Boston, America
Third person POV
Colton came in his house after a long run he took in the woods to clear his mind from the things which were making him crazy. No matter how much he tried, the guilt could not leave his heart. His wolf too was feeling that. He let out a loud howl indicating how much sorry he felt when he could not save his family instead he was protecting his luna and Aaron. So Veer had to let his and his wife's life in danger in order to protect his family from those filthy Vampires. She was pregnant that time. Only if he could have protected all of them then Veer might be having a happy family and nisha might be having her mother with her at this dreadful moment.
As Colton entered his house,delicious aroma of steak and smashed potatoes hit him.His wife was making dinner when he entered the kitchen.
"Oh you came, Dinner is almost ready. Go get fresh while I arrange the table." She said without looking at him and putting bowls of dishes on the table. But he didn't go. He just came close to her and hugged her from behind while burring his head in the crook of her neck. She gasped at his sudden movement. She turned to face him smiling but her smile faded when she saw the look on his face. His eyes were red with a glint of sadness and guilt.
"What happened Colton?"She asked him caressing his cheeks. He immediately leaned towards her touch forgetting all the worries in the world. That's the effect of the mates on each other. They are just meant for each other just like soulmates. Moon goddess has granted at least one mate to each and every werewolf. Colton and Savannah were childhood friend so when they turned 18, they immediately recognised each other and marked each other then and there in front of everyone.
" Colton" she called him lovingly while looking into his eyes. Colton sighed at that and gulped the lump forming in his throat and then told her.
" Baby, I .. my friend Veer... he is no more. He died from a heart attack a week ago and I got this news today."
She gasped. She knew veer was very close friend of her mate. She was feeling his grief from the matebond.
" Oh God, Colton. He was very good person. Always helping others in their difficult time. I hope his soul will rest in peace " she said sadly. She also knew the sacrifice made by Veer to save them. She also felt guilty. He just hugged her tightly while closing his eyes.
" I really hope his soul will rest in peace otherwise he will haunt me in my dreams." He said jokingly to lighten the mood.
" Yeah he will do that." She mumbled to him breaking the hug.
"Now go upstairs and have a bath. You stink." She teasingly said to him.
He just pout and then smirked.
"I stink? Really? Then I have to show you that I don't stink. Let's hug one more time baby" he said taking steps closer to her.
"N-no, just go and get fresh. The food is getting cold." She said blushing profusely.
"Okay milady" he chuckled and went upstairs to freshen up.
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When he came downstairs, Savannah was already sitting on the dining table. He made his way towards his chair beside her and started to eat.
"Where are Noah and Samantha?" he asked her while eating.
"You know them. They probably went to club or pub. It's your fault, you spoiled them too much." Savannah huffed while chewing on her steak.
He just laughed and shakes his head. "Kids these days"
" You know Colton, I sometimes get worried thinking about them. They are becoming distant from us day by day. They don't even come home often. They didn't even keep their first for their mates.They just use others for their fun. I just hope they won't regret later." She whispered to him while thinking about her kids.
"Don't worry Sav, they will learn the meaning of love when they will find their mates. They are mature now so we cannot order them around even if it is for their own good. They will learn. Just give them time." He assured his wife.
"Yeah I hope so. But they don't even spend their time with us. I don't even remember last time when we had dinner together."she sighed while standing.
Colton was well aware of the situation. But he cannot blame them fully as they are teenagers and he knew in teenage, we don't like to hear any advise from our parents and always listen to our friends. So he did not push the matter more.
Then he remembered that he has to talk to Savannah about Nisha and being her guardian. He didn't know how will she react although he knew she will accept nisha with wide arms.
"Sav, I need to talk to you about something important." He said in his serious tone.
"Yes Colton, I am listening." She said while sitting on the couch.
He sighed and move towards the couch and sat beside her.
" Do you remember he has a daughter?" He asked her. Her eyes widened in realisation.
