The gentle caress of dawn permeated the room, its golden tendrils wrapping around Avla and Gideon, still nestled together on the soft rug by the fireplace. As consciousness returned, she felt the warmth of Gideon's head resting on her hip. His fingers danced delicately on her skin, tracing abstract patterns, lost in contemplation. Feeling her stir, Gideon glanced up, meeting her eyes with a serene gaze. "She's in there," he whispered, tapping her belly lightly. "I know it." Avla laughed, her voice soft and melodic in the morning hush. "You sound so certain. And 'she?'" Sitting up, Gideon exhaled deeply, the weight of a revelation pressing upon him. "I had a dream last night. My mother's spirit visited me. She told me she ensured our child would be a girl. She even mentioned that, surprisingly, my father was thrilled at the idea of a granddaughter." Avla's eyes widened with a mix of surprise and curiosity. "Your mother came to you? Truly?" Nodding, Gideon continued, "She did. And
The atmosphere was charged with a palpable anticipation as Gideon and Tanner approached Jorge's home. The minute the door swung open, the younger boys, sensing an energy shift, greeted them with wide eyes, their youthful faces painted with a mix of surprise and curiosity. "Didn't expect to see you two so soon," Liam commented, his voice carrying a teasing edge, but his eyes sparkling with curiosity. Ever the astute observer, Jorge eyed Gideon and tried to fish for information in his typical roundabout manner. "Do I need to start preparing larger meals for Avla? Perhaps, cook for... two?" His eyes twinkled mischievously. Despite trying to remain impassive, Gideon couldn't hold back a smile. But he kept his lips sealed, enjoying the suspense a little too much. Jorge handed the boys several neatly packed food boxes as the group prepared to leave. "Make sure Luna gets these," he instructed with a wink. The journey back to the pack house was filled with laughter and playfulness, remin
The phone's buzz had interrupted Gideon's work in his home office, a space filled with an organized mess of files and papers. He glanced at the caller ID, recognizing the name of Melissa, his contact at social services. "Hello, Melissa. To what do I owe the pleasure?" "Hey, Gideon," she said, her voice professional but friendly. "I've got all the paperwork ready for you to file for the adoption of the four boys. It's all straightforward, and we can expedite it if you're ready." Gideon smiled, feeling a warmth in his chest at the thought of officially making the boys part of their family. "That sounds great. We're all excited about it. Thank you for pushing this through." Melissa paused, and something in the gap of her words made Gideon frown. "Is there a problem?" "No, not a problem, just a question," she replied cautiously. "I noticed you're not filing to adopt Avery Jenkins. Any reason why?" "Avery Jenkins?" Gideon repeated, feeling a mix of confusion and apprehension. "I'm not
Gideon looked down at Avla as they began their trek back home. She walked carefully over the uneven ground, her eyes slightly distant as if lost in thought. He noticed the slight hesitation in her steps and sensed what she was thinking. "You don't have to feel bad, you know," she finally said, breaking the silence. "I know you want to shift and run, but you're holding back because of me." Gideon shook his head and took her hand, intertwining his fingers with hers. "Don't worry about that. I'm fine walking. How are you feeling, though?" She paused, considering the question. "Honestly? Not much different. I can smell the change on myself, but that's about it so far." Gideon nodded, squeezing her hand gently. "That's normal, from what I understand. It takes some time for the body to adjust to all the new hormones and changes. Especially for the first one." She tilted her head and gave him a playful, skeptical look. "Really? And how many times have you been pregnant?" He chuckled an
The phone buzzed on the wooden nightstand, rousing Gideon from a restless sleep. Rubbing his eyes, he grabbed it and squinted at the text message. It was from his contact at social services. The message read, "Would you like to meet Avery? If so, maybe just bring Avla, yourself, and one of the boys—perhaps Tanner—to keep things low-key." His thumb hovered over the keyboard as he pondered the reply. Eventually, he texted back, "Yes, we would love to meet her. Will arrange and let you know." Setting down his phone, he padded out of the room, his thoughts a whirlwind of emotion and anticipation. As he descended the stairs, he found Tanner in the living room. "Get ready. We've got something important to do today," he said, meeting Tanner's curious gaze with a reassuring smile. Gideon then proceeded to the bedroom, where he expected to find Avla. Upon entering, he noticed her by the window, her shoulders shaking softly. She was crying. Alarmed, he approached her cautiously. "What's wro
Gideon and Avla walked side by side, accompanying the social worker and Avery to their car. The atmosphere was thick with a sense of newly formed bonds, punctuated by lingering questions and unspoken anxieties. The social worker parked far away from where Tanner was waiting, a fact for which Gideon was silently grateful. As they reached the social worker's car, she looked earnestly at both of them. "You can call anytime if you have questions or concerns. We're always here to help." "Thank you," Avla said warmly, her eyes on Avery, who was now safely tucked in the car seat, looking out the window with a mixture of apprehension and curiosity. The car engine roared to life, and as it pulled away, Gideon felt Avla's gaze turn to him. Her eyes were like open books, filled with emotion, complexity, and a sense of seeking, as if she were trying to read something in his face. "What's going on, Gideon? I can tell something is bothering you," she said, her voice tinged with concern. Gideon
