Chapter 14

Light slowly drifts in though the sheer curtains falling across my eye lids causing me to wake up. Strong arms are wrapped around me with my back against a sturdy chest. The tingles against my skin tell me that it’s Tate as he snuggles closer to me. I needed to get my mind off of yesterday and move forward. I will always love Kelly, but Julia needed her mother to raise her. Today is a new day and slowly my grief will settle down.

Tate slowly pulls away from me and kisses my forehead before his presences leaves the bed. Ten minutes pass by till I decide that I did not want to stay here in bed forever and I throw the covers back to stand. Stretching I make my way towards the bathroom for a shower, letting the warm water cleanse away the smell of grief from yesterday off of my body. I feel more refreshed as I shut off the water and wrap my body in a fluffy towel still learning to get use to my small stomach once again. I step away from the master en suit and pad towards the closet towel drying my hair. Something about a morning shower always made me feel lighter and energetic. Dressing in a short fall dress I braid my hair and make my way downstairs and towards the smell of breakfast cooking in the kitchen.

"Come here princess!" I hear Tate's voice before I see him and everyone as I round the corner to the kitchen entrance just in time to watch Jack pass Julia to my mate.

"Good morning." I say smiling as I walk towards them, kissing my mate on the cheek before taking Julia from him.

Hey we were having daddy daughter time!" He exclaims while I sit down on a chair with her in my arms across from my mate.

"New born babies are cute but boring." Jack says with a sigh. I fake gasp at him shielding Julia from Jack’s sight and shaking my head at my cousin-in-law.

"Shame on you, she is busy being adorable." I say in mock scolding before kissing my pup gently on her little nose.

"Yes she is and you need to be busy by eating." Tate says. I smile when my mate places a plate full of food in front of me with a glass of orange juice but protest when he takes Julia away from now.

"Hey I had her!" I exclaim reaching out to take our pup away from him again.

"And now you are eating." He smirks and I glare at him as he takes Julia back to his seat.

"She may not be my flesh and blood but the moment I saw her I knew she would be my little girl." He says smiling and I couldn't help but smile at his declaration as I give in and begin to eat.

The four of us enjoy the quiet morning taking turns passing Julia around and taking pictures with her. I smile when Chris and Jack announce that they are looking at adopting their own pup soon once they settle into their own house here in Bloodsvain. It felt like life is finally set on the right track for me and my family. Suddenly everything turns into chaos as wolves in uniforms worn by the council of Elders storm into the kitchen, the sounds of glass from the windows breaking open. Julia is placed into my arms with Tate backing me into a wall taking a protective stance in front of us, a threatening growl rolling over the crowd.

"Laina Starcrest you are under arrest for kidnapping!" A man states as he steps forward, weary of Tate. I could tell he did not want to go against my Mate, and I had a feeling he would lose if Tate attacks.

"Tate Randall-Silvermoon step down. This she-wolf stole a pup from Samuel from Pine-” I growl loudly, cutting the man off as I send a vicious glare his way.

"I did no such thing, this is my pup and she was born a few days ago along with her twin whom we just buried yesterday." I snap, holding my baby closer to my chest protecting her. I hated these men who invaded my house and threaten to take my pup away from me.

"Alpha Sam said you would say that, but he has documents for a baby boy born two weeks ago." The man states taking out what looks to be a copy of fake documents. Sam must have been prepared to fight for these pups but too bad for him. He will never hold a claim to Julia.

"Look closely idiot, my mate is holding a baby girl!" Tate roars and everyone freezes, the men sniffing the air. The man in front of Tate looks over at my mate in confusion before peering over his shoulder towards me.

"It seems that you are speaking the truth. What were the elders thinking?” The man I now assume as the leader states as he catches a glimpse of Julia. I turn my body so that my back is towards the men in the room, guarding my pup from their gazes and sending a glare in their direction.

"I'll tell you what they were thinking, they weren't!" I growl out in anger. The leader looks at us again but I keep his curious gaze off of Julia. He has no right to see her.

"How about we talk this out at the head office, my crew will fix up your house. Sorry by the way." The man concedes with a shrug, getting ready to turn away.

