Reckless Regrets
Chapter 31

Morgan

After my little chat Cameron, I went up to Xander’s office. I needed to find out if we could end my leave early and if I would even be welcome in the packhouse. I never asked, but because I was no longer ranked, maybe I’d have to live in the village. I figured I should get this straight before I got too comfortable. I got to his door and knocked, then waited for him to let me know I could come in.

“I’m not used to that, at all. Your guy never knocks and waits. I don’t think he knows how a closed-door works,” he stood to his feet and said.

“My guy? As of fifteen minutes ago, my guy is a four-year-old wolf who has somehow sweet-talked me into making him a triple layer chocolate cake. It was impressive.”

Xander gave me a tight hug and chuckled.

“You’ve met Cam. That kid is pretty amazing if I’m being honest. I’m sure he has found a way to connect with everyone in this house without any fear at all. We’ve enjoyed having him here with us.”

We took our seats, and I was relieved when I realized that I wasn’t nervous. I knew Xander and knew that whatever decision he’d made regarding me would be what was for the best. He always thought of others; the fact that he’d allowed Cameron and his caretaker to live here for a month proved that. So, I was ready for whatever it was that he had planned for me.

“Okay, let skip the formalities and just tell me. Where am I going? What will my responsibilities be? Whatever it is, I’ll make it work,” I told him.

He set his ice-blue eyes on me but didn’t say anything. Great, now I was nervous. I began to fidget in my seat while I impatiently waited, and when it was too much, I threw my hands up and yelled.

“Would you stop that?! Just tell me.”

Xander laughed then leaned back in his seat.

“Sorry, I had to pay you back for leaving us the way you did. Anyway, to answer your question, you’re going to the third floor. Your room is still your room that has not changed. As for responsibilities, you can pick up the Gamma Female role; you should be able to balance it while you focus on the bakery and the baby if that’s the route you choose to take.”

He took a breath and rubbed his hands across his face.

“I have to admit that it hurt to hear that you thought I’d just toss you aside like you meant nothing to us when this all happened. Yes, Kade brought you to us, but you still became a part of my family, and you always will be. You’re important to me, Morgan, and we’ll always take care of you, understand?”

“I understand. My brain was all over the place, but I recognize where I went wrong. I’m sorry.”

“No need to apologize, it’s behind us. I’ll get everything in order for your new role, and we can make it official tonight or tomorrow. Obviously, the Gamma and Gamma female are usually mates, but they are also usually wolves and not bears, so it seems I have a thing for changing the status quo. Either way, I’ve got a bit of paperwork to handle.”

He stood up and walked around to give me another hug.

“Oh, and one last thing. I don’t see an issue with you spending time with Cameron, but just like you discussed in the car, keep it light. He’s under my protection not just physically but mentally and emotionally as well. We don’t want to hurt him in any way.”

“I understand, and I can do that. No problem.”

I leaned up and kissed his cheek before I rushed out of the office and down to my room. I’d missed the space, especially the smell. I walked into Kade’s closet and buried my face in his clothes. The scent was mouthwatering and made me really wish I could lick him at this very moment.

After a few minutes, this began to feel more stalkerish than nostalgic, so I opted to take a nap on his side of the bed instead. I snuggled up into the pillow and smiled when I saw the picture he had on his nightstand.

The night he proposed, the best night of my life.

I drifted off with hopes that we’d get to finish what we started and that one day soon, he would be able to hold me in his arms again.

***

After the best nap I’d had in a long time, I headed down to the kitchen to make the cake I’d promised Cameron. I was surprised to see him walking into the packhouse as soon as I stepped off the bottom step.

“There she is! I told you she was real,” he pointed to me and yelled.

He ran over and took my hand, smiling up at me.

“I told Nate I had a girlfriend, but he said you were imaginary,” he told me, disgust clearly written on his adorable little face.

“I’m so not imaginary. Are you here to help me make the cake?”

“Can I? I’m a really good helper, I promise.”

He was so innocent and lovable.

“Sure, you can. I just need to find an apron that will fit you.”

“Apron?! Those are for girls, ick!”

I laughed and thought fast.

“An apron is a baker’s cape; every good superhero needs a cape,” I said.

“Well, if that’s true, then I want a blue cape.” Great, now I needed to find an apron that was not only small but blue.

“Hi, I’m Nathan. I’m taking care of Cam while he’s here,” the other guy said.

“I’m sorry! I was distracted by this handsome little guy here. I’m Morgan,” I replied with a smile.

“Ahh, I’ve heard a lot about you,” he said, and I knew he wasn’t just referring to me being Cameron’s ‘girlfriend.’

“Good things, I hope. Are you helping with the cake too? Finding a cape to fit you shouldn’t be too hard.”

