The Alpha's Daughter

II

Her alarm went off, and Emma reached over and hit snooze. She stared at the ceiling, unruly rays persisted past her blinds and danced across her vision. It didn’t feel like she slept for five hours, realistically she maybe slept for two. Emma rubbed her eyes, they felt sunken in. She sighed as she pressed her palm to the sockets to cool the now.

“When are you coming back Alpha?” she asked no one.

Emma was desperate for him to reclaim his half of the responsibilities, acting as both Alpha and Luna was taxing. At least she didn’t have to address the pack this morning, hopefully, she wouldn’t have to anytime soon. The scouts promised to keep the night’s incident a secret.

“Alright”, she whined when the alarm went off again.

She was quick to switch it off but laid in bed for another ten minutes. When Emma felt more prepared she gave into the responsibilities of the new day, starting with her morning routine. Half an hour later, her bangs curled away from her eyes and she wore light makeup to accentuate her features. She chose a white turtle neck, covered by a deep brown vest, both tucked into her light brown pleated pencil skirt.

Emma sauntered through the halls, she would check on the pup first, she wouldn't be able to go about her day if she didn’t. No one occupied the hall as she went in, good. Emma slipped inside and rested her back against the door. Her eyes ran over the scrawny child, at least the kid had no trouble breathing on her own. Emma went closer until she sat on the edge of the bed. She let her hand run through the child’s hair, the pup leaned into her touch.

“I don’t know what you went through little one”, Emma carded her fingers through the child’s hair, “but I promise you will be safe here.” There was something about this child, an ineffable magnetism muddled Emma’s thoughts. “This will be your new home”, the next words were out of her mouth before she realized, “you have my word.”

Immediately Emma felt a binding vow come into effect. She grabbed her chest, curling in on herself. Despite the pain, she forced herself to muffle her groan and to be still to not disturb the child. When it was over Emma sucked in a silent breath, she looked at the child with disbelief. She quickly rose from her spot and escaped the room, on the outside, she rested her head against the wood.

“Ça alors”, she dropped her head in her palms and grieved.

"You look like this", a voice sounded to her left, "and you want to add a kid to your list of responsibilities?"

"Buzz off", a small smile curled her lips, "Laisse-moi la grappe." She didn't have to look to know who it was.

Emma squealed as she was swept off her feet. Reflexively, she wrapped her arms around his neck. She met his eyes, his smile wasn't hidden. "Nah I don't want to", the smile grew as he started towards the kitchen.

Being held like this reminded her of simpler times. When Linus was much smaller than her, she would hold him like this whenever she got the chance. "I can walk", she complained weakly.

He hummed but tightened his hold. There was unspoken security when cradled in his deep olive, muscled arms. Emma made herself comfortable against his broad chest. His wild chocolate brown hair curled to the base of his neck and tickled her cheek.

Her shifting caught his eye. Linus glanced at her, his Luna met his eyes again. "You can walk", he hummed, "but you don't have to."

In their private moment, he allowed his lips to stretch into a soft smile. A smile reserved only for her. Emma averted her eyes, there was an emotion in their depths that she didn't want to confront.

They get to the family wing's kitchen, a beautiful spread already laid out. Linus lowered Emma into the breakfast nook. Despite their four-year age gap, he towered over her five-foot-eight stature. He brushed the bangs out of her eyes before turning away. She leaned into her palm and watched Linus move to the island in fluid strides. Less than ten minutes later he returned with her morning coffee and two piled dishes, everything was her favourite. They had been together long enough that he didn’t have to ask.

She put the cup to her lips and hummed. Nothing like caffeine to wake you up in the morning. Linus tilted his head, watching her intently. He could see her dark circles despite the makeup. “You’re not sleeping well again?” the fork at her lips flinched. “Emma”, he huffed displeased. He understood she couldn’t control it, but she should let the others know. Linus scoffed and Emma could feel the lecture coming, "so let me get this straight."

"Give her a break yer paranoid pup", Zane greeted as he entered the kitchen. Emma shot him a thumbs up. Linus pushed the dish closer to the Luna in retaliation.

"M' not paranoid", Linus grumbled.

“And I’m not a blonde”, the Gamma rolled his eyes. Emma stifled her giggle. Zane grabbed a dish, he glanced at Emma’s spread in the breakfast nook. An empty coffee mug, a tall glass of water and another of orange juice. “A balanced breakfast, comme toujours”, he joked. She snorted and got back into her bacon and ham, Emma was the only person who thought filleted fish was a gem in the morning.

