Liam

Azalea let me sleep in the next day. When I finally dragged myself out of bed, all the minor cuts and light bruises were healed. The more significant cuts and deeper bruises were about halfway healed. When I got to my office, I was shocked to see Azalea, Lacey, and Felix inside.

“Oh, Liam, you’re up,” Azalea said brightly as I shut the door.

“Yeah. What’s going on?” I asked.

“Lacey and Felix are leaving for a couple of days. I was just finishing the paperwork to make her a pack member,” she said. “It just needs your signature, My Alpha.”

I smiled. Azalea won the bet. “Alright then. When are you guys leaving?” I walked over to my desk, took the papers from my mate, and quickly signed them.

“Now,” Lacey said with a small smile. My eyes widened at Felix.

“What?” I asked. Azalea grabbed my arm and stroked it to calm me.

“They need to go pack her things and move her out of her apartment,” she said softly.

Gavin growled, “Who will be with my mate when she’s away?”

I looked at Felix, who stood passively beside his mate. “Who will replace you?” He shifted uncomfortably. I looked to Azalea, who had a small smile.

“Oh no. You’re not getting out of this just because he’s leaving!” I said. Azalea stood tall and looked at Lacey and Felix.

“You’re all set. Enjoy yourselves and take your time. If your old Alpha wants to speak with us, please have him call, Lacey,” she said, dismissing them. She wore a pleasant smile as they left. Then her eyes narrowed, and she turned back to me.

“Liam Blackfur!” she began. I could feel her irritation; I always found it fascinating how much emotion such a small person could convey. “You shouldn’t have said that!”

“Well, it’s true!”

“Felix has every right to go with his mate! You didn’t even congratulate him!” She had a point. But he could have waited a day or two and ensured a plan was in place.

“But now I need to find someone to stay with you when I can’t be. You keep tricking Austin, and he leaves tomorrow!”

“Everything will be fine. If you can’t find anyone, you can just follow me around all day,” she said with a wry smile. I rolled my eyes and ran my hands through my hair. I was sore and hungry, and I hadn’t expected this as soon as I woke up. Azalea wrapped her arms around my waist, her round belly resting against me. I looked down at her. “I know I’m your mate and the Luna of this pack, but that doesn’t mean I always come before others. Felix and Lacey are happy. Didn’t you see him smile at her? Let them have some alone time.”

“Baby, this pack would suffer if something happened to you,” I said. I know what living without her is like, and I could never go back.

“That’s very sweet, but I think we need to focus on other things. There’s a rogue problem to deal with, isn’t there?” she asked.

“You let me worry about that,” I said. Her hand gently rested on the gashes on my abdomen. I already felt terrible about worrying her last night. “You just worry about growing my baby girl, okay?”

“What if it’s a boy?” she asked, pouting.

“I’ll love him just as much. But I know this one’s a girl. We need to even things out,” I said.

“Whatever you say,” she sighed. “My office or yours? I have work to do.”

“This is it?” I asked Damien, looking at the list he’d given me. “There are only three people here.”

“Felix wasn’t exactly easy to find,” Damien reasoned. He sat across my desk. Austin had finally taken Azalea away, so I could work more effectively without her distracting me. Her scent was growing stronger with the pregnancy, making it difficult to concentrate.

“Well, these are slim pickings…” I said, laying down the list. Damien looked thoughtful. “What?”

“Well, I might know a temporary solution, though I’m sure you and Azalea will fight about it,” he admitted.

“Oh, Goddess. Do I want to know?”

“Our fathers. Neither of them is doing much in retirement, and as the former Alpha and Beta, we know they’re capable of watching over her.”

“You’ve lost it. Officially,” I responded, dumbfounded.

“They aren’t too old,” he reasoned.

“And sometimes, I still can’t tell if my dad loves or hates my mate!”

“He wouldn’t let anything happen to her,” Damien argued.

“And she’s going to be so happy about this,” I replied sarcastically. Damien glared at me. Goddess, help me. If I can even convince them, Azalea will hate this solution the most. Felix doesn’t bother her; the man barely speaks. Our fathers will never be able to sit quietly beside her.

“Austin’s leaving tomorrow,” he pointed out.

“Fine,” I relented. “I’ll talk to my father, but you’re talking to yours.” Damien smiled as he stood.

“Mine already agreed,” he said. I threw a pen at him. He ducked and laughed. “Hey, you chose me as your Beta for a reason.”

