Northwood

Kane and Adline fell into a routine in the days following Kane’s return and it involved not moving far from the bed. His return had caused suspicion among his enforcers but Kane was far too distracted by Adline’s womanly curves to address anyone else.

Waking up with her in his arms he stared down at her peaceful face and ran his thumb down her cheek. His legs ached and his arms were numb but it was worth it. He recounted their actions and instantly felt a stirring in his loins.

Knowing just how much he had worn her out Kane slipped from beneath the covers and promptly went and doused himself in cold water. He washed quickly and dressed even quicker. He didn’t want to change his mind and end up back in bed with Adline. As tempting as the thought was.

He had things to do.

Heading out of the room and into the massive house beyond Kane found himself feeling a little out of sorts. He was dead. He had died. He was supposed to be dead.

Standing in the hallways outside his room the house was eerily quiet. As if there was no other life within it.

Heading down to the kitchen he was surprised to see Babel and Neal sitting at the informal kitchen table eating lunch. Babel held their son in her arms and smiled at him with as much love as a mother could. It was a touching moment that Kane felt like he was intruding on.

It was a strange feeling. Being a stranger in his own home was not something he thought he would ever feel.

Kane lingered in the shadows a moment longer before he head Babel call to him, “What are you doing creeping in the doorway Kane! Come sit with us and meet your God son!”

He hadn’t really seen anyone since returning and thought of going to visit the new baby many times but he didn’t know what to say to any of them.

Taking one tentative step into the kitchen he smiled sheepishly, “you heard me huh?” he walked towards the pair slowly, not quite knowing what to expect. He scratched his head as his eyes landed on the small bundle that was the newborn baby. Kane couldn’t help but smile. After all the death and despair it was a good feeling knowing that something so pure greeted him upon his return. Kane sat at the first seat he could find. Opposite his two friends and their small child. “So what’d you call him?” He asked cautiously.

A frown momentarily crossed Babels lips, “Adline didn’t tell you?” The thought lasted only a second as Babel answered his question. “Well....” she started awkwardly, “We all thought you were dead forever so in honour of you we named him Kane.”

Tears instantly sprang to Kane’s eyes as he heard the words Babel spoke. “Really?” His voice was choked at best as be watched Neal take his son gently from Babels arms and carry him the short distance to Kane.

“Here,” he offered as he quickly placed the child in his Alpha’s arms, “say hello to your new pack member.” As soon as the little boy was in his arms Kane felt a sense of relief and fulfilment.

“We’re really glad you’re back Kane,” Babel smiled as she watched her son wiggle and squirm before settling down. “What happened?”

The question wasn’t entirely unexpected but Kane hadn’t been expecting it so soon. He hadn’t even told Adline what happened. A frown marred his features as he swallowed hard. “I’m not entirely sure. I was dead and then I was in a forest,” as he recounted the memories he had before making it home be shook his head. “It was the Moon Goddess, she gave me life.”

He watched as Neal and Babel looked at each other a little concerned, “What do you mean? She’s just a myth.”

Kane felt their distrust, he could hear it in the words they spoke and sense it in their body language as he got to his feet and handed the child back to it’s mother. “I don’t know how else to explain it.” He really was struggling to find the words to examine his experience and if they didn’t believe him when he to the truth how else was he supposed to make them believe? “She blessed me with immortality,” he muttered quickly and saw the confusion again mar their features. “Babel if you want to leave the room I understand,” Kane walked quickly to a set of drawers in the island and retrieved a large kitchen knife.

Babel looked at him oddly as her bottom lip dropped, “We only just got you back. Please tell me you aren’t going to tempt fate!” She thought about leaving the room but quickly shook her head, “I want to see this.” She deserved to see it, just just hoped Kane wasn’t going to do something stupid.

Taking the sharp knife in his hands Kane tried plunging the metal into his chest. Right there before their very eyes Babel and Neal watched as the blade disappeared. Both cried out involuntarily as the hilt of the blade touched Kane’s chest. He stood there staring at the pair and when he pulled the blade away he saw the look of astonishment on their faces.

Pulling the knife away he heard Babel gasp. Kane looked down and saw that the blade bad not penetrated his chest. It had in fact melted. By the time he pulled the handle away completely the metal had pooled on the floor.

“How is that possible,” Babel asked as she stood from her seat and handed baby Kane to Neal.

“The Moon Goddess,” Kane sighed breathlessly. He was glad he hadn’t imagined his encounter with her he didn’t feel like dying again so soon. He had much left to do.

“So what do we do now?” Babel asked curiously, “not everyone is just going to accept your return.” she knew she was being blunt but certain people barely accepted Adline as Alpha. She didn’t know how they would accept him being back.

“Well I was thinking,” Kane stepped back towards the table but took a seat on one of the bar stools. He looked pensive for a moment as silence fell over all of them as Kane struggled with his thoughts. “I would like to name you and Neal as the Alpha pair. While I have an entire life to live Adline doesn’t and I want to spend that tI’ve with her.”

“What!” Babel gasped as her son stirred in her arms. “What about Harvey?” She was sure Harvey was looking forward to taking over if Adline was incapable of doing the job.

“I’ll speak to him. He can take Carriere if Adlines brothers are alright sharing their home territory.” He didn’t know how that conversation would go down but it was the only way he could see things working well.

“It would only be temporary. Until Adline and I have a child or if you both call for me. I won’t be far away,” during their time alone Adline had expressed many times that she wanted to return to her family’s territory and live in her grandmother’s home.

He watched as Neal and Babel looked at each other carefully, their faces full of concern.

“I have faith in you two that everything will be fine.” Kane added quickly, “We will never be too far away should you need anything. I have taught you both everything you need to know.”

Though he had barely given the idea much thought the more he pondered the idea the more it made sense. They were the perfect choice to take over from him till he was ready to take his pack back. Till the suspicion over his return had subsided.

“I guess we could?” Babel replied unsure of herself. “I mean....what’s the worst that could happen?” She laughed awkwardly.

They had already experienced the worst rogue infestation and with the return and capture of Nox, the death of Victoria and Luce there were no foreseeable threats to the pack. They were all safe and Kane was more than looking forward to taking time out and spending as much of it with Adline as he could.

He didn’t know what tomorrow could bring and all he wanted to do was take things one day at a time. With a slight nod he stood from his seat feeling happy with his decision.

With peaceful times ahead there was one thing left on his mind as he returned to his room. Pushing open the door to his bedroom slightly he saw Adline sitting in nothing but the bed sheet with a concerned look on her face, “what’s the matter?” She asked quickly as her brow furrowed in confusion.

Looking upon her with a smile Kane shook his head and closed the door behind him as he strode towards the woman he’d grown to love above all else. “Nothing’s wrong,” he whispered as he took her into his arms and lay with her in bed. “Everything is perfect.” And everything was perfect.

For now at least.