A Beta's Determination

Thanksgiving

Colleen

"We need to go shopping soon. I saw these gorgeous Montelliana boots on sale at Neiman Marcus. I need them before someone snags them first."

"Okay, Colleen. I'll see if Angelina would watch the twins for a little while. I am bringing Olivia because she is still breastfeeding, and I used the last of my bagged milk this previous weekend when I sent the kids to Angelina and Edwards."

"Can you pump some real quick that will last a few hours? I wanted it to be a trip without the children. I'm sorry if that sounds selfish, but I need one day without a child calling me 'momma' a thousand times in five minutes or one crying because she needs the tit," giving Julia my best sympathetic, puppy dog eyes look.

"Oh, alright. Since you are pouting like little Serenity, I might as well give in. Now I know where she gets it from," rolling her eyes and sighing at me.

"Jules, you are the best. I will see if Hope, Cat, Cass, and Sophia want to go too. This is going to be so much fun. It has been months since we ladies got together like this," I exclaimed, squealing and clapping my hands together like a kid in a candy store.

"You want to know why, Colleen? Well, let's see, the last time we ladies went out unsupervised and had time to ourselves was for Hope's birthday. Hope and Cass ended up with matching tattoos on their ass, Cat ended up with a piercing that she still has no idea when she even got it done that night, and Sophia and I got our n*****s pierced. So, if you think this trip will end with our butts being carried out by security, you better think again."

We had so much fun that night, but Julia was right we did overdo it that night, but we all needed the time away from life, reality, men, and children. I would do it all over again, and I know the other ladies would also.

"I promise, no crazy schemes, and we are not going near a tattoo shop," putting my hand up as sworn by oath.

"I will run it by Elijah and let him know our plans. Does tomorrow sound good? I believe the guys will be at home all day making sure the food is at the packhouse before Thanksgiving dinner on Thursday. If any issues with us arise, they won't be too far away. The city is about twenty minutes from pack territory, so I don't see why he would have an issue with us having some lady's time."

"Thanks, Jules. You are the best. I promise we will all behave like the high-ranked women that we are."

"You are something else here lately, Colleen. I haven't seen you like this in a long time. I am glad you have decided to stop being uptight and enjoy life. You and Sam were so shy when I first came here, and now we have all become like siblings. He has even started calling me Jules," shaking her head.

"I think we should all go Black Friday shopping after Thanksgiving dinner. Would you and Sam want to go? I know Cat and Christian were talking about it last week. She has the places she wants to go to written down with all the sales going on at them," Julia stopped what she was doing at her desk, looking up at me, waiting for me to answer.

I couldn't help but get excited about the planning of going out with family, friends, and our children. Yes, I did want a day without kids, but taking them on their first Black Friday sale was going to be epic, whether trying to keep them happy while we shopped or letting them point to the things they wanted. They wouldn't get them until Christmas, of course, but to see their little faces light up at the sight of all the toys, trinkets, and other doodads they wanted made all the crying and whining we would get along the way worth it.

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Elijah

"Colleen wants to go shopping for a bit tomorrow evening with the other ladies. I told her I didn't think you would have an issue with it. Promise, no tattoo shops, and we won't be gone too long. Your mom and dad said they would love to watch the kids. The other grandparents are keeping their grandpups also, so if they need any help with them, you and the guys are only a link away," I looked at Julia with raised eyebrows. I always gave that look to Julia when I wanted to object to a conversation, but I knew better than when it concerned something she wanted to do.

"Let me get this straight. You expect me to be here with the guys and pretty much babysit them and myself, all while making sure the staff is organized and aware of the tasks they are each assigned to for Thanksgiving while you and the ladies are out galavanting around doing Goddess knows what and getting into all kinds of trouble, and not worry about all of you? Is that correct?" When I finished speaking, I sat back, relaxed in my office chair with my legs nonchalantly relaxed to the sides.

I could smell Julia's arousal as I smirked and grinned, winking at her as she stared down at my crotch.

"You see something you like?"

She struggled to speak, but she eventually said, "Of course I do. Why do you have to bring your sexy magic stick into this, making me lose my thought?" Julia pouted, crossing her arms.

"I'm good like that. Back to the subject at hand, though. I don't mind you ladies going out for yourselves. Just please let me know when you get there and when you leave. I will have two guards go with you all so I can have a little peace of mind while you are gone."

"I can handle that, love," Julia uncrossed her arms, stepped closer to my chair, and leaned in, kissing me deeply and passionately.

"You better not start something you can't finish, babe."

