Chapter 31
Eamon’s POV
Alaric is a real prick with Cara,but he's definitely a great king.
I’m not surprised that Cara made the right choice to reopen diplomatic relations with Pack DarkWood. It only makes sense to continue a business relationship with such a strong pack.
It’s just one more drop in a sea of examples showing that Cara is a thoughtful and rational leader.
I know from experience that it’s not always easy to keep pack decisions in perspective and make the right choice. As Alpha King, I have to make difficult decisions every day.
Ever since I was a young boy, my father trained me to be the Alpha King.
My Father said with great authority,"Eamon, you should put the pack first, in all things.”
At that time, as a child, I held my toy, not understanding.
“Why, dad？”
My dad has deep red hair, and he's much taller than me. He's like a deep red strong maple tree supporting our family.
Supporting Arbuns.
He answerd, “Because no one else can. Because you are my eldest son. ”
“You MUST do it. Eamon, you MUST do it.”
It never mattered what I wanted. I was the eldest boy and that was that, as far as my father was concerned.
But that strong father, the one who made BloodyMoon the most formidable pack in the world, the one who had an ongoing affair with the nanny and betrayed my mother...
After our mother passed away, he left the pack.
He disappeared, and no one knows where he went.
If I’m truly honest with myself, I know that this isn’t the life I want anymore. I love the pack, and there are parts of the job that I enjoy, but lately all of it feels more like a burden than a calling.
Ever since Lilia was expelled six years ago, what I truly wanted to do was to find our missing father.
In our whole family, being the eldest, I had the longest history with him. This is a job that's got to be done by me. But if I take off, who will be the new alpha king of BloodyMoon?
And now that Cara’s here… She’s smart, she has good instincts, and she’s got the confidence to fill the role.
I can’t imagine how those DarkWood nobles, or especially Alaric, couldn’t see her for who she truly is.
An Alpha.
But...would she be up for it?
Cara’s POV
My phone beeps with the notification of Eamon’s text.
Tody is family meeting's day. I’m a bit care about what the meeting could be about, but there’s no sense in worrying about it now. I put the phone back in my pocket.
I walk into Mia and Ethan’s bedroom in the Alpha villa. The sight of them playing nicely together immediately brings a smile to my face.
I like having a job outside of my motherly duties, but I always miss them so much.
“Mama!!” They both scream, running towards me with outstretched arms for a big, warm hug.
“We missed you!”
I let them tackle me, falling comically on my butt as the two six - year - olds climb into my arms.
They can’t manage enough strength to really knock me over, but it always makes them laugh when I pretend that they’ve overpowered me.
They’re quite small for their age.
At six years old, they’re closer to the size that you’d normally expect for four - year - olds.
I remember the conversation I had with Ruby and the doctors at the hospital shortly after they were born, and we all noticed how small they were.
“I’m afraid it looks like their growth is stunted,” Ruby had said to me.
“Stunted?!” I replied. “Are they going to be okay?”
“Yes, but the doctors think it might have something to do with the car accident you were in.” She said to me carefully.
Tears welled in my eyes as I lay in the hospital bed.
The accident left me severely wounded, threw my wolf Lucy into silent hibernation, and now on top of everything, it turns out the accident also made my children unable to grow normally?
Why does fate have to deal with me like this?
“What does this mean?” I asked the doctors, trying to keep my rising emotions in check.
“Well, they probably will be small for their age. We don’t know how long it will take them to catch up, if they ever do. It seems like their bodies are functioning properly, it’s just that everything is smaller than we would expect,” One of the doctors said.
“But there’s no reason to think that they won’t be able to have happy lives. We can make some adjustments in the Alpha villa, like lowering the furniture to comfortable heights for them to reach, things like that. They will be okay.” Ruby said.
...My poor little ones, Mommy will protect you.
Now, at six years old, Mia and Ethan are doing very well. Both were very bright and capable, despite their small stature.
Especially Ethan, his inquisitive nature grows every day.
One good thing about their small size is that they both fit perfectly inside my arms for hugs and cuddles.
I kiss the tops of their heads, first Ethan then Mia, then ask them about how their day has been.
“Ethan wouldn’t let me play on the big swing at the playground today! I told him I could do it, but he wouldn’t listen!” Mia tells me.
“I’m older, so I’m the boss!” Ethan says matter - of - factly.
“Only by five minutes!” Mia counters.
“So? I’m still older! And you probably would’ve gotten hurt anyway!” Ethan replies.
I chuckle, “Well, actually, I’m the boss. And Auntie Ruby. And your uncles.”
If werewolves are obsessed with hierarchy, werewolf children are even worse.
I brush the bright red hair out of Mia’s eyes, running a loving finger across her forehead. I give Ethan a contented smile. My heart feels like it’s bursting at the seams with love and joy.
It’s a much better childhood than I ever had, at least I could give them that.
But is it enough?
Am I doing enough for them?
As a single mother, I can never outrun these questions for too long.
I take a deep breath, and ask.
“I have a question for each of you. And I want you to think about it, really think about it, before you answer, okay?”
They nod their little heads excitedly. Ethan’s black hair shakes at the movement.
“Are you happy? with mommy or auntie Ruby, or uncles?” I ask.
“Yes!” Ethan responds immediately. “Can I go read now? I just got a new book from the library!”
I laugh heartily then nod at him, “Go ahead and read your book.” I turn to his sister, “And what about you, Mia?”
Mia sometimes is quiet, looking down at the mismatched socks on her feet. She’s been adamant about dressing herself lately, but she always seems to prefer a little disorder.
Ruby always tells me that Mia is strong and independent, just like her mother.
“I think so…” Mia says. “I love you, and I love Auntie Ruby and all my uncles…” She trails off.
“But?” I ask, finishing her thought.
“But… most of the other kids in the pack have Daddies…” Mia’s voice is nearly a whisper now.
“I think I would like to have a Daddy…”
My heart lurches in my chest, and I fight back a sob at the sad look on my daughter’s face. I don’t know what to tell her.
I wish she had a Daddy, too.
