Second Chances

Chapter 11: Home

Damien:

I can’t believe what I just witnessed. Some of my best warriors are trying to hurt my family. I still don’t know how all this happened. I sent them to the diner on the edge of town so I could meet them and bring them to the packhouse. Before they arrived, I made it clear to everyone that they were on their way. I told them what they were and what they looked like. They should have known that they were my family. But still they went to the diner, and the goddess knows what they were planning. They didn’t seem happy when I first told them my second chance mate was a witch and that I had already started a family with that is why I gave in so much time before I allowed them to travel to the pack. I thought it would be enough time to accept their new Luna. I don’t know how I could be so wrong.

I should have gone and got them myself. I should have brought them across the border myself. My mate deserves an apology. I should have been there for her and our children. But I put them in danger. How could I be so foolish??

“I’m sorry, my love,” I stated on the way in the packhouse, glancing at her, trying to sense what she was feeling. Not feeling any anger through the mate bond. I sense her happiness instead. She was delighted to be together again, for our family to be together again. Maybe she was too focused on that for now, and not the danger I put them in.

“Sorry for what?” She questioned, placing her hand on mine, lightly massaging my hand in the way she knew relaxed me.

“I should have been there. You were in danger and I wasn’t there to protect you,” I stated, trying to focus on the road but wanting more than anything to look into eyes and her reaction..

“You did nothing wrong, my love. Those warriors, whatever they were planning, were clearing going against you, against us. They couldn’t have hurt me if they tried. You know that. We weren’t really in danger. Besides, this is a chance to show your strength as Alpha and put those who question you in their place,” Ember stated. I could feel the pain of regret ease in my chest. She didn’t blame me as I thought she would. I smiled and gripped her hand. She laughed.

“I think you should kill the ringleaders,” mother said from the back.

“No, we shouldn’t. We should just demote them, maybe some sort of physical punishment. But no killing will only lead to more anger. You don’t want to seem harsh, you want to seem just,” Ember responded, quickly shooting down her mother's ideas.

“First, we will question them. Once we know their crimes, they receive their punishments, which, as Luna, you will get to decide. It is the law of the pack that if any raise a hand to their Luna, their Luna will decide their punishment. I’m thinking of public whipping. You won’t have to do the whipping. I can handle that myself. But it is your decision Luna,” I stated, keeping my focus on the road. I wasn’t sure how she would feel about such a public event, or that being her first act as Luna. But, I knew it was better than some of the other options in the pack laws for crimes against the Luna. Attacking our harming the pack Luna is a death sentence for anyone in the pack, a sentence that also applies to the family of those who commit the crime.

“It is the norm in the pack. Whipping people in public?” Ember questioned, making me shake my head.

“They should have been killed on the spot,” I answered in a low whisper, so the children couldn’t hear. She nodded her head, understanding that this was the least punishment they could receive.

“Then question them, and punish them the way you see fit, my love. Along as no one dies,” Ember stated, looking towards the road as the packhouse came into view.

“Yes, my love. We can talk about it more later. There are a few other things you need to know about the pack before you can meet anyone else,” I stated, bringing her hand to my lips and kissing it.

“Okay,” she muttered with a smile. I knew she was ready to learn as much as she can about the pack so that she can take over her new role. A Luna is the mother of the pack, she cares for each member like they are her own. She listens to the women and helps ensure the needs of each of the families are met. She is a role model to every she-wolf. Advising and assisting her mate with everything in the pack. And of course she is the mother of the Alpha’s children, bringing forth the future Alpha into the world. My mate had already given me an heir, and now we have another little Alpha on the way.

I look at her belly for just a moment, seeing the slight bump that just formed. She is three months pregnant now. And I was sad to know that I missed some of it. Unable to be there for the early part of her pregnancy. Now we are together, and I will hold on to every moment.

“Look at the road, not my belly,” she whispered, causing me to laugh.

“You know the moment we are alone together, I’m going to show you how much I missed you,” I stated low enough so her mother wouldn’t hear.

“Why are you always like this when I’m pregnant?” Ember questioned, also keeping her voice low.

“Because I love seeing my child growing inside of you. It drives my wolf crazy seeing his beautiful mate carrying his pup,” I responded.

“You're a brute,” she whispered, causing me to laugh again.

“Just you wait, little mate,” I responded as we pulled into the packhouse.

***

Ember:

Holy s**t! This isn’t a house. How can they call it a house? This is a f*****g mansion. Our new home is a f*****g mansion. We pulled into the driveway. I couldn’t believe it. This is the largest structure I have ever seen. It’s at least four stories tall, with a large porch and large white columns. I had seen houses like this in the book, mother taught with, but those were plantation houses. This seemed larger than any of those, but in the same style.

“What do you think?” Damien questioned as he helped me out of the car.

“What the f**k? Why is it so big?” I questioned, thinking this could not just be our home.

“My father built it to be the center of his pack. He wanted to show off. He wanted everyone to have the same reaction you just had,” Damien said, taking my hand in his. I turned to look at my mother, who was helping Harris out of the car before getting our little Alia. Harris ran to our side, looking up at the house in front of him, his eyes wide with wonder.

“Daddy, is this our new house?” He questioned, pulling at Damien's arm.

“Yes, it is Harris, do you like it?” Damien asked, looking down at his son, smiling in the way he always did when he saw our son.

“I might get lost, Daddy,” Harris said, making his father laugh.

“Don’t worry about that, I will always find you,” Damien replied, leaning down to pick up Harris without a single problem. I couldn’t do the same anymore. Harris was getting too big for me to even try, but his father has no issues carrying his son. Damn werewolf strength.

“Daddy, will I have my own room now?” Harris asked, touching his father’s face.

“Do you want your own room?” Damien questioned.

“No, I want to sleep with Alia, so I can watch over her, please Daddy?” Harris stated, causing both of us to smile. He was always playing the protector.

“Whatever you want buddy,” Damien stated, leading to cheer from Harris and a quick thank you hug, before wigging himself out of Damien’s arms and running off to take his sister from mother.

We headed inside together, with some warriors following close behind. Damien led us up the stairs to the top floor, while I looked around, shocked at how cozy the inside looked. Wooden everything, I thought it would be modern, but no; it had the same feeling as our home in the forest. Natural with plenty of plants and real fur rugs. I could tell the walls had just been repainted with earthy colors. New curtains and handcrafted furniture. Even the chandeliers seemed new, made from antlers.

“I wanted to make you feel at home, so I did some redecorating. Do you like it?” Damien questioned. I smiled and nodded my head in response. It was perfect. It was home.

"I hunt all the animals myself and had the rugs and chandeliers made. I also had a friend make some furniture. Our rooms are style the same, but the guest rooms are still modern. Next will be the kitchen and the living room. But will we have to find the time for that. I want you to feel at home. I want to love this place like your loved our home in the forest. You gave so much coming here and I want your all to be happy," Damien explained, pointing out the changes as we walked together. He seemed happy with the work he did. I was happy too. This took a lot of time and effort.

"Damien, my home is with you," I stated. He smiled and leaned in for a kiss. I accepted, not caring who was watching this moment. Using my lips to show him how much I loved our new home and the work he put into it.