His Bitter Luna

Teddy Bear Notes

Samantha

Kade coos as I nurse him. He is exactly one week old today and growing fast. I am sitting in the living room of my little cabin with my mom and Charlene. Charlene bounces her daughter on her knee while my nephew plays on the floor.

"He has such bright blue eyes," Mom mentions.

"I hope he keeps them," I sigh, knowing he will most likely get his father's dark, soulless eyes.

Mom pats my arm as we sit and watch TV. She has moved into the house to help me care for Kade. Dad and Marcus come over as well. I am happy to have my family here.

"I hope you find a second chance, mate," Mom says, and I scoff loud enough to make Kade tear up.

"Mom," I look at my son. "I'm sorry, sweetie."

"Why are you getting mad? Having a mate is inevitable," she states.

"Yeah, and look where that got me," I grumble. "I will wear the scars of having a mate for the rest of my life. I don't want another mate, Mom. I can raise Kade on my own."

"I know, dear," Mom sighs. "You know your father, and I will always be here for you. But you can't be alone. No one wants to be alone forever, Samantha."

Kade finishes nursing and starts to whimper. I let Mom take him to burp. I stand up and wander into the kitchen for a bottle of juice.

"You know your mom is right," Charlene's voice makes me jump. She is standing behind me with Arabella on her hip.

I take a long swig of the juice and look at her, "Not everyone got the fairytale you did with Marcus. I had a nightmare. I never want to go through that again."

"You may get the fairytale, Sam," my sister-in-law mentions. "And it couldn't have been that bad."

I look at the bottle in my hand, "I miss the pack. I was helping, or so I thought."

"You do get attached," she nods. "I may not have been born in this pack, but I feel like I have been here my whole life."

"You are a good Luna," I smile at her.

"And I'm sure you will be a good Luna again someday," Charlene counters.

I rolled my eyes and wandered into the living room just as a loud knock on the door scared all three pups. Mom and Charlene did their best to hush them as I opened the door.

Two guards that I have known my whole life are outside. "What's up, guys?"

The guards both bow as James steps forward. "We are sorry to disturb you all, but Alpha Marcus has ordered us to bring you all to the packhouse."

"Why?" I ask.

"Alpha didn't say why. He just said it was for your safety," James explains.

I look at Charlene, and she appears to be mind-linking Marcus.

"Marcus just says there is a problem at the border," Charlene shrugs as she gathers Finley and Arabella.

I sigh and take Kade from my mom. We follow James and the other guard, Burt, out to their truck. Aria becomes restless as we drive to the packhouse. I get a bad feeling as we are ushered into the house. Dad is waiting for us in the foyer.

"What's going on, John?" Mom asks.

He looks at her and then at me. "There is a problem at the gate."

"It's Dmitry, isn't it?" I demand.

Dad presses his lips together.

"Dad?" I whine.

"Yes, it is. He is at the gate demanding your son," Dad confesses.

"Dmitry is not getting Kade," I yell, making my son cry again.

"We aren't going to let him, Sam," Dad says. "We better warriors and the king on our side. Don't worry, Marcus will handle it."

I fume for a second as I try to comfort Kade, but he keeps crying.

"Samantha, calm down," Mom huffs and tries to take Kade from me, but I growl. "He's not going to stop crying while you are fuming. Just let me have him and calm down."

I reluctantly let her have Kade. I pace, "Dmitry is not getting him," I cry.

"He's not going to get him," Dad pulls me into his arms.

I lean into him and sob into his chest. "Dad."

"It will be okay, honey. Kade is not going anywhere," He assures me.

"Why did the Goddess curse me?" I cry. "Why does she hate me?" I whine.

“Samantha,” Mom hisses. "Don't talk like that."

"It's true, Mom. Why did I get mated to Dmitry if she doesn't hate me? Everyone else got someone wonderful, and I got- "I trail off and sob into my father's chest a little longer.

"Dmitry is getting quite combative," Dad sighs. "I am going to try and help."

"I'm coming too," I demand as he lets me go.

"No, Samantha. Stay here," Dad grasps my shoulder.

"Dad," I growl.

"Stay here, Samantha," He repeats with more authority.

