The days fly with Mila around, I felt comfort and peace, like part of me had begun to heal. It was nice hearing little giggles, and seeing her smile, and make a mess with her food. I loved it, but Hardin didn't. He hated the mess, her smiles irritated him, and her giggles just pissed him off. I wasn't sure why he disliked her so much, if it was because she's a baby, a rogue, or just because we lost ours.With time, all good things come to an end.Mila wouldn't stop crying, and no matter what I did she didn't want it. Food, bum change, a bath, toys, attention, I even took her to the pack doctor because I thought something was really wrong with her. Until I realised that the one thing she wanted, needed...I took from her.Her mother.That feeling, knowing she still cries for a woman she probably doesn't even remember, it breaks my heart. Suddenly her cries made me sad, and her laughter broke my heart, her smile just reminding that she isn't mine. That I will never see my own pups at thi

I wake up to the sound of shuffling around, instantly I search for Hardin with my hand, wanting him to make the noise go away. Except he's not in the bed.With a low pitiful groan, I drag my eyes open and sit up, only to freeze when I see a bright red Santa hat sitting on top of Hardin's head.Is he having like a early mid-life crisis? I immediately presume, either that or he really does enjoy Christmas."What are you doing?" I ask him, my voice full of sleep, I wipe my eyes and frown at him."Merry Christmas!" He beams at me like a crazy person, that hat jingling every time he moves. What the hell have I signed myself up for?"Merry Christmas." I grumble, falling back against the pillows."Looks like we've got ourselves a grinch." Hardin comments, and I feel the covers slowly being pulled off of me. I couldn't be bothered to fight it, so I let him take the covers.The bed dips around my legs. Opening my eyes again, I glance down, seeing him up over my body. What is he doing?"If you

"Your mommy is going to be here any minute, let's get your shoes on." I tell the little girl, placing her bag aside.Grabbing the Doc Martins from the bottom of the steps, I help Lottie into her shoes despite her whole 'independence' thing she has going on.Phoebe arrives exactly thirty seconds later, thanking us in a rush as she hurries back to her mate. The issue with rogues on the borders is never ending, last night her mate was ambushed and he's in pretty bad shape, hence why Lottie stayed with us."Do you think he's going to make it?" I ask Hardin softly, knowing how severe the damage to Phoebes mates chest is."I have to, for that little girls sake." Are the words Hardin responds with, solemnly."I should have been out there." I sigh."There were too many, you kept the pups safe and that's more important that anything else during war." Hardin says, gently grabbing my hand.Knowing how I feel about this, I suppose he's trying to comfort me. But I just look up at him, not comforte

"You're quite the spit fire aren't you?" Maddox chuckles, wiping the blood from his nose."Can't handle the heat?" I taunt, trying not to laugh at his glare."Can't handle the...I'm taking it easy on you." He argues, circling with me."You sure? You seem a little out of breath, do you need to take like a fifteen minute break?" I mockingly ask him.Despite being strangers, he reminds me a lot of Dom. Big and tough on the outside, but under the surface is a whole other person. Then again, I don't know him."I'm not out of breath!" He splutters in rage, absolutely appalled.I couldn't help but grin at the look on his face.Maddox swings for me, an attack that I swiftly dodge, dropping into a crouch and sharply kicking my leg out. He jumps over my leg, assuming he's bettered me when I twist my body to the right, bringing up my left leg and hooking my foot behind his knee. One yank, and I drag the Alpha down onto one knee."Not bad." He comments, brown eyes amused.With a hard kick, I let

"She's gone." Hardin assures me, closing the office door behind him. I immediately feel the tension fading away. Beck and Hardin had followed the car Lorelei got into, ensuring that she did in fact leave pack ground. Completely for my benefit, and I'm very grateful."Good." I don't hide my relief."This deal between you and Maddox, are you certain he will hold up his end?" Hardin asks, leaning over the desk to read the form I'm filling out."The man doesn't favour war, and I made it perfectly clear that if he betrayed us, we would show no mercy." I assure Hardin, knowing he isn't completely comfortable with me making deals with other Alphas.I know it's not because of me, or my gender, it's because he hates the idea of someone talking down to me. Which happens a lot when Alphas are making alliances and deals, it's an ego thing."How long will he be training you for?" He asks."We agreed on six weeks, split over a period of three months. After that we'll receive ten wolves every secon