Linus watched Emma eat happily, after all, he couldn’t eat from the food designated for the family. Currently, the pack was governed by the Nye family. The leader and currently alpha. The twins Emma and Emmett. Emma’s left and right hand were their cousins Zane and Zoë, also twins. Zane helped with their troupes and Zoë assisted with public relations between other packs and prides. The other members of the family were their parents and other relatives. The Nye family came to a total of eleven members.

Linus rested on his palm and let his mind wander. He’d met Emma six years prior, Linus was now twenty-one and still unrepresented. A small self-deprecating smile tugged his lips, he was worse than the runt she took in and yet he wondered why Emma kept him by her side.

No, that’s a lie. He knows why.

Zane finally sat at the table and Emma’s head snapped to him, her nose twitched a bit. Zane smiled slowly, "Guess who came back this morning?"

Emma, almost comically, raised her head to sniff the air. Her eyes widened as she let out an overjoyed squeal. The men in the room assumed she was happy her baby brother was home, but Emma's thoughts ran more along the lines of "freedom". Emma sprinted towards the front door without a second thought. Linus sniffed the air but came up blank. Zane laughed at his expression.

"Her sense of smell always amazes me", Linus allowed himself a slow smile as he took the morning's plates and utensils to the sink. Zane rummaged in a drawer and threw a pair at Linus before indulging in his own meal.

Emma ran to the front door and pulled Emilio into a crushing embrace. "You're finally home Mili", she sang happily.

"Good to be home", he giggled returning the embrace, "I'm convinced you have separation anxiety." He patted her back signalling her hug was beginning to hurt.

"Sorry", she smiled. While she truly despised being apart from Emilio, in this instance, she was happier to be free.

"The study is prepared", a more mature voice cut it. The sibling looked to their eldest brother who watched them with a small smile.

Emma stepped to where her twin Emmett stood. Both fell to their knees, heads bowed. "We're happy for your safe return, Alpha", they uttered in unison.

This is the hierarchy of the Nye family. Emmett, the firstborn son and alpha, was the chief financial officer and tactician; Position Pack Beta. Emma, the twin of Emmett and born pure alpha, was the military commander and head of public relations; Position Luna. Leading them all was the seventeen-year-old Emilio, the second son and gamma; Positon Alpha of the Onyx Ridge pack.

“Good to be back”, he smiled at his siblings lovingly, “let’s move this to the study, yes?”

“Yes!” Emma jumped up. Her twin, Emmett, rose less energetically. The Alpha latched onto her brother and Emilio's nose twitched.

“That reminds me”, he met her eyes. She tilted her head with a curious smile, “there was a faint unfamiliar scent lingering on you."

Emma’s face froze, Emmett turned away and covered his mouth. Emma glared pointedly at the silently shaking shoulders. "Yes, about that. Last night on the edge of our territory some wolves were hackling a young pup. I believe if it wasn't for our intervention that child would've died”, she scratched her cheek. Emilio narrowed his eyes when she hesitated.

“The child is currently staying in the guest room in the family wing”, Emmett completed smoothly. His twin swatted at his arm.

"Emma", Emilio sighed deeply.

"I know it's out of conduct but she is too young and hasn't presented yet!" Emma threw up her arms in surrender. A look of surprise flitted across her brother’s face and she nodded to confirm what he heard.

"I'll take full responsibility for nursing her starting tomorrow. I'll take time off work to ensure she doesn't give trouble and accept full responsibilities for her actions”, she lowered her head, “in return, please let her stay.”

Emma’s head snapped up when tinkling laughter filled her ears. She tilted her head, a confused smile on her lips. "Quoi? What I’d say?"

"You are truly the heart of this pack and fitting for the position of Luna", he hummed as he calmed down. Emma’s cheeks tinged pink. "I know you are a good judge of character and very diligent so I trust your judgement."

"You're letting her stay?" Emma asks hopefully. He nodded with a smile, "thank you Alpha!" lowered her head reverently.

It was Emilio’s turn to flush pink. “Stop!” he hugged her, “we're Alpha and Luna, not to mention siblings. Besides we’re in private so stop. Being. So. Formal!”

Emma looked at him for a moment before her usual megawatt smile broke out. “Ah bon?” She snuggled him, Emilio grunted but didn’t pull away from the tight hug. “When you say that it just makes me want to tease you more Zouzou.”

"Oh my god shut up.", he hid his face in her neck. She cackled as she petted him lovingly. After a moment, his face regained its original colour. He rested on his sister’s bosom and held her eyes, "anyway tell me how you met the child."