Gideon sat in his office, staring at the blueprints and plans sprawled across his desk. Maps, charts, and timetables seemed to pile up each passing day, a visual representation of the chaos he felt inside. As the Alpha, the responsibility for the pack's welfare was his, and right now, that meant overseeing the expansion of their land and the construction of new houses.Thomas and Kane walked in, their expressions brightening when they saw their Alpha. "Hey, Gideon, you called for us?""Yeah, come in. Have a seat," Gideon beckoned, gesturing to the chairs across from his desk. He took a deep breath, collecting his thoughts. "Look, we have so many projects going on right now. Everything is in various states of completion, and it's starting to eat at me. We need to finish something, anything, to give us a sense of accomplishment. And I think that should be Tanner's house."Thomas exchanged a glance with Kane. Both could sense that Gideon was tense, unlike his usual calm and collected sel
The woods were dense and vast, cloaking secrets within their folds. As Gideon, Meave, Kane, Thomas, Ethan, Marcus, and a group of seasoned warriors sprinted into the wilderness, the air felt thick with tension. They were guided not just by logic and intuition but also by the raw instinct that their werewolf lineage bestowed upon them. Back at the house, a different sort of drama unfolded. Avla, cradling Liam in her arms, attempted to console him. The boy's tears stained her shirt as memories of Avla's disappearance, not so long ago, echoed in his young mind. The events had deeply scarred him. The boy had just started healing, and Tanner's sudden absence threatened to rip open those emotional wounds again. Avla gently rocked the swing, her fingers running soothingly through Liam's hair. "Shh, it'll be okay. We'll find him," she whispered. But as each second ticked by, her own confidence wavered. As they sat in silence, Liam, with his innocent and wondering eyes, looked at Avla's s
The night of the full moon, indicating Avery's 18th birthday, was a culmination of anticipation and impatience on both their parts. Eagerly counting down the days, Avery could barely contain her excitement for this momentous occasion.Meanwhile, Tanner was caught in a storm of emotions, pacing the office floor in the pack house. His heart raced as he confided in Gideon and the other guys, 'I can't believe it's finally here... After 14 years, the moment has arrived. I've been dreaming of this day for so long.'Witnessing Tanner's restless energy, Thomas couldn't help but chuckle. "Boy, you need to stop pacing. You're making even me nervous," he joked.Gideon, observing the scene from his desk, shared in the delight. "Yes, Tanner, the day has... indeed come... and you've handled the journey here... with grace, except for a few mo..mo..moments that led to involuntary swims and such. I'm p...proud of you. Are you re..re...ready to embrace what comes next?" His eyes twinkled with a mixture
Trembling with cold and emotion, Tanner tried to steady his voice, "I'm not trying to challenge you, Gideon. I'm pleading for us to discuss this. Can't you acknowledge that I've always acted with her best interests at heart, valuing her safety as much as you do?"Gideon, his frustration observable, ceased his pacing and sank to the ground beside Tanner. He removed his own shirt and handed it to Tanner, who quickly pulled it over his head, seeking any relief from the biting cold.Tanner continued, the urgency clear in his tone, "Okay, yes, this was genuinely the first time she's kissed me on the lips since she was like 13. Since I recognized the potential complications. The very first time, Gideon. The first attempt she made since then and the first time I didn't stop it.""So, you're admitting that you let this happen?" Gideon's voice was a mix of inquiry and accusation.His guilt evident, Tanner met Gideon's gaze squarely, "I won't lie to you. Yes, I did. I wrestle with these decisio
This moment quickly overwhelmed their senses and Tanner's reasoning skills. Avery's arms wrapped around Tanner's neck, her fingers teasingly entangled in his hair. In response, he rolled his head, allowing her to kiss him even more deeply.She led this dance, a wordless conversation flowing through their entwined bodies as their kiss escalated into a spirited declaration of affection.The unmistakable sound of Gideon clearing his throat interrupted their newfound passion. Despite the considerable distance from the pack house porch to where they stood, the noise carried an intensity that pierced the situation. It was a clear indicator of Gideon's fury, a barrage of disapproval that resonated with the force of a storm warning. The sound reaching them across the expansive field separating them from the pack house, underscored the depth of his anger.Reluctantly, Tanner untangled himself from Avery's arms and carefully set her back on the ground. As they started returning to the house, A