I start to argue, but he and Mom both give me the look. I look at the ground as he walks away from us. I stand staring at the door for a moment, listening to Kade coo in my mother's arms. My instinct and wolf are telling me to follow Dad to the border and shut Dmitry up myself. But I also know I need to trust Marcus and our father to keep Dmitry from getting Kade. Beau had told us that Dmitry has no right to Kade since he rejected me. Still, I pace. Mom and Charlene try to get me to calm down, but I end up going outside.

"Don't go to the border," Mom yells after me.

I stand outside as my heart thrums against my chest. Aria paces in my head, whining and whimpering. She hates that Fedor is nearby. He had kept her in a mental cage for three years.

'He is not getting our pup,' she says repeatedly.

Finally, when I thought I would go nuts, I saw Marcus returning with Dad and the others. Marcus walks straight up to me, wearing his serious brother face.

"He's not gone, is he?" I speak.

"No, he's gone," Marcus responds. "But he threatened us with war and the works."

"He won't beat us," Dad adds.

"I don't want a war to break out," I mutter.

"There won't be a war," Marcus says. "Beau has said he'll send his troops in a heartbeat if we need them. And Dmitry Volkov is not strong enough to beat us."

"Don't underestimate him, Marcus," I say. "He has his ways."

"He doesn't have many allies anymore, Sam," Marcus touches my shoulder.

"You are safe for now," Dad says, " but I think you and Kade should move back into the packhouse."

I shake my head, "No, Dad. I like my cabin."

"I know you do, sweetheart. But it's too close to the border," Dad explains. "We want you to stay safe."

"It will be fine, Daddy," I say and turn to walk back into the house. Mom is still holding Kade, and I take him from her. "I'm going home now."

"What?" Mom complains. "You can't go back to the cabin."

"I'll be fine, Mom," I huff and head for the door.

"Samantha," Dad grabs my arm. "Please stay here for the night."

"Dad," I mutter.

"Please, for me?" Dad pleads with me.

I look between him and Mom.

"It will give me time to reinforce the border near your cabin," Marcus adds. "I'm your brother, and I just want you safe, Sam. I love you, and I love Kade. I don't want anything to happen to you two."

I can't help but melt at my brother's words. He and I have always been like best friends. "Dammit, Marcus, you are making me cry," I say as my eyes well up with tears.

"Good. So, you will stay for the night?" He grins.

"Yes," I huff.

"Good," Marcus nods.

"I just need a few things from the cabin," I say.

"I'll have James and Burt drive you there," Marcus responds.

"I'll watch Kade," Mom reaches for him again. Her face lights up as I place my son in her arms. "Who is my sweet Kadey poo."

"James and Burt are waiting for you outside," Marcus points out.

I nod and walk out of the house. I hop into the truck.

"Is everything okay, Sam?" James turns to look at me. "We heard that your ex-mate was causing trouble at the gate."

"Everything is fine, James," I sigh.

"I didn't get to see him, but my brother says he is a scary-looking dude," James states.

"He is scary, James," I sigh. "He is a bad man. He did awful things to me."

"I sort of get that," James frowns. "I remember how you looked that day, you returned."

"Did I look awful?" I say with a dry chuckle.

"No, of course not," James counters. "I just mean you looked like you had gone through hell."

I say nothing and look out the window until we arrive at the cabin. I get out, and Aria is instantly on guard. I sniff the air, and the lingering scent of bourbon causes me to freeze. I hear a growl and see that James and Burt are on alert, too.

"We have to take you back to the packhouse," James tries to herd me back to the truck.

"No," I shake my head and push past him. "I need to get some things."

"Samantha," James grabs my hand.

"I mind-linked Alpha Marcus and Beta Shawn," Burt says, reaching for my other hand.

"I have to grab my stuff," I say. "Just wait outside," I shake free from their grip and stomp toward my house. There is a blue gift box sitting in front of the door. I hesitate to pick it up, but something tells me to.

"Sam," James runs onto the porch. "What's that?"

I pick up the box and open it. Aria howls at the thick scent of bourbon in the box. Inside, a blue teddy bear is holding a card.

I drop the box and bear as I read the note.

This isn't over, Samantha. I WILL HAVE MY SON, MY HEIR! I will also have you back, my mate!

Dmitry.

I take a deep breath, crumple the note, and toss it away. "He will never get my son. He will have to kill me before he takes Kade." I declare.