Missy

Something felt off today, and I couldn’t figure out what it was. I was freaked out last night when Liam came into the packhouse bleeding. I was returning from the kitchen with drinks when I spotted him, Damien, and Felix. Felix looked fine as he helped Liam to the steps. Damien had a few minor scratches, but nothing severe. Liam looked the worst. He was bleeding heavily, and I knew Lea would have a fit. I worried about how hurt he was.

“Moon to Missy,” Sol said, snapping her fingers in front of my face.

“Sorry, what?” I asked.

“What’s wrong with you today?” she asked, irritated.

“Sorry, I didn’t sleep well,” I said. The whole Maddox movie was awkward, then I saw Liam, and it was hard to fall asleep.

“Did something happen?” she asked, looking worried. I scanned the playground for my little brothers. I’d brought them to the park so Lea could work, and Sol met me here. I found Leo on the swings and Junior on the slide.

“Maddox came to my room last night,” I said. Boy gossip was better than whatever happened to Liam.

She gasped. “What happened?” she practically squealed.

“He couldn’t sleep and asked me to watch a movie,” I said.

“Oh, he wanted to watch a movie,” she said, wiggling her eyebrows. I shoved her lightly.

“Not like that. He just wanted to hang out.” Leo jogged to the picnic table. “Hey, little man. What’s up?”

“Can I have a drink?” he asked.

“Sure,” I smiled, handing him a water bottle. He opened it and drank greedily. Sol giggled. Leo blushed. I think he has a crush on Sol; he’s usually shy around her. He set down the bottle and poked my leg. “What?” I asked, furrowing my brows. He motioned me closer.

I leaned down. “Can Sol push me on the swing?” he whisper-shouted.

“I don’t know. You should ask her,” I whispered.

“Can you ask?”

“I don’t think she wants to push you,” I teased. He slapped my knee. I laughed. “Just ask her,” I said. He climbed onto the picnic table bench and sat in my lap.

When he mustered the courage, he looked at Sol, who was watching curiously. “Um, Miss Sol? You’re very pretty; will you play on the swings with me?”

“Awwww!” she gushed. “Leo, you think I’m pretty?” He nodded enthusiastically. Sol grinned. “Of course, I’ll play with you!” Leo smiled before turning to me. I nodded, and he climbed off to run to the other side of the table. Sol stood and held out her hand. He looked thrilled as he took her hand and pulled her to the swing.

“Why can’t guys our age be this cute?” Sol said. I laughed as I watched them walk away. My phone buzzed. It was a message from V.

V | what are you doing tomorrow princess? ME | not sure. why? V | spend the day with me I bit my lip, looking down at my phone. I wasn’t sure if I’d be on brother duty again tomorrow. Liam looked bad last night, and I was sure Lea was caring for him today.

ME | let me ask L+L. V | don’t ask. just let me pick you up at breakfast ME | i might have to watch my brothers V | drop them off at daycare I sent him an eye roll emoji. He’s an only child sometimes. He doesn’t get older sibling responsibilities. Even if Lea and Liam hadn’t adopted me, I’d probably babysit. Junior and Leo are sweet, good boys.

V | fine. let me know

I set down my phone and looked in the lunch bag. We’d eaten most of the sandwiches and chips, but there was fruit left. I found sliced strawberries. I ate some while watching Sol push Leo. He was giggling and beaming. Another notification sounded on my phone.

MADDOX | guess what! ME | ??? MADDOX | i think your dad is going to let me be a warrior! ME | thats great! 🙂 MADDOX | i even got my first assignment ME | whatd you get? MADDOX | the only thing i want to do. tomorrow I am your personal guard while A+L are gone ME | wait, what??? MADDOX | Alpha just pulled me into his office. he is taking your mom somewhere outside the pack tomorrow and told me to stick by you and the kiddos. Felix left and Austin is leaving too ME | what about Damien or Lily? MADDOX | going with them

I quickly messaged Lea.

ME | you are leaving the pack tomorrow??? LEA | Yes. Your father and I are going to visit with another Alpha. We need you to keep an eye on your brothers again. ME | Liam told Maddox to watch me? LEA | That I didn’t know. But it isn’t a bad idea. He is doing so well with training and the extra workouts with Felix and Damien are going well. ME | I couldn’t have a say in this? LEA | You and Maddox get along so well. He is such a good kid. Liam and I really like him. What is the problem, sweetheart?

I groaned and dropped my head. Of course, they like him. Who wouldn’t? He’s so charming. My phone buzzed again.

MADDOX | can’t wait to spend the day together 😉