I will be back

Aleida’s POV

I’ve taken the opportunity to spend time with my mates while I’m here. We ran in the woods together; their wolves were going crazy when they see my own wolf. If you think like this, when a person you like very much or even love disappears from you, even if it’s just for a while. Imagine that pain times ten; there you have how much pain a wolf feels. The human part can handle it reasonably, but the wolf part can’t, not in the same way. We’re just animals when we transform ourselves, not otherwise. When I shift, I take a step back and let my wolf Lisa be with her mates. I notice that Miliano and Kian do the same. At that moment, it’s just Lisa, Ryan, and Jax. No one else. It feels bizarre to take a step back to let another part of myself emerge. I must admit that I’m insanely uncomfortable when they begin having their ‘adult situations’ right before my eyes... Euw. I wonder if that’s what it looks and feels like to our wolves when we humans enjoy each other’s bodies. I have to remember to ask her sometime. However, my time is up, and I have to go back home to my pack. My mates, grandma, and many others from their group stand outside at the front lawn to bid farewell. Many of the members have difficulty understanding and accepting that I’m about to leave them all over again. It almost feels like they despise me for an act that I’ve not yet even committed. I don’t want this. Having to leave my whole family behind me isn’t idealistic, but it needs to be done. I try to smile with joy; it doesn’t go well. The only thing I manage to get out is a sad and broken facial expression. I hug my grandma before facing my mates, who hold our sons in their arms. My tears prickle, and I begin rambling in distraction.

“Don’t forget to change the diapers regularly. Eli has had a rash on the butt occasionally; it needs to be corrected with zinc ointment. Alex has nightmares and needs to be checked out at night. They like ‘Good Night Moon’ and need to have a gentle night light. Eli is allergic to strawberries and eats at everything that he finds. Alex’s diapers are always a warzone. And, and...”

I can’t take it anymore; my tears can’t stop. They create a flood down my cheeks. I sob and put my hands over my face. Oh, my god, this hurts. Kian and Miliano hold me with each arm. The bond between us calms me somewhat. I sniff and try to wipe away my tears, laughing by embarrassment; the pups whines and whimpers. My boys’ over lips quiver, and those big eyes begin to form tears. I pick them up and hold them close to me.

“No, no, don’t cry, babies. You are going to behave when you are here with your daddies. Mommy will be back soon; I promise you that,” I sniff their necks and cry silently. “Mommy loves you very much, and I’m so proud of you already. You have given me the most wonderful treasures I could ever have gotten. Thank you.”

I kiss their foreheads and give them to my grandma, who eagerly grabs them, cooing in Spanish. My mates look heartbroken about my departure, but I also know that they understand that I can’t escape this. I must do right by my pack and our kind. That’s not something I can do as a stay-at-home mom. No, I must be the queen for a while and create structure. I put my hand on Miliano’s cheek; he nuzzles into it.

“You take care of Eli. I’m going to come back as fast as I can. This will be hard for all of us, but you need to be strong, not for me, but your son. I love you very much; don’t you ever forget that,” I whisper in his ear and engulf him in a tight hug.

My lips touch his, and we kiss delightfully. He smiles sadly before standing beside my grandma. I turn to Kian, who is crying. My big strong alpha wolf is actually crying, and it makes me devastated to know that I’m responsible for that pain.

“Baby, I love you to the moon and all the way back again. I need you to be strong for Miliano and our boys. Alex is going to need you now more than ever. I will come back to you. I promise that.”

“I know,” he sniffs and tries to smile.

Our lips lock, and this kiss is full of passion. Kian gives me his all. I back away and open the door on the driver’s side of the car, giving them all a broken smile. With a last sigh which makes me cry in silence once more, I start the car and drive off.

The trip back is prolonged and dull. The hole in my heart doesn’t help much, either. I can feel not only the pain of my mates but also of my children that I have to leave them. They certainly feel abandoned and don’t understand why mom has disappeared. Somehow, they know that Miliano and Kian are their dads, even puppies’ sense when they’re related, which is a good thing. But deep down, I know that no one can replace me in their lives; after all, I’m their mother. And there’s no love as strong as the love of a mother. When a wolf gets puppies, its fundamental essence changes. We become aggressive if anyone at all thinks about hurting them and kills without hesitation if necessary. Nothing stands in the way between a female wolf and her puppies, nothing. My phone vibrates; it’s Michael calling me. I accept the call through Bluetooth in my car. His voice booms from the speakers.

“Good day, alpha. How are you this fine day?” Michael asks me happily.

“And good day to you, beta. I’m... Fine, I guess?” I answer, unsure.

“Did you just answer my question with a question?” he asks with a laugh.

“I guess I did. In truth, I have no idea what I’m feeling right now. This pain is overwhelming, and I feel nauseous over leaving them... Again!”

