It had been a whole week since the Elders got in touch, and I don't think Hardin or I have slept properly since. Everyday Hardin is gaining more and more strength back in his legs and back, but balances that, the pack, the training, the paperwork, and my therapy sessions...plus a baby that is arriving today.How are we going to cope with all of that? What if this is a mistake?What if I hurt it? Or don't know what it wants?"Nappies, wipes, bibs, clothes, vests...mitts, bottles..." I list the items as I place them on the bed, for what feels like the hundredth time this week.What if I'm missing something?"Try and relax, everything is going to be fine." Hardin takes my hands, leading me away from the stressful baby items."What if it's not? What if we're making a mistake?" I breathe, my heart pounding. The Elders will be here any minute.Hardin stares into my eyes, those silver orbs instantly stealing my attention. He gently takes my face in his hands, ensuring he has my complete atte
The days fly with Mila around, I felt comfort and peace, like part of me had begun to heal. It was nice hearing little giggles, and seeing her smile, and make a mess with her food. I loved it, but Hardin didn't. He hated the mess, her smiles irritated him, and her giggles just pissed him off. I wasn't sure why he disliked her so much, if it was because she's a baby, a rogue, or just because we lost ours.With time, all good things come to an end.Mila wouldn't stop crying, and no matter what I did she didn't want it. Food, bum change, a bath, toys, attention, I even took her to the pack doctor because I thought something was really wrong with her. Until I realised that the one thing she wanted, needed...I took from her.Her mother.That feeling, knowing she still cries for a woman she probably doesn't even remember, it breaks my heart. Suddenly her cries made me sad, and her laughter broke my heart, her smile just reminding that she isn't mine. That I will never see my own pups at thi
Months go by, slowly I began to feel better, like my mind isn't cluttered and scrambled. I never would have thought that therapy would help me feel like myself again, even if it is a slightly different version. I'm stable, and my emotions are balanced and I finally understand how to express each one, and acknowledge them. That was one of my problems, not being able to feel anything except love, pain and anger, and it wasn't healthy. Part of the reason is due to how I was raised, Kaleb says that being controlled by my parents allowed me no personal growth, they stopped me from doing far more than live my life.I feel different, even if I know therapy isn't done, I'm happy, more than happy actually. Because I know how far I've come, in the six months since I walked in here a broken, fragile bomb of emotions."Remember, two weeks from today." Kaleb says."The seventh of January, I know." I smile, giving him a hug despite the fact that he's my therapist."You have my number to call if yo
I wake up to the sound of shuffling around, instantly I search for Hardin with my hand, wanting him to make the noise go away. Except he's not in the bed.With a low pitiful groan, I drag my eyes open and sit up, only to freeze when I see a bright red Santa hat sitting on top of Hardin's head.Is he having like a early mid-life crisis? I immediately presume, either that or he really does enjoy Christmas."What are you doing?" I ask him, my voice full of sleep, I wipe my eyes and frown at him."Merry Christmas!" He beams at me like a crazy person, that hat jingling every time he moves. What the hell have I signed myself up for?"Merry Christmas." I grumble, falling back against the pillows."Looks like we've got ourselves a grinch." Hardin comments, and I feel the covers slowly being pulled off of me. I couldn't be bothered to fight it, so I let him take the covers.The bed dips around my legs. Opening my eyes again, I glance down, seeing him up over my body. What is he doing?"If you
Slipping my hand away from my moo, I instead grab Hardin's wrist and gently push his back back down. That menacing growl that vibrates through him from my action, tells me that he's happy, if his raging hardness wasn't enough.Pressing myself more against him, I feel myself give in to his sinful hands, one between my legs and the other gliding up my waist. He grabs my boob with warm rough fingers, pinching my nipple just enough to draw a whimper from my lips.Subconsciously, I grip his wrist slightly and guide his fingers to my opening, while pressing my ass against his cock. Hardin doesn't need to be told twice, slowly slipping a single finger into me, his thumb drawing circles on my clit stimulating my desire for him.On second thought, the pack can wait a little longer.***"Thought you'd be awake bright and early." Jackson frowns, seemingly not pleased that we're almost a whole hour late to breakfast."Hardin got me like a thousand presents." I defend, releasing Hardin's hand as
"Your mommy is going to be here any minute, let's get your shoes on." I tell the little girl, placing her bag aside.Grabbing the Doc Martins from the bottom of the steps, I help Lottie into her shoes despite her whole 'independence' thing she has going on.Phoebe arrives exactly thirty seconds later, thanking us in a rush as she hurries back to her mate. The issue with rogues on the borders is never ending, last night her mate was ambushed and he's in pretty bad shape, hence why Lottie stayed with us."Do you think he's going to make it?" I ask Hardin softly, knowing how severe the damage to Phoebes mates chest is."I have to, for that little girls sake." Are the words Hardin responds with, solemnly."I should have been out there." I sigh."There were too many, you kept the pups safe and that's more important that anything else during war." Hardin says, gently grabbing my hand.Knowing how I feel about this, I suppose he's trying to comfort me. But I just look up at him, not comforte
We take our previous stance, and I make sure his posture is correct before running through the single move again. Jackson is a little fast to step, leading to a falter in movement."We're just going slow, don't worry about me hitting you." I muse, returning to my previous position.Jackson nods, and we repeat the move again, over and over until he perfects the step and block. Then we move on to the next part, repeating the first step before teaching him the second."Block up, and block down." I teach."Then we're both going to rock back for power, and hit together-" We move slowly as I talk, our staffs clashing lightly mid air as we step forwards again."Bam, right in the middle, right here. That's good placement." I praise, noticing his hands are facing down in staff grip."Now, I'm the aggressor, you're the defender. So once we hit, I'm going to lean back and thrust, you're going to step all the way back in cat stance and block inside." I tell him."Right leg forward, right hand low
"You're quite the spit fire aren't you?" Maddox chuckles, wiping the blood from his nose."Can't handle the heat?" I taunt, trying not to laugh at his glare."Can't handle the...I'm taking it easy on you." He argues, circling with me."You sure? You seem a little out of breath, do you need to take like a fifteen minute break?" I mockingly ask him.Despite being strangers, he reminds me a lot of Dom. Big and tough on the outside, but under the surface is a whole other person. Then again, I don't know him."I'm not out of breath!" He splutters in rage, absolutely appalled.I couldn't help but grin at the look on his face.Maddox swings for me, an attack that I swiftly dodge, dropping into a crouch and sharply kicking my leg out. He jumps over my leg, assuming he's bettered me when I twist my body to the right, bringing up my left leg and hooking my foot behind his knee. One yank, and I drag the Alpha down onto one knee."Not bad." He comments, brown eyes amused.With a hard kick, I let