After a training session with my daughter, I hit the showers, then rush to meet my beta, Toby, for our daily lunch meeting.
I have a spring in my step because Artemis and I had such a nice time together. Not to mention she’s an extremely promising fighter at only six years old.
Sure, I always imagined I would be training my son to take my place as alpha one day, but my daughter might be even better suited for the position.
I enjoy working with her, especially because our training sessions make her just as happy as they make me.
My daughter is so fiery and bright, just like her mother.
Alexia appears in my mind and my wolf howls with pride. Last night, my female woke me up to tell me about a strange dream she had.
She was sure the Moon Goddess had sent her a message that her brother was alive.
I know the Moon Goddess works in mysterious ways…
I arrive at the pack house and find Toby waiting for me by the entrance.
“Alpha, nice to see you!” he greets me warmly. “I have requested that the chef serve our lunch outside because the weather’s so nice. What do you think?”
“That is a great idea,” I reply. We make our way to a picnic table in the shade.
From my seat, I watch the members of my pack come in and out of the pack house. They all seem happy and busy, which is exactly what I like to see.
“How was training with Artemis this morning?” Toby asks.
“Impressive,” I reply with a smile. “That kid is a firecracker. She’s strong-willed, and smart, too.”
Toby smiles good-naturedly. “She could be a wonderful alpha someday.”
“And perhaps Jackson will be her beta,” I reply.
Toby’s son and my daughter are already close friends, which makes me excited for the future.
“Wouldn’t that be something?” Toby asks with a prideful chuckle.
A member of the dining hall staff approaches with lemonades and sandwiches for Toby and me.
I thank her before taking a large bite and groaning with satisfaction.
The roast beef sandwich is almost as delicious as the ones my female makes.
“So tell me, Beta. What’s new today?”
Toby takes a drink of lemonade and replies.
“The most important update has just come in from one of our scouts, patrolling outside of our territory,” he begins.
“He has heard word of an underground dogfighting ring. It seems violent and inhumane...and the fighters might be werewolves forced against their wills.”
I frown. I haven’t heard of something so savage in the area since my father was alpha.
Only someone with a corrupt soul could find enjoyment in the suffering of others.
“If this is real, we must put a stop to it,” I reply. “This evil should be brought to light.”
Toby nods. “Absolutely right, Alpha. Our scout has reported the next match takes place in two nights’ time—but the location is unknown.”
I take a moment to consider the next steps. One thing I know for sure is that I want to bust the match.
But I have to measure every risk carefully now that I have a family relying on me.
“Send some warriors to aid our scout in his recon mission. We need to find out where the match will take place,” I start.
“Prepare to fight by my side in two nights’ time...and put together a team to join us.”
“I’m on it, Alpha,” Toby replies.
“Thank you,” I tell him sincerely. Since Lucas betrayed me, I know I can’t take a loyal beta for granted.
“It is an honor,” he replies. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
With that, we go our separate ways. I head up to my office and spend the afternoon on paperwork.
By the time five o’clock rolls around, I’m more than ready to head back to my female and our pups.
I rush home to our quarters on the fourth floor, and as soon as I open the door, Artemis and Raiden jump up to greet me.
“Daddy’s home! Look what I found!” Raiden gushes.
“Look, Dad! I’ve been practicing!” Artemis demonstrates her roundhouse kick.
“Good work,” I tell her, and then I look down at the stone in Raiden’s hand. “That’s nice, son.”
They smile at the praise.
Because my own father was so cruel, I don’t have any model for how to be a parent.
I know I want to be the best dad I can be and encourage my kids instead of tearing them down.
I scoop Raiden into my arms and head into the living room to find Alexia.
I round the corner and stop in my tracks. Because there she is.
And even though her hair is greasy and she looks completely exhausted, she is still the most beautiful female I’ve ever seen.
My wolf growls with pent-up desire. It’s been weeks since he’s had his female. I long to be alone with my luna…
And our cub in her arms only makes her more desirable to me.
“Welcome home, Alpha,” she says, turning around with a smile.
I put Raiden down and approach my luna. I cradle her face in my hands and kiss her.
My body aches to be alone with her, and I can only hope that tonight we’ll finally have some time to ourselves…
Alexia smiles, and I take Adam and rock him lightly.
“I ordered Chinese takeout from the place we like,” she says, gesturing to the hot meal before her. “I wanted to cook dinner myself tonight but—”
“This is perfect,” I tell her. The last thing I want is my luna stressing about household chores when she’s already taking care of our pups.
We all sit down at the table and enjoy the meal. I am thankful for this quality time with my family, but I have something else on my mind…
I watch Alexia’s mouth as she eats, longing to kiss her and feel her lips all over my body…
We leave the dishes to clean tomorrow. Alexia takes Adam for one more mealtime before bed, and I help the twins get ready for sleep.
“I don’t want to brush my teeth,” Artemis pouts on the edge of her bed.
“Do you want your wolf to have strong, healthy fangs when you’re the alpha?” I ask her, and she can’t argue with that.
“Daddy, will you read me a story?” Raiden asks.
“Yes, but let’s wait until your sister comes back.” He nods and opens up the book.
“Can we read about Thor again tonight?” he asks, his eyes filled with wonder.
I nod, even though I’ve read the story for him hundreds of times already.
“I like Loki,” Raiden says, “he’s my favorite.”
I chuckle as I sit down on the twin bed, and it creaks under my weight. I put my arm around my son and he cuddles into my side.
“I love you, Dad,” Raiden says, smiling up at me with his big eyes that are so much like his mother’s.
“I love you, too,” I reply. I kiss the top of his head.
It is not lost on me that at one point, I never would have been comfortable with this kind of affection.
For so many years before I met Alexia, I didn’t love anyone at all. But my mate healed my heart and taught me how to love again.
Artemis appears from the bathroom and jumps onto the bed, snuggling into my lap.
I open the book and begin to read, and I only stop when my pups are sound asleep.
When I carefully stand up, so as not to wake them, my heart starts to beat loudly. I hope that Alexia is still awake…
I hurry down the hall and burst into our bedroom.
I do a double take because the room is lit purely by candlelight, and my vixen of a mate is naked in our bed.
She sits up against the pillows, her swollen breasts exposed above the blanket, and in a split second I’m already hard as a rock.
Alexia smiles and I rush toward her.
I peel off my shirt and then my pants, and jump under the covers with just boxers on.
Alexia pulls me close to her. Her naked skin against mine drives me wild.
Her hand snakes down my abs and cups my erection as I let out a moan.
“Shhh,” she whispers with a sultry smile. “We can’t wake the baby.”
I capture her lips in mine, kissing her deeply and stroking her tongue with my own.
“I’ve waited so long for this,” I whisper into her ear. I take her breast in my hand and massage her sensitive flesh and she writhes against me.
This is the first time we’ll make love since the baby was born…and I am more than ready to give the woman of my dreams everything I have.
