The Wisteria Alpha

CHAPTER 12~Colorado~

Devlin

      I was back home after a long week in Denver. Between legal meetings and construction disputes, I was almost at my breaking point. I jogged up the stairs to check in on Brantley and the guys, wanting to know the update on the last cottages. I was surprised when I saw B’s office empty. I glanced at my watch; it was only 8:15. I sent him a text to let him know that I was back.

     I tried to mind-link Cyrus and was met with a block. That’s weird. I walked over to the east wing, stopping in front of Brantley’s door. I knocked, waiting for a reply. When none came, I began to get angry. 

       I stomped up to my room, kicking off my shoes. My relationship with Brantley was better now that we’ve decided to move on. So why would he leave and not tell me? I sent a mind-link to our patrol captain. Steven, where are Brantley and Cyrus? I'm not sure Alpha. The Beta, Gamma and Donavon left about six hours ago. They didn’t tell us where they were going. He replied. So, they left around two am. What the f**k was going on? Brantley rarely left the house let alone the territory, and he left it unattended. 

    My fury was spiking. I tried to call Donavon, but it went straight to voicemail. “f**k!” They had better have a good f*****g excuse for ignoring me. They were going to have to run 5 extra miles for the next three months. I continued to think angry thoughts as I made my way to the bathroom. I took off my clothes and jumped in the shower. After cleaning myself I stepped out, wrapping a towel around my waist, my foot slipping. 

     My head was spinning and I couldn't focus. I reached my hand out to grab the sink, missing my mark, my body plummeted down to the floor. My chest was burning, and my bones were crunching. I roared in agony, my body convulsing. My lungs were on fire, I couldn’t catch my breath. What the f**k is happening, I thought before passing out on the bathroom floor. 

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         I woke up to the sound of Steven’s voice, my body was cold and stiff from the floor. Alpha, the Beta and Gamma have returned. I’ll be right there, I growled standing up. I looked at the time and saw that I had been out for almost eight hours. I don't know what happened but I was feeling fully refreshed. I made a mental note to see Dr. Williams, but first, I need to kick my Beta’s ass. 

    I dressed quickly, hurrying down the stairs. Walking out of the massive front doors of the packhouse, I saw the guys getting out of an Explorer. I shouted, “WHERE THE f**k HAVE YOU BEEN?!” They bowed their heads but stayed quiet. I grabbed Brantley’s collar, lifting him off the ground. “Answer me.” I growled at him. Pack members were starting to gather to watch us.  

    “We went to get the Luna.” Donavon said. I dropped Brantley at his words. “Luna?” I asked. My mind was reeling, my heart skipping a few beats. “Yes.” Cyrus spoke. He yanked the handle on the door, the smell of peaches hitting me. 

     My mate stepped out of the car, assisted by Donavon. Her clothing was ragged, she was covered in blood, and she looked sickly. She had a faint smile on her lips. What the hell happened? Winter howled in fury. It took all of my will to stay where I was. 

       Seeing her again hurt my heart. I wanted to rush to her and take care of her. I wanted to tear apart the person who did this to her. I wanted to get down on my knees, beg her to forgive me for walking away. I wanted her to stay.

       “What is the meaning of this?” I spat. “I thought I was clear when I said that we would never see each other again,” my gaze flicked over to my mate. “Things have changed.” Brantley said, brushing off the dirt from his jeans. A female who shared resemblance to my mate stepped out of the car. She was covered in cuts and bruises, and hid behind Brantley. 

    “Devlin, I just wanted to introduce my mate; your Beta female to the pack.” the crowd around us was murmuring in hushed tones. He continued, “I also think the pack has the right to know who their Luna is.” The crowd gasped whispering louder. I growled, reaching out for him. He clearly had a death wish. 

      A soft cry rang out stopping me mid track. Brantley continued with a smirk on his face, “I also thought that you should meet your pups.” What the f**k was he talking about? Pups? The woman behind Brantley was back in the vehicle, handing Cyrus two covered car seats and a third to Brantley. They stepped forward, placing them in a row in front of me. The crowd had doubled in size, more than half of Crescent Woods was here. 

