Jules’ POV

Okay I was starting to get really annoyed by Julian’s constant fretting over me. I demanded that he take me back to Duke’s house so that I could rest comfortably and hopefully find Cooper if he was left at home in the haste.

Julian put me in the bed and helped me look around for the little boy, but Duke must’ve taken him somewhere safe before he went out to battle. I was still feeling a little sleepy so I went back to sleep for who knows how long when I heard the door slam shut and hushed whispers. I opened my eyes immediately at the sound of Cooper talking at a mile a minute to someone.

I was surprised to see my father holding the boy and nodding along to whatever strange story Cooper was telling him, “Father!”

“Hello Jules, how are you doing?” He walked over to the side of the bed and caressed my cheek.

“I’m okay, are you okay? Did you get hurt?” I checked his body for any injuries but I couldn’t see any so far.

“No I’m not hurt, that little mate of yours couldn’t hurt your big, strong old man” I smiled at his attempt at humor while Duke crossed his arms in disagreement.

“I see you met Cooper, isn’t he the cutest?” I reach my arms up for the boy who leans into my hold instantly and cuddles into my side resting a hand on my bump.

“Yes he is very cute, and very curious. He reminds me of Julian when he was a child” My father looks down at us fondly and strokes my hair. I lean into him for comfort. It’s been such a long time since we have been able to relax and enjoy each other's company. I missed it terribly.

“Curious? I think you mean creepy. Do you know how many drawings I have of various objects eating my legs off? It’s quite morbid” Julian interrupted our conversation with his two cents.

“Oh yes I believe he has another one for you right here. Something about little Jules here eating your legs, very creative” Father tries to hide his smile at Julian’s disturbed one.

“I made it just for you, Uncle Julian!” Julian thanked him and Cooper gave him one of his biggest smiles.

“Are you sure that you’re okay?” I couldn’t help but ask again.

“We’re fine Jules, there’s no need to worry. We may have started off on the wrong foot, but Duke and I agree that we should put love and family first. You’re my little boy, Jules and I’m so sorry that I made you feel like a prisoner in what was supposed to be your safe haven” He had a sad expression on his face that I had rarely ever seen.

To me, my father was the strongest man in the world and he could do no wrong. I felt safe and sought comfort in his arms. He always regarded me with a smile even when I knew he was tired and stressed from a hard day’s work. The only times that I had ever seen him frown was the funeral of my grandmother, and every time we would stop at this one tree in the flower garden. Every time I would ask him why he was sad at the tree he would just tell me that it reminded him of everything that he’s lost in life. I had a feeling it was something that he didn’t really want to talk about so I just left it at that.

“Thanks father it means a lot to me to have your support especially with a baby on the way. This will be your first grandchild, are you ready for that?” I asked him excitedly.

He shook his head which confused me before he explained, “My first by blood maybe, but not my first grandchild. That honor belongs to the young pup asleep on your lap”

My heart melted at his words and I knew that it meant a lot to Duke as well. Maybe I should have been honest with my father a lot sooner, but I guess it is all working out in the end.

⯀

It’s been a couple weeks since the battle, and things are finally getting back to normal. We were all feeling a little uneasy with the fact that things could go downhill in a split second. I’ve also been sleeping a lot more lately especially considering my back and feet were feeling really sore. At this point I really just can’t wait until this baby is out of me. Cooper is still not the biggest fan of the new addition to our family, but my father is spoiling him with all of the attention in the world which he loves. It’s been quite cute to see them form a relationship and see how much my father loves children.

However not everything has been so heart warming recently. Despite the battle being over, Duke was still desperate to find the mole who had been leaking all of the pack’s information. I knew he really wanted to ask my father, but my father is a man of honor. If he promised that man privacy in turn for his secrets then there was no way that you could get the name out of my father. I am sure that it is frustrating for Duke, but he understands that if it were him, he would also make the same choices as my father.

I have also been saddened by the disapproval of my mother. She has been nothing but rude to me and Duke, even going as far as to tell me to get rid of our child once it is born so that I could move on and separate from Duke. I always thought that she had my best interest in mind, but now I’m confused by her inability to consider my feelings. I am young, and in the eyes of many, still a child but I am old enough to make decisions that align with my values and morals.

