*“It is a smile of a baby that makes life worth living.” - Debasish Mridha*
***Kiya***
“Damn! If you missed me this much, I should visit more often!” Jackie chuckled, returning the hug as tight as she could. My first best friend, she was looking amazing as ever. Now sporting braids instead of her usual two-puff style, I hopped off her body and smirked.
“Then these types of hugs won’t happen as often as you like.”
She pursed her bottom lip. “You wouldn’t stop, would you?”
“Don’t try that pouting shit on me.” I giggled, hugging her again. “I’ll miss you, regardless. I have so much to tell you.” I pointed my head at the fallen wolf who is dusting off his ego. “What happened here?”
“Idiot had this misconstrued idea that humans shouldn’t be training to be warriors.” The Beta rolled her eyes and scoffed. “Talking shit is one thing, trying to talk shit about my little butterfly is another thing.”
“I appreciate you stepping in to defend my honor, my love.” Abigail walked over and planted a soft kiss on Jackie’s cheek, instantly relaxing her. She, too, sported bright blue leggings with a white tee, harboring sweat spots on the back. “But there was no need to toss him into the air like that.”
Jackie growled low, wrapping her muscular arm around her mate’s waist, pulling her closer. “He had it coming. I cannot sit by and watch others insult you under my presence. You deserve the highest honor as my Beta Female.”
“But did you have to throw him so high?”
“I could go higher.”
I snorted, taking a step away from the scene as soon as Jackie began snacking on Abigail’s lips. They were so cute! But I agree with Abi, if we need our warriors in their best, Jackie needed to stop hurdling them in the air.
I’m sure you could only do that with babies, but at least you catch them right after.
Speaking of babies…
“Ti!” A tiny voice called out to me as I got closer to the house with my luggage. The other three went ahead without me. A noticeably short pup with curly brown hair, tanned skin, and big golden eyes wearing a pink onesie slowly crawled down one step at a time before waddling fast to where I was.
“Ximey!” Kneeling, I give my tiny niece a big hug, lifting her in my arms. “You’re cute as a button, my darling. Where’s your Mommy?”
“House!” Ximena pointed her short, chubby finger to the entrance. The moment I walked in, I was hugged tightly from the side, the smell of raspberries and sugar invading my nose.
“You’re back!” Alesia smiled widely at me. “It’s wonderful to see you, Kiya. How was your trip?”
“It was all right.” I walked with my Luna deeper into the foyer. “It was long, but Galen made it much better.”
“Did he sing?”
“Oh, yeah.”
We laughed, heading up the stairs as Ximena’s fingers got into an entanglement with my curls.
Luna Alesia helped settle my suitcases and bags in my room. “How’s Anthony?”
“Good, all things considering.” Alesia sighed. “He is in his office. He has been in contact with many Alphas from packs to send and ask for help with the recent spike in rogue attacks.”
“That bad, huh?”
She nodded. “It’s stressing the both of us out. Nothing like this has happened before, and it’s bothering him. It’s as if these mutts were getting smarter with their moves.”
“Well, he’s sending help where it’s needed, so that’s a good thing, right?” I asked as we head to said office. “Darien told me many soldiers and warriors are returning from their assignments.”
“Yep, and it brings us relief that we have enough to send out and to protect us on our lands. They’re showing great promise and many packs are appreciative in us helping them out, including relocating displaced families.”
“They’re always welcome here.” I smiled, tickling my finger underneath my niece’s chin. In excitement, she yanked my hair once. “Ow!”
For a two-year-old, she *definitely* has her Dad’s strength!
Before Ximena could yank out more locks of my hair, the three of us arrived at Anthony’s office. It sounds like he was finishing up a call when he allowed us to enter. The tiredness of his eyes disappeared instantly when his hazel eyes landed on his family.
“Hey, lil’ sis!” He exclaimed, walking around his desk to give me a tight hug. The soon-to-be toddler squealed, leaning in sharply to join in on the group hug.
Taking my hair with her.
“Okay, ow! Ximey!”
“Pretty!”
Alesia quickly came over to unlock the tangles that woven around Ximey’s chubby fingers, only to have Ximey put her hands back in my hair again. What about my hair intrigues babies so much? Like a big brother, Anthony chuckles at my discomfort.
“How cute! That Alpha strength is kicking in sooner than I thought.”
“Yeah but tell her to keep that strength out of my scalp.” I groaned, rubbing the sore spot where the baby loved to pull from.
“I’ll keep that in mind.” He smiled. “How was your semester?”
“That’s a very loaded question.” I took the seat in front of his desk, resting the two-year-old on my lap. Ximena took that as a sign to plump her head on my bosom. My boobs were large enough to be her pillows, as weird as it sounds. “But, that’s a story for another time. Are Mom and Dad around?”
“They would be in a week. They are vacationing in Hawaii.”
“I’m so jealous,” I smirk, ignoring Ximey’s pats on my chest. “How are you? The rogue attacks sound awful.”
Instantly, the exhaustion returned on his face. He leaned back in his big chair, rubbing his face. “They are. For the past month, I’ve been getting calls nonstop for help. I’ve been connecting with other Alphas from packs on the East Coast and the Midwest for their help in this calamity.”
The problem was more serious than I thought. My hand rubbed circles on my niece’s back. “I hear a few packs have fallen. Is there anything I could do to help you?”
Anthony looked at me for a long while, a warm smile creeping upon his face. “You’re too kind, Little Bit. But I have things handled from here.”
Suddenly, his face turned serious. The sudden change nearly gave me whiplash. “But there is something I want to tell you.”
Feeling the sudden tension in the air, I hold on to my niece a little tighter. Not sure why I did it, but I just have that sudden feeling of trepidation, something I haven’t felt in a long time. “What is it?”
“An Alpha just called me not too long before you arrived.” He began. “His pack has been receiving the worst brunt of rogue attacks and has requested to meet with me to discuss negotiations regarding aid.”
“Okay.” I nodded. “I don’t understand what that has to do with me.”
His eyes fell, worry and fear etched across his entire face. I’ve never seen him like this, and it worried me. Sensing the fear, Alesia went to her husband’s side, holding onto his hand. I feel like Ximena could sense it too because she started whimpering.
I go into deep thought. Why would he tell me this? What Alpha—
No.
Oh, no!
Tell me it isn’t who I think it is. Selene, please tell me this isn’t true.
“Is it…” I whisper, my heart pounding at the coming response.
“Alpha Neron is coming here to speak with me.”