His Alpha's Guardian

**Justin’s POV**

I asked Kataleya if she could go out with me tonight and just forget the pack... mean it is not like James and Oliver were not going to be her. Plus, our advisory council is here too, so if something were to happen, they would be fine. I wanted to take her for a picnic and a midnight stroll through the park where she had first confessed any type of feelings or emotions towards me. I felt that this was fitting for not only us having been Alpha's for five years officially, but, also, for the topic that I wanted to bring up with her.

I just wasn't sure how she was going to react to this. Kataleya has always been more reserved than I am, so this was definitely not something that I am sure she might react happily too...but, like my mom always said, you don't know unless you try, so I am going to try and hope like hell it goes well. We had finally finished with all our meetings that we had had for the past several hours and Goddess I was ready for them to be over. I enjoy being Alpha, not for the title, but rather because that means that I get to stay with my mate...neither over the other. We were truly equals. Not many mates could say that they were truly equal to their mate, but I could. For that, I was truly grateful. Don't get me wrong, I would have done anything for her if it meant that I got to stay by her side, even if that meant being her Luna. It was truly better being her equal. Neither one over the other. What I hated though was all these meetings and listening to whiny Alpha’s, and sometimes Beta, complain about pointless shit. Or they would try to get us to sign treaties with their pack, but the treaty would only truly benefit them and it would not benefit either party mutually.

I had finished getting ready and told Kat to meet me in my car, so that I could go get something for our impromptu date. I rushed back to the packhouse to the Omegas, who had prepared us a nice little picnic complete with all of Kataleya's favorites. I even had them throw in her favorite type of wine. I closed my eyes before heading back to our house. Goddess, I hope she likes this. I silently prayed to the Moon Goddess, Selene.

By the time that I made it back to our home, Kataleya was already waiting for me in my car. She eyed the basket I was carrying suspiciously.

“Do you plan on telling me what you have planned for tonight?”

“Nope! It shall remain a surprise until we are there, my queen.”

“You continuously try to amaze me,” she laughed. Her laughter was like music to my ears. If I could spend my days just listening to her musical laughter, then I would.

"You wouldn't love me if I didn't spice it up every once in a while. I got to leave you in suspicion!” We hopped in the car and drove out of the pack city limits.

“We are officially leaving pack limits. Please don't burn anything down. If we are too far to link, just call me if you need something. Try not to bother Kataleya, unless it is an emergency.’ I linked to Oliver and James.

“Roger that, boss!" they both exclaimed. I chuckled to myself and shook my head. Those two truly are characters.

“Are we going to ask mate tonight,’ Ares, my wolf, asked me.

'Yes...I just don’t know how she will take it...I know she has been tired of some of the women in the pack, and a few of the guys, constantly asking her. Hopefully, it is different if we are the ones that are bringing up the topic."

Ares sighed. We were both on the same page on this topic. I have tried to convince him to communicate with her wolf, Skye, but he is stubborn. He is worried about her rejecting his wants, so he is leaving me with the hard questions to ask...and the hard topics to broach, which is where I got the idea for this picnic. She can't get mad if I take her on a romantic stroll or on a picnic, right?

I pulled into the park and grabbed the basket before walking to her side of the car and opening the door for her.

I made my way to the spot that I had already preset for this occasion. I even went as far as to convince Aziel and Garrison to come out here and place the picnic blanket down for us and light candles around the area. I even had them hang up some fairy lights in the trees to try and give ita more romantic feel. However, from what Aziel told me, it was a bitch, so Kataleya had better appreciate it. I just laughed at him. I am sure she will like it regardless. I could have probably just placed a blanket straight on the ground and she would have been fine, but I was trying to make it as romantic as possible. It feels like it has been forever since we have had a night with just the two of us that did not involve us entertaining someone else...after all, like Kat has said, sometimes being Alpha reminds her of being a parent.

The moment that Kataleya saw the area that Aziel and Garrison had set for us, she gasped.

“Justin, did you do all this?” she said with surprise clearly laced in her voice.

“I did, but I did have some help. Garrison and Aziel came and set this all up for us while we were finishing this last meeting. Aziel did have a message that he would like me to pass on to him...he said that those fairy lights in the trees were a bitch and he hoped you appreciated all the hard work that he put in for you.”

Once again, her musical laughter rang through the air. She grabbed my hand and the pleasurable sparks flew up my arms. I would never tire of these sparks. It feels like heaven on wheels.

"Of course, I love it, my Alpha. I would have loved anything that you would have done for me.”

We walked over to the blanket and I helped her slowly sit down. After I sat down, I began pulling the different dishes the Omegas made out of the basket. The Omegas have really outdone themselves. Like, woah. This is huge. I pulled out two plates of steak that looked like they had just come off the grill, baked potatoes loaded with all the toppings, and salads for both of us. They had, also, put a container of freshly made chocolate covered with strawberries, homemade rolls with fresh strawberry butter, which was Kataleya's favorite, and then two bottles of champagne, a cork, and two champagne flutes. I must give it to them. They really thought of everything for this dinner for me.

We started our conversation with the simple stuff, like pack business and even talking about how Michael was doing. Even though she would not admit it, I could tell that she was really missing her older brother right now, but I knew it was just a matter of time before he came home. Hopefully, he returns with his mate. I remembered how terrified I was just thinking that Kataleya was going to reject me. I could not imagine what I would have done if she had actually gone through with the rejection. I am sure that it would have killed me.

There was a lull in the conversation as we both ate our meal in content peace. Once we had finished the main course, she was snacking on the strawberries when I decided to broach the topic that I had been wanting to discuss with her.

"Kataleya..."

"Hmm..." she mumbled, chewing around the strawberry.

“So, I was wondering what your thoughts were about starting a family? If you are not ready yet, just say it and I will drop the topic.” I finished in a hurry.

She chuckled. “You know, I have been waiting for you to ask me that. I figured with the pressure that the pack has been trying to put on us to start our family that it would only be a matter of time before you started to ask me those questions too.” She paused for a moment before she answered my question. “Il am not sure if I am ready for pups yet. I want to have a family with you, don’t get me wrong, but...” she trailed off, not finishing her sentence.

“It is okay if you are not ready for a family, but will you not tell me what is bothering you? I see the looks that you give families in the pack...I can tell that you are desperately ready to start a family with me...so what is holding you back? Give me the chance to ease your mind and your thoughts.” She was quiet for a moment before she answered, “What if I am not a good mother? What if the maternal gene skipped me? I have just gotten a hold of being an Alpha and not feeling like a total fuck up all the time....now throwing a baby into the mix? That just sounds like a recipe for disaster. The thought is scary to me. I want to have a family with you. More than anything, but the fear is still there. The fear is always present.”

“Baby, there is no such thing as the maternal gene skipping you. You are wonderful with the pups in the pack. They all adore you and not just because you are their Alpha. You will not be in this alone. I would be there with you, every step of the way. You will not have to worry about failing. Plus, you know, they say it takes a village to raise pups and honey, we have an entire village at our disposal. Everyone would be absolutely willing to help us if we needed it...and you know both of our mothers would help you, no matter the time of day that you are asking for help. We would be lucky if we were able to hold our children when they are born. I would be more worried that our parents would still keep the child from us.”

She smiled at me softly before she climbed into my lap. “You think we are ready, my Alpha?”

I smiled at her, placing a light kiss on her lips, “Of course, my queen. We can do anything as long as we are together. I promise. And I would never leave you. We would raise this child as one together. I am sure there will be some bumps along the way, but I know this is something that we can do... together, like always.”