As I returned home from training, I noticed some unusual sounds coming from inside the house. It was already 10:15 AM, and typically, Aunt Cee and Beth would have finished their tasks by now and left. They had their own key, so they always locked the door behind them. I stepped inside, trying to catch a familiar scent but couldn't detect anything. When I entered the kitchen, I found my older sister, Samantha, busy stocking the fridge. 

"Oh, it’s just you," I remarked, grabbing a handful of grapes and popping them into my mouth. 

"What do you mean, just me?" she replied, feigning offense. "Aren't you excited to see your big sister, hmm?" 

"It's not that," I explained. "I didn't catch your scent, and I usually walk into a quiet house after training." 

"Aww, was my little baby brother scared?" she teased, a playful glint in her eyes. 

I rolled my eyes. "I’m not scared of anyone." 

"Alright, Mr. Big Bad Alpha," she chuckled. "I just came to replenish the supplies I got for you." 

Samantha, my older sister and a beta, had long black hair that cascaded down to her waist, her striking silver eyes standing out beautifully. At 29, she was three years my senior and was mated to Joshua, an omega—a rare pairing since it usually tends to be the other way around. 

My sister and her partner were unfazed by the challenges they faced; their love for one another was unwavering. Sadly, she encountered a tough situation while trying to conceive. Numerous pack doctors had examined her, yet none could provide a clear explanation for their plight. Some speculated it was due to Joshua being an omega, suggesting his sperm lacked the potency needed for Samantha to become pregnant. 

Though their hearts were heavy, they found a way to navigate their sorrow. They chose not to adopt, believing their bond was enough for them. 

"Are you doing okay?" I often check in with Samantha, wanting her to know that I'm here for her. I’m ready to support any choice she makes, especially since we both endured the loss of our parents on that fateful day. 

"I'm fine, Jackson. You ask me this all the time. I promise, I’ll let you know if something’s bothering me," she replied, as she always did. 

"Okay then. I'll just hop in the shower and get ready for work," I said, heading toward the stairs. 

"I'm off now. I just stopped by to drop off what I picked up for you. Please say hi to my favorite nephew for me," she said, giving me a brief hug before leaving. 

A familiar presence stormed into my office, and without even glancing up from the paperwork, I recognized it was Chris. He’s the only one bold enough to do that. 

"Back from your delightful vacation I asked, signing off on various financial decisions. 

"Delightful? Hardly! I’m utterly drained. Hopping from one gathering to another is exhausting," he replied, stretching his arms. "I could really use a long snooze—like, a few days of sleep." 

"Why not head home and catch some rest? There’s no work until Monday," I suggested, recalling my own experiences from past annual missions. 

"Yeah, but Lily would have my head. It’s karaoke weekend, and you know how much she loves belting out tunes in her room," he lamented, resting his forehead on the table. 

"Well, Tom has made a new buddy, Blake. You know Sam’s son, right?" I said, and when he nodded, I continued, "They’re supposed to have a sleepover at my place on Saturday, but I could start it earlier, from today until Sunday evening. Lily would have a blast with them." 

"That sounds awesome! It’ll just be Lynn and me at home," he replied with a broad grin. "Perfect." 

"Just remember, it’s meant for you to recharge, not to disrupt the pack members and me," I said, returning his smile. 

"Sure, sure. That too," he said, waving his hands dismissively. 

"Speaking of which, what kept you up at the last pack?" I inquired. The Alpha there was quite the jerk, and I hoped he hadn't given Chris a hard time. 

"Oh, it wasn't really a big deal. The Alpha just didn't want an omega and his mom to leave. What's his name again? Saint," Chris replied. 

At that, JJ's ears perked up. I couldn't help but ask him about his reaction. 

"I can't say for sure; that name just excites me," he responded. 

"What do you mean it excites you? It's just a name," I said, puzzled. 

"You're asking too many questions. I already told you, I don't really know," he replied, shutting me out. 

JJ had lost a part of himself when he lost his mate. He used to be bright and lively when Anto was still around. Since her passing, he seemed merely to exist. This was the first hint of excitement I'd seen in him since her death. I figured he must be feeling lonely without a mate to lean on, especially since Tom's wolf had yet to show itself. All his frustration was directed at rogues, which is why I find myself losing my patience when dealing with them. 

"Is something bothering you? You've been quiet for a while," Chris said, pulling me back to the present. 

“No, I’m alright. Just lost in thought. You should really get some rest, Chris. Please let Lynn know I’ll be picking up Lily from school and taking her to my place. I’ll arrange for someone to retrieve her belongings,” I informed Chris. 

“Thanks, man,” he replied, standing up. “Enjoy your time with those little rascals,” he said as he headed out. By “rascals,” he was referring to our kids, and I couldn't agree more. 

By 2 PM, I set out to collect the kids, who were buzzing with excitement for the sleepover. They were whispering and giggling about all the fun they planned to have. Once we arrived home, they took showers, and Lily slipped into a dress she had left here from a previous sleepover. 

The doorbell rang, and I went to see who it was. Standing there were Evelyn and Blake. I had reached out to Sam to ask if Blake could stay with us from Friday to Sunday, and he had given the green light. 

“Good afternoon, Sir,” Blake greeted me shyly. “Hey Blake, how’s it going?” I asked. “I’m good, Sir.” 

“Good afternoon, Alpha. I hope the kids won’t be too much of a handful for you,” Evelyn said. 

“It’s all good, Evelyn. The house could use a little liveliness now and then. Is this his bag?” I inquired, pointing at the bag she handed me. 

“Yes, it has his clothes, toothbrush, and a few other essentials,” she replied, and I nodded in understanding. 

“If you need any assistance, don’t hesitate to reach out. I know they can be quite a handful,” she added, and I nodded again. “Take care, Alpha,” she said as she walked away. 

I brought Blake inside, and the moment Tom spotted him, he dashed over and enveloped him in a hug. "Blakey, you're here! Come on, let me introduce you to Lily, my other friend," Tom exclaimed, taking Blake's hand and encouraging him to follow. Blake happily obliged. 

"Lily, Lily, this is Blakey, my new friend Tom announced. 

Lily regarded Blake with curiosity, inspecting him with keen interest before leaning closer to Tom and whispering, "He's really cute," followed by a giggle. It wasn’t much of a whisper, as I clearly heard her, and I had a feeling Blake did too. 

Tom frowned slightly. "Yeah, but he's my friend. I want you to be friends with him only," he insisted, and I couldn't help but chuckle at their adorable interaction. 

"Alright, nice to meet you, Blake," Lily said, extending her hand with a bright, beaming smile that showcased her shiny teeth. 

Blake shook her hand, responding shyly, "Nice to meet you too, Lily." 

"Come on, let’s show you our toys!" Lily exclaimed, taking Blake's hand, while he grabbed Tom’s, and together they hurried off to their playroom. 

I let out a sigh, knowing this weekend was bound to be filled with noise and excitement.