"Sorry! YOU'RE SAYING SORRY WHEN YOU CAME IN TO TAKE MY MATE!" Tate roars as he charged the man, pinning him to a wall with his hands around his neck, his face set in rage as he chokes the man. Some of the wolves rush to Tate’s side working hard to loosen my mate’s grip around their leader’s neck only to be elbowed or head butted out of the way by a very pissed of protective Alpha. They fucked with the wrong wolf today. I sigh and hand Julia to Jack before walking over and placing a hand on Tate's cheek, seeing his eyes turn to me as he releases a growl.

"Tate, calm down." I say calmly trying to easy his hands away from the wolf’s neck.

"NO I WON'-"

"You can and you will." I let authority into my voice while my blood simmers with the power I rarely use. He blinks a couple of time probably surprised at my command before staring at me.

"Tate, please." He growls once more and finally lets go with a huff of breath before throwing the leader of the guards to the ground with a loud sickening thud causing me to wonder if the leader broke a couple of bones in the process. Tate glares at the man before backing away and heading towards Julia, taking our pup from Jack carefully and holding our baby in his arms. I watch as he visibly relaxes and smile gently. Tate fully accepted Julia as his pup and it made me happy. Knowing my mate will be fine I turn on my heel and glare at the man now gasping for breath as I walk forward and lean down so that my face is an inch away from him, letting the power of my blood wash over his frame. I watch him stiffen with fear as I look into his eyes my own anger radiating off of me.

"Now you will get the Elders to come HERE or I will call the Alpha King and have HIM deal with this issue. Do I make myself clear?" I emphasize a few words and the man nods, getting his phone out and dialling a number quickly. My eyes never leave his and I watch him visible shiver. If he thought Tate is scary to deal with than he has never faced a pissed off mother werewolf who is willing to kill anyone that threatens her pups.

"Elder Ross, it seems like the information that was given to us was incorrect and because of the way we handled things they want you and the others to come here... Of course... Got it, see you then." He hangs up and leans against the wall breathing heavily as sweat drips down his forehead

"Two hours. They will be here in two hours." He answers and I stand letting the pressure ease off of him.

"Good, your men can fix my house now while we wait for their arrival." I order, giving each of them a glare. No one protests knowing this mistake is their fault as every wolf readies themselves to repair the damages they have done. I needed to talk to Tate about added security to our home to protect Julia and any other pups we will have. I sigh and turn towards Tate, seeing that he has one arm open as he looked at me. I smile and take the few steps into his embrace as he holds me and Julia.

"Now you can tell them what happened to you." I nod at his words and press my face into his chest and take in his scent.

"Well Jack and I will make sure the house gets fixed properly, you two go relax with Julia and wait for the Elders to arrive" Chris volunteers giving us an exasperated sigh as he looks around at the mess. I knew my cousin would make these wolves work like slaves for what they did. Chris could ne sadistic when pissed off and I can see the rage simmering behind his eyes. Thanking Chris, Tate leads me away from the kitchen and out the sliding door onto our deck. Thinking we are stopping here I get ready to rest on a patio chair only for Tate to grab my wrist and continue to lead me away from the house.

"Why are we going here?" I ask curiosity filling my voice. Today is unusually warm for a late September morning and part of me worried that Julia will get cold if out here too long.

"It’s a surprise." He answers with a mischievous grin. We walk hand in hand for a few minutes into the forest jest past our house when the sounds of waves reach me. Suddenly Tate stops and blocks my view smiling at me, a now sleeping Julia resting in the crook of his right arm.

"Ready?" He asks and I giggle. I could tell he has planned this surprise for a while and I couldn’t wait to see it.

"Yes!" I answer getting a wink before he moves aside. I gasp as I see a beautiful white gazebo resting on a huge pond as if floating on the water. Water lilies float across the water and large smooth circular stones large enough to fit two people at a time create a pathway to the gazebo. My feet carry me from stone to stone till I find myself at the entrance to the beautiful place. A small fireplace radiates heat around the area causing me to smile at the cosiness while I take a seat on one of the comfortable chairs. Tate places our sleeping pup in a bassinet covering her with a blanket before taking a seat next to me as we gaze out across the pond.

“And now we wait for the Elders to arrive.” Tate whispers as a few ducks swim by.