Alphas United: The Battle Before the War

Chapter 8

Jack Lavard POV

I walk out of the bathroom in just a towel, and see my beautiful mate laying naked, hair disheveled and rosy cheeks. Even though I just had her, I want her again. 

“Why are you looking at me like that?” she chuckles.

 “You’re just so beautiful, and if we had time, I’d be climbing on top of you again,” I admit, and her smile spreads wider across her rosy cheeks.  

 I throw on some underwear and pants while Lexi watches me. “Come cuddle while we can,” she says and slips into a little silky robe so we’re officially decent if the kids come busting in here.

 They’ll be up anytime now, so I take the opportunity to have a minute alone with my woman while I can. We have 4 kids, so any minute we can get alone, we take it. 

I climb into bed and she cuddles into me. I breathe her in and plant a kiss on her forehead. 

“You’re headed into town to the office today, are you there all day or just for the morning?” she asks as she nuzzles into my neck. 

“Zac’s not in the office this morning. We need to discuss some financial stuff, so I’ll be there all day,” I explain. Zac and I are partners in our accounting firm. When he was the beta of my pack, he was very involved in the accounting firm. As my beta, his job was to help me with everything I needed help with. When he left to become Alpha of Red River Pack, I really didn’t want to lose him and everything he brought to the table. He was an invaluable asset, and it only seemed right to make him a partner. He’s my best friend, although he feels more like a brother actually.

We make sure we meet up in the office at least once a week for work. He travels the half-hour to the firm but does plenty of work from his office at his pack house.

We still see each other all the time though. His Luna Lauren is great friends with Lexi. Lauren’s brother is also mated to another one of Lexi’s good friends. We’re all tied together, in a tangled mess, but we all couldn't be happier with the way everything turned out. 

We spend 10 minutes cuddled up, and talking when our door finally flings open and it’s Lucas. He’s three and he’s quite the little guy. He’s stocky and tall for his age, with a ton of energy. He’s silly, and mischievous, and looks like he’s a good mix of the two of us. 

He comes running in and jumps into bed with us with a big smile on his face. 

“Morning, Lucas,” we greet him.

“Morning,” he chirps and flings himself on us. 

“Morning,” I hear Molly say, and look to see her gracefully walking in. She’s a little short for her age, but she is perfect. She still has her big beautiful blue eyes, curly blond hair and the brightest smile. She’s also the kindest and most thoughtful child I’ve ever met. She’s special, and she’s my little bunny. I adore her. Even though she isn’t biologically mine or Lexi’s, I don’t love her less than our boys. We never found out why she was left in the forest 7 years ago when Lexi found her, but we don’t really ever think about it. She’s ours and she's where she was always meant to be.

She plops herself on the bed beside me, “Morning, pretty girl,” I smile, and she smiles wide at me. Yup, she’s my little girl, no matter who biologically created her. 

Soon, we’re getting out of bed and getting ready for the day. When I’m dressed, and ready I wake up Enzo and get him ready for school. He’s 4.5 and he’s my little clone. He looks just like me, aside from Lexi’s darker hair. He’s just as tall as Molly, and Molly is 7. He’s a big boy, and he’s a leader too. He’s always taking control of situations, which Lex and I think is f*****g adorable. Knowing he’ll one day take over our pack fills me with so much pride. 

I send Enzo downstairs, and I wake up Eli for breakfast. We have to wake him up every morning. He’s the snooziest of all our kids. He loves his sleep, he’s a growing boy. Just like Enzo and Lucas, he’s tall for his age, and stocky. He’s the most mellow of all our boys, and he looks most like Lexi. 

While Enzo and Lucas have a hard time sitting still, Eli enjoys reading and playing calmly with toys. He loves to get crazy with the big boys too, but he just has an off switch sometimes. He’s the baby of the bunch, and he’ll be 2 in a few months.

I get him changed and dressed and when we get downstairs, Lexi is putting breakfast on the table. French toast, bacon and fruit salad. 

“Look, your favourite, bud,” I say to Eli as I set him in his booster seat.

Lex comes over, giving Eli a kiss. “Morning,” she coos. Eli stretches his arms out for her. I grab the bowl of fruit out of her hand, so she can wrap him in a hug. She’s the best mom and the best mate. I gaze at the genuine and pure smile on her face as she pulls away, and asks Eli if he had a good sleep. She’s the sweetest thing, and I love her heart and the way she loves us. 

She must feel me staring, and her eyes meet mine. She furrows her brows, studying me.

“I like you,” I smile, and her smile consumes her whole face.

“Yeah?” she asks, beaming and I nod. 

“So much,” I add. A small chuckle slips from her. 

“I like you so much, too” she gushes, and leans in, capturing my lips. She doesn’t hold back either. She never does, and I still love that about her.

“Mom, Dad,” I hear Molly groan in disgust.

“Eww,” Enzo adds, and the little boys join in on the “ewws.” When Lexi pulls away, she smiles and chuckles at the way we’ve grossed out our kids. 

“Okay, dig in little ducklings,” Lexi chirps.

“I gotsta pee,” Lucas says and hops off his chair. His little legs move faster than he can manage, and when we hear a bang, his cries soon follow.

“I got him,” I say to Lex. I stand up, ready to make sure he’s okay, and Molly is rushing in front of me to check on him too. She loves her little brothers so much, and she always worries and cares so much about everyone.

“Molly,” I hear Lucas’ whimper. She kneels quickly in front of him, wrapping her arms around him and pulling him into a hug. 

“Shh, it’s okay Luc,” she whispers. 

“You okay buddy?” I ask, and bend to check out his knee. 

“He’s okay, right?” she asks, pulling away from him. She places her hands on his knee, “You’re okay, Luc,” she says gently. He sniffles, and nods. I checked out his knee, where he was holding it, but no mark. 

“I’m okay. Fanks, Mol,” he smiles softly, and then makes his way to the washroom.

“You’re the best big sister, ever Mol,” I smile, and pull her in and kiss her forehead.

“Thanks, Dad,” she smiles back, and my heart beams with pride and adoration. Molly is the sweetest kid ever. 

We get to breakfast, and when we’re all finished I drop the 3 oldest kids off at school on my way to the office.

---

This morning was crazy, and Zac’s on his way here with lunch, so I’ll welcome the break.

“Hey Jack, hope you’re feeling pastrami on rye from that deli on the corner?” Zac asks as he walks in.

“Hey man, that sounds great. I’m starving,” I admit. 

We sit in my office eating while we catch up a little. He shocks me when he tells me about the s**t going on with witches, the rogue pack and this ‘Hogan’ guy and his plan to become king. All I have to say to that s**t is no. Hell no. I’m a free man, and I'll submit to no one. 

“I honestly want to look for him, and take him out. He doesn’t have much more than 1000 people, but they're scattered and I have no idea where to look for them,” Zac explains.

“He doesn’t sound like a real threat,” I admit, but he has a point; the fact that they are hurting innocent people is troubling. 

“Why don’t I put some feelers out with some of my contacts. See what we come up with. If we can find him, we take him out together,” I nod. I’ve got Zac’s back, and he has mine. It’s how we roll. He’s taken on this role of helping strangers, regardless of species, and I admire that about him so much. When I look at him now, it’s hard to even imagine he was ever a beta. He’s so clearly an alpha. 

“That sounds good, man. Keep me posted if you hear anything, and I’ll do the same,” he says.