“I can understand that. But it would help if you also remembered that we also need you here. When all this shit is over, I promise you that I will personally take you back home.”

That brings a smile to my lips. Michael has been my rock through all of this, and I seriously have no idea what’ll happen if he disappears. Even though Henry and Killian are my best friends, doesn’t that friendship compare to mine and Michael’s. We share an unbreakable bond between us that no one can touch. He has tied his life to me. The only way for the bond to break and disappear is if one of us dies. He’s my soulmate without being my mate.

“Thank you, Michael. That means a lot to me,” I answer with an emotional voice.

“Anytime, buttercup. Anyway, how far have you come?”

“I don’t know. An hour away, maybe?”

“Damn, woman, you have a brand-new car! How slow are you driving?” he asks in an outrageous voice.

“You know that I still have to pass through every pack on my way back; trust me, that takes a lot of time.”

“I thought most alphas have said yes to that.”

“And they have. But apparently, not every warrior got the memo.”

“I see. Well, when you get back, we’re going to have to do some work. Vacation time is over, darling.”

I snort at his statement. Vacation? Please... I was away for less than twenty-four hours; that’s hardly acceptable to be called a vacation. Vacation includes BBQ, beaches, the ocean, pools, half-naked people and drinks, lots and lots of booze. I drank some coffee this morning and sparkling water yesterday; that isn’t drinks.

“Yeah, whatever you say, Mr. Moneyman. Has the alpha from the gala sent over the proposition yet?” I answer with a chuckle.

“Yes, I got it on my email this morning.”

“Can you be a dear and print out a copy of that for me?”

“Of course. But why?” Michael asks.

“I like to have copies of things before I sign them.”

“You and your documents... Okay, yeah, I will make sure it’s done until you arrive.”

“Also, it would be lovely if you could get someone to grab me Starbucks.”

“Mocha?”

“No, double espresso.”

“Shit, that mood, huh?” he asks sadly.

“Yup.”

“I will see to it. See you soon.”

“Bye.”

I hang up and drown myself in the songs on the radio. For a moment, I almost forget everything about my family. No worries though, it creeps back inside me a few minutes later. Why on earth would I be getting some peace and quiet without my goddamn guilty conscience? Something dark flashes in front of the car, and I hear the car tires screech when I desperately try to stop. When I get the car under control, I’m breathing out a relieved breath. I open the car door and step out. A man lies on the ground in front of the car, just a few feet away. In other words, I’m lucky that I pushed down the brake when I did. Gently I move towards the body that seems lifeless. The closer I come, the more inexplicable the smell that comes from the body feels. Lisa growls inside me, and I don’t have time to ask her why before the dark figure jumps on me. I fight against its hold and am surprised at the strength the person possesses. We tumble around on the ground and growl at each other. I get a direct hit on the creature’s ribs with my foot, making it fly into a tree. If I weren’t a werewolf, I wouldn’t see its movements before it’s quickly on its feet again. It’s ready to attack again, and I am the same. We circulate each other slowly. I growl at his deep mocking laughter.

“Well, I’ll be damned... The little wolf is braver than I thought,” the dark voice says, which makes it clear to me that it’s a man I fight against.

“What are you?” I growl.

His laughter continues; he even wipes away a few tears from his eye before stepping forward into the road. The headlights from my car now show him in all his splendor. He’s tall and slim, with apparent muscles hugged by his tight black suit jacket. His long hair hangs down in his well-groomed face, and it’s not until I see his grin that I realize what it is I have in front of me. The realization of what I’m facing makes the hairs on my back rise from disgust.

“Vampire,” I spit out with hate.

“Oh, excellent, little wolf. However, I thought you would have figured it out much faster than you did. You’re obviously not as smart as everyone says,” he replies mockingly.

“I don’t waste my intelligence on bloodsucking egotripping idiots who think they’re better than everyone else,” I answer with a snort.

“I see that you have as a hobby to give answers to speeches. You’re truly the one we’ve been looking for; King will be pleased. Your sass will be a problem, however. You will learn your place soon enough.”

King? Who the hell is King? He’s watching me with a smirk when he understands my confusion.

“Ah. I see that you have no idea who and what I’m talking about. That will be very clear very soon. King has asked for your audience, and I don’t see any problems with you going willingly, right?”

“Fuck you! I won’t go anywhere with you. Werewolves and vampires are natural enemies; we’ve been for decades. Why would I go with you at all?” I ask with another growl.

“Oh, I thought queens had better behavior and class than that.”

How the hell does he know all of this!? Other creatures can’t know this since the werewolf community just found out about it.

“That’s right. I know all about you, little werewolf queen, and you sure will know everything about us when you wake up.”

What, wake u-. I take a brutal hit in my head from behind before falling and drift into the uneasy darkness.