Malachi sat at his desk there was a lot of paperwork that needed his attention after a month and a half of absence. It seemed that the news of his wife's tragic death had reached his allies and he had a dozen or so offers to wipe out the Pack who was responsible. 

The Blood Moon pack was the most feared in the world and they had a reputation of wiping out those who went against them. His father had been the one to bring his pack to new highs by treating his packmates fairly and involving them in decisions that affected them as a whole. He had even banned the mistreatment of Omegas and even went as far as to accept those who others exiled and runaways. 

His mother had loathed the idea but since she was a Beta she didn't dare go against her husband. Malachi’s parents were not mates and their marriage had been arranged to unite two packs. His mother sadly still clung to her dislike of omega's often claiming they were a plague on their species.

After Malachi took over his mother had been outraged by his decision to pay the omega's as well as outlawing the use of force or drugs to mate them. If one was found guilty of either crime, they would be held responsible for the children as well as the omega's well being or banishment.

There had been many who had challenge him for the spot of top Alpha and none succeeded. His packs strength had also been a safe haven for those who loved their omega children and whole families had moved in. 

Malachi's father had often told him how proud he was while his mother scoffed and said one day he would regret his decisions. 

Malachi was still occupied on the correspondence when his late wife's sister stormed in.

Victoria had been an unwelcomed surprise when he had arrived back home and she has already outstayed her welcome.

The woman was vicious and conniving And he didn't much care for her. She had tried seducing him on several occasions in the last week and a half and he had lost all patients with her.

"That filthy omega is still wandering around.” she whinee, crossing her arms over her generous blossoms squeezing her arms lightly so they almost fell out of her dress.

Malachi groaned and rubbed his eyes in frustration. This wasn't the first time she had come in complaining about Aiden’s free rain of the stronghold. 

"What is he doing?" Malachi ground out behind clenched teeth.

She looked puzzled "Nothing." she scoffed 

Rubbing his whole face with both of his hands he looked the woman in the eye and stating the obvious.

"So your complaint is that his... ...doing nothing. Am I understand this correctly?"

"YES! W....what if he hurts my precious darling niece and nephew?"

 She finally dropped her hands from her bust and placed them on her hips, staring back at him as if he were the crazy one.

As if on cue Aiden sprinted past his door with the twins hot on his tail. A squeal escaped Aiden’s lips as he ran down the corridor. 

Satisfaction plastered on Victoria’s face as she pointed in the direction of the hallway with her palm stretched out.

Reluctantly he eased himself from the chair and peeked into the hall. He was just about to duck back in when the twins called out in unison. 

"Daddy catch him!" he took a step into the hall and reached an arm out just as the omega zoomed past. Too late. 

His son resumed the chase while his daughter doubled over in front of him hands on her knees. She looked up with the biggest smile he had ever seen and rosy cheeks. 

"His really fast." her statement came out in a huff then she was off again.

Malachi didn't have time for this he waved Victoria off as he sat back down resuming his work. The woman santured out grumbling something incoherent under her breath as she left.

Cid entered the office as Malachi rested his head on his hands wondering where had it all gone wrong.

“They are at it again.” he mused walking in to the room and taking seat on the couch that lay under the window to the left of the desk that lay slightly off center In the room.

Malachi glared at the man who didn't show any signs of being affected.

"He was.supposed to be the bait to lure out his Mate." Malachi hissed in frustration "Not someone my children get attached to." he said with a heavy.

His kids had taken an instant liking to Aiden. He wasn't sure when the omega had ventured out of the little room he had been given for his short stay, but after three days his twin came running in begging to play with the new boy they found. Not knowing who they referred to, he had given his consent earning hugs and kisses from both as they jumped for joy.

Only the day after did Victoria barged in outraged that he had let the children play with their mother's killer. 

Her accusation had turned his whole pack against her. Apparently, the story of how Aiden ended up being brought back with them was the talk of the town. Many omegas envied him while some admired him for his courage. While others felt sorry for him, his mate hadn't come for Aiden yet he had sacrificed so much all ready for his mate.

Even the alphas respected him and some had even asked Malachi if they could mate him if his mate didn't come for him.

As Malachi rambled on about his distress over the omega, Cid spoke.

"Well, why don't you then?"

"Why don't I what?"

"Claim him as your own. Your Rut is not far off " Cid finished as he looked out the window at the men training.

"What your implying is absurd." Malachi watched the man with the same look he had received from Victoria just moments ago.

Gray cleared his that. "You should probably close the door if you're going to discuss such matters." he steps in and closed the door leaning against it, making sure no one could eavesdrop on the conversation.

"It's not a bad idea" he chimed in as he crossed his arms and legs.

Malachi looked back and for the between the two who he had thought were his two best friends. 

"My mate, my wife, the mother of my children just died." with each word he uttered he stood until he was leaning over his desk throwing daggers at his friends. 

"Yet you have at least two dozen marriage proposals on your desk. At least if you claim Aiden,  you kill two birds with one stone." declared Cid 

"And how is that?" Malachi spat and flung himself back in his chair.

"His the Campbell mate." Gray clarified with a raised eyebrow.

Both man now watched Malachi as the gears started to turn, he got up and paced in front of the fireplace to his right. 

"But that means I would have to force the bond. There are laws we put into place to prevent exactly what your suggesting." Malachi shook his head looking back at his friends.

"Balthazar likes him." Cid pushed "Likes him quite a bit.” he finished with a smirk. Complete baffle by his old friend. Malachi looked for support from Gray who was smirking just as bad. 

Balthazar had been listening in on their conversation and was immediately on board. Had everyone gone crazy he wondered as he watched his Beta and Delta get up and leave. Gray turned around and locked eyes with him.

"You know he may never come to get the boy and when he doesn't it will break him.” with that he turned and closed the door. Malachi slid into an armchair in front of the fireplace staring into the flames. What was the right choice?

That night as he tucked his little ones in Aya chirped up.

 "Is aunty Victoria going to be our new mama?" before he could deni it she pressed on”Because I don't like her, she's scary. I like Aiden his nice. Can he be our new mama?" he was dumbfounded again as Aya finished Lucas was bobbing his head up and down so hard Malachi was afraid it was going to fall off.

Malachi stopped his head from bobbing "No, no one is going to be your new mommy. You had the best mommy in the world and no one is going to replace her.” he leaned down and kissed Aya then Lucas on the head.

"But she never played with us,” Lucas said bearly a whispered but Malachi heard him and his heart wrenched. 

He stood pretending he hadn't heard and walked to the door hands on the light switch with one last good night he turned the lights off and quietly closed the door. 

It was going to be a sleepless night, Balthazar was busy showing his displeasure by growling and grunting in his head for being ignored. Which didn't help because what his son said echo in his head through out the night