I am worried.

Now that I finally found my mate, I should have everything I ever wanted. In reality, all that was missing from my life was a mate, so now I should be fulfilled. Right?

Well… my mate is running away from his baby daddy who just so happens to be one of the most ruthless and powerful Alphas of Oklahoma. Though he is not in mortal danger per say, his son is in peril of being kidnapped and that would be atrocious.

Carlisle was raped when his heat struck at 17 years old by a boy who never wanted him to be his Beta. It is profoundly disturbing for me to hear this tale, so horrific that I can barely repeat it to others.

I was not Phillip’s choice for Beta, as we all know by now, he was forced to go with me by his father. We get along great now, considering how we started off long ago. But it was a journey for us to get comfortable and to trust each other, that’s for sure.

Richard Lucas, the Alpha who is father to Carlisle’s son, hasn’t been able to produce an heir with his mate - making him practically the first Alpha in history to be incapable of having children (with his mate), even though technically he already has one. However, unmated children are not seen with kind eyes in werewolf society.

His entire pack expected him to have pups with his mate and therefore have them as the next in line for Alpha of the pack, but it appears the Goddess is not keen on deadbeat dads. There is no medical reason for him or his mate to not be able to have children, so that only leaves a higher power at play.

After his son turned 11 and shifted into a wolf for the first time - a very rare occurrence for males of our species - Richard got it into his head that he should take the child away from the only father he has ever known to raise him with his mate. This is so preposterous that only a person capable of raping a heat struck Omega could think of it.

Let me be clear, he did not have sex with Carlisle accidentally because of his heat. No, he waited for the opportunity and used it as an excuse to sexually assault him. He wasn’t even in the room according to my mate. Why would you do this to anyone on purpose?

Why did he think it was okay for any individual to behave like that?

I understand it was such a horrible concept that people couldn’t think it was in fact purposeful, that he acted the way he did just to ruin my mate’s chances of becoming Beta of the pack. Who does that?

He should be punished by the Goddess indeed, but I am not completely sold on the punishment itself. However, I can certainly understand the irony of the situation. The one kid who he always ignored is now poised to be the only heir to the pack.

You have to keep in mind that Alphas are born, not chosen. It is a genealogy passed down from parent to child. It does not choose gender, but you need to have the genes to produce one.

Even so, it doesn’t give him the right to try to kidnap Charlie from his father. When I told this story to my family on the night of my mating, my mom cried. She was appalled by this, especially as a fellow Omega. Every Omega from her senior class had some sort of trouble with their heat episode, though most of them were saved or rescued by Elliot Lockwood, the former Luna of the pack, Phillip’s Omega father.

I had the happiest day of my life so far when I found my mate, but now there is a part of me that is dead worried about the possibility of Richard finding them here, even though I will do everything I can to keep that from happening.

I will stop at nothing to keep my mate and his son safe, but I am afraid of what would happen if they are found. If my mate is forced to run away again, what will happen to me? To us? What kind of future can we expect to have together?

Is he always going to be on the run? With no stability for him and his son?

That would be terrible, not only because of me and my life, but his son would never have peace. This is his formative years, he should be making friends and bonding with classmates, not on the run and away from school.

There are some tough decisions ahead for my mate, but I meant what I said to him. I will be there for him, no matter what. But I do hope he can make his life here, running won’t always be an option. At least, I don’t think so.

Goddess knows I would be lost without my family, so to be forced to move away from his pack is a violence all on its own. I pray to never be forced to move away from mine, not only for my family but my position as Beta. I feel that I can be more useful to him as the protector of the pack.

I guess I am unsure of our future together, but mainly I worry about what would happen if Charlie were to be taken away from him. Though I am not a father, I am positive that Carlisle would never be okay, would never recover from this. This is what scares me the most.

I have no problem with my mate having an unmated child, I am happy to be a step dad. But in order for my life to go smoothly, I need my mate to be well. There is no future for me without Carlisle, of that I am sure. And there is no future for Carlisle without Charlie by his side, as it should be.

After I took my mate and his son all around town on Saturday morning, we ended up in a park downtown where Charlie had a blast playing with other kids. It was so endearing to see the boy having fun, not a care in the world. Carlisle was over the moon happy to see his son having the chance to be a child again.

