- Alpha Hayden's POV?
''Dad, alpha Jake is coming today!''
''I know that, Clairy,'' Brock answers his daughter. ''Alpha Jake and his pack will be here around three.''
''And they will help us fight the rogues and the hunters!'' Clairy cheers.
Brock looks at me and I'm trying very hard to keep a straight face. Clairy was my beta's six year old daughter. His always happy, always bursting with energy and very chatty daughter.
''That is the plan,'' Brock answers as he helps his almost one year old daughter Cleo with her oatmeal. ''Do you remember the rules, Clairy?''
''It's one rule, don't bother our guests,'' Clairy grumbles.
''Alpha Jake and his pack have a very important job to do, sweetheart.''
I know, I know,'' Clairy sighs. ''Dad, how do we address the other one? He is an alpha too, right?''
''How about we wait until our guests are here and ask them then, Clairy?'' I suggest.
Clairy looks at me for a moment and a grin appears on her face.
''You don't know how to call him either!''
''Clairy, you are talking to your alpha!''
Clairy bows her head and she lets out a deep sigh.
''I'm sorry, alpha.''
I smile and I look at Trevor. He used to be a very confident and happy little pup, but he hasn't been like that in a very long time. Trevor barely ate, talked or showed any kind of emotion since the death of his parents.
My nephew looked lost and I hated that I couldn't give him the one thing that he needed. Trevor needed his mom and dad, not his clueless uncle.
Sage walks into the kitchen with two big bags filled with groceries and I get up to help her put them away.
''Is all of this for tonight's dinner?''
''Most of it is, alpha. I figured that our guests would be hungry after such a long trip, so I also got some things to make appetizers.''
''Some things is code for there is no food left in the store,'' Brock teases.
''I was going to make those smoked salmon puffs, but you are right, beta Brock. I will just make some tuna sandwiches then and for dinner bean soup. We should keep things simple, especially tonight.''
Well played, Sage!
Brock hated tuna and he always ended up in the bathroom after he had bean soup, something Sage knew very well. Just like she new that Brock loved her salmon puffs.
''That wasn't very smart, dad,'' Clairy sighs. ''You know that bean soup makes you gassy.''
Both me and Sage start laughing, while Brock gives his daughter a very stern look. Clairy is suddenly very interested in her breakfast and Brock nods approvingly, while he tries very hard not to smile.
''Will she ever learn to think before she speaks?'' Brock minds links me.
''She wouldn't be herself if she did and you know that you love that side of her.''
This time Brock does smile and he nods.
''That's a very good point, Clairy. Perhaps I should make a roast chicken with mashed potatoes and green beans instead.''
Brock looks relieved and I put my hands on Sage's shoulders.
''What would we ever do without you?''
''Starve,'' Sage laughs and she turns around. Her gaze falls on my hair and she shakes her head. ''And then you wouldn't get that much needed haircut. The house is done and Graham is taking care of everything in the barns, so take a seat.''
''Fine,'' I grumble and I sit down on the stool.
Arguing with Sage was pointless and I knew she was doing me a favour. It meant not being forced to sit still for ages and making small talk with everyone.
''When are we going to make the cookies, Sage?'' Clairy asks.
''When you two are done helping me prepare everything for dinner,'' Sage answers. ''The pups wanted to bake cookies for our guests. A gesture to make them feel welcome, isn't that nice!''
Trevor glaring at Clairy tells me that this was all her idea and that he just went along with it, as usual. Clairy was only one year older then Trevor and she said that gave her the right to boss him around. It would annoy Trevor like crazy, but in the end he always went along with what Clairy wanted.
''That is very nice of the two of you, but it means that both of you have to listen to Sage very carefully. Is that understood?'' I ask in a serious tone.
''Yes, alpha. Trevor that's not yours!'' Clairy snaps.
Trevor put his plate with eggs in front of Clairy and he continues eating her porridge. For a moment it looks like Clairy is going to burst out in tears, but then a big smile appears on her face.
''Thank you, Trevor.''
Brock shakes his head and he stands up.
''Are you sure that you can watch all three of them, Sage?''
''Would I have offered if I couldn't?'' Sage answers as she continues to cut my hair.
Brock puts Cleo in her stool and he shakes his had.
''Clairy, listen up. Behave and remember that Sage is in charge, not you. I love you and if you need me?''
''I can call you or ask Sage to mind link you,'' Clairy answers and she gets up to give her dad a big hug. ''Love you, dad. Will you be back to taste the cookies when they are ready?''
''I will definitely try them, sweetheart. I promise, but the alpha and I have to go now.''
Sage is already removing the towel and I frown when I see how much hair is laying on the floor.
''How do I look?'' I ask Clairy.
''Like you,'' Clairy answers with a smile and she lets her hand go through my hair. ''It still looks messy, but good messy.''
''Good messy it is then,'' I answer as I get up. ''Thank you, Sage.''
Sage nods and I walk back to the table. Trevor was done with the oatmeal and I try to hide my concern when I see that he barely ate.
''Call or ask Sage to mind link me, okay? There is a lot going on today, but I will make sure that we do something together tomorrow. How does that sounds?''
Trevor shrugs his shoulders and force myself to not let the guilt get to me. I would do anything to cheer up my nephew, but today I didn't had any time. The other alphas were on their way and I wanted to make sure that everything was ready.
I needed everything to be ready, because this was it.
This was our last chance.
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-Hayden's POV
″Alpha Hayden, vehicles are approaching.″ Kade mind links me.
″Thank you, Kade.″
I take one last look around and I let out a relieved sigh. The barns were ready and I was impressed with what we were able to pull of in such a short amount of time.
''They are here, alpha,'' Graham says as we hear the sound of car doors being opened and closed.
Outside my attention immediately goes to the tall men standing in front of one of the jeeps. That must be alpha Jake, because only an alpha could radiate that much power!
''Alpha Jake, it's very good to see you again,'' Graham says as he step forwards. ''I would like to introduce you to alpha Hayden of the Bloodmoon pack.''
''It's a pleasure to meet you, alpha Hayden,'' alpha Jake says as he shakes my hand.
''The pleasure is all mine, alpha Jake. On behave of the Bloodmoon pack I welcome you and your pack.''
''Alpha Hayden, two wolves on motorcycles are approaching our border. What are your orders?''
''Alpha Jake, are we expecting more members of your pack?''
''Just two idiots,'' alpha Jake answers annoyed.
''Let them through, Kade. They are with alpha Jake's pack.''
Soon we hear the sound of motorcycles getting closer and then our last guests arrive, alpha Jake's siblings.
Emmet was basically an exact younger copy of alpha Jake.They were tall and very muscular build. They had the same golden sand hair and amber coloured eyes. I could say with certainty that Emmet was also an alpha, but the power that he radiated was different.
It was not as overwhelming and intense as the power that surrounded his brother. My gaze falls on the shewolf, but she disappears out of my sight when her brother steps forwards. Emmet is all smiles and he shakes my hand enthusiastically, while he ignores his brother angry stare.
''Apologies, alphas. I'm sorry to be five seconds late and I promise that it will not happen again.''
Alpha Jake looks like he is ready to kill his brother and I decide that it would be better to move things along.
''Graham will show your pack members where they can rest, alpha Jake. Do you mind if we go in and start the meeting?''