Chapter 2

Luna Kate POV:

Belle packs a small bag all by herself. I will add a few things for her to my bag. I can let her feel like a big girl for the moment and still make sure she has everything she needs for our trip. Jason and Argon finish packing the SUV while Belle and I get ready to leave. I am still not happy about Argon making the journey with us, but if it will give Alpha Erick some peace and maybe provide more protection for Belle, I guess I will just have to live with it.

Alpha Erick joins me in the bedroom as I put the last item in my bag. "You are not supposed to be getting up and moving around for at least one more day. We have already been through this," I scold him.

"I know, but I feel fine. Remember, our daughter healed me. I think I am okay to move around the house and tell the love of my life and my daughter goodbye," Alpha Erick says.

He takes me into his arms, and I lay my head on his chest. "Please let the wolf maidens help you with the children while I am gone. You know how fussy Claudia gets in the afternoon. You cannot tend to all the kids and run the pack plus a fussy baby and a newborn,” I say to him.

The two beautiful babies Meaghan left behind will be a joy to me as soon as I get back. I hate that it is all landing on Alpha Erick right now, but he just needs to let the she-wolves and my wolf maidens help him. "I can handle the pack and our children. Levi and Katherine are our children now too. Trust me, I will use the staff, but I will not let them feel abandoned, not right now. I still cannot believe she left them. How could a mother leave her children? I cannot even think of you or me leaving our children behind for any reason," Alpha Erick says.

I know the feeling of abandonment; he does not. His mother was a bitch, but she loved him and raised him. His father was an asshole, but he loved his son. Alpha Erick knows betrayal but not abandonment. I have been betrayed and abandoned by my parents. There is not a feeling in this world that hurts as much as knowing your parents just tossed you out. I was just an experiment to make a stronger wolf, and I know it. Now my children, especially my daughter, have to deal with what my parents did. None of this is fair to Belle.

"Sorry, I just worry about you. I trust you will be fine and take wonderful care of our little wolves," I say.

I look over to see Belle standing in the doorway. She is ready. She comes to Alpha Erick and takes his hand. She wants him to walk her to the SUV. She does not ask him. He knows what she wants. I let the two of them share their moment while I go upstairs and kiss my babies goodbye.

Leah is in the nursery with Katherine and Claudia, and they are both sleeping while Leah sits in the corner reading a book. I go in and look in on both of them. I touch Claudia on the back and pat her gently. "I will be home soon, little wolf," I say to her. I go to Katherine and pat her on the back. She is such a beautiful baby. Alpha Erick is right about one thing, how could she choose Raven over these babies? I will never abandon my children. Who am I to judge? I almost let my mother come between my duty as a wife and mother, and the imperial wolf agenda.

I go across the hall to check in on Chan and Levi. The two are playing quietly. I open the door, and they both run to me and hug me. Levi still has not asked about his mother, and I wonder if he ever will. Maybe he knows that she left him. I hope that does not harm him later in life. I want to give him the best and raise him as my own son.

I step outside of the playroom and have a moment alone to just think about the children and what I am doing. I have to leave them to see the Weeping Wolf, it is the only way to ensure the safety of Belle, and if the others have gifts that show up later like mine did, we need to be more prepared. I almost destroyed my family coming into my gifts. I will not let that happen to Belle or any of the other Imperial children, not just mine. I have the duty to protect all of the children of this pack.

I pull myself together and wipe the tears from my face. I go down the steps and grab my bag. Alpha Erick is waiting for me at the door. "Belle is in the SUV, and she is ready to go," Alpha Erick says.

I run to him, put my arms around him and let out all the hurt, worry, and pain I am feeling. "Everything will be fine. You are doing the right thing," he says. I cannot stop crying as he holds me.

"I know, but it still hurts leaving you and the children. It is not fair to leave you here to take care of all of this alone," I say.

"You have left before when you thought you had to save Belle. You can do this, and this time you have help. I love you," Alpha Erick says.

This journey is not the first time I have left the pack, but the last time I left, I jumped out the window holding Belle to protect her. I just did not know what I was protecting her from, only later to realize I was the one she needed to be protected from, the white wolf and me. Now I have my half-brother, one warrior, and my husband helping with the journey.

"I love you," I say. Alpha Erick takes my hand and walks me to the waiting SUV. He opens the door, and I get inside the truck. I sit beside Belle. Argon is in the front seat, and Jason is driving. Alpha Erick closes the door. I want to cry and release more of the pent-up worry, but I cannot do that now. Belle reaches for my hand and takes my hand into her little hand. I look over and smile at her. We got this little wolf.