     My lips were suddenly dry, my ears were ringing. “How do you know their mine?” my voice came out hoarse. I looked at my mate, her eyes filled with hurt. Brantley scoffed, “Seriously, Dev? She was a virgin when she met you. Remember, I was there.” My legs started to shake, threatening to buckle. “They look just like you Dev. Just look at him.” Cyrus urged. 

         I leaned forward with my hand outstretched, hesitating right before the cover. My tongue felt thick in my mouth. I grabbed the cover, staring at my pup. I fell to my knees, feeling like a freight train just ran through me. The baby had plump cheeks and sandy brown hair that curled loosely around his head. He had thick lashes and dark green eyes, my eyes. He had dark caramel skin, a sharp nose and a beauty mark under his right eye. He was a perfect combination of his mother and me.

     He was cooing and reaching out his chubby hands. I grabbed onto one, immediately feeling a connection. My pup, my son. He cooed some more, letting drool drip down his lips. “What’s his name?’ I asked, looking up at his mother. Her eyes beamed proudly, “August.” August. It was perfect. Small cries came from the other car seats, his siblings were wanting attention too.

    I moved down to the other seats, pulling back the covers. I was greeted by two little girls, smiling and cooing back at me. The girls seemed to have the same features of their mom. Thick eye lashes, caramel skin, a dimple in their left cheek, and tiny button noses. I touched the head of the little one in pink. She had tight coiled black hair. Her eyes were also green like mine. “That’s Autumn.” my mate said. 

          I held my hand to my mouth to stifle a cry. Letting go of Autumn, I smoothed her sister’s hair. It was tightly coiled too but sandy brown. Her eyes were hazel, like her mothers. “Her name is Summer.” Their names fit them perfectly. I gazed at my pups, openly sobbing, not caring that my pack was watching. I was a father. I felt whole, I never knew I was missing something until now. I felt so much love for my children that it felt like my heart would burst from the pressure.

     I gaped at my mate, “Thank you.” She smiled and started to cough, blood spilling past her lip. Her body started to go limp as she leaned into Donovan. The woman who looked like her, yelped rushing to her side. The crowd gasped trying to move closer. Using my Alpha tone, I shouted, “DON’T YOU PEOPLE HAVE SOMETHING TO DO?!” The crowd quickly disbursed.

     My mate looked even paler and she was struggling to keep her eyes open. Donavon was clutching her close to his chest; I wanted to rip his arms off. “Give her to me,” I growled. His grip got tighter and my anger rocketed. “It’s ok Donnie.” my mate whispered. I was annoyed at their affection, they just met! She reached out to me and I gently scooped her up in my arms. 

       I set my pace fast as I stalked towards the pack hospital. I looked behind me, making sure that Donavon and the Betas grabbed my children. Cyrus was holding another woman who looked like the Beta female, but she was unconscious. What the f**k were these girls up too?

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      The pack hospital was in a flurry of activity, Dr. Williams stood at the center, directing the chaos. “Alpha, please bring the Luna this way.” She led us to a vacant room and gestured for me to put my mate down. I placed her on top of the hospital bed and stepped away. Dr. Williams swooped in, barking orders at the nurses who were running in and out of the room with machines and equipment.

      Cyrus walked in and placed the unconscious woman on the other hospital bed. Dr. Williams and her team quickly pushed him to the side and started to treat her. “Who is she?” I asked him. He turned her gaze to me; it was filled with worry. “She’s my mate.” I was stunned, two of my best friends had found their mates, and it was all through the association of mine. 

     I looked down at her, clasping her hand. Her eyes were glazing over, and she was trying to focus, her breathing shallow. “Please take care of our pups.” she rasped. I nodded my head, too afraid to speak. Few minutes passed, “What is your name?” I pleaded. She had a ghost of a smile on her lips, “Lotus.” She closed her eyes, her monitors going wild. Dr. Williams shoved me out of the way, pushing me and Cyrus out of the room as her team took over.  

    My mate had finally come back to me with the greatest gift of pups. I didn’t get the chance to apologize to her. I didn’t get to tell her she haunted my dreams every night, wishing she was next to me. I didn’t get to tell her I loved her.

     Cyrus grabbed my hand, dragging me away from Lotus’s room. He brought me to the waiting area where everyone was. I stared down the hall, feeling numb. She finally came back, now I might have to say goodbye to her again.