Alpha Julian’s POV

I remember the countless hours that I had spent sitting in the royal library being lectured on the history of my pack. It was ingrained in my teachings to hate the McAlpine pack. They couldn’t be trusted, they are not loyal, and they will do anything to get what they want. This rivalry was created long before my birth, and at first I could not understand the point of such hatred, but eventually I just accepted that hating the McAlpine is the way of the Banfield and vice versa.

One day I asked my father why we do not try to make amends, but the hiding I received prevented me from ever asking again. How funny is it that my precious child is now mated to one of the most revered McAlpine Alphas to exist? Life truly knows no bounds.

I am the fool. I tried to do what I thought was best for my son, instead I drove him into the arms of another. He used to plead safety in my arms. It is my fault that I drove him into secrecy. I suppose it does not help that Juliette always manages to make her opinion known. I can not possibly place all of the blame upon my wife yet it was her adamance that pushed me into making my son a prisoner.

It angered me when I found out about Jules’ coupling to the much older Alpha. I believed my wife’s assumptions that the Alpha had forced my Jules into mating. It was something that I just couldn’t let go unpunished, not only because it meant he did not respect my son but because it happened to me.

Growing up I was madly in love with this precious omega that was the child of one of my father’s advisors. I adored their little pink dresses, and hair adorned with bows. We spent so much time together, and my mother even caught me making sloppy drawings of us on paper that I cut into misshapen hearts.

When we got older I understood that it was improbable that we could marry, but that didn’t stop my heart from leaping out of my chest every time I saw them. We would blush as we held hands strolling through the gardens. We stole each other's first kisses at the little stream in the woods near the manor. We loved each other with everything we had, but I made a mistake.

They went into heat, and I foolishly could not control myself. Luckily I did not mark them or else we would have been in much more trouble. We managed to hide our coupling for a few months before we realized they had become pregnant. We were scared, but overjoyed at the thought of creating a child that would be the proof of our love. It was my naivety that led to our downfall.

One night I snuck them into my chambers, and we made love passionately. Unfortunately my father caught us, and he was outraged at the news. It would have been fine if they were a female omega. My father just would have banished them and forced them into secrecy about my child. Instead my love was cursed to be a male omega in a cruel world. Everything his father had done to hide his sex was a waste, his secret was out.

I sobbed in agony as my father forced me to watch as my pregnant omega was beheaded. I lost the love of my life and my child on the same day. My precious Jules was gone, and it was all my fault. I was married the next week, and to rub my pain in my face, Juliette was the name of my wife. A sick joke my father played on me in order to put me in my place. I cried as I mated with her after our mating ceremony. I betrayed my love. I killed him. I killed our child. I wanted to kill myself.

I love Julian, and Jude, but when I found out that our last child was a male omega I was brought to my knees. Juliette never knew of my past, and I never felt compelled to tell her. I was loyal to her as my mate, Luna, and friend, but my heart did not belong to her. She let me name my little omega baby Jules as she thought it was just another variation of our names, but I knew in my heart that this omega was my chance at redemption.

...and I had failed again.

I care for Jules so deeply. I would take him on strolls through the flower field that I had planted in honor of his namesake. He would hug my legs as I walked around the manor. I told him stories as I put him to sleep, making sure to rub his back to keep the nightmares away.

I would do anything for my Jules. I made a mistake, but now I am going to fix it and it starts with making peace with the McAlpines. My little Jules is all grown up and having a baby of his own. I will not have a strained relationship with him.

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Duke’s POV

I sat near the bed that my mate was resting on feeling very conflicted. I wanted to be here until he woke up, but I also had a responsibility to my pack. It wasn’t fair to suddenly call off all attacks and then abandon them without any explanation.

I didn’t have to wait long as I felt Jules start to stir. Julian and I looked at each other as if we were trying to confirm what we were seeing.

“Uh...my leg hurts Duke...Duke! What happened? Oh no where is my father? Please tell me that the fight is over” He spills out as a whole bunch of feelings rush into him.

“Calm down, Jules. Everything is fine. The war is over, but this fight is not. Your father and I have agreed to put aside our differences, but there is still much healing to do. We must also find the mole who went against their family. I know exactly who it is, and now they must pay,” I caressed his cheeks, “As for your pain, you foolishly ran into battle and got hit by warring wolves which caused you to faint”

He blushed, “I just didn’t want anyone to get hurt”

“So you chose to put your body in danger, but in your attempt at selflessness and compassion you forgot that your body is not only yours at this moment. I applaud your courage but I condemn your recklessness. I am happy you are safe above all” I kiss him softly and he looks at me sheepishly.

