Chapter 73 Safety.

Chapter 73 Safety.
John’s pov. 
It almost ripped my heart in two when I had to deny marking her. 

It just wasn’t the right time or moment. I knew, deep down, that we had to wait. 

It was for the best. Or at least that’s what I kept telling myself. 

Titan tried to take control, but I kept hold over him as best as I could, not letting him come out to play. 

He would’ve marked her with no hesitation. 

And I couldn’t have that happening. 

“This is delicious, mommy!” Megan’s voice said through mouthfuls of food, making me cringe slightly. 

“I’m so glad, baby! Do you want to help mom and John plan our mating ceremony?” Bella asked her. I watched her think about it, her little eyebrows scrunched it as she focused. 

“Yes… I do! What do we plan?” She asked curiously, her hands folded under her chin as she stared at us, waiting for an answer. 

“Well, we have to plan the decorations, what colour we want everything to be. What food we want to be able to eat, and drinks too!” Bella started to say, laughing at the expression on Megan’s face, “we also have to figure out who we want to invite. Which packs we want to join us on such a special day!”

She smiled over at me before looking back at Megan, her hand finding mine under the table. 

“It’s a long and hard process, baby. That’s why we wanted your help!”

“Obviously black and white with a little bit of gold should be the colours!” Megan laughed, her eyes wide with excitement as she talked, “I will decorate, mommy!”

We both looked at each other at the same time, Bella shaking her head as I chuckled. 

“Megan, you can’t be the only one who decorated, okay? It’s the entire pack house along with the outside that has to be decorated… it’s going to take a long time with a lot of hard work, we’re going to need a lot more pack members to help, but you can still help and be a part of the decorating, I know you are good at it,” I said softly, hoping I didn’t make her upset in anyway. 

“Okay, I understand. I didn’t realize there was so much to do!” Megan laughed, not upset at all, but actually understanding. 

She’s probably the only child I’ve ever met that is so chill. 

Anyone else’s child would’ve thrown a tantrum right then and there. 

“What about the food, Megan?” Bella asked her, her one eyebrow raised as she waited on her answer. 

“Hm. The food. Maybe… tacos?” She said, making me and Bella burst into laughter. 

“Alright, tacos it is!” Bella and I both said simultaneously, smiling over at each other. 

Bella got up, grabbing the plates from the table and putting them in the sink, quickly rinsing them off before she came back over towards us. 

“Moms gonna call Teeran. I do actually have some stuff I need to do in the office quickly with John but then we’ll be back to spend the rest of the day together, okay?” Bella told Megan, brushing her hair with her hand before kissing the top of her head, “we’ll be back very soon… an hour tops. Mom can’t leave these kinds of things, they are too important. When you get older, you’ll know. You’ll be the alpha one day.”

“I’ll be the alpha one day?” She said quietly, her little eyes so wide in shock. 

“Yes, Megan,” I jumped in, adding, “you will be the alpha one day. You’ll have to do what your mom does, you’ll have the entire pack relying on you.”

“Wow,” she mumbled, looking between Bella and me, “alpha… that’s crazy. How can I be the alpha? I’m not- strong enough.”

Her voice sounded so small, so unsure. 

I got up from my chair without thinking, kneeling down to her level and looking her in the eyes. 

I grabbed her shoulders, making sure she was listening to me. 

“Megan. You’ll be a great leader one day. Just like your mom…” I paused, looking behind me at Bella who had a nervous look on her face, “don’t be afraid, Megan. It’s your destiny, your future. Own it, live up to it. Don’t let anything stand in your way. You’ll do great things kid. Especially if you’re anything like your mother. You are a wonderful kid, Megan. Just continue to be yourself, fight for what’s right.”

I went to stand up but Megan wrapped her little arms around me, hugging me tightly. 

“Thank you… John. You make it make sense!” Megan whispered, making me laugh loudly. 

“I make it make sense?” I asked while still chuckling, “how so?”

“You know… the whole be yourself!” She giggled, getting off of her chair and running towards her mother, hugging her legs, “I’ll always be myself.”

With that she smiled as she ran to her room, closing the door behind her. 

“I’m going to mindlink Teeran and have her come here now,” Bella mumbled as her eyes glazed over slightly. 

“Why? I thought we were going to stay here with Megan all day?” I asked, my curiosity getting the best of me. 

“Because…” she said quietly, turning around to look at me with fear in her eyes, “Garrett was spotted not too far from our borders. He’s planning something, and whatever it is, isn’t good… he had an army with him. Our warriors would have a hard time keeping them back. We have to figure out what to do. Elder Elian will meet us at my office, he’s the one who mindlinked me and told me. I obviously didn’t want to freak Megan out so I didn’t say anything at first… I'm scared, John. What if he’s here for Megan?”

I grabbed her, pulling her close. 

“Don’t worry about anything. I won’t let anything happen to her while I’m here. I promise you that. I’ll protect you guys, until my last breath,” I whispered beside her ear, running my hand down her hair as my other hand held her by the waist. 

“How can you know that?” She asked quietly, lifting her head to look at me with her tear filled eyes, “we don’t know what the future holds…”