43

Tino's POV

I was pacing back and forth in front of the door that led to his office. My fathers office. I knew my mother was in there, I heard her light and bubbly voice. And I knew Vic was in there as well. She was because she always sits in my father's office. Perks of being the favorite, adn the youngest child I guess.

The faster I go in, the faster I can leave. So then why am I still standing outside, pacing around? I took a deep breath and knocked on the door. I heard my fathers hard voice muttered come in and I pushed it open.

My hands were shaking with nerves as I closed the door behind me and sat beside Vic in the leather seats.

"Ah, Tino. What can I do for you?"

It's never a hello. Or a hi, or how are you son? Its automatically what do you want so I can get away from you. Love you too, dad.

"I need to talk with you all if that's cool?"

"Of course baby, what's wrong?" My mother spoke as she stood firmly behind my father and he leaned back in his chair.

The door swung open and Vincent walked in. I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding in and I felt relieved having him here. I knew that if things got heated, he would be on my side.

"Vincent, knock next time." My father voiced and Vincent nodded and stood against the wall. I cleared my throat knowing I just needed to say it. I couldn't keep prolonging this anymore.

"I'm leaving. I mean--I'm stepping down from being Alpha and I'm going to move back to Koa's pack and live there...with him."

My eyes bounced between their faces as they all stayed silent. My fathers face unmoving, showing no emotion. Victoria looked pissed, and my mom looked like she was about to cry.

"When do you plan on leaving?" My mother's voice croaked and I wanted to run to her and hug her but I stayed planted.

"Like a day or two?"

"A day or two? Seriously, Valentino? You tell us this right before you plan on leaving? How irresposible of you! Did you even think of how this would affect the pack?" My father never really yelled, he just spoke with power and one of those moments was right now. "You think you can just leave and not tell us?"

"I just decided this three days ago--"

"Bullshit. You've known for a while now."

"Vincenzo, maybe go easy on him?" My mother whispered rubbing his shoulders but that didn't help.

"After all I've given you, this is how you repay me? This merge would have made us the strongest pack in the country!"

"We are still a strong pack without the lycans." Vincent chimed in, looking a bit defensive.

"Who is going to be the alpha now? And repair the damage you are causing?" I was about to speak but Vincent interrupted.

"Me. I am." My father scoffed at Vincent. "It's going to be me."

"You're not ready." My dad leaned forward against his desk his hands covering his face.

"He is more than ready." I turned to Vincent to see his face held slight defeat. I felt guilt swirl in my gut at the thought of leaving Vincent to fend for himself against my father.

"Look, I came here to tell you I was leaving. Not ask for permission. What's done is done." I shrugged and leaned back in the chair. Wanting to go and run to Koa and have him hold me. And be in his presence.

"Get out of my office." My father spoke through gritted teeth. The words cut deep into my core. Knowing that my father...does not care and probably never will.

"Gladly." I pushed myself from the chair and walked outside, feeling tears wanting to make an exit but I can't. I'm done crying over a man who won't change.

I heard footsteps behind me and small hand grip my arm and I turned around and there stood Victoria.

"You're really leaving?" Her eyes were watering and I pulled her into a hug.

"You can always come see me. But yeah, I need to. It's time to go and start my family. Plus I got to get the house ready since you're going to be an Aunt soon." Vic's eyes went wide and started jumping up and down.

"No way? Are you serious? Already? Damn you work fast." I groaned at her and rolled my eyes. Moments later Vincent joined us with a deep sigh.

"Don't worry, I'll win him over. I mean, he has no other choice." Vincent clapped my shoulders and wrapped his arms around me for a hug. Victoria followed and wrapped her arms around me and we stood there. Just wrapped in each others arms.

I loved them.

****

"So...this is it?" Q was in my room in the packhouse and I had just finished packing and loading the last of my things. Koa was back with his parents and they were slowly packing up their things and Kona was packing up hers to move here with Vincent.

A lot of things are changing today.

"Don't say it like you won't see me again." I groaned and rolled my eyes. Q had a solenm look on his face the whole time. But I could tell he tried not to but I don't blame him. If he was moving I would feel the same way.

