Chapter 8

~~Stephanie

Today at school dragged on. No one would listen and all my classes were full of rambunctious students that couldn't get over the attack last night.

They were going crazy with questions and some even stared at me with a weird look in their eye. One of my students in the back called me Luna and I shushed them before anyone else could hear it. Or maybe no one heard it because no one was listening.

It was one of the royal guards' kids. Iknew it wasn't their fault and people wanted answers but I was not ready yet at all. Especially since in the back of my mind I was still harboring doubts.

I didn't want him to introduce me to the pack and him leave me again. Am I really afraid of that happening again? I can't let Adaline get hurt. She gets attached so easily because of her age and no one has ever hurt her little heart and I would never let anyone do such a thing. She is my main priority no matter what.

I headed to her daycare that was on the 1st level of the school on the side of all the playgrounds. As soon as my feet hit the bottom of the stairs I could smell Jackson...what was he doing here? Weird to say but he's on the pick up list. In hopes he would ever come pick her up one day and whisk us both off to have the perfect life.

I rolled my eyes to myself, I remember adding him to that list and the weird look I got from the daycare director.

Breaking my train of thought, I heard Adaline squeal as he picked her up at the main door. She was so excited to see him. Shes getting so attached so quickly.

I stood at the end of the stairs and listened to her tell him about his entire day. Nosy teachers had started tilting their heads out the door to see what all the fuss was about. No doubt he had a few guards too. Those always attracted a crowd.

"MOMMMMYYYY!!!!" She screamed loudly as she saw my head poke around the corner. I smiled as she squirmed from his arms and ran towards me. I engulfed her in a huge bear hug.

"Hey bear. How was your day?" I asked her.

"Good. Adam tried to pull my hair again so I bit his arm. I don't like him. Hes annoying. He even tried to steal my snack!!" She cried out.

Jacksons eyebrow went up.

"Dont you dare Jackson." I mumbled under my breath to him. He huffed out his annoyance and placed his hand on the small of my back.

"What are you doing here?" I asked curiously.

"I couldn't stay away from my girls for another minute and wanted to take you guys out to dinner and dessert tonight, if that's ok." Jackson said searching my eyes for any issues I may have with him being there. I smiled up at him and nodded, "Of course. Lets go home and get Adds changed."

Adaline ran ahead of us as we exited the school and took the short walk back home. "What no car awaiting to take us home oh dear Alpha?" I asked mockingly. He laughed aloud and shook his head, "No - you were right, I need to be out with the pack more and not stuck in a dark vehicle being driven around everywhere. I do have a question for you though."

"Yes?" I asked peering up at him.

"When did you put me on the list to pick up Adds?" he asked softly glancing over at me. His hand brushed up against mine as we walked and I tensed up. Those damn sparks will never get old.

I sighed, "Ugh...ok don't freaking make fun of me. I was literally just thinking this coming down the hallway when I smelled your stank butt," He pretended to look offended but still smiled. "I put your name down when I enrolled her. Hoping one day you would come back and realize we were still here." I whispered the last sentence. He stopped me in my tracks and enveloped me in a huge hug. "I can't even begin to understand what I put you through my love. I will never forgive myself or my parents for everything they took away from us starting with that night. That night was supposed to be special. And it was until they showed up. I should have stood up to them. I thought I could have calmed them down and gone back home to you. Stayed in that cabin for days and never left. I could have married you by now, sent you to college, raised Adaline together and had at least 4 more pups by now." I laughed out loud at the last sentence.

"Oh hell no. I'm good. You have only seen Adds during a good period. When they are babies its hell. Especially teething at 3am. No sleep. Breastfeeding every 2 hours." I exclaimed. I didn't even feel Adaline pulling on my skirt. "MOMMY I'M HUNGRY!!!" she exclaimed making us both jump. I didnt even realize we had gotten so close to each others face. A loud WOOHOO came from behind us as Damion and Jessica strolled up behind. "You ass." I mumbled to Damion.

"We are going to dinner. Wanna come?" Jackson asked the 4 joining our group.

"Sure!" they both chimed in.

The twins ran up ahead to Adaline and they ran in circles around each other. One of the twins grabbed on to Adalines hand and Jackson stepped forward. I threw my hand to his chest.

"Calm your tits." I whispered.

He rolled his eyes at me.

~~Jackson

Dinner was amazing because I had the best company in the world. Adaline fell asleep in my arms after dinner as we walked back home. The street lights had just came on when we started our walk home. I saw the patrols starting their shift change. They lowered their head in respect and I did the same.

When we got home Stephanie got Adaline ready for bed as I stood in the doorway just smiling. My whole world was right in front of me the whole time and I had missed almost 3 1/2 years of it. I grinded my teeth just thinking about what she went through when she was alone.

I needed to make up for lost time and make sure where Stephanie knew she stood. She was my everything, my heart, my soul, the reason my heart is still beating, and my Luna. The one I trust with everything including my pack. She strolled up to me and smiled, she looked tired but so beautiful. Her eyes still the same green as the day we first kissed, her skin still soft, and her lips still red. God her lips.

"What about my lips?" she asked stepping closer.

I blinked. "Huh?" I asked.

Your wall fell down. You were talking about my lips....she mindlinked me staring at my lips.

"Forgot we could that huh? I did too until you said something about my lips." She repeated outloud.

I blinked again. Fuck.

She smirked.

"Wheres my room?" She asked looking up at me.

"Our room." I stated firmly.

She raised an eyebrow. "Cute try Jackson. I will take one of the spares." She said walking out of Adalines room.

I grabbed her arm and brought her to our door and pushed her in the room. "You are home. I can't be apart from you anymore. Chase is already on edge." I whispered fighting Chance from taking control.

She lifted her hand and put it on my arm. The shocks of the bond straight up my arm and made me instinctually relax. I sighed and reached out for her pulling her close. She wrapped her arms around me and I gripped her harder to wrap her legs around my waist.

I laid down with her on the bed. I needed her near. Chase could barely function with what has happened the past couple of days. And then for her to say separate rooms. He can't protect her if she is down the hall. We fell asleep entangled in eachother arms. Still clothed.

Because we are snails. Fucking snails.

I woke up the next morning to realize it was 10 AM. She had already left with Adaline to go to work but a note was left on my side table.

I will be back at 330. Adds and I are cooking dinner for you tonight. Let me know if you will be late.

Love,

Your Wildflower

I groaned with happiness not wanting her to be gone but I knew I had work to do. Today we were going to have to interrogate the rogues on their presence here.

2 days without food and water should be enough right? Chase asked me as I laughed.

I threw on some clothes and mind linked Damion. He was already headed to the prison cells.

I met him there and he smiled at me, "Good night?" he asked wiggling his eyebrows, "But seriously.....fuck up again and I will be pissed." he stated stone-faced.

"I won't. I am seriously making up for lost time. Now to find out what these asshats want with our girl." I said and we walked down the stairs.

I could smell the rogues before I saw them. Rogues had a certain smell to them and they smelled like the earth and mushrooms. I need to ask the Goddess when I die why mushrooms...out of everything why mushrooms?!?!

"Well hello there Alpha Jackson...." One of the rogues stated. I knew that voice...where did I know it from?

"Oh great...." I muttered as the rogue laughed maniacally in front of me.

I definitely knew this guy. But why had he come now?