The Alpha's Daughter

VI

Emma stepped aside as he crossed the threshold of the room. He halted in surprise. It was the first time he's seen the pup in two weeks but the progress was great.

The pup was dressed in a pink cotton nightgown. It seemed familiar. A hand me down from one of the pups in the nursery, maybe? The pink against her pale skin made her look like a vintage doll. Her hair wasn't hay blonde like Emma's, it was closer to Zane and Zoë's molten gold hair. A nice contrast to her milky complexion. It framed her cheeks well and it flowed down her back. She had put some meat on her bones but her frame was still a reminder of the skin and bones she was before.

Despite the differences, looking at the little thing, Linus felt as though he was looking at a child version of Emma. It was strange.

The little girl watched the man, surprised that Emma hadn't introduced the wolf that occasionally visit to take care of her wounds. She grew appreciative of that dark-skinned wolf. The discomfort would be quick and Emma would readily comfort her.

The man had a smile on his face but she could feel the slow change in his eyes after Emma introduced him. Her brown eyes wavered with uncertainty as the sensation started to prick at her. She saw the corner of his lip raise with purpose. Memories of that place flashed in her mind, where wolves wore nastier expressions than he did right now. That look of disdain, she’d recognize it in anyone. Her eyes went wide as saucers, the pup started shaking like a leaf.

"Darling it's okay", Emma rushed to her side, "no one will hurt you, its okay."

Her eyes flitted from Emma to the man behind her. His brows furrowed for a moment before his smile widened. “He’s going to kill me”, she panicked gripping Emma’s arm for dear life.

Emma’s eyes flitted over the child. She turned to Linus, “call Seth and Siomha.” He nodded and turned away quickly. When he was out of sight the child started to pull Emma towards the window. “What is it?” She pointed to the window. When Emma didn’t react she started flailing her arms. “Want me to open it?” The child nodded enthusiastically.

Wait, did she want to leave?

Just then the doctors came in. The pup quickly hid behind Emma. The Alpha looked to their visitors, the pack doctor and nurse looked to her with mild confusion. “Lin”, she looked to the man, “step out for a bit.”

“I’ll be outside the door”, he nodded and stepped out.

Just like that? The child was surprised he left without a complaint, not even a ghost of one.

The medical professionals lowered their heads. “Luna”, Seth greeted as he raised himself.

The child looked at Emma, surprise painted her features. Emma blinked at her then smiled. “Oh that’s right I never told you”, she peeled the child’s hand away and picked her up. The child was startled for a moment before she realized she was placed on the bed. “I’m Emma. You already know this”, the Alpha crouched to the child’s level, “I am the third most powerful person in this pack. The Luna.”

The child blinked slowly. Seth chuckled and the little girl looked to the grey-haired doctor. “I surmise she’s rightfully surprised. Not many Luna’s are alphas or have actual power in their respective packs.” He looked at the girl with a sympathetic smile, “you’ve seen it haven’t you?”

The child nodded slowly. The other Luna she knew had no power in her pack. Then she looked back at Emma. This Luna had other wolves bowing their heads.

“Now do you believe no one will hurt you?” she brushed the child’s head with a smile.

The child was beginning to think this was all a very elaborate dream. Yet, it felt so very real.

“Alright”, the old man brought attention to himself again, “the checkup. Nice to meet you child. I am Doctor Seth Kennedy and this is my personal assistant and nurse Siomha.” The nurse raised her hand in a wave, the child returned it with an absent-minded smile.

Emma stepped away and the child snapped back to alertness, she grabbed Emma’s sleeve. The old man hid his smile as Emma looked at the child helplessly.

“I’ll be by the window”, she pulled herself free a second time, “you’ll be able to see me.” The child’s brows knitted together but she slowly lowered her hand. Emma rewarded her with a smile as she stepped out of the doctor’s way.

The doctor and nurse commenced their routine that usually happened when the pup was in deep sleep. Emma noticed the child occasionally glanced at the door. She felt the need to explain. It was the only way to try to clear the misunderstanding, since the pup couldn’t explain herself very well as yet.