"I can always finish what I start, but you don't get your 'Thank you' until tonight," Julia smiled, winking at me, sexily swinging her hips from side to side, and walking out of my office.

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Julia

"Elijah said he didn't mind, but Luke and Cade are coming with us so he doesn't completely lose his mind while we are gone."

"Hope is supposed to have a doctor's appointment tomorrow, so I thought we could go to the appointment with her, then head out shopping. Ever since she and Evan decided not to know the s*x of the baby, Hope has been secretive about things concerning the baby. They both don't even know if they have one or multiple. All Hope wanted to know when she felt like she was pregnant was if she was or not." Colleen shrugged her shoulders, staring back at me through her mirror.

"I wish I would have thought about that with Olivia. I was too excited not to know with the twins, but keeping it all a secret until the day makes the suspense so much more exciting."

"I felt I was having a girl when I was pregnant with Amelia. East swore up, and down I was having a boy, even going to the extreme of seeing if Jo could tell him what it was behind my back. I was so pissed at him, I cut him off for a week," Cass laughed so hard she started crying.

"I bet the look on his face was priceless," Cat chimed in, walking back out of the walk-in closet.

"Let's just say he was worse than Amelia on a bad day."

"Christian wasn't so bad. I mean, I found out I was pregnant when I was gone to my Nanas, so I didn't necessarily get to break the news first to him, but he was still beyond excited, aside from still being pissed at me for leaving and not saying anything to him. Now, that is all history, and we are now a family of five. I couldn't ask for a better mate, husband, and father than Christian. He is my other half, and I couldn't do it without him."

"Girl, these hormones are killing me. That was the sweetest thing I have heard in a long time," Hope sniffled, blowing her nose on a tissue, as she sat there trying to pull her jeggings on but struggling because she couldn't even see over her belly.

"I damn sure don't miss that," chuckling as I slipped my converses on.

I walked over to the bed, letting Hope hold onto me for support as I pulled her pants up and adjusted them in the waist.

"Thank you so much, Julia. I have gotten to the point where I am so big that Evan has to paint my toes, shave my legs, and keep my hoohah trimmed up for me. I will be so glad when January arrives. Maybe the baby will be a New Year baby. That would be pretty awesome."

"So ladies, have we thought of where we want to start for Black Friday shopping? We need a game plan, especially if we plan to go to the city and bring a car full of toddlers."

"Jules is right. If we are being brave this year and bringing the kids with us, we will need a plan. I don't know about you, but I will be damned if I have to handle two screaming toddlers all night because they are sleepy. I say we try to keep them up through the day as long as possible, then let them take a late nap. By the time they are fed and rested, they will be ready for round three."

"Good idea, Cat. I don't know about you, but Dylynn and Daelynn can sleep for hours and still be ready to go. I am glad we are leaving the babies at home. I hate it when people stare as I am trying to feed Olivia in public, plus trying to tend to her and the twins and shop simultaneously doesn't sound like too much fun."

"There are some things I saw online I wanted to buy for all the guys plus the in-store items, but I need the men somewhere else when I get them," I said, looking at all the ladies.

"Jules, let us handle that. We can get them to take the kids to Toys 'R' Us while two of us go with you to help you get what you need. Regarding the online stuff, you can just have them mailed to the warehouse and get Cade or Luke to store them there until Christmas. That way, the men won't even know anything about it."

"Thanks, Sophia. I am sure between all of us, we should have everything planned out and gone according to plan," hugging Sophia.

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Sam

Thanksgiving day came before we knew it as all the kitchen staff and nannies were running around getting the orders in place, cooking started, and chasing toddlers around the packhouse.

Elijah, Christian, and I were in Elijah's office taking care of some pack business before we officially kicked off the holiday season. I was ready to have quality time with my family, friends, and pack members. There would be many new family members to join this year's Thanksgiving and Christmas. Although some of them are too little to remember it next year, I know the moms, dads, proud grandparents, and other family members will get tons of pictures and sweet kisses from the little ones.

"Sam, what do you think about putting off the new contracts until after the beginning of February?" Elijah asked while replying to an email on his laptop.

"I don't have an issue with it as long as we can get all the paperwork completed and submitted before the due dates."

"Christian, call Rex and see when he and Evie will be here. I need to discuss some new updated security details I was just informed moments ago with him and Trey. I have already contacted Trey. He will be on his way in about an hour."

"Will do, boss," Christian stood and made his way out of the office and off to his office.