Most of the Banfield pack has returned to our homeland, my mother included. Jude, Julian, and my father have decided to stay until at least the birth of my child. As disappointing as it is to lack the support of your mother, I am glad that those loyal to my heart have stayed and made their support apparent. I’d rather have those who stand transparent in my life than those that wish to muddy it with false adoration.

⯀

Duke’s POV

I should have known that he was behind this. Ever since I rejected his daughter he has been against me and every single one of my decisions. His daughter is a very nice, shy, young girl who has a good head on her shoulders. I’m sure that she would make a great mate, but not for me. It would be unfair to the both of us to be mated out of convenience. Plus, I had also heard that she preferred women. I haven’t heard from her recently, but I sometimes see her hanging around one of my best female warriors. If their relationship is what I assume it to be, then I am very happy for her.

I am however not at all pleased with the actions of her father. I’ve been searching for him, but I couldn’t seem to track him down, until today. My beta informed me that some of the trackers caught his scent and followed it to this little cave further into the woods.

When I caught him he was sleeping, and it was truly astonishing how he was able to sleep so peacefully knowing that he went against his pack, his family. I didn’t wait for him to wake up, I kicked him in the side which made him shoot up in pain. His eyes widened at the sight of me and some of the other guards looking down at him.

“You have committed treason against the pack, and it is time that you pay for your mistakes. You pledged loyalty to the McAlpine’s, but the moment that things did not go your way you squealed to the enemy. You have not only brought shame to the pack, but also your status as a respectable man. What do you have to say to defend what little virtue you have left?” I sneered down at him wanting to punch his offensive face.

“You have no proof that I have done anything wrong! I will report such misconduct to the elders if you choose to keep harassing me!” He screamed at us, scrambling to get to his feet.

“That is where you are mistaken. I have all of the evidence that I need. You should have known that Alpha Julien would have chosen the side of his child over you. He gave you up instantly once he realised that Jules could have gotten hurt. You were just another pawn at his disposal” I lied to him, but I could tell that he bought my fibs.

“Fine! I did it, but you have to understand that I had to do it. The Banields held me captive and beat me up in order to get the answers out of me” Now he was straight up lying to me.

“Do you take me for a fool!? I will not even entertain this notion for a thousand different reasons. I, Alpha Duke James McAlpine hereby banish you from the McAlpine pack. You will have no contact with any member, and if I find out that you are still conspiring against us I will find you, and when I find you… well don’t let me find you” I would have loved to submit him to a life of punishment and pain, but apparently it’s unethical and all that jazz.

“We’ll take care of it from here Alpha, you better get back to your mate. Hopefully he hasn’t already given birth while you were away” I paled at the sheer thought of missing the birth of my child because I was dealing with some idiot.

“Thank you, and I hope that is not the case. Jules may be a saint, but I’m not so sure that I’ll be able to have kids anymore if I missed the birth of our child” I sneered one last time at the traitor before quickly heading home.

“Daddy! Look at the new toy that Papa got me!” Cooper swarmed me with attention as soon as I walked through the door just so that I could marvel at another object that Alpha Julian has spoiled him with.

“Wow! That’s so cool, did you say thank you?” He nodded at me clinging to my legs while I walked farther into the house.

He nodded at me, and I picked him up into my arms and squeezed him tightly, “You’re squishing me”

“Do you think that we should give mommy a squish?” I asked him quietly as we approached my bedroom. He nodded again, but this time a lot more enthusiastically.

Before Jules could say anything Cooper and I attacked him in a massive group hug. Cooper couldn’t get his arms around Jules’ stomach, but he made sure to squeeze him as best as he could. I then used my special attack and bombarded my cute little omega in a million kisses.

“What’s with all the love?” Jules asked after we calmed down still wrapped up in a big cuddle ball.

“We just have too much love for you that it all exploded” I smiled at him as I rubbed his bump.

“Well I can’t say that I’m complaining” He giggled and gave each of us a big kiss on the cheek, “I can’t wait until this little one is born. I bet they will demand the attention of everyone around them, especially my father”

“No! He’s my papa!” Cooper shouted indignantly at the thought of a rival competing for his grandfather’s love.

We chuckled and I ruffled his hair, “I’m sure your papa has enough love to go around, Coop”

He continued pouting, but stayed curled up in our embrace. It was nice to finally relax and enjoy tender moments like this before a tiny baby completely took over our lives.