"Oh my God. How did I forget about her? How is she? Do you know if she is safe or not? Is there anyone with her? Does she have any relative? Is she going to live with them? Is she...." She shut quickly when Colton placed his palm on her mouth.
"Relax baby. That's why I said I wanted to talk. Now listen." He told her withdrawing his palm from her mouth. She nodded her head to him.
" You know Veer don't have any relatives with whom he can trust his daughter's safety. So he made me her legal guardian. I was also shocked when I came to know about this. But Veer trusted us with his only daughter. So we have to protect her no matter what and give her the love of a family. So I was thinking of keeping Nisha with us at least until she turns 18." He told her while holding her hands.
"Of course Colton, we need to keep her with us. She will live with us. We will make sure to give her all the love she deserves. We will try our best to not to disappoint Veer." She told him smiling. He sighed in relief at her words.
"But Colton, how will our kids react to our decision? You know that they are not so easy going with humans. They might scare her and she don't know about our identity. You know Samantha can be very harsh sometime when she doesn't like anything." She asked him worriedly.
"I know it will be difficult for them to understand and adjust to the situation. But they will accept her eventually. We have to give them some time." He assured her.
" Yeah. Let's hope for the best." She said to him.
He felt relax at that. Then they both went to their bedroom and slept in each other's arms.
Tomorrow evening he will board his flight to India to bring Nisha with him here in Boston, he thought to himself while sleeping.
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Next morning Aaron went to the pack office office as his dad asked him to meet him. Basically this office belongs to his dad despite him being the Alpha of the pack. Aaron has his own office from where he usually works and rarely comes to the pack office. So his dad, whenever comes to packhouse, occupies the pack office.
"Hey Dad. Good morning." He greeted his dad. Although former Alpha Cohen was a bit rude and stoic towards others but he always was his Superdad. He always idolised his father. He always wanted to become strong like his father. And yes he worked hard for that.
"Good morning son. Please sit." Alpha Cohen said him with a smile.
"So what's the matter? Is there anything serious?" Aaron asked his Dad seeing him all serious.
"No Aaron, nothing to worry. I will tell you but after everyone get here." Alpha Cohen replied him in his fatherly tone.
Aaron sighed at that and slumped on the nearby couch as Alpha Cohen also sat on one of the couch.
They were silent for the moment before Cohen broke the silence by talking.
"Son. Whatever I am going to tell you, listen carefully with an open mind. Me and Colton made a decision for which I need your cooperation." Cohen said to him.
Aaron got confused and furrowed his brows together trying to remember anything serious related to the pack or it's duties.
"Oh Ok." He said slightly clearing his throat.
Just then his mother Sarah entered the office and suddenly pulled him in the warm hug.
"Ohh Aaron I missed you so much. You don't even come to meet me regularly. You forgot about me already. I am so disappointed." She huffed dramatically while pushing his chest slightly.
" Mom you know I would never do that, right? So stop your huffing and puffing and let me take my warm hug now" he said teasingly and again embraced her tightly. All his life, if he ever cared truly for someone, that's his mother. He adores his mother. It always ammuse him how his mother makes his father dance on her fingers. He always finds it funny to see a giant 6.4" man getting lectured by a small 5.8" lady. His parents shares a very weird relationship where his mother always finds new ways to annoy his father, and that man never ever scold or make it even with her. It's almost as if his father likes getting bullied by his mother. Their love is weird as per Aaron.
"Aaron, leave me. I can't breathe. Cohen help me" she said again dramatically bringing him out of his thoughts.
Aaron chuckled and pulled away from the hug grinning. Cohen just chuckled at this mother -son duo and shook his head. It was regular for him to see this drama. He came towards his mate and pulled her from waist towards him and made her sit beside him. Sarah knew about the the news of Veer and really felt sorry for that. Cohen told her everything, even their decision of taking nisha in their wings and Sarah really appreciated that.