They had been on the road for almost a week, so it was very taxing on the both of them but especially on the child. Kids love road trips, but they have to be planned ahead and they usually don’t last several days.

Eventually, he got hungry and it was time for us to return to the pack house for lunch. While I set them up in the dining hall for residents, I went back to my house to grab some lunch myself.

Later, I returned to find them resting inside the living room. Charlie was yet to question who I was to his father and why they stayed over here, but that is only because he was very entertained by other endeavors. I am sure further explanations will be required soon.

“Did you have a nice lunch?” I inquired of them, entering the living room.

“It was awesome. I think I ate too much…” Charlie replied, rubbing his belly, feeling satisfied.

“We did, the food here is excellent.” Carlisle responded, contently. He kept a watchful gaze on his son who soon would become restless.

“Why didn’t you eat with us?” Charlie questioned me, curiously. - “There was plenty of room at the table.”

“Because only residents of the pack house are allowed to eat there. So, I had to eat at my house instead.” I informed him in a serious tone. The boy widened his eyes at that information.

“Wow. So that means we live here now?” He questioned me, sounding excited at the prospect.

“No, son. This is only temporary. I am still not sure how long we are going to be able to stay here.” Carlisle explained to his son, stabbing my heart in the process. This is exactly what I feared.

Charlie was disappointed to hear this, sulking on the couch.

“Because of the mean dad?” He frowned at his father, who sighed.

“Yes, because of him. I won’t let him take you away from me, I promise.” Carlisle pledged, feeling a tightness in his heart. He is apprehensive about it, understandably so.

There was an awkward silence in the room after that, but I am trying to keep things light. As much as I can.

“Actually Charlie, I would like to invite you to come to my house. I have a room there just for you. You can even decorate it however you want.” I enticed him, who smiled widely at the prospect.

“Really?” His eyes widened in excitement. But his dad was frowning at this, looking at me reprehensibly.

“It’s too soon for us to be talking about moving in with you, mate. You shouldn’t have brought it up to my son now.” He chastised, glaring at me.

“Of course, mate. I only meant to tell your son that I will buy him all the toys that he wants.” I amended my statement, getting my mate angrier in the process. Charlie was elated.

“STOP TRYING TO BRIBE MY SON!” He raised his voice at me and I looked down, embarrassed.

“You’re right, I’m sorry. I just want Charlie to have everything that he wants here. If there’s anything I can do for him, I will. But of course only with your consent.” I told him, feeling remorse but enthusiasm about becoming a stepdad.

Charlie was devastated by his father’s attitude. He pouted and sulked, he used every tool in his arsenal to try to persuade his dad.

“Fine, you can buy him one toy. That is all I can allow for now.” Carlisle conceded after much protest by Charlie.

“Thanks, daddy.” He said, tearfully. Then he looked at me and asked:

“Can you buy me a new phone? Dad said I had to leave mine at home.” He looked at me excitedly, though his father wasn’t a fan of that idea.

“You can’t have a phone right now, son. You would only give away our location.” He reprimanded him in a stern tone, causing the boy to pout.

“Can I buy him a tablet instead? I’ll set it up so he can play with it safely.” I offered, humbly. Charlie was delighted by the idea while his father grunted in annoyance.

“Sure. But I don't want my son to have unlimited internet access or he’ll never put it down.” He cautioned me.

“Of course, mate. You’re the boss.” I winked at him, playfully.

Charlie jumped up and down in excitement and pulled me up from the coach.

“Before we go out to buy his tablet, I would like to invite you both to come to my house. I meant what I said earlier. It is available to you, though I obviously understand your reluctance, mate. I didn’t mean to invite you to live with me before the acceptance speech.” I told him, a bit uncomfortable but doing my best to put him at ease.

“What’s the acceptance speech?” Charlie was puzzled. It was then when Carlisle started explaining what mates are to him. He was yet to have this conversation with his son, but this is as good a time as any. Though he left out bond completion for the time being, he is only 11.

Later that day, I took them to my home. For so long, I dreamed of filling this house with my own family. I guess I can finally start to think it is a possibility for me. Even in the distant future, anything is possible for me now. For the both of us.

