Aiden was busily making trays of fruits, cheeses and dried meats for a snack for the Alphas who had already started their meeting right after the morning hunt and breakfast. They are still going strong and lunch would be a couple of hours away but Aiden felt they would be needing something before then.

The trays were finally finished and so he sent them out, he turned his attention back to the lunch in progress when Martha shoved a tray in his hand and kicked him out of the kitchen.

He stumbled out regaining his footing before he reached the table. His face was bright red when he reached the table placing the tray at the head of the table it was the only spot open. 

Sometimes he felt like Malachi’s pack would place them together on purpose but as the days went by he now was certain. 

He felt several eyes drift in his direction, moving to Malachi’s side and placing his arm on his shoulder.

Malachi removed one arm and caressed his back dropping to his waist. In an affectionate way.

"Is everything going okay?" Aiden asked looking at the paperwork laid in front of them.

"Hum yes and no but it's too early to tell yet," Malachi answered him while drawing circles on the small of his hip.

"Well, there is fresh coffee coming out so maybe a small break would be good for you," Aiden said patting him on his back.

A nod was his only answer.

"I was thinking of taking the kids out to play in the snow since lunch is nearly done." 

"Sure that sounds good why don't you take them down to the training grounds, they always get a kick out of watching the men train." 

Malachi hadn't come out and said he wanted them near his men in case something happened but Aiden understood. He nodded his head giving Malachi a last pat on the back before he headed in the direction of the living quarters. 

The room was filled with giggles and stomping of feet minutes later as the twins along with Aiden right behind them ran towards the door. Malachi received a hug from his twins as they headed for the double doors. 

The door swung open and a giant of a man stepped in, the twins rushed the man,  he scooped them up in a tight embrace. 

Malachi jumped up and strode to the door in three long strides smiling from ear to ear. The older man put the little ones down and shared a bear hug with Malachi. They both stepped back sizing each other up still smiling. 

"How are you doing little brother, I heard you ran into some trouble." the man said with a deep baritone. 

"Where Is your sassy little wife? Don’t tell me you guys got into another fight."

Malachi’s face blanched at the mention of his wife, with all that was happening he hadn't realized he never told Sirius what happened. His gaze slid to Aiden who also paled at the mention of her.

Aya and Lucas had already run outside calling for Aiden to follow but he was rooted to the spot. He wanted to help Malachi but knew he wasn't ready to speak about his wife with him yet. 

Aiden forced one foot in front of the other he wanted to pull Malachi into his arms and hug him till his pain went away but right now wasn't the time. He would make sure to make time for it tonight.

Malachi was lost in thought as his brother stopped Aiden looking down at him.

"What do we have to hear? You are an Omega correct?" the man leaned over closer sniffing the air around Aiden. He tensed up hating how the act made his skin crawl. 

Aiden took a step back before answering relieved the man stayed where he was.

"Yes, I am."

Sirius’ drew back to his full hight had his ears deciding him. Although the omega was clearly claimed he still caught Sirius’ attention. He wanted the omega for his own perhaps a bit of persuasion, he would come around and make his stray a bit more pleasant.

The omega bowed his head slightly in submission but his body was wound thought.

Malachi gently tugged Aiden to his side as his glowing eyes pierced through his brothers.

Sirius was once again surprised as his little brother ushered the omega out himself,  ruining all his fun. Sighing in defeat for now he would let it go so he searched the room for Mara. 

"We will discuss this later at the moment my hands are full, the meet is in full swing and there is a lot to get through before the day is out." Malachi walked back to the table morning for Sirius to take a seat next to him.

Sirius looked back at the door then huffing a big sigh of disappointment before dragged his feet to the table and taking a seat. Guess he will have to find the little minx a bit later on.

Dinner was being served and Malachi went in search of Aiden, he hadn't seen the little Omega since he had walked him out the door and away from his brother.

He finally found Aiden in the kid's room reading a story about pirates and the little ones acting out the scenes as Aiden read. He chuckled to himself and tapped the door drawing their attention.

"Dinner is ready and there are some special guests that have dropped by." he finishes with a smile.

"Who is it?" Aya and Lucas asked eagerly for an answer.

"Go to the dining hall and you will see." He teased and they dashed past him and down toward the dining hall.

Aiden got up and put the book back on the bookshelf. 

"Come, I want to introduce you to my family they had just arrived and we will be holding a private dinner just for us."

Aiden didn't make a move to go to Malachi choosing to tidy up the room instead.

Malachi sighed and walking up behind Aiden and wrapping his arms around his waist. Smuggling his nose in the crook of Aiden's neck.

