Azalea

“Sorry, Luna. I got to go,” Austin said, checking his watch. He got up from the couch in my office and headed toward the door. After dinner, he stayed with me so that I could take care of a few things before Liam takes me with him to Langston’s pack tomorrow. With the alarming amount of rogues we have been seeing, Liam called him as our closest neighbor. They have seen the same thing, so a few packs are meeting to make a plan on stopping this.

“Thanks, Austin. Have fun on your vacation!” I told him.

“Thanks,” he said brightly before ducking out of the room.

“You better hurry. The boogeyman might get me now that I am all alone,” I linked my mate. I could almost see his eye roll. Austin must have linked him before he left because it was barely a minute before he strolled into my office.

“You aren’t as clever as you think, Little Luna,” he grumbled.

“I find me very funny,” I grinned at him. He came around the desk and bent over my chair.

“I missed you,” he said, pecking my lips.

“You just saw me at dinner, and we spent half the day together,” I told him.

“And I still missed you.” His goofy grin still gives me butterflies all these years later. “The boys are having a sleepover with Delilah and Lucas. Why don’t we go upstairs and have our own little sleepover?” He wiggled his eyebrows at me.

“Can I finish up a few small things? Someone distracted me all morning with his charming smile.”

Liam growled playfully. “Sure. I will just sit here and talk to my daughter,” he said, looking down at my belly. He bent down and kissed it softly; the baby responded with a kick. His face lit up in excitement.

“Now, if you make the baby kick me like crazy, we will never get upstairs,” I pointed out. He gave me a pout with conflict clear in his eyes- make the baby kick or get to the bedroom? “So, you assigned little Maddox to our daughter tomorrow?”

He looked confused for a moment before chuckling. “Yea. Because everything will be a little thin here tomorrow, I thought it might be a good idea to make sure the kids had someone stuck to them all day. He isn’t a warrior yet, but Damien thinks he could give Austin a run for his money before long.”

“Did you ask her?” I probed.

“Why would I need to ask her? They are friends, right?”

“This is why I am Luna. You haven’t noticed the drama between Vlad, Maddox, and Missy?” He shook his head. “Maddox likes her, Liam. And that means that Vlad isn’t too happy about it,” I explained.

Liam g*****d. “My daughter is not the center of a love triangle,” he said.

“I think she might be, My Alpha.”

“I think I am beginning to change my mind. Maybe I want another boy. If you give me a girl as pretty as you or Missy, we’re screwed,” he lamented. I just laughed at him; Liam is such a good dad.

“How are those cuts and bruises doing?” I asked.

“Better. Probably almost gone. Why?”

“I was thinking about a promise you made last night before you ran off and got yourself hurt.” He gave me a wry smirk.

“I think I can make up for that,” he said.

–

Squeezing Leo to me tightly, I peppered the side of his face with k****s. He squirmed in my arms. “Mommy!” he gasped. I let him go, smiling.

“Be good for Missy and Maddox, okay?” I said. He nodded.

“Come here, Little L,” Liam said from next to me. Leo hopped into his arms and hugged him tightly. I looked up at Missy.

“Please keep a good eye on all of them,” I urged.

“We’ll be fine. You guys are only going for one night,” she said.

“Don’t worry, Luna. I will make sure they are all safe,” Maddox said confidently. I didn’t miss the smile and longing gaze directed at Missy.

“Alright. Stay near the packhouse just for today,” I chided.

“Come on, Little Luna. We need to go,” Liam said. I knew he was uneasy about leaving all the kids behind, but traveling with five children was not fun, even for a night. Plus, Langston has no children of his own and has been looking for a replacement for years now. Ella loves Missy, but it was best to leave them at home for now.

Liam grabbed my hand and led me outside to the waiting car. Lily was already in the front seat while Damien was putting everyone’s bags in the back. Liam helped me into the car before sliding in on the other side. I gripped his hand and gave him a tight smile.

“Don’t be nervous, Little Luna,” he linked.

“I can’t help it. Felix and Austin are gone, and we are leaving. What if something happens tonight?”

“Patrols are doubled until we get back. And Damien and I can get back here quickly if we shift. Maddox is capable enough to keep the kids safe.”

Damien pulled out of the driveway and headed towards Langston’s pack. “I just have a bad feeling.”