After five minutes, betas family arrived in the office. Noah and Samantha were clearly confused about the situation while the four elders shared a look and nodded to each other.
"Aaron we are going to welcome one person to live here in our territory. Infact she is going to stay with betas family." Alpha Cohen told Aaron.
Aaron got confused as they don't usually let anyone join their pack without strict investigation and interrogation.
And he personally handles that.
"Ok. But who is she? Is she a rouge or a member of any other pack? Does she have her mate here? Aaron asked Cohen with curiosity.
"Well... her name is Nisha. And she is neither a rouge nor a member of any other pack. And also not a mate of anyone here probably." Cohen replied to Aaron's questions.
Aaron felt something inside him at the mention of that name. But he just shook it and focused on his dad.
"Then who is she? And why she is going to stay with betas family?" Aaron asked Cohen who was glancing at Colton.
"She is human and she is going to stay with us because I am her legal guardian." Colton replied Aaron calmly.
"What? but why she is going to stay with us? And we don't allow humans in our territory." Samantha exclaimed angrily as if it is the most absurd thing she ever heard.
" Samantha keep your voice low. You are talking in front of Alphas and betas and not your friends and family." Savannah scolded sternly. Samantha just rolled her eyes discreetly and huffed.
"I know it is new for you guys, but you have to accept it. Nisha is the daughter of Mr Veer Goenka, one of my closest friends and also business acquittance of Alpha Cohen. Unfortunately due to the death of him, his daughter has no one to look after her. She doesn't have a mother, so I am her legal guardian. She is 16 years old and will live with us till she turns 18. She will go to same college you guys go. You will be friendly with her and protect her just like your younger sibling." Colton said in his no nonsense tone.
Noah and Samantha huffed at that and clearly looked displeased.
"But Dad, she is human and oblivious to our reality. How the hell she will live here with us? Won't she gets scared?" Noah asked Colton as a matter of fact .
Alpha Cohen cleared his throat at his question driving attention to him and said "yeah she doesn't know about our reality and no one will tell her our secret until the right time comes. She is not in a state to accept any supernatural thing at this time as she just lost her father. So I expect from all of you to keep our secret within ourselves and accept my decision." Alpha Cohen stated closing the matter for further discussion.
"Aaron I know, as you are the Alpha now, I should have asked your permission. But Veer was our good friend and she is our responsibility from now on. So I hope you will understand." Alpha Cohen told Aaron in his fatherly tone.
Aaron sighed at that. He was displeased with the fact that some human is going to live in his territory.But as the decision was of his father, he didn't show his displeasure.
"Dad, you don't have to ask my permission in anything. Even if you are former Alpha now but still you can take decisions without me getting involved.It is fine with me. I respect your decision."Aaron said while assuring Cohen.
"By the way when she is going to come?"Aaron asked.
"Colton is going to India today evening, so I think if she agrees to come with him then they will arrive day after tomorrow." Cohen told everyone while glancing at Colton who nodded his head.
"Ok. So I will conduct the pack meeting today and let them know about this arrangement. Please excuse me." Aaron mumbled while exiting the office with his beta following him.
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"What the f**k man! They are expecting us to welcome a human in our pack and hide our wolves from that little girl and top of that staying in my house. It's too much!" Noah exclaimed as soon as he and Aaron exit Alphas office.
"It's totally f****d up man"
"Yeah I know it is. But it's dad's and Colton's decision. We cannot say anything. I just hope that little brat will leave from here when she turns 18. We cannot hide our existence from her for forever. She will eventually know and I hope she will run for her dear life seeing our wolves." Aaron chuckled while replying.
"Yeah.We will scare her so she will run out of our lives." Noah said laughing.
"Now let's go and prepare for the welcome of your younger little sibling" Aaron teased Noah.
"Oh please Alpha. Let's go to the kitchen I am hungry as fuck." Noah said and at the same time his stomach growled making them laugh.