Light slowly drifts in through the sheer curtains, falling across my eyelids and causing me to wake up. Strong arms are wrapped around me with my back against a sturdy chest. The tingles against my skin tell me that it’s Tate as he snuggles closer to me. I need to get my mind off of yesterday and move forward. I will always love Kelly, but Julia needed her mother to raise her. Today is a new day, and slowly my grief will settle down with time.
Tate gently pulls away from me and kisses my forehead before his presence leaves the bed. Ten minutes pass by till I decide that I did not want to stay here in bed forever and I throw the covers back to stand. Stretching, I make my way towards the bathroom for a shower, letting the warm water cleanse away the smell of grief from yesterday off of my body. I feel more refreshed as I shut off the water and wrap my body in a fluffy towel and frown when I realize just how over sized the towel is. I am still learning to get used to my small stomach once again and one thing is for sure, I will need some towels that fit me later. I step away from the master en-suite and pad towards the closet while towel drying my hair. Something about a morning shower always makes me feel lighter and energetic. Dressing in a short fall dress, I braid my hair and make my way downstairs towards the smell of breakfast cooking in the kitchen.
"Come here, princess!" I hear Tate's voice before seeing him and everyone else as I round the corner to the kitchen entrance just in time to watch Jack pass Julia to my mate.
"Good morning." I say, smiling as I walk towards them, kissing my mate on the cheek before taking Julia from him.
“Hey, we were having daddy-daughter time!" He exclaims while I sit down on a chair with her in my arms across from my mate.
“And now she is having some cuddles from her mommy.” I retort with a giggle.
"New-born babies are cute but boring." Jack says with a sigh as he smiles at my daughter. I fake gasp at him, shielding Julia from Jack’s sight and shaking my head at my cousin-in-law.
"Shame on you. She is busy being adorable." I say in mock scolding before kissing my pup gently on her little nose.
"Yes, she is, and you need to be busy eating," Tate adds in with a chuckle. I smile when my mate places a plateful of food in front of me and a glass of orange juice to accompany my meal. But I protest when he takes Julia away from me.
"Hey, I had her!" I exclaim, reaching out to take our pup away from him again.
"And now you are eating." He smirks making me glare at him as he takes Julia back to his seat.
"She may not be my flesh and blood, but the moment I saw her, I knew she would be my little girl." He says with a soft smile on his face. I smile at his declaration as I give in and begin to eat, letting him cuddle our pup. The four of us enjoy the quiet morning, taking turns passing Julia around and taking pictures with her. I smile when Chris and Jack announce that they are looking at adopting their own pup soon once they settle into their own house here in Bloodsvain. It finally feels like life is set on the right track for my family and me.
Suddenly, everything turns into chaos as wolves in uniforms worn by the Council of Elders storm into the kitchen, the sounds of glass shattering from the windows breaking open. Julia is placed into my arms with Tate backing me into a wall, taking a protective stance in front of us, a threatening growl rolling over the crowd.
"Laina Starcrest, you are under arrest for kidnapping!" A man states as he steps forward, weary of Tate. Who ever this man is, it is clear that he has come for me and that I could tell he did not want to go against my mate. If he tries anything, I have a feeling he would lose quickly and without knowing what caused his demise in the end.