The checkup passed smoothly. “She’s recovering faster than I originally projected”, Seth nodded, “very fortunate. It must be your loving care”, he smiled at Emma.

“You just want to fluster me”, Emma smiled back, “I couldn’t have done it without your help.”

The medical professional gave Emma another bow and showed themselves out.

“Little one”, Emma crouched in front of the child. “I apologise. I should’ve told you what I planned to do in advance.” She took the child’s hand, rubbing comforting circles in it. “Can you forgive me?”

The girl nodded.

Emma smiled, “thank you, sweetheart.” The alpha looked to the door and the child followed her line of sight. “Now behind that door is a stray like yourself.” It left a bitter taste in Emma’s mouth to call him that. The child looked at her surprised. Emma nodded, “I wanted you to meet him first because of that. He was also a part of the group that found you.”

The girl looked to the door again. Was he really a stray?

As if reading her thoughts Emma explained further. “He’s been with me for about four, maybe five years”, Emma started to rub the girl’s palms, “the Alpha has given us permission. You are also free to stay.”

The pup looked at Emma again and the Alpha nodded with a smile.

“Ready to try again?” she tilted her head. The pup looked between Emma and the door. She looked at her and slowly nodded. “Sure?” Emma watched the pup steel her expression and nod again. She bit back her laugh. “Lin”, she called out, “you can come in again.”

The wolf came in a second time, far more casually than he first did. He leaned against the door, his hands in his pockets. There was only a ghost of a smile on his lips, the earlier disdain was nowhere to be seen.

Did she just imagine it?

“Can I come closer?” he asked Emma.

The Alpha looked at the girl who wore a slightly confused expression. These past two weeks she had been teaching the pup English, Emma was certain the girl understood Linus. Nevertheless, she played translator.

“He wants to come closer”, she communicated with the child, “can he?” The girl didn’t react to Emma much, preferring to stare at Linus. The Alpha felt helpless until she noticed the girl’s nose twitching subtly. She smiled at the girl, “confused because you can’t pick up a scent?”

The girl hesitated before nodding slowly, both Emma and Lin smiled. “I do have one. Its just that it’s rather”, he thought about a word a child would understand, “weak. It’s a weak smell.”

The child nodded slowly. That made sense, there wasn’t a wolf alive without a scent. However, apart from the mystery expression, it wasn’t the lack of a scent that confused her. He smelt like Emma. Shouldn’t it be the other way around? She decided to pursue that point later.

He tilted his head and watched her patiently, “am I allowed closer?”

The girl looked at Emma. “It’s up to you”, the Luna smiled encouragingly.

The pup watched him then nodded. Linus pushed off the door. The pup expected him to merely stand close, she was startled when he picked her up. She grabbed his shirt. The child froze when she felt a hand gently brush back her blond locks. Her head snapped up, his dark brown eyes met her wide, lighter brown ones.

“You could be heavier”, he surveyed her then looked to Emma, “does she eat well?”

“Most times”, Emma smiled.

The hand in the child’s hair moved to hold her chin as he tilted her head. “You have to eat”, was all he said as he looked her over. The child looked at his hand when he released her face. His wrist was covered in black lines, they drew a mountain range in his skin. She pointed at it. “What? My tattoo?” The girl nodded to Linus’ question. “It’s the mountain range of my home town.” She looked at his face again. “Emma did say I wasn’t from here. I’m like you”, he looked to Emma, “the kind Alpha saved us both.”

The girl looked back to Emma and pointed. “Yes?” Emma stepped closer to the two.

The girl opened her lips, “Ma.” The Luna lit up like the sun.

Linus looked between them, questions are written all over his face. “She can’t speak well”, Emma explained quickly, “I think she’s saying my name.”

His Alpha’s excitement made his lips curl into a smile. “You can do it”, he smiled at the girl in his arms, “Emma.”

The pup watched his mouth closely as he enunciated the name for her. “Em… ma. Emma.” The pup lit up, “Emma!”

“Yes!” The Alpha hugged the girl.

Linus’s smile grew as both girls wore matching expressions.

"Emma", Emilio's voice revered in the Luna's head, "study. We need to talk."

Emma froze. Was she in trouble?