December 17th

Two weeks later I was making lunch when I heard a frustrated groan come from Leo's office.

"What's wrong?" I asked as I opened the door to see him sat on his chair and running his hands through his hair like he does when he's feeling stressed or annoyed.

"The fucking rogues," he grumbled, "Starting to drive me insane."

"Any progress?" I asked.

"I have to go to the Southern territory tonight," I replied, "One of my men down there thinks he's getting somewhere."

I frowned.

The Southern territory was so far away and he usually went for two nights at least.

"When will you be back?"

"In four or five days. Maybe a week," he explained, "I can't see myself arriving tomorrow morning and miraculously discovering the leader of this bastardry just sitting waiting for me to end them."

I nodded, trying to hide my disappointment.

"I wish I could postpone it but it's urgent," he said, "And the baby isn't due for nearly two weeks. I'll be home in time, don't worry."

"I understand," I said, "Do what you have to do."

"So tonight I'll drop you off at my parent's house, is that alright?" he asked, "I'll tell my Dad to keep Haden away and I know tha household isn't the most peaceful place to be when you're about to have a baby but my Mom will keep my siblings in check for you."

"Sounds good," I said before I felt his hand feel it's way to my stomach.

The bump was getting huge now. I had to sleep on my side, with all sorts of pillows carefully positioned to alleviate the weight and consequential back pain. I had now had to convert to wearing entirely Rosa's old maternity clothes and the mood swings were insane.

After I polished off my third jar of gherkin in 24 hours yesterday, Leo suggested I went to 'pickle rehab'. So I threw a banana at him with so much force that when he ducked, it slammed into the fridge and stuck there unmoved until he scraped it off hours later. After coming to my senses, I apologised for that one but I still refuse to take personal responsibility. The hormones made me do it.

"Oh shit," he said, "We have a hospital appointment tomorrow."

"Rosa can take me. Did you want to go?"

"Of course I wanted to go. She's gonna do one of those cold jelly scans where you see the baby on a screen," Leo replied in a way that clearly conveyed his lack of medical knowledge.

"It's called an ultra scan, sweetheart," I giggled.

"Don't 'sweetheart' me, sweetheart," he replied in a joke growly tone as he pulled me into his lap. I squealed and wriggled as he held me tightly.

"I'm gonna miss you," he said suddenly loosening his grip and just holding me in his arms.

"I'm gonna miss you too. I'll be sure to send you photos of our little boy though."

I brought my hand to his cheek.

"But the real question is: are you leaving before or after couples yoga tonight?"

He rolled his eyes and sighed.

"I guess I don't have to leave until 8:30," he said.

"Yay!" I squealed.

I knew that the pregnancy couples yoga session wasn't the highlight of Leo's week but I loved it. The woman running it was a hipster type who believes in fate and destiny. Leo doesn't like the monotonal slurred way she speaks but I find it quite relaxing. He also doesn't like the smell of the scented candles she burns, the music she plays or the fact that all the other couples call each other things like 'honey cake' and 'pumpkin pie'. Apparently, that makes him feel 'sick to the stomach'.

Later that day we were arriving at the sports centre that the yoga took place at.

"Here we fucking go again," Leo groaned as we spotted his two best friends, Linda and John a.k.a honey cake and pumpkin pie.

As soon as they spotted us in Leo's car they both gave an enthusiastic wave to which we responded with a...less enthusiastic wave.

"Looks like Linda has either forgiven or forgotten," Leo pointed out.

"That you called her a fucking annoying whiny bitch last week? I don't think she'll ever forget about that. She cried non-stop for an hour."

"Someone needed to let her know that the constant references to her perfect family and perfect life and perfect kids are pissing irritating. She gets on my nerves like nothing else," Leo ranted. "'Pumpkin pie and I love each other sooooo much. ' 'We've been together since we were eleven' 'Pumpkin pie is the beeeesssst husband in the whoooole wiiiide world'," he mocked. "Shut the fuck up Linda. No one gives a flying shit about pumpkin fucking pie."

"Okay. Looks like someone needs some nice distressing, calming yoga," I replied getting out the car. "Come on."

"Good evening, Ella," Katrine, the yoga teacher, said to me as we entered the hall. "Good evening, Leonardo," she added although through gritted teeth.

Leo put on a fake almost sarcastic smile and I had to nudge him in the side with my elbow.

"How old are you again?" I hissed in a hushed tone.

"Good evening, Katrine. I'm very sorry for what happened last week. It had been a stressful day and I was feeling quite overwhelmed by Linda's friendly chit-chat."

"Well, Leonardo. Thank you for your apology but perhaps you should share it with Linda and John too. I'm sure Linda is just as ready to forgive and move on as you are," Katrine said.

"Of course," Leo replied forcing a grin before taking my hand and walking over to where Linda was talking at an unfortunate new couple.

"Linda," Leo said as we approached.

"Leonardo," she said her face straightening. "I suppose you are here to apologise for what you had to say to me last week."

"Yes. Linda, I am very sorry for calling you a bitch and I don't think you are whiny nor annoying. "

"Well...I suppose since you are only young and still learning I could forgive you," she said before suddenly lunging in to hug him.

Leo's eyes widened and I had to bring my fingers to my mouth to hide my smile. Leo exchanged a shocked 'get her the fuck off me' and I found it increasingly difficult not to suddenly guffaw.

"Okay class," Katrine said and Leo gave me a 'thank the Goddesses' look when Linda let go of him.

She lit the candles and started the meditation music track. Her hipster dreadlocked boyfriend joined her at the front and they turned to face each other

"Today's warm-up will including positions and movements that bring out the spiritual link between you, your partner and your unborn child," she began and as we watched Katrine and hipster guy that no one knew the name of getting into the first position Linda immediately started going on and on about her spiritual link with pumpkin pie to the entire class.

Leo rolled his eyes as he turned to face me and put his hands around my waist as instructed to by Katrine.

"Why did I even apologise to her? I'm not sorry and I did mean it. She gets on my fucking nerves," he whispered.

"Because this is the human world where it doesn't matter if you are an Alpha or not. You have to say sorry for being mean to people," I replied.copy right hot novel pub