Liam

Azalea stayed cuddled up to me all night. I knew she was still shaken after the attack, and I still had Jett and Lance to deal with. I had them confined to a room, with a warrior guarding the door, until I decided what to do. The clock was ticking, but I wanted to hold my mate a little longer.

A knock came before I was ready to start the day. I sighed as Azalea stirred. "Liam, it's your father. I'd like to speak with you," his voice came from the other side.

"What's your dad doing here so early?" Azalea asked.

"I'm not sure I want to know," I replied.

"I will wait in your office," we heard him say, followed by footsteps down the hall.

"I guess that's our cue," Azalea said, stretching.

"How do you feel?" I asked, running my fingers down her back. She hummed softly and gave me a sleepy look.

"Fine," she said, leaning in to kiss me. "Let's get dressed. Your father's grumpier when made to wait."

When I entered my office, my father stood to the side, examining photos on my bookshelf. He didn't flinch as I stopped in the center of the room and crossed my arms. "You wanted to discuss something?" I prompted.

"Yes," he said, pausing, still looking at the photos. I waited impatiently for him to speak.

"I've held onto certain misconceptions that prevented me from accurately judging your performance as Alpha, and your mate's as Luna," he said carefully.

"Misconceptions? Judging our performance?" I questioned.

"Yes," he said. "I haven't given you or your mate the credit you're due. This altercation with the vampire hasn't been easy, and I haven't given you enough credit for handling it."

"Dad, is this an apology?"

"You and your mate are doing an adequate job leading this pack and raising future leaders," he said, finally looking at me. "Even if it's not how I would do things, I shouldn't be so critical."

I stared, stunned. If this was an apology, it was weak. I weighed my options, unsure how to respond. My father rarely admitted fault, and I wondered if my mother had made him come.

"Does Mom know you're here?" I asked cautiously.

"No, your mother is preparing breakfast for the children," he said. "I told her I had a quick errand, but I'd be back to eat with them."

"Ah," I said, nodding absently. He continued to stare, tense and uncomfortable. "So, does this mean you'll cease the insults directed at Azalea?"

"When they are unwarranted, yes," my father agreed. I watched him; it clearly took effort.

I shook my head, running a hand through my hair. "You should tell Azalea this," I said.

"I trust you can relay the message," he grunted. He started to leave but stopped at the door. "Your mate stood before an assembly of Alphas after being attacked by one. She didn't cower or hide. She has admirable confidence, considering her limitations in our world."

He left. I should have known he'd find out about yesterday's events. That was his way of saying Azalea isn't weak or worthless.

"Your father sucks, but he's right about Little Mate this time," Gavin said.

"It's probably too late to work on his apology skills, though," I sighed.

"Let's get Little Mate," Gavin said, ending the morning's confession.

I didn't tell Azalea about my conversation with my father until later that night, after my mother brought the kids home. I was happy to have them all together. The boys immediately swarmed their mother, so I took Azly and let her tend to them.

Azly and I went upstairs to my office while Azalea bathed the boys. Azly cooed and gurgled at me, eliciting a smile despite my grumpy mood. Austin joined us.

"Langston sent his head warrior with Jett and Lance back to their territory. He'll be watching them," he informed me. "Oh hey there, Princess." Austin smiled at Azly.

"One of my daughters already has a crush on you; let's not make it two," I rolled my eyes.

"Fair enough. She is still a princess," he said, laughing. "You did well, Liam. I don't like that Lea and Emma were attacked, but it all worked out, I think."

"No outcome justifies my mate being attacked right under my nose," I said quietly.

"You're right. We have a lot of work ahead; none of these other packs have fought these vampires before," he said. I shook my head.

"No, they haven't."

After the summit ended, the real work began. I spent half my days training with my warriors and those from other packs. Their varied fighting styles and training methods presented a challenge to organize. More than ever, I wished Damien were awake to help.

Azalea visited the clinic daily to try and heal Damien. Some days, she returned frustrated and discouraged. When not training, I was buried under paperwork.

I saw less and less of Lily, and I didn't think Azalea saw much of her outside the clinic. I worried about her with Damien still asleep.

Azalea had taken on some of my Alpha duties, allowing me to focus on gathering information about vampire activity. With so many allies, information flowed more readily. We even discovered more packs Warwick had destroyed in his previous attempt to create rogue packs, information shared by other Alphas who'd accepted the surviving wanderers as we had.

Beta Meadow was also sending us information secretly. Her resources, however minimal, were a significant help. She promised to send warriors as well.

Maddox and Missy were inseparable. I even found Missy with Maddox and Felix on the training grounds one evening. I wasn't opposed to my daughter learning to fight, but I worried about her misconceptions. She wouldn't be going near any fighting if I had my say. I wanted her and her mate to finish high school and choose a career path; I didn't want them risking their lives in this war.

When Azalea told me Missy and Maddox were staying at her house and no longer coming home to the packhouse at night, I worried they were moving too fast. She reminded me how normal this was for mated wolves, but it still bothered me.

