Ascension of a Gamma

Chapter 80 Little Alphas

“I'm thinking of adopting,” said Gale as he ran a hand though his hair. “I haven't talked t o Andrix about it yet, but he won't be averse at the idea, would he?”

Rigel calmly drank his glass of bourbon, which was from Liam's not-so-secret personal collection. “A human kid?" he asked.

“No, you fucking dumbass. Do you want the kid to die?” Gale said, scowling.

Liam muttered under his breath, something about not having a moment of quiet time for himself as he scanned and signed through a stack of documents. Gray streaks dyed his hair, and lines had begun to show on his face. He had a stubble from having forgotten to shave that morning. It was because of the children jumping up on him before daybreak.

Sighing, he signed the last of the fist stack. Gale and Rigel were still bickering on how to make the adoption work.

"What if the kid's a spy?” asked Rigel as he poured himself another glass.

The stress from work showed on the occasional drooping of his eyes. The Delta Unit were sent to a recon mission for the past week and they had just returned.

"You're overthinking it! Don't you want me to have a kid?"

Rigel filled another glass and placed it on Liam's desk.

“Thanks,” Liam grumbled.

Looking after two packs was taxing work. He'd thought about absorbing the Black Mist Pack into the Red Claw Pack, and Carson and Andrix had proposed the idea to him. He rejected it. Anna kept the packs separate in honor of her father and he wasn't about to ruin what she left behind.

A knock interrupted the three of them.

“Come in, babe,” said Gale, then turning to Rigel, “Not a word.”

Andrix showed signs of aging as well, but he still had that charismatic air around him. Gale walked up to him and pulled him into a quick kiss that had Rigel looking away.

“Hello, you. You're here early,” said Gale.

“I was here earlier but I went to check on my nephews and niece,” Andrix said, chuckling. “Hey, Liam, Rigel.”

Liam grumbled.

Not a moment of peace.

“You didn't give them chocolate, did you?” he asked, not looking up.

"I left the treats at the cupboard,” answered Andrix. “It's like they were wearing diapers only yesterday, now they're running around like they never tire.”

“They don't,” muttered Liam.

Each one constantly seeked his attention for whatever reason, no matter the time, be it the middle of the night or three in the morning.

"You ready to go?”

Gale nodded, clasping Andrix's hand. “See you all tomorrow,” he said.

Rigel raised his glass, smirking at Gale.

“So... how are you holding up?”

“Good.”

“It's tough having kids, isn't it?”

Liam sighed. It required immeasurable patience that he could just snap at times. If he wasn't working, he was playing with the kids. He drank the last of the bourbon then rubbed his temples. “It's not always a piece of work. I love those kids, but the only time I get peace and quiet i s when I'm asleep,” he answered.

Rigel chuckled, put the glass down, then stood.

“You can say that again.”

Rigel observed him for a while but said nothing. His brother had been more and more absorbed in his work over the years. He took it as his brother's way of coping with Anna's loss.

“Carson proposed we all go out for a boy's night. You can leave the kids at my place. Sabri loves having them around Raixel and Rasi.” 1

“I'll think about it,” answered Liam, finishing another stack, then starting with another.

Rigel nodded, then left.

As the door clicked, the pen stopped moving. Liam set it down, then deeply sighed. They'd been worrying about him as of late and tried to get him away from his work. He wasn't enslaved to his work, he simply found that when he did have some quiet time, it wasn't to his liking.

Alone in his office, surrounded by stacked documents and empty furniture in the quiet, there were too many reminders of his inner condition.

Liam glanced at his watch; it was almost four. The kids would be home soon.

After cleaning up for the day, he grabbed his jacket from the rack then went to the kitchen. Minutes before five, a car stopped outside and in seconds, roaring laughter and loud voices pushed back the silence better than the simmering pot of sauce.

He heard small footsteps coming to his direction and the squeak of sneakers on the floor as two more sets hurriedly ran up the stairs. Liam's lips pulled into a grin. They knew what they did today and that they were in for it, so they were going to use his weakness against him to soften him up a bit.

