His Little Wolf
Chapter 59

Bethany

“Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday dear Bella…happy birthday to you!”

“H*p h*p!”

“Hooray!”

“H*p h*p!”

“Hooray!”

I help her blow out her candles as Brooke holds her, she’s beaming and excited but I doubt she has a clue as to what is actually going on bless her! Calvin takes her 3-tier princess cake into the kitchen as Ashley comes over to swipe her from my arms before heading for the bouncy castle.

“Can you believe she’s 1 already? It feels like it’s been a lifetime since she was born, so much has happened this past year!” Brooke looks down with her loving smile as she rocks Levi in her arms, 2 new babies in under 2 weeks have been absolutely crazy, add in organizing Bella’s 1st birthday and you’d be right in guessing no one has slept much, least of all Ashley and Jack bless them willow isn’t a fan of sleeping but I’ve not once heard them complain.

“I know it’s unbelievable!” We take a seat at the table but I take Levi from Brooke before I sit down, I gently k**s his forehead and inhale deeply, the smell of a newborn is like nothing else.

“I know I am but I don’t mind you reminding me and Mary’s got Bella I heard ice cream mentioned!” Ashley sits next to me as he’s finishing speaking with a teeth wide smile and I can’t hold back my laugh.

“How you can be so bubbly running of so little sleep I’ll never know; Levi sleeps a lot more and I’m f****d!” Cal grunts out as he joins us at the table with a lost looking Jack following right behind him.

“How can I not be, I never thought I’d get to be a dad, I’m more than happy to run off little sleep until my princess is ready to sleep some more!” His excitement is infectious.

“What’s wrong Jack? You look like someone stole your popsicle!” Brooke laughs out, after realising neither Jack nor Ashley has willow, I quickly figure out that’s what’s up, they both have trouble letting her out of their sight even for one minute but I can understand it.

“Who stole her?” Ashley laughs out.

“Liam, apparently it’s uncle Liam time!” He grunts out like a 5-year-old and it got us all laughing.

“Aww, my poor baby come here!” Jack makes his way over to Ashley but instead of sitting next to him he lifts Ashley up and sits him in his lap, giving him a quick k**s. Soon enough his pout is gone and we’re all laughing and joking, someone catches my eye and I look up to find Liam walking towards us with willow in the crock of his arm, she looks so small in his arm and seeing how he is with all the babies does nothing to help ease my crush, will it ever end?

Both me and Brooke arranged this party together for Bella’s birthday and as I sit here looking around, I feel really proud of us, everything is princess themed, there’s a castle, a huge sandpit, a DJ with a bubble machine, a face painter, magician, 3 real-life princesses, a huge 3 tier cake and way too much food plus banners balloons and lots of cute little party hats.

All the children from the pack are here so it’s crazy loud but lots of fun and I’m glad she had this day, she may not understand or even remember but we will, we’ll remember the giggles and fun she had today. I just hope we made Josh and Harley proud!

By the time the party was over and everything cleaned up it was safe to say that everyone was more than ready for bed, well everyone except for me, my body is exhausted but my mind won’t shut off, I can’t stop thinking of Josh and Harley, of how they never got to see this day, of how Bella is trying her hardest to walk but they won’t see that either, or of how her babbling is slowly turning in to words, my mind is swirling and it’s driving me crazy!

A hot shower didn’t help relax me nether did my favourite tv series, I’m restless and need to walk this off, I’m currently only wearing a loose tee-shirt and panties so I throw on some long pajama pants, sneakers and hoody and head out for a walk.

It’s only 8.30 pm and it’s already dark but I enjoy walking in the dark especially when the sky is clear like tonight, bright stars shining down on me, I head for the tree line, to the memorial, maybe talking to my family will help settle my mind!

I sit down on the grass, leaning against the stone wall and before I know it, I have developed a severe case of word vomit! I can’t stop talking about anything and everything, my thoughts and feelings pouring out of me like the water pouring out of the waterfall beside me.

I hear rustling coming from the trees in front of me and I’m instantly on alert! I focus my eyes on where the noise is coming from and catch sight of the trees moving, I wouldn’t normally think anything of it but the night is calm and no other trees are moving, I stand up mentally getting ready to fight, I don’t know whos there but I don’t have my wolf yet neither do I know what I could be up against.

I step away from the memorial, if anything is going to happen, I don’t want it anywhere near my special place, the rustling gets louder and I focus my eyes and ears the best I can, even without my wolf I still have better hearing and sight than any human, the rustling starts up again and I hear noises, it sounds like someone saying hush but I can’t make it out clear enough to be sure.

I try and figure out my best move, I can face whoever is hiding or I can run, I am a fast runner but without knowing who is there I have no way of knowing how far I’d get or what will happen once my back is to turned.

“Who’s there?” I bellow out, keeping my voice strong and calm, I don’t get any response and I start to think that maybe I was imagining it when the trees start moving again and the whispering sound returns to my ears.