When I noticed them missing from dinner a week after the summit, I decided to visit. Azalea tried to stop me, but I felt a frank conversation with my daughter was necessary.

Lights were on when I arrived at her house. I knocked, and Missy opened the door, her eyes widening.

"Liam," she gasped.

"Hi, sweetheart. We missed you at dinner," I said.

"Oh, uh, Maddox and I wanted to cook dinner together…" she trailed off.

"I think the chicken's done!" Maddox called from inside. Missy glanced back at him.

"Do you want to invite me in?" I asked.

"Oh, right, please," she said, stepping aside. I entered. The house smelled of chicken and garlic.

"Alpha," Maddox said, worried, stepping from the kitchen. He wore a cooking apron.

"Good evening, Maddox," I greeted him. "If you don't mind, I'd like to talk with Missy. We won't be long."

"Oh, of course. I'll keep dinner warm. Will you be staying?" he asked.

"No," I shook my head. "I just came to talk to Missy." Maddox nodded and left us, giving Missy a sympathetic look.

"Uh, do you wanna sit down?" she asked, gesturing to the couch.

"Sure," I said. She led the way and sat. I sat on the other end, looking around.

"It looks great in here," I told her.

"Maddox helped a lot," she said. I nodded. "So, what did you want to talk about?"

"I'm not comfortable with you living out here with your mate, Missy," I said. I didn't need to sugarcoat it. "We want you to come back to the packhouse."

She stared, blinking. "I don't understand."

"Your mother and I want to make sure you're focused on what's important. School. Your future. Living with your mate is a big decision and distraction," I explained.

"But I'll go to school. Why can't I do both?" she asked.

"We'd feel better if you were at the packhouse," I reiterated. "I also want to talk about the training."

"What do you mean?"

"While I have nothing against you training with Maddox or Felix, I want to make sure you and your mate have no misconceptions. You will not be involved in this war."

"Isn't it a bit late for that?" she asked boldly.

"Excuse me?"

"Dad, I was kidnapped by Warwick. I'm your daughter, so I'm a target."

"And I won't let it happen again." Tears welled in her eyes. She didn't like what I was saying.

She took a shaky breath. "Do you know what this war has taught me?" she said. I let her continue. "It taught me I'm not okay with being weak anymore. Dad, I was so scared in that cell. Scared for myself, scared for Mom. I wanted to tear Vlad apart, and I was so happy he wasn't my mate, but I also felt so helpless. I never want to feel that way again." She paused, looking away. "When that vampire got into the cell, I thought I was dead. But I was determined to escape. I'm so thankful you and Maddox got to me, but I never want to have to wait to be rescued. When I stopped that Beta from hurting Emma, it felt so good. I have no idea how I did it, but I'm glad I did."

"I never want you to feel that way either, but that makes it my job as your father to keep you out of danger. It's harder to do that when you're not living under my roof," I argued.

She shook her head. "I'm of age now. I'm an adult and can make my own decisions. I want to be here with Maddox. He makes me feel safe, Dad. And he's teaching me how to fight, so I won't be scared."

"I don't want you to train because it was his idea," I said.

"It wasn't!" she defended. "It was mine! Maddox would never ask me to do something I didn't want to. And we do intend to finish school. I know it's important to Mom, and I won't disappoint her. I just feel like it's time to leave the packhouse."

I watched her. The more she defended herself, the more she resembled Azalea—confident and argumentative, with that same steely look in her eyes.

"I have some conditions," I sighed. Her face brightened. She nodded excitedly.

"Number one, school is above everything else. Above training and your mate. You will graduate, and so will he," I said. She nodded. "Number two, you will not wander off alone. If Maddox isn't with you, stay with friends. You're safer in numbers." She nodded again. "And number three, you will not make me a grandfather for at least three more years." Her eyes widened, her cheeks flushed, but she nodded. "Go talk to the doctor about all that, but if you can follow those rules, you both can live here without your mother and my input."

She didn't speak, simply hugged me tightly. I hugged her back. "I love you, Missy." I kissed her head, knowing I'd see less of her.

"I love you, too, Dad," she mumbled. "Thank you."

When I returned to the packhouse, Azalea waited at the bottom of the stairs. "So, how did that go?" she asked, smiling knowingly.

"Our first one is officially leaving the nest," I sighed, stopping before her.

"I knew we couldn't keep her here much longer," Azalea admitted. "But Maddox is a good boy. He'll take care of our girl."

"Goddess, if they make me a grandfather…" I trailed off, rubbing my face. Azalea laughed.

"Your uncle has already assured me that won't be happening."

"When did you…?"

"Right after she went into heat. I called him to make sure all bases were covered." She smiled confidently.

"You're remarkable, Little Luna," I said, pulling her close.

"All in a day's work," she said, giggling.

Sean ran into the packhouse. "Alpha, Luna, we have a problem."

"What's going on?" Azalea asked quickly, our moment interrupted.

"It's Mr. Greyback."