A little girl came into the kitchen, wearing Timberland boots and a thick jacket. She had a white bonnet on, which was a contrast to her long dark brown hair. Her honey glazed orbs sparkled when she saw Liam, white teeth flashing.

“Daddy!” she squealed as soon as she saw him.

Liam opened his arms to her while crouching. The little girl giggled, then dropping her bag to the floor, ran up to him that her bonnet dropped to the floor, and threw her arms around his neck.

“I missed you, Daddy!"

He hugged her tightly, feeling his tiredness leave his body. “I missed you too, baby. How was school?”

wa

She scrunched up her nose and stuck her tongue out.

“I don't like school,” she whined.

"Why not, baby?” asked Liam, patting her head.

“The boys pulled my chair this morning. I fell and hurt my butt,” she said, her cheeks

blushing.

Liam held back his anger. “Who pulls your chair, baby? Does it hurt? We can call Aunty L," he said worriedly.

The little girl shook her head. “It doesn't hurt now, Daddy. It hurt this morning. Then, w e had lunch and they said “sorry’ and gave me their cookies.”

Liam grinned. “What did you tell them, baby?" he asked.

"I said “okay’, then took their cookies. I had three cookies and they didn't have cookies and I felt bad, so I gave them back their cookies,” she said proudly. “And if they pull my chair again, I'll tell on them. I told them my Daddy was a big strong Alpha!” she exclaimed while pressing Liam's cheeks together.

Liam laughed at her. Some of those kids wouldn't understand what she meant.

She crossed her arms and pouted. “I still don't like them, Daddy. I'll never talk to them again. Ever!” Liam brushed her hair and fixed the headband that was almost to her forehead.

“Don’t worry, baby. They won't pull your chair again. I promise.”

"You mean it, Daddy?” she asked, almost teary-eyed. “Everyone laughed at me and teacher didn't see them. She got mad at me. It hurt when I sit down.”

He kissed her forehead while getting up, holding her to his side. “They won't hurt you again, baby. And I'll have a talk with Mrs. Wilson. Don't you worry."

As she saw what her Daddy was cooking, her eyes sparkled. Her stomach let out a sound.

Liam chuckled as she blushed deeper.

“Go and change, baby. I'll have a huge serving ready for you when you come down,” he said, putting her down. “And call your brothers, will you, baby?”

“Are you mad at them, Daddy?" she asked slowly, rocking on her boots.

“I'm not mad at them, baby. But if they won't come down, they won't have dinner.”

She seemed to be thinking about it as her gaze shifted.

"Okay," she said finally, picking up her bag then leaving the kitchen.

After getting everything ready, Liam quickly made his way up his room, not the faintest sound heard save for the click of the bedroom doors. He took a quick shower, finally

shaved his stubble, much to his relief, changed into a suit, then went back to the kitchen.

Liam set the table for the four of them. He generously plated spaghetti for all of them, adding lots of shredded cheese just as the kids liked it. Taking the bottle, he brought out earlier, he poured Chianti for himself and for the kids, carbonated water.

The big bowl at the center had Alia's eyes sparkling. It was filled with her favorite, fried chicken. “Daddy, I love you!" she squealed, running to him to give him a hug. The skirt of her royal blue dress fluffed as she ran as fast as her short legs could let her, from the door to one end of the table. Liam kneeled to her level so he could receive her hug.

The two boys inched their way inside the dining room while Liam pulled a chair for his little girl. She giggled as she sat down. “Thank you, Daddy.”

“You're very welcome, baby,” he replied, smiling.

Slowly, he turned to face the boys. Aylan pushed his glasses up as he stared at the floor. H e had one hand hidden on a pocket of his black slacks, which was paired with a well ironed white dress shirt. His lips pursed. Then he took out his hand to tinker with the black bowtie which was already neatly worn.

On the other hand, Amiry looked to the side as if the wall was the most interesting thing. His dress shirt tucked on one side, the dark blue tie hanging down his shoulders.

While it was difficult to tell which was who, they gave themselves away with the way they carried themselves. Unless they were playing a prank on Liam, again. Tonight, however, h e felt that they weren't — even the two troublemakers wouldn't dare.