He heard Aiden sigh and felt him lean into his embrace, Malachi squeezed even tighter earning himself a giggle.

"Is something wrong?" Malachi asked into the crook of Aiden’s neck.

"You have a lot to talk to your family about and I feel like I will only be in your way." Aiden relented.

"I....you have so much to tell them and...I’m in...in the part that causes you pain. I..i know it ma..may be selfish but I don't want to see you hurt." he was twisting the sheet in his hands and tear hit Malachi’s hand.

He eased Aiden around in his arms lifting his chin until their eyes met placing a feather-light kiss on his lips.

"You know I caused you a lot of pain too," Malachi argued tilting his head.

"It wasn't anything I didn't agree to, at...at." Aiden went quiet gnawing at his lower lip.

"Spit it out little one. You know I can't read minds."

Aiden pulled away needing the distance to continue.

"I wished you would have been my mate," Aiden confessed his voice bearly above a whisper and Malachi had to strain to hear him.

"You are so kind and caring and you are an amazing father. I know it was stupid to have those thoughts while you were missing her and us...we did that you know." 

Aiden finished his head cocked to the side and his hand tracing the mark on his neck a blush creeping into his face and swallowing his ears. He started pacing the room his nerves getting the better of him as he rambled on.

"But now we are bonded and I'm pregnant and there is no way I’d be able to take care of a child without you next to me, especially with how bad my anxiety gets from being away from you for a few hours. If it was days I couldn't be able to bear it.” he stopped to take a breath when a pair of hands stopped his pacing and turning him around. 

"You are what?"

Malachi was stunned he had been listening to Aiden without interrupting him. But this was fucking important.

It was true it hurt when he thought of Mara but Aiden had nothing to do with her death but Malachi had selfishly dragged him into it. His pride as an alpha had been bruised from him being unable to protect his mate.

But Aiden was now his and there was no power in the universe strong enough to make Malachi give him up. His hands grasped Aiden’s slender arms as his words washed over him.

He was pregnant. His gorgeous little omega was pregnant! Malachi’s eyes locked on his slim stomach, there was life inside of him and it was Malachi’s. He was beyond excited, they had to celebrate, good things his family dropped by unannounced.

Then it occurred to him that Aiden would have to relive the past couple of months when he filled his family in on what had happened at the Blood Moon Pack, not to mention being distressed wasn't good for his condition.

Aiden still looked like a cornered cat with no way out. Malachi kissed his forehead to snap him out of it.

"Yes." he blurted out in surprise well it looks like that wasn't the way he had planned on telling him. Malachi chuckled.

"You're not mad?" Aiden asked tears already forming in his eyes.

"Of course I'm not mad. There is no way I would ever be mad at you especially not for having my child," he said as he leads Aiden to their room.

"How about you rest and you can meet everyone tomorrow morning, if your up for it." 

Aiden nodded he knew he should probably join him at dinner but he was spent and didn't have the energy at the moment. He was tired all the time and he just wanted to sleep and he was grateful that Malachi understood.

~ ~ ~

It was nearing midnight and his family were still hounding him with questions. He had told them almost everything that had happened after he lost Mara.

His mother was outraged while his father nodded his understanding and his brother looked skeptical. 

Malachi had finally had enough of Sirius being silent so he asked.

"What’s on your mind, Sirius? Do you think my actions were unjustified?"

Sirius noted that his little brother was irritable more the usual he clearly wanted to leave but his curiosity got the better of him.

Sirius thought about keeping his mouth shut but it wasn't in his nature.

"Why would the Campbell's new Alpha attack and kill your mate? They wouldn’t gain anything from angering you. Also what was Mara doing so far from her Packs territory? She chose the long way around rather then going straight through the allied territories which was far safer.”

Malachi frowned Sirius brought up a lot of good questions he had no answers for. His actions had been of someone in agony and wanting retribution but now that his anger cooled perhaps it was time to answer them.

"Well enough of the depressing shit. Malachi, what's the name of that sweet little creature I met this morning?” Sirius asked with a grin.

Malachi instantly snapped out of his thoughts and went to Aide and what he said hours ago. He got more anxious the longer they spent apart. He looked at the clock they had been talking for over seven hours, shit.

He got up brows furrowed as his words registered. 

"Aiden is mine. But I do have someone l’d love to introduce you to, but only if your up for a challenge."

Sirius knew that look in his brother’s eye when he spoke the omega's name and he would rather not lose his life before he could meet the person Malachi considered a challenge.

"Challenge you say? No one can resist me."

”I will warn you now he is not an alpha. You will meet him tomorrow at breakfast good luck brother you will need it."