Chapter 109

**NOAH**

Amelia and the kids play on the floor in front of the living room couch, while her parents look on smiling. Their faces lit up when they saw us but especially for their mother. Grayson pushes his mom, who ends up lying on the floor, and the two of them climb on top of her, giggling. She is careful not to let them crush her belly. They are my home, my safe place, they are where I want to be when I am having a bad day and they are why I work so hard to make this pack as successful and safe as possible. Amelia looks at me, her eyes reflecting my happiness. No one will take them away from me even if I have to fight until my last breath.

When I saw Xander looking at Amelia, I knew right away that he wanted her because he looked with the same eyes as me. So when he said she was his mate, I was only half surprised. I felt like pulverizing him. To eradicate him so that he couldn't look at her, touch her, or even breathe the same air as her. My fists clench just thinking about that scene.

I was so angry, so I went outside and waited for Amelia to fall asleep before coming back to the room where I spent the night looking at her and the kids' pictures on my phone.

Did he think that by revealing what he was to her, she would follow him? That he would have a chance to break up my family? That will never happen. I will never let that happen. He'll have to kill me first if he wants to get close to her.

I feel David's gaze on me, when I look at him, he has a frown on his face. Her parents sensed something was wrong from the moment we walked through the door.

After a while, I go into my office where Alec and Zack join me to take stock of what's happened in my absence. As I expected, I didn't miss much, and they managed the pack very well in my absence. After Alec asks me if everything's okay for the third time, I decide to tell him all about it. When I finish, I'm standing in front of my two friends, speechless.

"Second-chance fucking mate. Are we sure this is possible? Are you sure what's being said is the truth?" Zack asks, frowning. "That he just fucking fell for her and is just making up an excuse."

"It kills me to admit it, but I think he's telling the truth. He looks at her like..."

"Like you." Alec finishes when I don't finish my sentence and I nod. "If it was me, I'd have killed him." He adds thoughtfully.

"I would have started a war if I had. But it crossed my mind, believe me."

"And what are you going to do about it?" Zack asks me.

"I'm not going to do anything. We're not going to do anything. He'll have to kill me before he can touch one of her hairs. She's mine, only mine." I answer through gritted teeth.

"You know you have both our support. We'd be willing to fight for you no matter what the circumstances, and especially if it's to protect your family." Zack tells me.

"Our family. We're in this together, brother." Alec adds.

Once we've covered all the topics, they both get up from their chairs.

"Don't forget Tom's coming over tonight to talk to the girls and their dad." Alec reminds me before walking out the door.

With everything that's happened I'd completely forgotten that he'd told us he'd come by when we got back.

**AMELIA**

I took advantage of the children's naptime to tell my parents and Sophia all about it. It was clear to everyone that something was wrong as soon as we got home. We spent yesterday with the kids and I didn't want to spoil our return.

All three of them stare at me open-mouthed as I finish telling them everything that happened.

"I knew he had something for you. It showed like the nose on your face but... a second chance mate. I wasn't expecting it at all." She sips her iced coffee, shaking her head.

"It's crazy." That's all my mom can think of to say.

"I know it may not be what you want to hear, but I think you should talk to Alpha Xander. Set the record straight and make sure he doesn't interfere with your family life. That is, if that's what you want, of course."

"Of course that's what I want. My number one priority is Noah and the kids." I stroke my belly without paying attention.

"We would have supported you whatever your decision, honey." My mom and adds and stands up to hug me.

"Do you know what time Tom arrives?" I then ask them to change the subject.

"He arrives late afternoon to see the little ones and then the four of us have dinner. Tom, Dad, you and me." Sophia explains.

I look at my mother with a questioning look. She shrugs. "He said it was a family discussion." I roll my eyes at her answer.

Tom was becoming increasingly tolerant of my mother, but since they finished the mating process, he's started to get angry again. Sophia told me she wasn't even sure if it was just because of our parents. Apparently he's been in a foul mood with everyone for some time. We're all wondering what he wants to talk to us about, but I think it's linked to his change of mood. Maybe we'll finally understand what's going on with him.

I feel like I've had so much on my plate lately. I just want to be able to enjoy my life peacefully, my mate, my children and work. And I'd like to be able to live my pregnancy with peace of mind, not stress.