The Alpha's Daughter's Mate

Storm Six years. It had been six years since I had come here to Ireland to escape my old life. Time had gone by so fast. It was incredible to think about how much my life had changed. In six years, I had met my mate, gained three beautiful stepdaughters, made new friends and given birth to four beautiful children. My life was wonderful. I watched as the lightning flashed outside the window. From where I sat in the rocking chair, I could see the lightning illuminating the landscape around the house. The thundering rain was a welcome sound. There was something about a wild storm that helped ease my tension and allowed any stress or anxiety to fade away. Maybe it was because I was named for this beautiful weather. I wasn’t sure. I lowered my gaze and looked at the beautiful baby who was nursing on my breast. She was just going on three months old. Beautiful baby Ciara. Since having Dalton who would be five this year, I had given birth to Finn who was turning four, and Cian who was turning two and Ciara. I knew that if Connor was to get his way, there would be plenty more little feet running around the house. He loved being a dad. Of course, he also liked practising to make a baby. So did I… not going to lie. But after pushing out four babies so close together, I felt my body needed a break from carrying babies. The lightning lit up the sky again, and my gaze returned to the window once more. It was late and everyone else in the house was asleep. Ciara and I were the only ones enjoying this display put on by nature. Connor was away with Sean and Siobhan, attending a pack meeting in Germany with Logan’s in laws. He was due to return in a couple of days, and honestly, I couldn’t wait until he returned. I missed him so much. Whenever he was away, I honestly felt like a piece of me was missing. When Ciara had finished her feed, I sat her up and began rubbing her back, waiting for her to do the loud burp I knew she would be needing to do by now. It didn’t take long. A few minutes later a loud burp sounded out in the nursery. I kept rubbing her back to make sure there was no more air that she needed to get rid of. When I was certain she was done, I lay her down and rocked her in the rocking chair until she was asleep. Even after Ciara had fallen asleep, I kept rocking in the rocking chair. I watched the lightning outside the window feeling at peace. I don’t know how long I had sat there watching the lightning before I got up and put Ciara to bed in her crib. Once I had put her in her crib, I stood there watching her for a moment before I walked out of the nurser and back into mine and Connor’s bed room. Climbing into our bed, I snuggled beneath the covers holding Connor’s pillow to my chest. The pillow still had the scent of Connor on it. I couldn’t wait until he was home again. I closed my eyes and before I knew it, I was sound asleep. I was awoken the following morning to the sounds of quiet giggles as the children climbed on the bed trying to come up with a plan on how to wake me. I kept my eyes closed, listening intently as Dalton tried to get his brothers to carry out his instructions to wake me up. His brothers weren’t cooperating though. They we too excited about being in their parents’ bedroom and on our bed to listen to Dalton’s plan. Dalton was getting frustrated at his brother’s lack of cooperation. I opened my eyes and reached out to Dalton, dragging him towards me. He giggled as I held him tight to me, snuggling into him and placing kisses on his neck. When I stopped kissing him, he lay still, still wrapped in my arms. “They don’t listen to me,” he grumbled. “Your brothers are only young,” I reminded him. “I know. But I am the big brother, so they are supposed to listen to me,” he said, as though it was a known fact. “Well, when they are a little older and they have a better understanding of the world, I am sure they will listen to you,” I told him. “When is daddy coming back?” Dalton asked. I wasn’t surprised he wanted to know when to expect his father. The hero worship he had for his father was no secret to me. “Soon,” I replied, hugging him tighter. Finn and Cian crawled over to where we were laying and snuggled up with me. I loved mornings like this when I could enjoy some quiet time with my babies. I knew that the moment Ciara woke up, I would have to get out of bed, so I was making the most of the time the three of us had together. We were laying in the bed together all snuggled up when Julie came into the room. She smiled brightly at the sight that greeted her. “Wow. Don’t you guys look snuggly,” she said, laughing quietly. “We cuddling mama,” Finn told Julie. “Yes. I see that,” Julie told him with a smile. “Mama warm,” Finn stated. “She looks warm. All three of you snuggling up to her would definitely make her warm,” Julie said as she sat on the edge of the bed. “I am just enjoying this moment before Ciara wakes up,” I told her, snuggling with my boys. “Well, if you want, I would be happy to get her when she wakes up,” Julie assured me. “Are you sure?” I asked her, not wanting to put her out. “Of course. Enjoy the time with the boys,” she told me, smiling brightly. “Why are you up so early?” I asked her. “Well, are you really surprised? I mean… I did have an early night last night. And unlike Leah, I don’t have someone keeping me awake until the early hours of the morning wanting s*x,” she replied, laughing quietly. “Good point,” I replied, nodding and grinning at her. “Yeah, so… until I have a mate occupying all of my free time. I will enjoy every bit of sleep I can get,” Julie told me, returning my grin. “Well, a word to the wise. When you meet your mate, just be sure that you sus out how many children he is planning on having. Your father as you can see wanted a big family. And these little guys, as much as I love them, are a lot of work as you no doubtedly know by now,” I said. “They sure are. But they are so cute,” she replied, laying down on the bed. Within seconds the boys were happily climbing all over her. Julie began tickling the boys and they were laughing and giggling happily. A few seconds later, Julie stopped tickling the boys and they were quietly laying together. When Ciara woke up, I got out of bed and went into her nursery leaving the boys with Julie. Walking into the nursery, I saw Ciara looking up at her mobile that Leah and Mike had brought for her. It was a woodland theme mobile that had wolves, bears and reindeer on it. When you turned it on it played two nursery rhymes. The first was the bear went over the mountain and the second was the animals went in two by two. I leaned down and picked Ciara up, carrying her over to the change table where I changed her diaper and got her ready for the day. Once I had changed and dressed her, I sat in the rocking chair and gave her her breakfast. I knew that Julie had the boys in hand so I was able to focus on Ciara without worrying about the boys. When Ciara had finished feeding, I burped her and carried her down to the kitchen where I knew the rest of the family would be gathering for breakfast.