The Alpha's Burning Flower

“Come on, baby girl, let’s go see mommy,” the man says to the blonde-haired little girl.  “Okay, daddy,” she responds with a big smile, not knowing what the future holds for her. She grabs her dad’s large hand with her tiny one and follows him with her little black nightgown swishing around her ankles. They walk in silence, hand in hand. “Go talk to mommy, baby. I’m going to talk to uncle Jase in the hallway for a little bit.” She nods, and walks into the large white room, the familiar sounds of beeping machines filling her ears. The young girl pads over to her mother’s bed and grabs her frail hand.  “Hi sweetheart, how are you tonight?” Her mother asks in a quiet voice laced with pain.  “I’m good momma,” the little girl pauses for a moment, “are you going away momma?” she asks, tears now rimming her eyes.  “Oh baby, you are too smart for your own good.” She smiles at her daughter, and cups the side of her face. “Come up here sweetie.” The little girl climbs into the small bed and cuddles up against her mom’s side. “Yes, Annabella, I will be leaving. Tonight I will be joining the goddess,” she whispers in her daughter’s ear.  “I don’t want you to,” the child sniffles quietly.  “I know sweetie, but I need you to promise me something.” The little girl looks up longingly at her mother, tears falling from her eyes. “Promise me, Annabella Rose, that you will always be kind and be brave. No matter you what. And always listen to your dad, trust him.” The child nods silently. “I promise momma.” “Tell me what you promise Annabella. Tell me you understand.” Her mom urges.  “I promise to always be kind and to always be brave. I promise to listen to daddy and trust him.” She repeats in which her mother smiles and closes her eyes, giving her child a featherlight kiss on the forehead.  “Now let’s just lay down my sweet girl. I can feel the goddess.” The young girl cries quietly against her mom’s shoulder. Outside the door, she hears her father’s voice.  “This is the right thing to do,” her dad says.  “Adam! You can’t take her away from her home!” Jase replies.  “My daughter is in danger Jase. She will be hunted here. I can’t have her end up like her mother. We will tell the pack I am too weak from losing my mate to continue leading, and taking care of my daughter and myself. They will understand. Then I will take her, and we will disappear so there is no risk of someone following us. I will teach her everything she needs to know. As a kid I will teach her without her actually knowing it's real, and then when her wolf is ready to come out, I will tell her the truth and I will help her shift. I will explain to her why it is so important for her to only shift with me, and to not tell people what she is. I will help her mature and when the time is right, hopefully I will be able to bring her back. I have a plan, Jase.” Her father explains in a calm voice. Then he sighs, “but if for some reason, I cannot bring her back, please give her this. If the plan fails, she will need it.”  “Then who will take over?” Jase questions.  “You.”  “Me?!” Jase yells in the silent hallways.  “Yes you. You’re my Beta, and my best friend Jase. I trust you with my pack and my secret.” There is a pause, and Annabella feels her mother heave a great breath in and shudders as she lets it out, finally going still. She wipes her tears, and climbs off the bed walking out of the room. Both of the men’s gazes automatically fall onto the small child.  “Momma went to the goddess,” she tells them in a whisper. Her father closes his eyes tightly while Jase stares at the red-eyed three-year-old standing tall before him.  “She is wise beyond her years,” he says.  “Too wise,” her father mutters back in a shaky voice. “Okay I’ll mind-link the pack and we will bury her now. I know the pack will feel the loss of their Luna. After the burial, I will tell them my decision to step down.” Within two hours, the woman was buried, and Jase has been sworn in as the new Alpha . Under the light of the full moon, the father gently takes his sleeping daughter from her bed and silently, they leave the only home he has ever known.