Chapter 1
Note: This is a werewolf rebirth story, yet some elements differ from the "typical" werewolf stories.
Be aware of cheating (not between main characters), death and attempted s****l assault.
-Summer-
“You’re nervous,” I observed.
“Huh?”
My mate looked at me, confused, not even noticing me. I didn’t blame him. He always hated the dinners we attended each month. His father demanded it, but I knew Josh would rather stay home. I would never allow him to attend alone, though. If his father was getting on his nerves, then he was going to get on mine as well. We were a couple. A strong Luna and Alpha couple, and no matter what, his father could not ruin that.
“I just… He always… When we are there,” he began, and I chuckled and kissed his cheek before he took my hands. When Josh grew nervous, he would twist the family ring on his finger around and around. It was sort of cute, actually, but he would make the skin all red, and so I found a way to calm him.
“I know,” I affirmed and nodded. “I know what he does.”
“He always tries to make it clear that I will never live up to him.”
“And that is his problem. It doesn’t change that you’re the next King of The Wolves,” I stated. “Don’t let him get to you. I know how strong you are. Focus on that.”
Josh smiled, placing his hands on my hips and smiling. “I am focused.”
“No, not anymore,” I chuckled, noticing something else had occupied his mind. “Not now!”
“If we’re fast…”
“Your dad will only get angrier because we’re late, and you know we had something to tell him. It’s not a normal night.”
Josh sighed and nodded before he let his hand fall, yet he let one of them run to my flat stomach before he rested it there. We were both 26, and while a female’s heat came around every year after meeting her mate, we hadn’t been able to conceive until now.
“You’re going to be a wonderful dad,” I whispered and reached up, stroking his cheek.
Josh smiled and looked me in the eyes. “Because I have you.”
“Oh, please, my Alpha, tell me how much you need me.”
He chuckled and wrapped his arm around me, pressing me closer to him. “I wouldn’t have gotten as far without you.”
I smiled back at him and then pressed my forehead to his.
“I am not going anywhere,” I whispered.
We took a moment to gather ourselves, then we knew we couldn’t postpone it anymore, and Josh grabbed my hand as he led me to his car outside. We drove to his father’s place, and as king, it was the grandest palace you could ever find out there. The king should lack nothing, yet I had fears. What would happen once Josh and I took over? Would we become as pretentious as his father? Would the expensive things around us drive us a little crazy? I tried not to think too much about it. Luckily, his dad had many good years in him.
“We’re here,” he sighed.
“That we are,” I mumbled.
We turned to look at each other, smiling a little, before we walked outside. We met at the front of the car, hands intertwining, and then we walked up the stairs. A servant opened the door, and we walked in, before our jackets were taken. Then we walked to one of the living rooms, where others were waiting for the food to be served.
Josh was not an only child. He had four younger siblings. Despite being younger, they all had mates and at least one child, and we had certainly felt the pressure of that.
“Josh!”
They all swarmed their brother, and I was pushed a little to the side. It had always been that way. Somehow, I couldn’t be what they wanted me to be. I came from a powerful family, and yet, it wasn’t enough.
“Josh.” A powerful voice went through the room, and the sibling army split in the middle. His father walked closer. Josh and he were like twins, his dad being the older version, of course, but werewolves did keep their youth far into their seventies. It wasn’t until we were close to death that we started to age. “You’re late.”
Of course, I thought. That was the first thing he would say. I quickly joined Josh again, hugging his arm and smiling at his dad, who, for some reason, out of all of them, was the one showing me kindness.
“Ah, Summer,” he said. “Always smiling.”
“Always,” I assured him. “How are you, Philip?”
“Good,” he said.
“Got another game in you?” I inquired, referring to our many chess matches.
“Of course, any day,” he chuckled.
Josh stayed quiet, and his dad spared him nothing but a glance. I had never met his mother. She sadly died giving birth to his youngest sibling, but I had heard she had quite the power over his dad. It seemed like when she died, the only person able to make him sweeter had disappeared. That was until I stepped into the picture.
“I can’t wait.”
“Be on time the next time,” he reminded Josh. “We’re starving.”
“Of course, Father,” he replied, his voice clearly indicating how he was shaking with anger on the inside.
Nothing he did was ever good enough, and it made me feel so bad. I waited until the others had walked past us. I knew my mate needed a moment.
“You’re doing well,” I whispered.
“He already…”
“Josh,” I interrupted. “You’re doing well. I’m right here.”
I placed my hands on his cheeks and kissed his lips. “Right here.”
He smiled sweetly and nodded. “Yeah.”
“Let’s try again.”
“Yes.”
“We have got this.”
“You’re right,” he said, looking calmer, and I was happy I could help.
It pleased something deeply within us when we affected our mates in a positive way. I reached down and grabbed his hand, squeezing it.
“Feeling better?” I asked.
“Yes,” he answered, smiling now. “Thank you.”
“Of course. You always have me.”
He nodded, and we followed the rest to the dining room.
