Duke’s POV

It is now very obvious that Jules is pregnant, but his custom dresses do a good job to hide it. I’m absolutely elated at the thought of meeting my pup but there is still quite a ways away. However we are a little nervous to deliver the news to Cooper who demands all of our attention. Hopefully he responds in a positive way.

“Hey Coop, could you come here for a second. We have something to tell you” Jules calls Cooper over to the living room when he sees the little head peeking around the corner.

“No! I’m drawing a picture for Uncle Julian! Look! The bugs are eating off his legs” I couldn’t help but snicker at the morbid scribble. Jules looked a little shocked.

“It will only be a moment, and then you can get back to your drawing. I promise” Jules pleads with the little boy who nods and climbs onto my lap where I’m seated on the couch.

“Your mommy and I have something to tell you. You are going to be a big brother soon” I decided to be blunt, but I don’t think he really got the message.

“No thank you” He said before getting off and scampering back to his room. Jules and I looked at each other in confusion. How does one respond to that?

We both got up, walked over to his room, and peeked inside. Cooper didn’t look phased at all, and just got lost in coloring away. He added lots of red to imitate what I’m assuming is blood. Why is my son like this?

“Cooper sweetie, I’m afraid that you don’t get a choice. The baby is already on its way” Jules said softly walking up to Cooper.

“Mommy can send it back” He barely spared him a glance.

“We can’t Cooper, that would be impossible. The baby is in your mommy’s tummy” I tried to explain but he shook his head.

“I don’t want a baby! Cooper only!” He demanded and we were a little taken aback. I guess this wasn’t going to be easy.

“It’ll be fun Cooper. You can teach them how to walk, and talk, and when you both get older you can take them to do all sorts of fun things” I rubbed his back.

“Still don’t want” He turned his head away from us, and I was getting a little frustrated at this point.

“Yeah well sometimes we don’t get what we want” I said immaturely and stormed out of the room. I know he’s young, but that doesn’t change the fact that he's being a brat. I took a few deep breaths to calm myself down before walking back into the room where I saw Jules cuddling and drawing with Cooper.

“I’m sorry Daddy” Cooper looked at me sadly and it kind of broke my heart.

“No, I’m sorry Cooper. I shouldn’t have acted like that. Unfortunately the baby is coming whether you want it to or not, but you’ll always be my little boy. I’m not going to forget about you, in fact I’ll be looking towards you to help me, especially with dirty diapers” I know that three year olds probably don’t understand what I just said fully, but I’m not going to dumb my feelings down.

“Can I give this to Uncle Julian?” He disregarded my heartfelt statement in favor of shoving his drawing in my face.

“Yes, I’ll ask him to come with us the next time I come over” Jules assured Cooper who seemed content with his response.

⯀

Maybe I’m an idiot, but I’m an idiot in love and that I know. My pack has definitely noticed the beauty that I call my mate, and has been demanding answers about who this mysterious omega is to me. I’ve brought it up to Jules and he told me that a good Alpha is an honest Alpha, and who am I to argue?

So here we stand in the town hall, and I feel as if my dinner is about to reappear before everyone’s eyes. I can tell that Jules is also nervous, and I regret not being able to calm him. The eyes of my people are staring up at us in what I can only hope isn’t disgust, though I’m sure that once Jules’ origin is discovered an uproar will occur.

“Thank you all for coming! I’d rather not beat around the bush, I’ve done enough of that in my life, and I understand your impatience to know who this gorgeous omega is at my side here” I spoke out loud and the hushed whispers died down, “Now I know this may come as a shock to you, but I am proud to announce that your Alpha has found his soulmate and light of his life in this omega. Everyone we ask for your respect for your new Luna”

To my surprise people slowly started cheering and clapping at the news. I guess they were worried that I wouldn’t ever find the light of our pack. I asked if anyone had questions and a few raised their hands.

“Alpha Duke if I may ask, who exactly is this Omega we are now to call our luna?” He asked in a respectful tone.