He kept his face placid, his cold demeanor making the boys more and more uncomfortable each passing second.

Internally, Liam was glad and couldn't be prouder of them. They protected their sister from her bullies, but he still had to reprimand them for skipping a few minutes of training. Liam cleared his throat.

"Won't you join your sister at the table? Food's going to get cold.”

The two boys stared at each other's deep brown orbs, mirroring each other's confusion. Aylan shrugged, then took his seat on Alia’s right. Amiry sat on her left. Liam was

directly opposite Alia.

“Fix your tie, Amiry,” said Liam coolly.

The little boy fumbled with the tie for a few minutes, tying and untying until he got it decent. Without being told, he tucked in his dress shirt, giving him a neater look.

Liam smiled as the kids ate their servings and gladly served them seconds. The chicken was devoured first, and the shredded cheese followed. Sauce smothered their lips and

cheeks, which he found funny but held back from laughing in front of them. For now, he just wanted to enjoy a nice dinner with his family.

Afterward, the kids were leaning back on their seats. Liam drank the last of his wine, then got up, and wet a napkin. Amiry scowled as Liam wiped his face clean. Alia was all smiles and giggling while Aylan was as rigid as a tree.

“Thank you, Daddy,” said Alia, then nudged her brothers.

“Thanks... Dad,” Aylan said awkwardly, looking to the floor.

Amiry just crossed his arms.

Liam pretended not to notice their little acts as he collected the dishes to the sink, smiling to himself.

The little girl nudged Amiry again, this time glaring at him with her cheeks puffed up. She was mad, but she looked adorable.

Amiry pursed his lips, then, in a strained voice said, “Thanks for... dinner, Dad.”

“You're very welcome,” Liam drawled. “Now, who wants to watch a movie?”

“Me!” exclaimed Alia. “It's my turn, Daddy!"

"Alright, baby. What do you want to watch?” he asked.

The boys visibly cringed. She always chose a Barbie movie. They looked at their Dad with pleading eyes, but he smirked at them.

“I know a movie you haven't seen yet,” he said.

Alia giggled and shook her head. The boys were looking expectantly at her.

Liam pouted. “No?”

She pushed his cheeks together. “Amiry and Aylan don't like girl movies. They like dinosaurs.” Amiry nodded in approval.

"Are you sure, baby? It's your turn. You can choose anything you like.”

“Rawr!!l” She held her hands out like claws and Liam gasped, stumbling back.

“Calm down, dinosaur,” he said, and she giggled.

He brushed the strands of hair from her face and smiled. “You go ahead and get everything ready, baby. Daddy has something to say to your brothers.”

"But _*

“Go on, baby. We won't keep you waiting.”

Alia looked at her brothers and they nodded slightly at her, accepting their fates. Their Dad was strict with them with training, simply because they were the next to take over as Alpha. Their cousins Raixel and Rasi were always training with them. Either of them could be the next Head Gamma. Liam gestured for them to take their seats. He sat opposite them, calmly observing their fidgeting fingers.

"We don't want to keep your sister waiting,” he said slowly. “Gale and Rigel had the scouts and spies looking for both of you within the territory. Where were you?”

They glanced nervously at each other. “Being an Alpha means learning to take responsibility for your actions. Every decision you make has a good or bad effect on the pack. Do you understand?” They nodded.

"Good. Now tell me why you were twenty minutes late for training today.”

Aylan chewed on his lip, his gaze moving to the side to glance at his brother.

“Lame humans,” Aylan muttered.

“What did you do?” he asked, getting up slowly, the chair scraping against the floor.

Aylan nudged Amiry.

The truth was that Liam already knew. He simply wanted to test them and to make sure there would be no troublesome qualms with the humans.

"We made them cry,” answered Amiry, crossing his arms and puffing up his chest.

His eyes met Liam's cold, calm gaze. He held it for two seconds before looking away, mumbling, “Sorry”, under his breath.

“Go on,” Liam stated.

“I- 1 punched the bathroom wall,” said Aylan sheepishly.

