Chapter 40

Sadie. "Mama, Mama, wake up" Aspen's sweet little voice pullsfrom my sleep. That and the fact that she was using my bed as a bouncing castle. "Wake up Mama" she screamed again, makinggroan. Aspen is always loud. She could scream your ear off if she wanted to. She is also an early riser. For a kid, you'd expect she'll sleep to her heart's content, but nope, she always wakes up before eight. The bed stops shaking, makingsnap my eyes open. She's the kind of child you have to keep your eyes on. Silence, except when she's sleeping, means that she's up to something fishy. "Morning mama" she said with a smile. Her face is right there on mine, our noses almost touching. "Morning baby" I replied as I pulled her into my arms. She screams happily as I drag her toand try to cover us with my blankets. I pepper her with kisses, unable to resist doing so. She was just too cute. "Stop, Mama" she said, her cheeks rosy. "We will miss fast" She didn't know how to pronounce the word breakfast, so she shortened it to 'fast' to make it easier for herself. This is a tradition we have. That unless there is something urgent, I will always have breakfast and dinner with her. "Okay, my love... lettake a shower, and we can leave" I told her. "Is that okay with you?" "Yeah" was her simple answer. Leaving her with my tablet, I rush to have my shower. I take a bit longer than I usually do, but when I'm done, I feel ready to face today. Getting out, I wrap a towel around myself and then head to my walk-in closet. Aspen was still concentrating on whatever cartoon she was watching. I close the door behindbefore putting my clothes on. After running my fingers through my shoulder-length hair, I get out. "Are you ready, Ash?" I called, using the nicknKing gave to her. Aspen looks up, before putting down the tablet. "Yes, mommy" she answered, then got down from the bed and walked towards me. Grabbing my phone, I then take her hand, and we walk out of my bedroom. There weren't many pack members around given it was about eight in the morning. Most were probably already at work, training or school. Unlike what people think, we don't usually have food together unless it's a party of ssort. We had over eight hundred members. We couldn't all fit in the dining room. The pack house was mainly for single members, warriors and higher up officials. Those who are mated (In the case of werewolves), blood bonded (In the case of vampires) and wedded (In the case of witches and wizards) have their own houses. Unlike werewolves whose mates are chosen by the moon goddess, vampires, witches and wizards choose their own spouses. Werewolves, as you know, mark each other and can choose to have a wedding if they want. Vampires, on the other hand, exchange blood. The blood bond is created during sex when the female and male feed from each other, exchanging blood in the process. Their bond is similar to that of werewolves' mates in that they can communicate telepathically. When one is hurt, the other can feel it, and they know when the other is in danger. Witches and wizards, on the other hand, perform a simple ceremony where their magic is combined and they becone. They don't have a special bond like wolves and vampires, but their union is just as strong. I greet the few members I meet on the way, before we finally get to the kitchen. Raven and King were already seated and digging into their breakfast. "Morning Auntie and Uncle," Ash greeted them, cheerfully. "Morning darling", King answered. "Good morning, honey bunny" this cfrom Raven. We take our seats and I serve both of us. Aspen wasn't a picky eater and she could eat anything. Well, except greens. The adults remain silent as Ash fills us with tales of her day, yesterday. It didn't constitute much. Playing with the other kids, drawing, baking with Martha, and taking naps. Looking at her, I'm struck by something. "Nyx, is Aspen like us?" I asked as panic set in. I've been trying not to think about what happened yesterday. Trying to block it out because one, I didn't know how to handle it and two, I didn't have all the information. "Yes, in a way," she answered with one eye open. "What does that mean?" "It means that even though her powers will be a bit watered down, she'll still be more powerful than other wolves, including alphas," she paused, then continued. "All the children we'll have in the future will be powerful." Well, what am I supposed to do with that information? The good thing is that Aspen won't be blindsided like I was. I can start training her once I understand exactly what I am. "I doubt we will have any more children” I said. “I've already been burned once by love." "Don't even remindof those two b**ds and what they did" she snarled, referring to Alec and Knox. "I still want to rip out their f**g spine." I can't argue with that. My anger and hatred for Alec and his wolf is still burning bright. I don't think I'll ever get over the fact that he's tried to killmore than twice. "Anyway, you may not be looking for love, but I can't wait to find our mate" she added after cooling down. "Don't worry, I'm sure he can change your mind about love and having more kids." I almost barf at the dreamy look that was plastered on her face. Sure, Alec wasn't my mate, but what he did opened my eyes. If a man you've known and loved all your life could turn and hurt you, what about a stranger who you just met? I've heard about mates who broke their other halves. I don't want to ever put myself in a vulnerable position again. A position that gives a man the power to hurt and break me. I've suffered enough heartache to lasttwo life times. I don't need any more emotional scars. "Mommy, can I leave?" Aspen's voice pullsback. "I'm done." "Sure baby, but givea kiss first to getthrough the day and then go find Martha." She nods her head then smiles wide before she grabs my head in her tiny hands and kisses my cheek. "I love you, my angel" "I love you too, mama." She pulls away and gives Rave and King hugs before leaving the table. I mindlink Martha to let her know that Aspeh is on her way to her. "We have a lot to discuss, but first we have to deal with Alec and his pack" Toom King said once Aspen left the room. "Midah asked for Alec's release. They should be on their way to the office now." I was already done with my breakfast. "Alright, let's go." Walking the short distance, we get to the office. I was so unsettled unsettled anch agitated. I couldn't calm down knowing that I would be face to face with Alec.. "Sadie?" Rave calls, "What?" Instead of speaking, she points to my back, and it's then I realize that my wings were on display. S**t, I was so anxious that I didn't know they had slipped free. "I don't think I'll ever get used to them" King says, staring at them as if mesmerized. Doing what Nyx had told me, I imagine myself without them. Seconds later, their weight disappears from my back. "Stop pacing, you're givinga headache" Nyx tellsin irritation. "I can't help it," I snapped at her. "The thought of seeing that b**d makeswant to kill something." Rolling her eyes, she lies down. "Don't tempt me. I still want his head on a silver platter." It was quiet for a while with King and Rave studying me, while I continued to pace the room. Nyx perks up all of a sudden, while I stand frozen in my spot as a delicious smell assaults my senses. There's a knock and King opens the door. Alec walks in, followed by his *a and Beta. The moment our eyes meet, I stumble back in shock, feeling like I've been s**r-punched. You've got to be f**g kidding mel