“Yes I presumed you would be curious. I just ask that you all keep an open mind, and let us explain some things before jumping to conclusions. This is Jules, youngest child of the Banfields” I winced at the loud and shocked conversation that erupted.

“How can you have mated a Banfield, my Alpha? How are we to know that they will not have plans against us?” Was one of the main questions that I kept hearing.

“Yes I understand your concern, and I’m willing to answer all of them, but for now please listen” I nodded to Jules who looked like he was itching to not be seen as a monster.

“Hello all. I would just like to say that I have absolutely no intention of treachery, and whether you believe me or not I see this pack as my own. I would also like to make it clear that I had no idea about the rivalry between the Banfields and McAlpine packs” Jules started off confidently

“How is that possible? It is practically known throughout the world” Someone cries out and I glare at them.

“Please let me finish. My family has always been overprotective and I haven’t ever left the manor walls before this year. I was practically locked in my room as a prisoner under the guise of love and safety. While I was educated in the basics of history, I was never taught anything that involved violence for fear that it would spark something in me and take away my precious innocence. I know it sounds far-fetched, but I ask that you trust me in that I’m telling the truth. I love Alpha Duke, and I could never betray him” Jules continues and I can see that despite still being hesitant the pack’s icy glares have softened.

“Are there any questions?” I speak up and hold Jules close to me after giving him a kiss on the head.

A few hands popped up and I took time answering each of them, “How is it possible that a Banfield is so close to our pack? It makes his story a little suspicious”

“Yes, I’ll admit even I was suspicious when I found out that Jules was a Banfield. Recently we have found out that the Banfields are planning an attack, and have somehow relocated temporarily to a house that is just in the next town over. How they have managed to stay undetected is above me, and I can understand if you feel that I have failed in that. I do suspect that there is a mole helping to hide them away” I reveal the situation to my pack and the fear is evident.

“Hello, Luna Jules. I am excited. I believe your innocence, but do you have any clue how your family got here or when they plan to attack” One of the warriors asked.

“Thank you. Unfortunately I was so excited to leave the house under what I was told was a vacation, and I have never been allowed into the conferences. Everyone is very careful to not reveal any information to me. I love my family, but I don’t wish to see the harm of either side” Jules explained calmly. I could tell that people were slowly becoming more accepting, but I didn’t expect them to be trusting right away. The Banfields are responsible for a lot of the tragedy that our pack has faced.

⯀

3rd Person’s POV

He just couldn’t find it within himself to feel bad for betraying his pack. For years he had begged and pleaded for Alpha Duke to marry his precious daughter. After being done with such foolery, the man had no choice but to visit the Banfields. His heart was filled with rage. If his daughter was not good enough for the alpha then who is?

The Banfields were reluctant at first, but he explained the plan, and how he could help them hide in plain sight right next to McAlpine territory. The stupid mutt was none the wiser, if only that insufferable Banfield omega hadn’t gotten in the way.

He made haste on the way to inform the Banfelds that their hideout had been discovered, and to spill the news about their precious Jules being spoiled.

“Ah, Harold what brings you here?” Juliette Banfield said in her sugary sweet voice that made your brain rot after a while.

“There is no time for formalities, Juliette. The McAlpines have found out about us, and it’s all thanks to that stupid omega of yours” The man couldn’t help but raise his voice in anger.

The woman was shocked but quickly stilled her face, “What on Earth are you talking about? What omega?”

“Don’t play games with me. Jules Banfield is the new luna of the McAlpine pack, and he was just oh so willing to share our location with his mate” Harold scoffed.

“Impossible! How dare you spew such nonsense” Alpha Julian senior boomed out.

“I am not lying. Somehow the two have met, and the Alpha announced Jules as his mate and luna today. We must prepare for our attack now rather than wait for them to attack us. We are already at a disadvantage” Harold explained.

“What are we to do...my little Jules” Juliette held her heart, and looked to her mate for comfort who looked just as confused.

“We have failed my dear, but we will not fail anymore. Prepare the guards!” the Alpha commanded and soon the house was alive with panic.