"I know I'll see you its just...not as much. Plus you're having a kid."

"Things will just be different thats all." I tried reassuring him, but it wasn't working.

"So have any names picked out?" Q and I grabbed the last two suitcases and wheeled them out the room. But before I fully left I took one final look.

I grew up in this room. I had a lot of firsts here, a lot of memories here. I never thought I'd be leaving this place. This house. I always thought I'd just move to the alpha wing. But life has a funny way of working out.

It wasn't that I was sad, or upset I was leaving. I was fucking happy. But it was moreso what I would be leaving behind. Vin and Vic. Of course, Q. I would be leaving familiarity, my comfortabilty. But I was excited for what was new. And I look forward to the day, where being with Koa in our home becomes comfortable and my new familiarity.

"Earth to Tino." Q spoke, pulling me out of my daze. I followed him out of the room and to the hallway and closed the door softly behind me.

"Sorry, zoned out for a bit. What were you saying?"

"I asked, if you though of a name?"

"If it's a boy, we're naming him Ezra. If it's a girl Florence." We had decided on the drive over here what names we wanted most. We fought long and hard, but we eventually reached an understanding. Which was if he picked Florence I'd sit on his face once we are moved into the new place. And of course, it worked.

"Nice...can't wait to meet them. Uncle Q and Uncle J are going to shower that kid with so much love, they'll drown." Q wrapped his arm around me as we walked thorugh the rest of the pack house.

It was a bittersweet feeling. Leaving. But I knew what was ahead of me, which made leaving a lot easier.

Once outside Koa stood by the SUV and the trailer attached to the back. Vic and Vin were already standing outside, and so were the rest of the Mickaya clan. Koa walked forward and grabbed the suitcases from me and Q and set them in the trailer.

"You know, I'm a little sad to leave. Lived here for almost three years, it's grown on me." Kendall said as her and Tay went to their car and got in.

"Your place is big enough for me to come stay for a few weeks right?"

I met Q's eyes as he spoke. I could see his eyes tearing up and it made mine start to sting.

"Yeah. You can even move in if you want." I shrugged. But I was dead serious. If he wanted to move in, I would let him in a heartbeat. I stared at him and a tear fell from his eye, he tried to wipe it quickly, but I already saw it.

"Fucking hell, man." I grabbed him and pulled him into my arms and he wrapped his arms around me. I patted his back and took a deep breath as we sat there.

"Love you, Quinton." I whispered to him.

"Love you too, Valentino."

With one last pat we pulled away and sobered ourselves up. I turned around and I saw Koa leaning against the car door waiting for me. I was thankful for his patience with me in this time. I thought I was fine, but now that the car is sitting right in front of me. It's become real. Very real.

Victoria and Vincent walked up to me one last time. With tears in their eyes. I wish there was a way to slow down time, and spend more time with them. I sometimes wonder what would happen if I wasn't pregant. Would we stay here longer or would I still have the urge to leave?

"You text us once you make it." Victoria said sternly and I immediately agreed.

"Kona and I will be there this weekend. Gotta get the rest of her stuff." Vincent said and I nodded.

Finding words seemed to be too hard right now. I knew I would see them again. And soon. But it was still hard.

"I should go." The words were soft and barely audible but they heard me and nodded. I took a step back and I could feel Koa come up to my side and wrap his arm around me. Pulling him into the side of his chest.

"I love you guys." My eyes were probably bright red with how I was holding back the tears. I wouldn't let them fall. Not yet.

"Love you, Tino." Vic said.

"Love you too, Valentine." I rolled my eyes at Vincent and I turned away before I lost the courage to.

Koa walked me to the pasenger side and I jumped in. Once he was inside the car I let the tears fall. Koa reached over and grabbed my hand in his as he started to drive. I could feel the bond between my and the pack being stretched. I could feel the aching hearts of my family and friends.

"Are you okay, dolcezza?" Koa asked, his eyes fixated on the road as he rubbed my hand with his thumb.

"I will be."