Missy

Maddox is taking his job way too seriously. I convinced the kids to hang out in the lounge today and play video games with the promise of pizza for lunch all so I could just hide in my room. Maddox was not having it. When I tried to make a run for it, he just grabbed me and threw me over his shoulder, hauling me right back.

I sit here staring at my phone as V calls for the hundredth time today. I was trying to avoid him coming over today since Maddox is determined to keep all of us in his line of sight. I do not want to invite that chaos into my life willingly. I silenced my phone and shoved it into my pocket. Maddox sat on the other side of the couch, stretched out and watching the TV screen. Delilah and Junior were playing some racing game while Leo and Lucas just sat there watching. Leo and Lucas weren’t really able to play video games yet, but they were also too old to trick with the unconnected controller scam.

Maddox turned his head to me with a cocky grin. “What’s wrong, grumpy pants?” he taunted. I rolled my eyes. “Oh, come on, Miss. Is spending the day with me really so bad?”

“No…” I muttered. A week and a half ago, this wouldn’t have bothered me in the least. When I didn’t know that he liked me, everything was easy.

“Sissy, I’m hungry!” Leo whined.

“Is that how you ask for something to eat, Leo?” I scolded. He stood up and came over to me. He made a fist and knocked on my leg.

“Sissy, can we have pizza now? Pretty please?” he said in his cute little voice. Maddox and I both giggled while I nodded at him.

“I’ll go make us some lunch,” I said, unfolding myself from the couch. Maddox moved to get up. “I am just going to the kitchen. Just stay,” I said, exasperated. He squinted his eyes but sat back onto the couch.

“If you aren’t back in 15 minutes, I am coming after you,” he said casually.

“It takes like 20 minutes to even bake a pizza,” I shot at him. He shrugged, and I just turned to leave the room.

I was only a couple of steps from the room when I heard my name called from the direction of the front door. I stopped and turned to see V coming towards me. “Princess, why aren’t you picking up your phone?” he said, irritation staining his features.

“Sorry, I have been playing with the kids. Liam and Lea are gone with Damien and Lily, so I am watching all of them,” I apologized.

“I would have come over sooner if you told me that you were stuck here,” he said, stopping in front of me now.

“Liam is a little worried about stuff right now, so I was just trying to help….” He reached forward and grabbed my hand, using it to pull me close to him.

“Well, if I can’t have you to myself today, we can raincheck. I would still be up for hanging out with your siblings,” he murmured into my hair as his arms wrapped around me tightly.

“Okay,” I said hesitantly. I never mentioned that Maddox was going to be attached to us as well. “Want to help me get everyone some pizza?”

“Sure,” he said. He released me, and we walked down to the kitchen hand in hand.

When we got to the kitchen, Miss Marci was already rolling out some dough on the counter. “I could have done that!” I told her, quickly coming over.

“Oh hush, little one. I like taking care of you kids and cooking for the pack. Just put your toppings on, and I will roll out the rest of the dough,” she said, smiling at me.

“Alright,” I told her, pulling the pizza sauce towards me. I looked over at Vlad, who stood at the end of the counter. “What do you want on your pizza?”

“Hmmm. Pepperoni, Bacon, and Jalapenos,” he said with a grin.

“You don’t have to eat my favorite pizza, you know,” I told him, spooning sauce onto the first of the rolled-out dough rounds.

“Who says that my girlfriend’s favorite is not also my favorite?” he said in mock outrage.

“Your favorite is Pineapple and cauliflower, but you also like meat lover’s sometimes,” I said in a deadpan voice.

“Hey Missy, the kids are going to set up the table outside. They said they want to eat in the sunshine and asked about swimming after lunch-” Maddox’s voice stopped as he entered the kitchen. He looked between Vlad and me. My eyes went to Vlad who’s face immediately filled with annoyance.

“Yea, we can do that,” I said hesitantly. Vlad and Maddox were staring each other down.Belongs to - All rights reserved.

“I didn’t realize you had more company today,” V said, his head finally turning to me. His expression was as if I had wronged him.

“Uh, yea. Maddox is in warrior training, so he is getting practice in by guarding us all today,” I said. I looked at Miss Marci, who was doing her best to remain invisible. V nodded his head slowly.