Avery, now 16, stood beside Tanner, overseeing the training session as it wound down to its final moments. The routine was familiar, a dance they had perfected over time, yet today felt distinctly different. Avery's perception shifted as Tanner made his way to the water table. He casually removed his shirt to dab away the sweat from his face before drenching himself with water, the droplets cascading down his defined chest and stomach.In that instant, she realized the depth of her attraction to him. It was a revelation, striking and profound.She was irrevocably in love with him.This moment, though unexpected, was not entirely unforeseen. They had treaded the path of their growing closeness with maximum caution, Tanner even requesting Avery refrain from specific actions, like kissing him on the lips.His intentions were clear. To delay the inevitable awakening of deeper feelings. To postpone the inevitable. He had hinted at the complexities their bond might entail if their emoti
Tanner tried to concentrate on the book in front of him, but his attention drifted away. He barely grasped the essence of the text, and his mind wandered, disconnected from the story unfolding on the pages.Jorge appeared skillfully balancing a tray packed with popcorn and an assortment of snacks. Spotting the open door to Tanner's room, he stepped in and gently closed it behind him. 'Care for a sneak peek taste?' he joked, extending the snacks towards Tanner. 'Or were you kicked out of the party?'Tanner looked up with a slight smile. "Actually, I got an invite but turned it down."Jorge leaned back slightly, a knowing look in his eyes. "You know, I've noticed the tightrope you've been walking with Avery. But honestly, I'm impressed with how you've handled it all these years."Tanner nodded, his smile broadening as he reached for a handful of the vibrant pink and purple popcorn. "Thanks," he said.With a brief nod, Jorge excused himself, heading towards Avery's room to distribute the
Tanner retreated to his room, settling by the window that offered a direct line to the lively banter emanating from Avery's room across the hallway. A little guilt for eavesdropping mingled with his curiosity, but the rationalization that his acute hearing made it an inevitable consequence somewhat eased his conscience.The topics of Avery and her friends' conversation veered into the territory of the schoolboys they attended school with."Okay, so," Greer began, leaning in, "can we talk about Gabe for a second? Like, how he's the sweetest? Offering to carry our books all the time?"Tatum nodded eagerly, "Right? And have you seen Wyatt on the field? The way he winks at us after scoring...it's just too cute!"Greer, not to be outdone, added, "What about Rex? He's so mysterious and quiet, but when you catch him looking at you, it's like, wow, what's he thinking?"Avery sighed, "Totally get you. And Flint! His pranks are legendary. But did you notice how he's always trying to get Tatum's
The tradition of celebrating their birthdays together had become a cherished part of their lives, with Tanner, Liam, Avery, and Ashleigh sharing a grand celebration each year. However, time waits for no one, and Avery's 13th birthday suddenly was on the horizon. This year, she yearned for something different: a celebration of her own.Avery joined the local werewolf school when Ashleigh started kindergarten, a departure from the usual practice of Alpha's children being homeschooled. She had created a rich group of friendships with children from other packs. Now, she was eager to host a party exclusively for them.Tanner, always the tease, feigned a dramatic pout. "Aww, but I was really looking forward to our joint birthday party this year," he joked, trying to tug at Avery's heartstrings with mock disappointment. It didn't work. Unfazed and armed with a quick wit beyond her years, Avery shot back, "You'll live... And while we're on the topic, bro, how exactly am I supposed to introd
In the calm aftermath of the party, Marcus and Leona sought a moment with Gideon and Tanner. With a blend of seriousness and hesitation, Marcus initiated a conversation that Tanner had sensed might be on the horizon. "I know I agreed to be your Beta, Tanner," Marcus began, "But it seems plans have changed. Leona's been offered the Beta position in her pack. And with Gideon," he glanced at Gideon with a wry smile, "appearing to be immortal, it's unlikely you'll be stepping into the Alpha role anytime soon... no offense."Gideon, quick to catch the jest, interjected with mock indignation, "Thanks for the faith in my longevity," eliciting a burst of laughter from the group.With a weighty pause, Marcus resumed, his laughter subsiding solemnly. "In all seriousness, given Gideon's robust health and leadership and the stability it brings to our pack, it's only logical for Leona and me to embark on this new journey."Though not surprised by the news, Tanner felt mixed emotions. He had alway
The pack house was alive with an unusual buzz that only comes around once in a blue moon, or, in this case, when multiple birthdays converge on the same day. Liam's 16th birthday had become a larger celebration, merging with Avery's request that her 8th birthday be celebrated alongside her brother. Liam, ever the doting older brother, agreed without hesitation. His love for Avery made the decision easy.Tanner laughed, "Well, since we're all in the mood for celebrating, why not throw my 22nd into the mix? It's not like I know the exact date of mine anyway." His comment was playful, yet Avery latched onto the idea with an infectious excitement.From the kitchen, Avla, overseeing the final preparations, couldn't help but join in the laughter. "And let's not forget Ashleigh!" she called out, amusement clear in her voice. "Seems like we've got a cluster of birthdays all at once. How curious!"Releasing Ashleigh from her high chair, the littlest of the family made a beeline for Tanner, cl