Watching Brynlee as she sleeps in my arms, my mark permanently etched on her neck, I wonder if this is what true peace really is. A Mate in my arms pregnant with my pup and a Pack that actually respects me not because of a birthright, but because of the work I have done to help the Pack grow stronger. If I had stayed in Pine Moon and married Tanya, I would have never had this.
“Rune?” Brynlee calls out quietly, her eyes blinking sleepily as she looks at me.
“Yes, baby?” I ask back, caressing her face gently.
“Why are you still awake?” She yawns midway through asking me this question, her voice sounding childish and not like the woman that moaned so lewdly that I am sure the whole Pack heard us complete the Mate Bond.
“Because I am doing my job and protecting you.” I answer with a chuckle. She hums in acknowledgment before shifting closer against me, falling asleep just as quickly as she woke up. I chuckle, thinking back to when we were pups and I would stay at her house.
This was when my mother was still alive and would send me to Brynlee’s house after Tanya came to live in the Pack. I remember wondering why my mother would send me away from the Pack House every week when I should be spending time with Tanya. But those thoughts would disappear the moment Brynlee opened the door, her blond hair braided down her back while she smiled at me.
The two of us would be curled up on the air mattress in the middle of the living room that her father had set up, watching movies and devouring junk food. I was so happy during those times. I wasn’t Alpha Rune to her then, but just her friend Rune. And just like clockwork, Brynlee would fall asleep first and manage to curl up in my arms the way she is now, fast asleep with her head on my chest.
My mother knew that Brynlee and I were Goddess given Mates and sent me there every weekend to build our bond. For that, I am grateful. She looked out for Brynlee and me without us knowing and if it weren’t for that, I don’t think I would be here now with the love of my life.
[Rune?] Suppressing a groan as my Aunt’s voice pops into the link, I curl around my sleeping Mate and breath in her cinnamon-sugar scent.
[Go away Aunt Asteria.] I reply back, getting a chuckle in response.
[I just wanted to say congratulations.] She teases back.
[You know about the pup!] I ask incredulously, wondering if Brynlee told her.
[Not that, you idiot. I knew about that a few weeks ago.] She is quick to reply, the link filled with her laughter.
[The familial bond had a shift in it about an hour ago. Brynlee isn’t replying to me so I figure she is asleep but I know you two marked each other. I can feel it.] This time I do groan in frustration. I forgot about that damned familial bond. Brynlee had told me that it had formed with my Aunt and her family when she was accepted into the Pack but seeing as I had been disowned, I never felt it. Not until now. Closing my eyes and searching inside me, I find the familial bond repaired and stronger than ever. I can feel my Aunt and Uncle’s presence, feel my little cousins, and the joy beaming from all of them. Not only that, but I can feel two more. Brynlee’s and a small little blip of light connected to her – our pup.
[You figured she was pregnant by the familial bond, didn’t you.] I state, getting another chuckle from my aunt.
[I did. That blip of light grows stronger every day.] Aunt Asteria admits. Great.
[Well I am going to bed. I will see you at the meeting tomorrow.] With this, I shut off the link and buried my face into Brynlee’s hair. The Mate Bond and familial bond hum together inside me, feeling warm and welcoming inside me. The last time I felt this warmth was the last day my mother was alive. After that, everything became cold and hard. I became cold and hard just like Valor.
But now I have the warmth back. A warmth I never realized I craved until this moment. A warmth that I will give my life to protect so that Brynlee never has to feel the cold hard world I once lived in. So that our pup Emory can live with warmth and love in their little life.