Carlisle and Charlie were marveled by the large three bedroom (one suite) house. They were baffled that I lived here alone and asked why wouldn’t I seek a smaller house for me.

“I guess the plan was for me to have more people to live with, but it never panned out.” I explained to them, feeling hopeful.

Charlie was mesmerized by the rooms in the upstairs floor. He was enchanted to find a room ready for him to move into, though it obviously needed decoration, the basics are already furnished. A bed, a nightstand and a wardrobe. Simple, but tasteful.

“This would be your room.” I told the young boy, who was excited at the idea of redecorating it. His father was cautious of him getting excited though. I totally get that, but I held back for so long that now all I want is to go further. I have no time to waste.

“I am sorry to ask, but how are you paying the mortgage on this house and yet offering my son to buy him all the toys in the store? On a Beta’s salary?” Carlisle is baffled by this. The budget is not adding up in his mind. Charlie is bouncing on the bed, giddy.

“I’m not paying any mortgage on this, it was a present from my parents.” I explained to him, mildly uncomfortable to admit this to him - even though I have been flaunting my wealth like a sugar daddy.

“Oh.” He gaped at me in shock, surprised by this.

“Yeah, my fraternal grandmother comes from money, so…” I told him in a low tone.

“I see…” He looked at me up and down for a moment, taking the measure of me.

After we spent some time getting to know my house, I took them to the mall to buy the tablet I promised Charlie. The place was as busy as you’d expect for a Saturday afternoon. Customers and employees were all mesmerized to see me there with my mate and his unmated pup.

By now, there probably isn’t one pack member who hasn’t heard of our surprise mating. Everybody loves gossip and this is a scandal. Not because of how long it took us to find each other - there are mates who were discovered in their thirties - and certainly not because of the same sex pairing. That literally doesn’t shock anyone for decades.

I took the opportunity to stop by the toy store, this time proudly accompanying my mates.

“Hi Lorraine, how are you doing today?” I greeted the manager, Iris’ aunt, who had reported Carlisle and Charlie’s presence here as rogues.

“Hi, Beta. I’m fine and you?” She stared at my mate by my side while Charlie ran rampant around the large store.

“I’d like to thank you for doing your civic duty. If it weren’t for you, I would never have found my mate.” I said, smiling smugly at her.

She gulped awkwardly at Carlisle’s presence as I said that, but faked a saleswoman’s smile.

“It was my honor, Beta. I am so happy for you.” She said, trying to sound happy for me.

“Thank you. I would like a PlayStation, please. Latest model. And all the games that you have.” I declared, causing a gasp to escape her lips.

“All the games? That’s like–”

“I would like it wrapped now, please.” I cut her off before she could tell me the number.

Carlisle was not pleased with me. He whispered to me that I shouldn’t be buying Charlie video games. I told him that I am not, these are for me. If ever he decides to let his son stay in my house, then the video games will be waiting for him.

Charlie was eyeing a toy that his father ended up not buying for him yesterday, so I took the chance to purchase it for him.

“Hey, don’t look at me that way! You said I could buy him a toy. A tablet is not a toy.” I defended myself, while the young boy was having the time of his life.

“No matter how much money you throw around, I still need to keep my guard up. Keep in mind you can’t buy my acceptance.” He reprimanded me in a very low tone, whispering in my ear as we waited for the packages to be ready to go.

“I am not buying you anything, much less your acceptance. I am doing what I can to improve your stay here, whatever you do from now is your choice.” I stated, confidently.

Literally, I am not buying anything for him. This is all for Charlie. I would never presume to buy my mate’s affection nor would I value it if I could. But no one said anything about spoiling a child. If you can call buying a toy and a tablet spoiling anyone… *eye roll*

Later on, we left the mall contently. I bought the tablet and set it up with as many safeguards as I could think of to protect him. Charlie was over the moon happy about it. And for the toy. Meanwhile, I can only hope to prove to my mate that I really mean business.

I want his son to like me, of course I do. But I want the father to trust me as well. I want to be loved and I know there is no amount of money that can buy me that. But it sure doesn’t hurt to have some to spare.

A|N: Cash baby! I wish I had it like Stephano. LOL

Next is "Head Over Heels".

Love,

Léo.