“Is there a problem?” Maddox said, his voice now bitter. V turned to him now.

“As long as you keep your rogue hands off my girlfriend, there won’t be a problem,” V threatened. Maddox growled. Miss Marci moved away from us quietly towards the other end of the kitchen, where the exit to the dining room was. My head rotated between the two.

“Did you not get the hint with her ignoring your calls all day?” Maddox shot at him. It was Vlad’s turn to growl. I dropped the pizza sauce and moved closer.

“Guys, don’t do this,” I said, looking between them. They were staring at each other murderously. V moved closer to me, his arm coming around my waist and pulling me flush to him.

“This isn’t kindergarten. I don’t share my toys,” V gritted out. My eyes went wide. Toy?

“She’s not a toy!” Maddox yelled. “If you think she is just something that belongs to you, then you don’t deserve her!”

“You don’t know anything about her!”

“And you do? You think she likes being called ‘princess’?”

“That’s not-” I tried.

“I’ve been here for her. You just think you can show up and have your pick?” Vlad roared.

“At least I care about how she feels!”

“Please, stop-” I tried to get out of V’s grip that was just getting tighter on my waist.

“Like you know how she feels!”

“Knowing how she likes her pizza doesn’t mean you know her!”

“Stop!” I finally yelled. They both looked at me like they just realized I was there. “You two are not going to fight over me! This is ridiculous! I am no one’s property or toy!” I pushed myself away from a stunned V. I pointed at both of them. “Figure this s**t out because I am tired of walking on eggshells! I am going to check on the kids. When I come back, you two better have figured your s**t out, or you can just go away!”

I stomped from the room, furious at both of them. Why me? Do I just invite trouble along? I moved towards the backdoor, trying to calm myself down.

My b***d drained from my face when I got a clear view of the outside, though. Fighting. Wolves were fighting everywhere. I ran the rest of the distance to the door and threw it open, looking around wildly for Junior, Leo, Delilah, and Lucas. The tables were flipped over, and the plates and cups were littered on the ground.

“Missy, RUN!” someone screamed from the yard. I turned to see a ragged-looking wolf running towards me. He was tackled away from the side by another wolf. Shock rooted me to the spot. Arms came around me and dragged me backward. I looked up to see Maddox pulling me inside.

“We need to get upstairs, now,” he said quickly. He let go of me and began to pull my arm to follow him.

“Maddox, my brothers. Delilah and Lucas; they were just outside! We have to go find them!” I yelled at him, panic taking over my body now.

He had a stern look on his face as he continued to pull me along. When we got to the stairs, V was ushering Miss Marci and a few others upstairs towards the safe room on the Omega floor. I pulled back away from Maddox. “No, we need to find them. Now!” I said frantically.

“Missy, we need to get you in the safe room now!” Maddox urged. He was looking around, waiting for someone to get inside the packhouse.

“No, Maddox. They can’t get hurt! They just can’t! They are kids!”

“Missy, please. Just go upstairs,” he begged.

“They can’t fight grown wolves! They are kids, why won’t you help me? You’re supposed to be protecting us, and we left them all alone!”

Maddox grabbed me by my shoulders and looked into my eyes with a serious expression. “Missy, they were kidnapped. The rogues got away before anyone could stop them. They distracted the patrol and got close to the packhouse. I can’t get them right now, but I can get you to safety. Please, please,” he said. I think my heart stopped.

“No, no. Impossible. They were only outside for a few minutes….” I said, shaking my head.

“I know. I messed up. And I am so sorry. But I can’t let anyone get you either. Please, I need to get you upstairs,” he pleaded. I was frozen. This wasn’t happening. No rogues have ever gotten this close to the packhouse, let alone take anyone. Sure, our warriors had some serious fights with different groups, but nothing like this.

Maddox didn’t wait for me to move; he grabbed me up in his arms and started running up the stairs two at a time. When he reached the 3rd floor, he darted down the hallway towards the safe room. V was standing outside, looking at us anxiously.

Maddox carried me inside; the door was pulled closed. V turned to Maddox with a venomous look. Maddox didn’t see him, though; his eyes were down on me. I looked around, trying to comprehend everything that was going on.

“M-maddox…” I said shakily.

“I know. I’m so sorry…” he said.