Nic flipped another elk burger on the grill, glancing around the yard of the rental until his gaze landed on Elam feeding Sophie—who had hit the three month mark the day before. Elam was seated in one of the many lawn chairs scattered about for the family summer gathering. Alex, perched on a chair next to them, laughed at something Elam said and he laughed back, Nic’s heart warming the way it always did when he watched his beautiful mate. Elam caught him staring and grinned, his smile lighting up his face.
Nic gave him a small wave then went back to checking the burgers for doneness. He rarely put much heat to them, but while his wolf only ate raw meat, Nic preferred at least a smidgen of brown on the edges. He pressed down on each patty as his mind wandered to the recent meeting with the Alliance. Although Nic had been christened temporary Alpha over the Yukon Delta Pack, the intention had never been that he would remain in the position. Not only was a single Alpha not allowed to rule over two packs, he wouldn’t have wanted the title anyway. Several worthy candidates had stepped forward to be considered, and Nic had found them all to be good potentials. A death challenge wouldn’t take place for leadership, though. Due to the unusual circumstances—including Yuri’s lack of a direct heir—the Alphas of each Alliance pack would vote instead.
Nic’s father wandered up to him, sniffing the scent of the grilling meat as he approached. He held a partially-consumed beer bottle from which he took a long draw before speaking.
“You want me to help you with the house this week?”
The month before, Nic had begun building what would become his and Elam’s permanent home. “Yeah, that’d be great. I’m ready to begin on the roof.” He hoped to get most of it completed before the fall rains hit. He glanced sideways at his Papa. “Uh, there’s something I’ve been meaining to bring up.”
His father arched his eyebrows and took another sip of his beer. “Then out with it, son.”
Nic sucked in a breath before he continued. “How are you holding up after stepping down as Alpha?” The memory problems his father experienced on occasion had worsened after the pack battle and the loss of Artur.
His father drained the rest of his beer then tossed the empty bottle into the bin for recyclables. “Look, I’ve hit my sixties and I’d already planned on stepping down in a few years anyway—like I’d explained to you before. But son, I just couldn’t do it after your brother betrayed us the way he did. And while he gave me a lot of trouble there toward the end, I still loved him.” He ran his fingers through his salt and pepper hair. “I don’t have it in me anymore.”
Nic considered his father for a moment, then gave him a nod. “I know. Just want to make sure. That’s all.”
His papa jerked his head toward Elam. “Why don’t you let me take over here? Go spend some time with your mate and my granddaughter.”
Nic quirked a smile as he scooped a patty onto a plate so he could bring it to Elam. “Thanks.” After passing off the spatula to his father, he dressed the burger up the way he knew Elam liked it, then brought it over to where he was relaxing with Alex. He set it on the picnic table next to them and extended his arms to Elam. “Here. Let me take her so you can eat.”
Elam had Sophie up on his shoulder and was patting her back. “That’s okay, Nic. You go ahead. I’ll grab something once I put her down.”
Nic frowned. “No, you won’t. You’ll eat now.”
Elam smirked as he lifted Sophie up and handed her to him. “Bossy.”
Alex snorted out a laugh. “Yup. Always has been. Probably always will be.”
Nic ignored his sister and Elam and hoisted a squirming Sophie onto his shoulder. He tried to help with her whenever he could, but he still felt out of his element when performing all the baby tasks he’d never dreamed he’d one day be doing.
But so glad I am.
He loved his little daughter to the point of his heart wanting to burst. The protective urges he’d always felt toward Elam, then his baby when Elam had carried her, had seemed to explode in intensity after her birth.
My family. Mine.
He patted Sophie on the back and snuck a peek at Elam, who was absorbed in conversation with Alex. While Nic spent his days getting to know his pack again and working on their future home, Elam took care of their daughter and used his other baby—the camera that had once only been utilized to capture wildlife on film—to chronicle almost every second of Sophie’s life. When Nic came home after a long day, Elam would inevitably have another amazing crop of images to share of what was clearly the most adorable baby who’d ever lived. Nic wondered if it was too soon to broach the subject of having another child. Without warning, Sophie burped, then spit up all over his shoulder.
Eww.
Elam jumped to his feet, cloth diaper in hand, and immediately helped with mop-up while Nic held her on his other shoulder, soothing her with a circular motion as he rubbed her back. He caught Alex watching him with a bemused expression.
“What?”
She shook her head, chuckling. “I guess I never thought I’d see the day.”
His first instinct had been to bite back with a snarly response, but he had to admit she had a point.
He sighed. “Me neither.” He nuzzled Sophie’s soft head, the wisps of white hair that had begun to grow tickling his nose. “And you’re right. It is different when it’s your own.”
Elam regarded him with a soft smile then leaned in for a kiss. “Is it too soon to start thinking about trying for another one?”
Subject broached.
The End
Keep reading for an excerpt from Guarding the Runaway Omega
(Alaskan Wolf Alliance 2)