I was lying in the pleasant warmth of Duncan’s arms when I heard the noises. We looked at each other and quickly got up. I threw on my clothes and hurried after Duncan, who was already outside the door. I heard a pained moan and sobs, and I frowned. “It’s Sabrina,” Duncan said without doubt, and headed for a door down the corridor. He stepped in without knocking, and I peeked in from behind him. He knelt down next to a dark-haired woman, who was sitting on the floor, crying in pain, and I could sense her anxiety too. Only when Duncan moved a little, I saw that the woman was heavily pregnant, and she sat in a puddle. Her water must have broken just now. “Alpha,” I heard her weak but respectful voice as she bowed her head. “It’s okay Sabrina. I will take you to the clinic now, okay?” he asked in a gentle voice, and she nodded. “Where is her mate?” I asked, a bit worried. “It’s Gabriel. I sent him to the north,” Duncan said, sounding defeated. “Shit,” I cursed under my breath. “Ye

I just sat there, not really knowing what to say, when he reached for the drawer and pulled out a book from the very bottom of it. I watched him flip through the pages, and an old photo fell on the desk.“It is the only photo I have left of her,” he said as I reached for the picture.A beautiful young woman was smiling happily, crouching down and hugging a little boy, around 3 years old. For a single moment, I adored the cuteness of him with the messy black curls and the mischievous smile, then turned my attention to the woman.They weren’t really alike. Elena Rose O’Sullivan was a fragile little woman with blond hair, her green eyes sparkling with joy even in the fading old photo. She was truly beautiful, and she was happy. Not just seemed like. Somehow I felt that then and there she was truly happy.“She was the same age as you here. It was before he started beating us. They had a few quarrels even before that, and he hit her even before I was born, but nothing like what came after

It was still early in the morning and I was lying in our bed, studying him sleeping beside me. He seemed so calm and peaceful, I had to fight the urge not to touch him. I knew he would be awake the minute I did.We were together for three weeks now, but this was the very first time I actually saw him sleeping. He was a light sleeper. He woke even if I sneaked out to the toilet at night, and also got up ridiculously early in the morning. He usually let me sleep on until he attended some Alpha business, or woke me to have some sweet morning sex and have breakfast together.But it never happened before that I woke before him, so I just laid still and watched him. He seemed so peaceful in his sleep, finally looking like his actual age without his usual frown and serious gaze. Not like I haven’t loved his serious self, too, but he needed the rest now. Yesterday was a very long and emotionally demanding day for both of us.He snuggled closer to me, hiding his face between my breasts, and I

“Moiraaa” I woke to an otherwise lovely voice screaming my name, and in the next moment she jumped on me, making me lose my breath. “Wake up! It’s today” Rosie laughed, bouncing on the bed next to me.I managed to open my eyes and was met with her bright smile. She was already dressed, her hair neatly weaved in two. She was all ready to go, and I couldn’t even open my eyes properly.“Give her some time, baby. It is still early,” I heard Duncan say, but I could tell he was smiling even without looking. Rosie grew to love me quite fast, just like I adored her from day one and it made him happy.“Fine, but hurry up or you won’t have any of the pancakes!” she said, climbing off the bed and making a run towards the kitchen.“Sorry darling,” Duncan sat on the edge of the bed and kissed my forehead.“It’s okay. It is her day. Just give me twenty minutes, and I will be down,” I said, sitting up and kissing him.I got out of the bed and he left me alone. Getting into the bathroom, I made the s

By the time we got home, the packhouse was full of people and bustle. We woke Rosie, and she walked by my side sleepily, but she forgot it all the moment we stepped inside.“Granny” she screamed happily and ran to a small, white-haired woman, hugging her tight. She was Abigail, Noah’s mom, and the only grandparent Rosie ever had. They simply adored each other.She lived down in the village in a lovely little house with a big garden. Both Rosie and Liv would spend a weekend with her every now and then, and that was how I met her for the first time. Duncan went to fetch the girls, and I tagged along. It was only a brief visit, but she accepted me immediately.She was a petite woman who seemed fragile, but I knew better already. She had bright blue eyes, and even though she was only 43, almost completely white hair. Noah said it grayed in less than a week after they lost his father.“Did you have fun, my angel?” she asked, caressing Rosie’s face.“Yes! Moira got me beautiful pencils and