“Jules! You absolute maniac! What kind of person thinks it is wise to run into the middle of a war, pregnant or not?!” I decided to slip out of the room while my omega was being scolded by his older brother.

I approached the battlefield only to be stunned by members of both packs talking and hanging out civilly in their confusion. It gave me hope and proved that the rivalry was not that deeply ingrained in our hearts anymore. I walked over to Alpha Julian where we would address our people as a united front.

“Attention all! As you may see the fight has ended, we are no longer enemies. For many this may come as a surprise, but also a relief. You may wonder what has caused such a sudden peace, and I am proud to announce that love is the remedy. I apologize in advance if you feel betrayed by me hiding the existence of my youngest child, but Jules Banfield is the youngest Banfield and is a lovely omega. It has come to my attention that my child is not only mated to Alpha Duke McAlpine, but that they are expecting a child” Murmurs could be heard from both sides.

My pack knew of our mating, but not the pregnancy. I could hear and see the excitement in their faces. I was relieved to see understanding and grace fill the faces of the Banfields as well. There will always be opposition, but we should not pay attention to meaningless ruckus when there is an overwhelming amount of support and love.

“To the Banfields, I hope you will all accept the truce and peace that I offer you through my mating to Jules. To the McAlpines I hope that you will support me as I face the trials of fatherhood. It is an exciting time for both packs, and we will be stronger together” I make sure my voice is heard amongst the masses.

I do not want to bring it up right now, but I noticed that the battlefield is lacking a certain imbecile who decided to spit me for refusing the hand of his daughter. The treason will be dealt with, but for now all I want is to settle my pack so that I can tend to my omega.

“Not so fast. How can I possibly trust the likes of you? You have taken advantage of my child, and I take it as an insult towards my virtue” I cringe at the grating voice of Juliette Banfield.

“We may have come here to harm the McAlpines at first, but now we have come to an understanding, Juliette. The matter is over.” Alpha Julian pulls his mate back.

“Who decided such nonsense!? How can we go from hating their guts, to wanting to hug this bastard” She spat out and I could tell that Alpha Julian was getting frustrated with her disrespectful behavior.

“As Alphas it is our job to find solutions that benefit our packs. This peace is one that will benefit all even if you do not see it that way. I love Jules, and I can understand your dislike of me but do not question my loyalty and status. My parents were brutally murdered protecting this pack, and their love held strong for years. I accept your crass remarks about me, but do not ever talk down upon my pack nor my parents” I cut my words.

“Who are you to speak to me in such a manner? I can not believe that Jules would be bound to such a low life Alpha for the rest of his life” She sneered at me.

“No Juliette, it is not Alpha Duke that Jules is bound to. It is our restrictive parenting that has held my precious baby captive. If anything Alpha Duke has set Jules free and will give him a life that I wish my Jules could have. It is you who is being disrespectful in a time when we are trying to make peace” Alpha Julian spoke clearly before telling his troops to retreat and get prepared for the trip back home.

“My own mate can not even defend me, how pathetic” She stormed away sensing defeat.

I could have sworn that I heard Alpha Julian muttering, “It is true that I failed to defend my mate, but it is not you who was betrayed”

I ignored it sensing that it was not something that he intended to share, “Alpha Julian, Jules has woken up and I’m sure that he will be delighted by your safety and company”

“Oh that is grand. I can not wait to see my little Jules and the even littler Jewel that he is carrying. I can only hope that he forgives me for my harsh parenting and can recognize that it was only out of love” We rushed over to the infirmary only to be told that Julian had escorted my mate to my house. I was a little frustrated but grateful that he was home.

I decided to take a detour to pick up Cooper with the consent of Alpha Julian. The young pup was bouncing off the wall completely innocent to the near catastrophe that we almost faced.

“Hi Daddy! Look I made this picture for mommy and Uncle Julian. Mommy is eating Uncle Julian’s legs” He lifted the paper up to me. Whis is my child so weird. I can’t count the amount of drawings that he has made of various things eating Julian’s legs.

“That is an interesting picture, little one” Alpha Julian exclaims, and I was a little embarrassed.

“Who are you?” He looked up at the large man curiously.

“Well assuming that your mommy is my baby Jules then I guess that I’m your grandfather” He ruffles Cooper’s hair who stares in awe at the man’s words.

“My papa?” He asks with wide eyes.

“Your papa” Alpha Julian nods in confirmation before picking up the young boy who had no qualms about talking his new grandfather’s ear off on the way home.