“I’m terrible in the kitchen, but I’ll watch if that’s okay.”

“It’s fine. You guys just wait here, I’ll be right back,” I told them before I headed off to the supply closet to see what I could scrounge up.

Thankfully Alaia had aprons made for both Xayden and Alex, why I had no idea, and one was blue. Perfect. I returned to the living room and retrieved my helpers, then set off to the kitchen to begin.

Cameron was an excellent helper in theory. He was willing to measure, stir, and mix whatever I needed. But he couldn’t read too well, and “flying” sugar into a bowl instead of merely pouring it made the process a little more challenging.

But he was having fun. And it gave me an idea. I wanted to have days at the bakery where parents could bring their kids in and let them make their own cookies or cakes.

They could make all the mess they wanted, as long as they had a smile on their face and a yummy goodie when it was all over. I needed to work that into the business plan somehow. I’d ask Matt or Tyson for help since my previous helper wasn’t available.

Eventually, we had a cake in the oven, and the smell of chocolate begin to permeate the space just as Matt walked in, carrying Genesis and sniffed the air.

“Oh my God, I missed you, Morgan. The kitchen staff are all incredible cooks, but no one bakes like you do,” he said.

“I hope you missed more than just my baking,” I replied.

He didn’t answer, though. He was too busy staring into his daughter’s eyes while she smiled at him. I’d never seen a daddy-daughter duo as in love with each other as those two; it made me wonder how Kade would be with our baby; if I kept it.

“If you don’t mind me asking Beta, how many children do you have?” Nathan asked.

“Three, two of them biologically. This little angel is my firstborn; then we have a set of twin boys.”

Nate looked confused by the numbers.

“One of the perks of being in a poly relationship. One of the twins is a wolf, the other a bear, so it’s clear which one of us made them. But if my wife carried and gave birth to the child, then it’s mine just as much as it’s hers or anyone else’s.”

“Is it that way for all of you?”

“It is, and it’s the only way it will ever be in this pack. B***d doesn’t necessarily build bonds, but love does,” Matt stated.

He walked by and ruffled Cameron’s hair then left the kitchen, but not before making sure a piece of cake was set aside for him and Taylor.

“I’ve never experienced poly relationships before. Canyon Woods has never had any, especially not with the ranked members, and you guys have two,” Nate looked to me and confessed.

“Technically, we have three. We’re pretty sure that Genesis, the little princess you just met, will have both Xayden and Alex as mates. Obviously, we have to wait until they are all of age, but none of us are betting against it.”

“Is it weird?”

“For me, no. But I’m on the outside looking in; I only know about the parts they share with me. They all seem to be happy, though, and I can’t call anything that makes my family happy ‘strange’ or ‘weird.’”

“Wow. This pack isn’t at all what I thought it was. We grew up being told that you guys were selfish pricks,” he stated matter of factly.

“Damn. I don’t know why anyone would say that, but as you can see, that’s not the case. What you see is what you get with us.”

Cameron grew tired of the conversation and opted to go outside to play while the cake finished, and I took the time to continue to talk with Nate and get to know him. It was clear that omegas were not treated very well at Canyon Woods, and I wanted to learn all about that. It would be my job to take care of our omegas, and I would make sure they never felt like they weren’t respected or appreciated.

***

Once the cake cooled, Cameron came back to help me ice it, and then he sat down to enjoy a huge slice. The smile he wore the entire time said that he enjoyed it, and it made me so happy to see. I didn’t know if it was because of his relation to Kade or his personality, but I was drawn to him.

“So, how are you doing with training? Have you ever trained before?” I asked Nate.

“Never, and it’s brutal. Your trainer is tough as hell, but his mate, she’s even worse,” he replied with a nervous laugh.

“Aires is a total badass, that’s for sure. But no one will be weak if those two have anything to do with it.”

“I’m uncoordinated, not the strongest, and my stamina is crap, but I’m sticking with it. I don’t have much choice since Alpha Black commanded it, but I want to see if I can do it.”

“I’m sure you can. It will just take a little time. Have you trained with my cousin yet?”

“No! That guy is huge; he’d kill me. He only works with the Alpha, the Beta, and the highly skilled fighters. I’m in the baby leagues,” he joked.

“We all have to start somewhere. Don’t let his size fool you; at one point, Tyson was small and uncoordinated too. It took years for him to get where he is and have the skills he has. If it’s what you want, then you’ll figure out how to make it work.”

He smiled at me as he finished his cake.

“I hope you and Kade figure out how to make it work. He’s a cool guy; I think he deserves you.”

Nate then picked up a passed-out Cameron and carried him back to their house for the night. I hoped we could make this work, too; there was nothing I wanted more.