That's my boy!

“They made Alia cry,” Amiry said quietly. “They laughed at her when she fell. Humans are weak.” "And lame,” added Aylan, pushing his glasses up. “Alia was smiling and saying it's okay.”

"And Phil called her “ugly’, Dad!” said Amiry.

Liam's eyebrow twitched. A young kid called his adorable, sweet baby “ugly”?

“We told them to say “sorry’ to her and if they don't Aylan will punch them.”

Aylan crossed his arms, too. “And if they hurt her again, we told them their parents will lose their jobs,” he said proudly.

Who was teaching these kids?

“They didn't understand,” said Amiry, smirking. “Of course, they didn't, bro. They're lame humans,” said Aylan.

Liam sighed. They'd been spending too much time with Andrix.

“Amiry, Aylan, an Alpha protects the people he loves. I am very proud of you both for defending your sister,” he said and the two beamed. “But next time something happens, you leave it to the grown-ups, alright? They don't know we exist, and it is very important we keep it that way. Do you understand?”

“Dad, we are stronger than anyone in our class,” said Amiry, scowling.

“There are kids of Alpha blood in your class, too, Amiry,” said Liam, sighing.

"We're stronger, Dad,” said Aylan. “And humans are lame. Why should we keep hiding?” “We're not hiding, little Alphas. We are simply co-existing. Don't show your strength unless absolutely necessary. Am I clear?”

“Daddy!” called Alia.

She had the speakers turned up loud that the opening was loudly heard in the dining room to the kitchen.

"Am 1?" Liam repeated.

The boys nodded.

"Yes, Alpha,” they responded.

“Good. Now go join your sister.”

Liam washed the dishes before joining his kids. They were all gathered on the couch, with him in the middle, the two boys on his right and his only daughter, who used his leg as a pillow, to his left. The screen was showing the group of young dinosaurs leaving their homes, but Liam wasn't paying attention.

His mind drifted to his two little Alphas who would someday take over the Red Claw Pack. His little girl would grow up to be the Alpha of the Black Mist Pack. It went without saying that she'd be single until she was at least thirty since Liam would bar all boys from getting a meter close to her. They'd have to keep their dicks in their pants, or he'd cut them off and feed it to them himself. No one, not a single guy, no matter his position, was ever going to steal his only daughter from him. He smiled to himself. Time flew by quickly. It seemed only yesterday, they were crawling and cooing. Next thing he knew, he was chasing them all over the house. Now, they were already five, old enough to start getting involved with the pack. Soon, he'd be an old man and they'd be all grown up.

They'd start their own lives and he'd have to look forward to his own end. Although Liam was content with how things were, and that the boys and Lexy assured him he was doing well, the emptiness haunted him. It was in the peaceful moments, when his mind was tired and his heart, vulnerable, that the sneaky darkness in his soul seeped through its confines.

No matter the distractions he set for himself, it found a way to remind him that something... someone... was missing.

The movie ended. The kids yawned and stretched. Alia hesitated to get up from the couch. Holding her hands out, Liam had to carry her in his arms and bring her to her room, with the boys behind them.

"Goodnight, Dad,” said Aylan, hugging his side.

Amiry followed.

“Goodnight, Dad,” he said, hugging his other side. Their heights only allowed them to reach his hips, so he had to bend a little on one knee.

"Goodnight, Alia,” said the two, kissing her cheeks.

She giggled and said, “Goodnight, Aylan. Godnight, Amiry.”

“Remember to brush your teeth,” said Liam as they closed the door. He brought Alia inside her room and laid her on the bed.

“You should brush your teeth first, baby,” he said.

Alia yawned. “Okay,” she said softly.

Liam waited for her to finish, helped her with her pajamas, then tucked her in.

"Goodnight, baby,” he said, kissing her forehead.

“Daddy...”

She looked up at him with a guilty look.

"... I think Amiry and Aylan scared them. Amiry looked angry when they laughed at me.”

“They love you, baby. It is natural for them to get angry when someone hurts you.”