Christian was notoriously, here lately, to reply late to emails he needed answering ASAP, so it didn't surprise Elijah or me when we didn't see him for the rest of the meeting. I know he had a lot on his plate with the new baby and juggling everything else he had going on, but Elijah reminded him of his pack business and life business and how to make sure he puts time in for each. Time management was never one of Christian's best suits. Elijah and I would always give him so much hell about being late for things, but he knew we were just playing and never took it to heart, considering he would dish the s**t right back to the both of us.

"Well, now that Christian probably won't be back until after the meeting, let's talk about a situation that has come up at the beginning of this week and pertains to you, Sam," Elijah had his serious face on, clueing me in that he wasn't playing around about this news.

"What is it, Elijah? Is everything okay? Why do you have that look on your face like my dad gives, letting me know I am fixing to get an ass-chewing for something?"

I couldn't help but feel slightly nervous as Elijah had never looked at me this way before.

"Apparently, it has come to the attention of our allie pack in Cuba, the Cayo Coco that someone has spread a rumor of a ranked member from our pack fathering a child by the Alpha's daughter of the Blue Moon Water's pack in Miami. These are only rumors, and you know how I am about tales. If there is no physical or legally documental evidence, I won't believe it until I see it. The elders of both Cuba and Florida have been notified of the allegations. I spoke with the elder of our state to ensure no further investigation will occur until after the holidays."

"Elijah, are you saying or asking me if I fathered someone else's child? When did this so-called 'fornication' happen? I mean, yes, I wasn't a virgin when I found Colleen, neither was she, but I was always careful when having my 'fun' as a teenager. I would never be so careless, and if it did happen, then how come no one has contacted me or informed me of possibly having another child out there? Do you know what the child is or how old it is?"

I could feel my heart beating out of my chest as the room started to spin. Bracing myself on Elijah's desk and sitting down in one of the seats behind me.

"I know this is a lot of information coming at you at once, and we still don't know if it is true, so before you go into cardiac arrest or hyperventilate in my office, take a deep breath and let's think. We still have a few months before the holidays are over. In the meantime, we can look into the places and packs we have come in contact within the last ten years and go from there. Anything that pops into your head write it down. I don't care if you think it is the stupidest thing, write it down."

"I just can not believe this is happening, especially before the holidays. I thought, for once, we all would be able to have one year of stress-free bullshit, but I was wrong. There is no way I can tell Colleen right now. She will flip her s**t," I sat, my head propped on my hands between my knees.

"Sam, I know what you're thinking, and she is going to flip her s**t anyway. The longer you keep this from her the worse her reaction will be. Have more faith in your mate than that, Sam. She loves you and will be by your side the whole way. Hell, she may even pitch in helping us figure stuff out if she can."

Elijah got up, made his way around his desk, ushering me to stand. He placed his hands on my shoulders, looking me in the eye, "Sam, you are more than my Beta and best friend.You are like another brother to me. Not only will I have your back as your Alpha, but I will also have it as a friend and brother, so when you feel like you are hitting rock bottom with all this, take a deep breath, look around you at all the people you have behind you. You will never be alone in this, but I need you to find the courage and take responsibility for your actions if worse turns to worse."

"I know. You're right. You know, growing up without siblings, you were like my brother more than a best friend. You have always had my back through thick and thin, and there is no way I could ever repay you for all the things you have done for me or all the situations you have gotten me out of. Colleen will be mad, hurt, and probably every other emotion there is out there at me, but I do have to tell her. Tonight, after Thanksgiving dinner, I will tell her. I just pray that she forgives me for possibly making a terrible mistake in my life. How come Christian's name was never brought up?"

"Colleen loves you, Sam, no matter what. Yes, she will be furious, but wouldn't you be if you found out Serenity wasn't yours and another man fathered her? Would you forgive her and still accept her as your one and only? Would you even take Serenity as your child, regardless of the situation? You are going to take every word, scream, curse, tear, and anything that is thrown at you when you tell her because you have to put yourself in her position and let her have that moment."

"I hate it when you're right."

"I know you do," Elijah smirked. "As far as Christian is concerned, he was a virgin when he met Cat, so you were the only other soon to be ranked member in line at the time that it could have been."

"Let's get back downstairs before everyone comes hunting for us. I was supposed to give the twins and Olivia a bath for dinner tonight, and I know Julia has been trying to link, but I figured this conversation needed to be without any distractions. So, I am going to go find my wife and kids and get ready for dinner."

"I will see you down in a bit," giving Elijah a tight, brotherly hug before we left his office and parted ways.