Alpha Wyler
The moonlight beamed off the new blanket of snow outside as the early morning shifted to dawn. I couldn't sleep, but how could I? The last day had been like living a nightmare.
I'd almost ruined my relationship with Olivia and lost my pack in the same day, the latter still uncertain. Somehow, I'd calmed the storm for now and had my mate sleeping on my chest as I waited in the darkness, feeling our pup jostling in her belly against my side.
I wished my life could be as peaceful as it was just then, but my brother would see to it that it was not- it boiled my blood. The only way to make it right would be to kill Jackson and soon. The meeting planned for that morning would have that motion put into action.
I got up ahead of my alarm, leaving Olivia to wake alone. She shifted into the blankets still fast asleep, looking peaceful and rested in our bed. If only I was able to ensure that peace for her, I'd feel much better.
I dressed and headed down stairs to eat, where my niece was the first to greet me. Her little feet charged her forward toward me and I lifted her from the ground once she was near.
“Good morning.”
She giggled. “Uncle Caleb, what are you going to name your baby?”
“Well, I'm not sure...” I walked toward the kitchen island as Lara cracked eggs into a bowl. She had been doing a lot of cooking lately and I had begun to wonder what the staff I paid for was doing with their time instead. “It will depend on if it's a boy or girl.”
“I have some names picked out, can I name the baby?”
I smiled at her. “I think your Aunt Olivia and I will do that.”
Krissy huffed, crossing her arms once I'd put her back down.
It made me chuckle. “What is all that about?”
The irritating sound of the whisk beating the eggs interrupted. “I told you, Krissy...” Lara turned her cheek to us. “They aren't going to let you name the baby.”
“Not fair!” Krissy ran off into the living room where her stack of toys were. “I had some good names!”
My amusement still persisted as I walked around the island to the fridge and grabbed the jug of milk. “Now, I sort of want to know the names she had picked out.”
“I think they all had something to do with My Little Pony.”
I smiled. “Well, Rainbow Dash could be a contender.”
Lara finally stopped whisking to look up at me. “Don't you have a meeting?”
I glanced at the clock. “In twenty minutes.”
She nodded and poured the beaten eggs into a hot pan. “Breakfast will be ready in five.”
“Thank you.” I put a hand on her shoulder as I walked past and felt all the muscles in her body tense. I hadn't meant to spook her like that and I let her go, trying to ignore the way her eyes had followed me into the living room.
Krissy tossed toys from a bin as I flipped on the morning news station, finishing the glass of milk off as I did. All could seem so normal on a morning like this, yet it could all go to shit in a matter of moments.
I sat down on the couch as a stuffed animal came flying at my head. “Krissy.” I looked to her once it bounced off my cheek to my shoulder, settling on the couch after it's adventure. “Let's not throw the toys.”
She glared at me and I tried not to smile again.
“Come here.”
She did her best dramatic eye roll and came dragging her feet across the carpet.
“One day, when you have your own children you can name them what you like but right now, it's Olivia's turn. Want to watch some cartoons?”
“Yes.” Krissy nodded, cuddling herself into my chest. I kissed her forehead as I flipped off the droning news anchor for whatever the kids channel had on.
My mate's scent, robust of hormones and all things sweet, caught my attention and my eyes wandered to the kitchen as Olivia walked in. Her hair was thrown up in a half fast bun and her pregnant stomach popped out slightly from beneath the white cotton shirt. Aside her now wintery porcelain skin, was the natural red flush of her cheeks. If the rush of new hormones weren't enough to gain my attention, her appearance was.
Lara promised her food and Olivia took a seat at the island to wait, not giving me a glance. I sighed, there wasn't a chance she was still angry with me – we'd more than made up for that incident the night before.
I got up when Lara called for food and helped Krissy into a chair beside my mate.
“Hi!” Krissy beamed at her.
“Morning, Krissy.” Olivia's gentle smile worked it's way from behind her sleepy features.
I leaned into my mate and kissed her cheek. “You look beautiful,” I whispered in her ear.
