Page 81 of His Rejected Alpha Mate
“Alpha? The elves are here.” Dalton, Axel’s long suffering assistant, announced. He sighed. “You haven’t seen Axel, have you? We were supposed to have a meeting.”
Kade and Blake shared a concerned look, but Dakota spoke. “I saw him showing Teárlach some of the increased security when I went to escort Jasper here.”
Dalton rolled his eyes. “Of course. Nevermind.”
He showed the elves in. “Ah! It’s great to see you all!” Ívarr said cheerfully. His formerly cold exterior was gone. “I’ve missed the pack.”
“As have I,” said Hakeem. “I wanted the opportunity to meet the babies if you would allow me to?”
“Of course,” said Kade, rising to show Hakeem over to the stroller where the babies were still sleeping.
“They are strong, those alphas.” Hakeem beamed at Kade. “Congratulations alpha mate. They have a powerful life force and a long future ahead.” He patted Kade on the back and bent to inspect the babies. “Ah, the omega will be fierce. His wolf will cause him trouble, his alpha sister will keep him in line.”
“Do you know anything about alpha females?” Kade asked.
“That’s what we came to tell you. Hakeem is older than me and remembers them. However, we worried that this would not be enough for your council and searched our archives for written records. Then we had to wait for permission to remove them from our realm.”
“So, what did you learn?” Kade looked so worried. Blake moved to wrap an arm around him. I listened while I watched Hakeem with the babies. One was awake, little Felix I was sure, and holding the elf’s finger in his tiny hand.
“Alpha females existed long ago. They were fertile in that both alpha and omega males could impregnate them. There are also stories that say they could impregnate omega females.”
What?
Reconnection
Dakota
“Longago,packswereled by alpha females, until there was a war. All the alpha females were killed or fled the rising alpha males. Shifter fertility suffered, it decimated the population. There was a sickness, similar to that of the beta sickness. After, far fewer children were born and heats began.”
The room lapsed into silence while we digested Ívarr’s words. The weight of this sat heavy on me. Kade and his children were going to be targets when this got out. The pack members that knew were sworn to silence. A few had shown disgust and fear over the massive change that Elliotte represented. We were keeping a close watch on them, but there was only so much we could do. This would get out.
The female betas loved their little alpha princess. To them, she was an inspiration. I wasn’t so fragile in my masculinity that I was frightened of her. It gave me hope women would be treated more equally. I saw how beta females suffered, deemed to be less than their omega sisters, and I feared for Angelica. Living in a pack with an alpha female, though, would give her hope to aspire to something more.
“I believe The Luna is working through this pack.” Ívarr paced as he spoke. “That more changes are coming. I won’t pretend to know what or even to guess, but I have records of alpha females here that should allow some protection for the pack from the council.” He paused next to the stroller and lowered his voice as he gazed at the babies. “I cannot lie. There are tough times ahead for this pack. Just know the elves are here with you. Say the word and I can bring more here. I will insist that the council allow a portal in Sweetwater for the purpose of protecting this pack.” He lightly ran a finger over each baby’s head and muttered something in Elvish. “A blessing for each. Such treasures.”
Dakota, I’m scared for Kade and the babies. Ívarr sounds like he’s readying for war.
Me too.I didn’t downplay Jasper’s fears or minimize my own.We’ll help protect them. We have so many friends.The Sweetwater pack embraced other supernatural races, unlike many other packs. We were regular users of magic. We had ogres, vampires, and a nymph working for us. Those people had offered to come here and had integrated well. Despite my issues with Isaac, I knew the other vampire covens would stand with us, if only for them to look good in the eyes of the other races. The only race that we couldn’t count on was the fae, and perhaps some of our own. It would divide shifters. We could only hope that they would see it as the blessing that it was. A return to the ways before, when children weren’t so rare.
Much to my annoyance, Grady and Trey had settled in the house they had fallen in love with near to the compound. It was one of the old sleuth houses before the bears had returned to the main Sweetwater pack months ago. While their recovery had been faster than Axel’s and Angelica’s, they had still taken a few weeks to be fit to leave our house and live alone. They weren’t ready to work for the council in the same way they had. We could count on them at least because they had put down roots here and made friends. It was possible that we could use them to speak to the council for us if there were any issues.
Jasper must have read some thoughts flitting through my brain.Yes, Grady and Trey will help. They were there for Angelica her whole life. They can see for themselves how much better she has it here.His confidence in his friends eased my growing panic. They’d likely never be my friends. We’d gotten off to too bad of a start, but I appreciated how much they cared for Jasper and Angelica.
My mate squeezed my hand in support. Blake rested his hand on my shoulder. This was my family and my home. No harm would come to those babies.
The meeting broke up soon after. My parents had checked on Hiroshi, who was in surprisingly high spirits considering having fled from his home with nothing. The betas were healing up well.
“I’d like to meet Hiroshi soon.” Jasper said as we walked home through the omega area. There were only five weeks left before we could expect to meet our son, and I couldn’t wait. I’m sure Jasper wanted it to be sooner, judging by how difficult walking had become for him. Often he shifted to make the journey between the house and the mansion, like Angel and I did each morning.
The shifting was good for him, helping heal any aches and pains caused by the pregnancy. His fox looked so proud when they strutted about with their distended stomach, bushy tail in the air. They had every reason to; they looked amazing. Both did whatever form Jasper was in.
“You and Hiroshi in the same room doesn’t sound safe for me,” I joked. Jasper laughed, a pure, joyful sound. “I’d love for you to meet him. I think it would be good for Kade to have another omega male as a friend.”
“That’s a great point. They met before, didn’t they?”
I coughed.Fuck. How did I explain that meeting to Jasper? He must have read something on my face, or through the bond. He broke into laughter, doubling over with giggles.
“Oh, my, goddess! Your face!” He slapped a hand over his mouth and tried to quell his mirth. I loved how his amber eyes were lit with delight. The teasing was fine, if he was happy.
