Kaden POV
I return home to the South Pack, and I feel defeated. When Leo and I arrived at the Pinnacle Pack, it was barren. All but one of the rogues had fled. They knew we were coming, but with Fernando dead, so is their pack.
The only rogue there was drunk and came without a fight. I searched the rogue pack for hours, and there was no sign of my father or his body. Eventually, Leo had to drag me away. I would have stayed there until I found him. I don't want to sound like a child, but I need him right now. I need his guidance.
It is the middle of the night, but all the lights are on in the pack house. There is an uneasy feeling in the pit of my stomach, and I want to run the other way, but Leo doesn't let me.
"There are things that need to be discussed," he tells me.
"Can't it wait until the morning?" I groan.
But I know it cannot wait. Raven and her mates can't stay here forever. With the latest recusant movement thwarted, they will want to get back home. I will be left to sort most of this mess on my own.
Everyone is waiting for us in the living room. Much to my surprise, Kai is holding a sleeping baby on his chest. He smiles at me brightly, and I catch a glimpse of the man he used to be.
Tish does not look as relaxed. She is fidgeting awkwardly and refusing to look at me. I drop to my knees in front of her and lay my head on her stomach, searching for the flutter of the heartbeat of my child. I let out a sigh of relief when I hear it.
"What's wrong?" I ask, looking into her eyes.
"Our mate has been keeping secrets," Kai whispers.
Fear washes over me, and I prepare myself for the worst.
"I think you should sit down," Raven says kindly.
I take a seat beside Tish and pull her onto my lap, breathing in her delicious scent. She squirms on my lap, but I refuse to let her go.
"Kaden," she begins, and I can see the regret in her eyes. She doesn't look at anyone else while she explains everything.
I can feel myself begin to sweat when I find my daughter will be mated to the Princes and that the bond has already formed. I want to vomit when I find out she likely has been gifted an ancient wolf. I fear that I will fuck up everything when I raise her.
"For many reasons," Raven interrupts, "we would like to keep the bond a secret. I don't want to put a target on her as soon as she is born. She is too important."
Tish has turned a sickly shade of green. Just a few days ago, she wasn't sure she wanted to be a mother, but now she is burdened with a secret. A secret so important it will keep the werewolf world safe.
"Does Mae know?" I ask her.
Tish shrugs her shoulders. "I did not tell her but that doesn't mean that she does not know."
Raven chews on her bottom lip. She is deep in thought. Her blue eyes flash a strange color, and I wonder if she is speaking to her wolf or to her mates.
"I will speak with my brother," she finally says. "I will find out how much they know. For now, you all pretend like you know nothing."
Kai nods his head. He is still smiling like an idiot. I have never seen him more at peace than right now.
"We will keep the secret," I sigh. "What do we do about Mother?"
Raven sighs. "I cannot make that decision. It is a South Pack issue, but I can say that I think she is too dangerous to your mate bond and your pack to keep alive."
"I'll do it," Kai says.
Tish and I both look at him with a stunned look. He is holding a baby in his arms and talking about killing his mother.
"I don't think..." I begin, but Kai cuts me off.
"If she is going to die, I get to do it," he growls softly. "She ruined my life."
The baby in his arms squirms uncomfortably, but he pats him on the bottom, and the baby soothes quickly.
Raven throws her arms up in the air and huffs in frustration. "Great, he loves everyone but me."
"That's not true," Tish tries to comfort her, but her heart isn't in it.
"We are leaving in the morning," Raven blurts out.
Tish sucks in a sharp breath and looks to me for help, but there is nothing I can do.
"You can't leave me," Tish pleads with Raven. "I don't know what I am doing."
The hardened look in Raven's eyes disappears. "You have been doing it without me for weeks."
"I just," she cries. "I lost Mae, I can't lose you too."
Raven cups Tish's face in her hands. "You haven't lost Mae, and you aren't going to lose me either. But I have to get back to my duties."
She wipes the tears from Tish's cheeks and kisses her on the tip of the nose. Tish giggles at the gesture and then nods in understanding.
"I will be back for the birth," Raven continues. "And there will be regular visits so the children's bond can grow."
"Okay," Tish whimpers.
Raven reaches for her son, and Kai lets out a groan of protest but hands the baby over.
Raven and her mates leave the room, leaving Kai and I alone with Tish. My arms are still wrapped around Tish's waist, and I notice that Kai won't look at us.
"Where should I sleep?" He finally asks.
Tish crawls off my lap and straddles Kai, pressing his shoulders against the couch. She wiggles her hips playfully. "Where do you want to sleep?" She teases.
His fingers dig into her hips, and she moans lightly. But he lifts her from his lap and jumps off the couch.
"I don't want to get in the way," he spits out.
Tish doesn't say a word. She gets to her feet and strips off her shirt. She isn't wearing a bra, and I have to fight back the urge to grab her and fuck her on this couch. But this show isn't for me. It is for Kai.
Tish runs her fingers across his chest and whispers something into his ear. His mouth drops open, and she saunters from the living room. Kai is rooted to the spot. His hands flex awkwardly at his sides. I smirk, and curiosity gets the better of me. "What did she say?"
"She wants us to tag team her like the very first night," Kai whispers.
"Then what are we waiting for?" I ask, getting to my feet.
"What if I hurt her?" He says, not taking his eyes off the door.
"I won't let you," I tell him confidently.