“You won't get mad at them, Daddy?” she asked softly.

Liam smiled and shook his head. “I can never get mad at you three, baby. Now, go to sleep. We're going somewhere tomorrow.”

“Where, Daddy?” she asked, her eyes half-closed.

“It's a surprise, baby,” he whispered.

Liam left her room, closing the door slowly. Then, he checked up on the boys.

“Dad?” called Amiry just as he was about to close the door.

He turned the lights on and entered the room with the door halfway open.

"We did something,” said Aylan. The two were in their pajamas, sitting up on their beds. Thinking they were acting on the Alpha talk he just gave them, he sat on Amiry’s bed, patiently waiting for them to talk.

Aylan took out an all too familiar envelope from the top drawer of his nightstand. “We're

sorry, Dad,” he said quietly.

Liam sighed. “Did you read it?" he asked. They both nodded.

"Alia wanted to play dress-up and thanks to someone, our ties were destroyed,” said Aylan. Liam raised a brow, pushing the matter into the back of his head.

“I was this close to making a slingshot!” roared Amiry.

That's not how you make a slingshot.

"Alia’s asleep.”

Amiry looked to the side. “Sorry, Dad.”

"Come here.” Liam beckoned to Aylan to sit beside his brother.

He gathered the two in front of him, then asked, “Is there a reason why you're telling me this now?” The two boys looked at each other and smiled.

“It's Mom's birthday!” exclaimed Amiry and Aylan shushed him.

“You know, for what you did for your sister today, she would've been so proud of all of you,” said Liam, ruffling their hairs.

“Mom... loves us, right, Dad?” asked Aylan

“Very much, Aylan.”

“She'll come back, right?” asked Amiry.

"Aunty L said the Goddess will return Mom if we're good. But we made you mad today,” said Aylan, his gaze downcast.

"Uncle Gale and Uncle Rigel were mad at us, too,” added Amiry.

“Is She not going to return Mom because of us?” asked Amiry, his eyes brimming with tears. “We- We promise not to be late to training.”

Liam's chest tightened. Lexy shouldn't have said that. Though he hoped within his heart that she will, there were no facts, no signs, no evidence that she would ever return.

The boys rubbed their eyes with the back of their arms. They were old enough to understand the contents of the letter. Reading how much Anna loved them fueled their guilt. However, they had nothing to be guilty of — there was simply an abundance of love i

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n the family. And Liam fought back tears of his own from the blessings Anna had left him.

Liam engulfed them both in a hug. He kissed the top of their heads as he patted their backs. “She loves all of you so, so much.”

"Will Mom come back to us?” asked Aylan, sniffling.

“She is always with us, Aylan, Amiry. She's watching over us, always,” he replied, pulling away. “It's already late. Go to bed, little Alphas.”

Aylan picked up the envelope and handed it to him.

"Keep it,” he said, and the little boy hugged it to his chest as he went back to his own bed. “Does Alia know?”

“No,” answered Amiry.

Fair enough

"We'll let her know tomorrow, Dad,” said Aylan. “Mom loves her, too.”

“Dad, do you miss Mom?" asked Amiry when Liam was by the door.

“Always,” he replied with his back to them. “Now go to sleep.”

“We love you, too, Dad,” said Aylan, melting his heart.

"We do,” added Amiry, yawning.

It took him a moment to get over the shock. The boys usually shied away from things that were normal to their sister.

“I love you, too, little Alphas,” he replied as he closed the door slowly.

His legs carried him to his room, walking like he was possessed while his mind wandered. He sat at the edge of the bed. Atop the nightstand, beside the lamp, was a photo frame laid flat on its face. He raised it and let it sit. It was a picture of Anna, one that she included with the letter.

Her beaming face brought a longing smile on Liam's face.

"You are simply amazing, my love. The kids love you even though they've never met you. They know you by the stories and the pictures — they are in awe of you, brownies... as am

I

Liam raised the frame and brought it to his lips. His fingers stroked the glass lovingly as i fit would crack. Luca purred; his eyes closed as he remembered how she used to play with

his fur. “Happy Birthday, my love.”