She dropped her forehead against the side of my neck and closed her eyes. I expected a whisper back but she said nothing. Just her movements alone let me know something had changed and perhaps those strong smelling hormones meant our pup was on the way. Something had changed about her.
Lara plated food and gave Olivia and Krissy theirs first.
I watched my Luna poke at her first few bites. “You need to eat, Olivia.”
Her eyes lifted from her plate as I ate fast, now racing the minutes before the meeting in the boardroom started.
“I'm not that hungry.”
I sighed and dropped my empty plate into the sink. “I'll see you all in a bit.” As I walked by Olivia, I paused to give her cheek another kiss. She took a ragged breath as my lips left her skin. “Are you alright?”
“Fine.” She assured me and picked up a bite of food to put in her mouth.
I was satisfied for now with that and left them all for the boardroom down the hall.
Johnathan was already in there, clicking a pen in his hand as he read over something on his laptop.
“Morning.” He greeted me. “They’re coming.”
I nodded and looked to the clock, five minutes before I had to sit through border patrol reports for the next two hours.
“I found a place for Olivia and Lara to go.”
“Perfect. Where?” I sat down in the end chair next to him.
He closed his laptop and swivelled his chair to face me. “It's a cabin just outside the territory boundaries, it's a fairly well sealed valley with limited paths in and out.
“Yes, I know where it is.” I'd mated her there.
My Beta looked surprised. “Great, what do you think?”
“It's the best option protection wise. Good job.”
“I'm glad you like the idea. When do you want them taken there?”
“Today.”
“Today?” Johnathan's voice cracked from panic. “I need at least another day to prep.”
“You're not going to get it. I don't think we have much time before she's in labour.”
He sighed and nodded. “I'll get supplies and a nurse ready as soon as we're through here.”
“Thanks.” Our conversation dissolved as the first few of the patrol guards walked into the board room. “Morning.” I greeted them.
“Alpha...” They muttered between their heads nodding and taking a seat at one of the many leather chairs around the large oval table. They all came in on time as the shifts changed for the day. the night crew looked particularly exhausted that day though.
“Let's start.” I nodded to the male closest to me.
“I didn't hear or see anything and I was up the whole night pacing the north side--”
“Well, I did hear something.” Another male spoke up. “And I'm not cool with just waiting for these assholes to attack anymore. They’re just playing with us!”
The room went into agreement and I waited for them to settle down.
“We should be tracking them!”
Johnathan shifted in his chair. “It could be a trap.”
The men quieted down as I thought about what they wanted. “We can't make a move until we're positive it will be kill attacks. I don't want to lose any of you to stupidity.”
The males murmurs all shook up again.
“We stick with the plan.” I continued, going to the next male around the table. “You're next, give me your report.” I listened as we went around the table, the only thing that had tipped any of them off had been some howling in the far off distance.
The meeting wrapped up fast there after, all of them wanting to go home to sleep. Johnathan packed up his laptop and paperwork as I waited for him.
“I'll have the escort for Lara and Olivia ready this evening.”
I nodded. “I'll tell them.”
He shook my hand and left the board room, leaving me to mull over how to tell my mate the plan of action. When I walked down the hall to the living room, Olivia was sleeping on the couch while Lara played dolls with Krissy on the floor.
“Lara, I need you to pack clothes for you and Krissy. You're going to be going to a safe location tonight.”
“Tonight?” Lara breathed.
“Olivia will also go with you both. It's the safest option.”
She stood, nodding her head. “I'll go pack.”
I gave her a nod and she led Krissy out of the living room at her side, promising the child a fun time while they packed. My eyes went to Olivia, sleeping peacefully on the couch unaware of what I was going to ask her to do. I sat at her feet and stared at her, her belly bounced from our pup and I looked away to cringe the emotion away. The more I thought over not being able to have her within arms reach through the rest of this fight, the more the panic set in. I had to make smart choices for us and the pack. removing Olivia from the immediate danger made the most sense but this plan, just something about it, made me sick to my stomach. I took her fingers between mine and lay my face to her belly, closing my eyes and praying the pack and I could keep them both safe through this.