy and I also had it on my mind when we returned from the prison early this morning. I thought about it till I eventually fell asleep. Bear and Ella, you both have raised valid points indeed.
About the baby growing that fast, according to Anders, the only explanation for a baby growing that fast inside the mother's womb is if the parents are both original werewolves. We already know Thor is original but I don't know about Ash yet, even though I suspect that to be the case.
Bear is right, we have to do something. We can't allow her to continue staying there, especially not now that she's expecting a child. Thor won't be happy. Despite that, as Ella said, we still have to consider his mental health in whatever we say to him. Because of how fast the baby is growing, I'll suggest we'll find a way to tell him.
The trial is tomorrow. I'm suggesting we tell him the day after the trial. I chose that day because I know we will all be in a celebratory mood. Uncle Knox will also be around to offer his support... what do you all think?" I ask
"It's okay, I like that..." Ella says
"That's a good idea," Bear says
"I totally agree with you. What other time can we tell him than when we're all together celebrating a win? I don't know if it's only me but didn't you all notice his mood has improved since when Eric woke up from coma?" Ivar ask
"No, it's not only you. His mood has improved indeed..." Bear corroborates.
"Yes, he appears less angry these days" Ella also adds while Henrik just nods to everything they said.
"Okay, now that we've all agreed. Let's all go get ready for work before the Alpha comes out of his room." I say and they all stand up.
"Bear, take Victoria to the conference room and station Timothy by the door. Let her know the General will meet her there whenever he's ready to meet her"
"Yes, Beta" Bear replies
"Ella, get one of the chefs from the estate to come here. Also, recruit those you trust among the maids to start taking care of chores around here. Starting from now, you've been promoted to my assistant. I need one and no one is more qualified than you."
"Yes, Beta." She says, whooping with happiness as she hugs her husband.
"So Henrik– and Ivar, if your mate is willing to let you go..." We need to go get ready for the boss. We're going to Night Howkers Pack soon.