“This is your last chance to come out before I call for help, they won’t be so friendly!” I wait for a response, my heart is pounding in my ears, my pulse picking up pace, sweat dripping down my back, still, there’s nothing, I wait…and wait!

I get ready to link one of the warriors that I know is on duty when the trees slowly move and a figure steps out of the trees, a short figure, long hair down to their waist, it’s dark which hides their face, I can’t even see if it’s a man or a woman.

The figure starts slowly walking towards me, only seconds away from walking into the moonlight when I hear thudding noises and twigs snapping, trees rustling and I feel myself panic! I can’t link, anyone, because I can’t risk being distracted, the thudding gets closer, my heart beat faster and harder pounding in my ears.

The trees start frantically moving then within seconds all my fear leaves my body and I know I’m going to be ok as Jack, Liam, Calvin and warrior Toby step out from the trees quickly surrounding me.

I knew I was scared but I didn’t realise how much until I see them and I finally let out a breath I didn’t know I was holding as I turn my attention back to the figure that still hasn’t moved.

“Who are you and what are you doing on my lands?” Calvin booms out in his Alpha tone, the figure doesn’t make a sound but takes a step closer towards me right into the moonlight and finally, I see the face and body of a woman.

She’s completely naked and full of mud from head to toe, I can see b***d on her body legs and arms, she’s shaking and trails of dried tears run down her cheeks and my heart instantly goes out to her, what’s happened to her?

She takes another step towards me slowly closing the gap between us but it doesn’t last for long as I feel an arm go around my waist and I’m pulled back into a hard chest, I see the ring on his finger and I know it’s Jack, at the same time Calvin, Liam and Toby all stand in front of me.

“I’m only going to ask you one more time, who are you and what are you doing on my lands?” Calvin’s tone is firm and honestly scary!

“My name is…is… Rose and I was just looking for somewhere to sleep, I… I was going to sleep in the tree bush until morning and then move on…I’m so sorry, I didn’t know I was on anyone’s lands, I… I don’t mean any harm…please don’t hurt me!” By the time she finishes speaking she’s in tears and it pulls at my heart.

“Where have you come from?” Liam’s tone is a bit softer than Calvin’s but rougher than normal.

“I can’t say, if I do and you tell him, he’ll come for me, please…please just let me go…I will leave straight away!”

“If you don’t tell us we will have to assume you are a Rogue and looking for trouble and that won’t end well for you!” She looks straight at Calvin and I swear she looks ready to pass out.

“I’m from the red moon pack, I was mated to their Beta…he was challenged for his title two weeks ago but..he didn’t make it..then the new Beta decided he wanted me along with the Beta title…he.he..I!” She doesn’t even manage to finish her sentence before sobs wreck her body and she crumbles to the floor.

“Is there anyone else with you?” She shakes her head no as she continues to cry.

“Who were you talking to earlier?” There’s no way she’s alone! She looks shocked as I speak up but quickly tries to cover it unfortunately for her she’s not quick enough.

“What are you talking about Beth?” Cal turns his attention to me while Liam keeps his eyes firmly on the girl.

“Earlier I heard whispering coming from the trees before she stepped out!”

“No, you heard wrong, there’s no one else here, it’s just me!” The words fly out of her mouth so fast laced with panic that it’s clear to everyone that she’s lying!

Liam takes a step towards the trees but she tries to stop him by jumping up from the floor and straight in front of him, Calvin’s quick to react and pulls her back as Liam steps into the trees with Toby watching his back and returns just seconds later with a little girl in his arms.

She looks about 3 and is filthy dirty in torn rags as clothes, she calls out “Momma” The moment she sees Rose and everything falls into place! Liam hands the little girl over to her mom and she clings to her with everything she has.

“Why didn’t you tell us your daughter was hidden in there?”

“I’m sorry, I was scared, please don’t hurt her, you can do whatever you want to me but please not her!” What the f**k has she been through to think any of us would hurt her daughter?

“No one’s going to hurt either of you, now do either of you require medical treatment?”

“I don’t think so… I don’t know!” Her shoulders sag and she looks completely deflated.

I can see the torn look on all the men’s faces but I know what they will do. Calvin steps back up to her and checks her over for any hidden weapons, she may be naked but believe me she could still hide a weapon.

Once he’s satisfied Jack comes over and slowly takes the little girl from her, whispering soothing words to her to help keep her calm and Calvin picks Rose up and they head to the doc with Toby on their heal.

“Are you ok sweetheart?” My attention is dragged away from the girl by Liam’s soothing voice.

“I’m fine, how did you all know?”

“Bethany you are always safe, always protected, one of the guards saw you heading to the memorial so he linked me to let me know and he kept watch, he saw the girl heading your way before you did and linked me!” I should be pissed that I can’t get two minutes of peace around here but I’m not, I like feeling safe, I like feeling loved!

“Come on let’s go say goodnight to everyone before we head back to the packhouse, I’ve got grease and popcorn on standby!” He gives me his knee-weakening smile as he takes my hand and pulls me back over to the memorial.