Page 5 of Daddy Wolf's Secret Baby

The next morning was busy. The Dark Claw Wolf Shifter Pack was having a picnic, and while Zahra wasn’t a member, she was invited. She made a ton of chocolate-covered Oreo cookies to share with the others.

It was a beautiful day. The air was warm and a slight breeze teased Zahra’s long, blond hair as she sat with Ruthie, Emma, and several other women. The pups ran around naked, changing into their wolf form and back again over and over again.

“It’s a good thing that they don’t get a restricted number of shifts per lifetime,” Ruthie said, laughing. “I know a bunch of kids who would run out before their next birthdays.”

Zahra giggled. “That’s the truth. I just wish I had half their energy.”

The sun was starting to set and people were leaving. Zahra was just about to call Jace when Elias walked up to Zahra and put his hand on her arm.

“Let’s talk.”

Zahra had the idea that it was more of an order than a nice request. She nodded at the tall, handsome man.

“I have to choose a Luna, and I’ve chosen you.”

Her jaw dropped and she stared at him dumbly. Certainly, she hadn’t heard him correctly.

“I beg your pardon?” she finally managed to squeak out.

“I’ve decided that you will be my Luna.”

She shook her head. “I’m not a piece of property and you can’t decide that I’ll be your mate. I’m not interested.”

“Why not?”

“For one, I’m not a part of your pack. I belong to the Nightshade Wolf Shifter Pack. My brother, Zac, is the alpha. Second, I don’t have any feelings for you like that. I’ll not go through a mating ceremony with anyone unless I truly love him.”

Elias looked at her in surprise. Zahra was pretty sure that no one had ever turned him down before. He was a very handsome man, at least on the outside. She was pretty sure that there were a lot of women who would do anything to be in her position.

“It doesn’t matter that you aren’t a part of the pack right now. Once you go through the mating ceremony with me, you will be. However, I’ll make you love me. You’ll beg me to go through the mating ceremony with you. I might even let you keep your son.”

Zahra’s heart lurched and she shook her head, certain that he hadn’t just said those words.

“What do you mean?”

“In the wild, when an animal takes a mate, he kills any offspring that aren’t his. Jace won’t ever be the alpha, but you can keep him.”

“I don’t even know what to say to that ridiculous statement. I’ll be clear. We will never be mates, I will never be your Luna, and you need to stay the hell away from Jace.”

“You’ll change your mind,” Elias called after her as she stalked away.

That evening, John called.

“Hi, Daddy. How are things?”

“Well, not great.”

Instantly panicked, Zahra’s heart sank. “What’s wrong?”

“There’s no easy way to say this, so I’ll just get to the point. Your mother has been diagnosed with breast cancer. The prognosis is good and she’s starting treatment this week. However, she could use your support, and with cancer, you just never know.”

“We’ll come home,” Zahra said. “I’ll start packing tonight and hire movers to clean the place out. You can sell the house from there, can’t you?”

“Yes.”

“Okay. I love you, Daddy, and kiss Mom for me.”

She went down to the basement, grabbed the few boxes she had brought with her from Angel’s Creek, and started packing. Zahra managed to get her room cleaned out, except for the bed sheets she would sleep on that night. She was also able to pack most of the kitchen.

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