With one last wave, we head back to the car. Shepherd’s head thumps against the steering wheel when we climb inside. “I can’t believe we almost forgot Halloween.” He turns to look at me, a sparkle in his eyes that has me bursting into laughter. “Our Princess needs a costume.”
Oh, boy,we’re in trouble! He lives for any chance to spoil her. I pull my phone from my pocket and video call Hannah. “We’re asking her what she wants to dress up as before you end up buying every costume in the damn store.”
He gives me an unapologetic shrug and starts the car, still grinning from ear-to-ear.
“Little Princess, we have a surprise for you!” I sing-song as we walk into the house. Shepherd keeps pace with me, carrying a massive bag from the Halloween store. He’s nearly vibratingwith excitement as she runs around the corner, flying out of her playroom with a shriek.
“Papas! You’s home!”
We’re both frozen, shell-shocked as she slams into my legs, nearly knocking me onto my ass. Tears well in my eyes, an awe I share with my Alpha as we glance at each other. Our motions are in sync as we drop to our knees and squish her into a tight hug. “Yeah, your papas are home.”
This is the first time she’s called us that. To have her trust us, see us as father figures when she grew up with an awful one in her life… it means the world.
Hannah walks in behind her, the baby strapped in his carrier and a soft smile on her face. Misty brown eyes, so full of love, take in the three of us, and then she pulls out her phone and snaps a picture. The timing is perfect because Kaitlin starts to squirm and push at our chests. “Papas you’s smushing me!”
Wiping a tear from my eye, I let her slide away and slowly climb back to my feet. “Go ahead, Papa Shepherd, show her what you’ve got for her.” I tuck Hannah under my arm as we follow them into the playroom. Toys are scattered everywhere, including an interrupted tea party, but Kait doesn’t seem to mind. She’s bouncing on her feet, waiting for Shep to open the bag.
“Halloween is next weekend,” he tells her. She gives him a puzzled look, confirming what her mother had told us on the phone earlier; she has no clue what that is. The cult never allowed them to celebrate any holidays that weren’t focused on the pastor’s twisted version of Christianity. “It’s a very fun event where you get to dress up in costumes and go trick-or-treating to get candy and treats.”
“Candy? Can we go? Please!” She gives him the saddest puppy eyes, and I swear I can feel him melting in the bond. Hannah muffles a laugh, knowing Kaitlin is playing him. It’sobvious that Shepherd cannot say no to our daughter.Alphas,they’re so soft-hearted for their packmates. I love it.
“Of course, we can, Princess. But you need a costume.” He opens the bag, ready to pull out the three he chose for her—yes,three,because he has no self-control when buying her gifts—but she darts away, digging through her new toy chest and pulling out a superhero mask and fairy wings.
“Gots it! I’s ready now!”
Hannah bursts into laughter, a belly-deep one that startles all of us. I’ve never heard her sound like this. So carefree and happy. She blushes when she sees us focused on her, cutting off the laugh and ducking her head. I don’t let her hide, tilting her chin up with my palm and pressing a kiss to her lips. “I love hearing you laugh, Angel.”
Shepherd nods his agreement, love filling his golden eyes, and then he focuses back on our daughter. “Those are great options, but what do you think of these?” The first one he pulls out is a super poofy blue princess dress with matching gloves, a crown, and a wand. He presses a button on the package and turns on the lights, because of course, he splurged for a light-up dress instead of buying a normal one.
“Oh my sparkles!” Kait shouts, dropping her mask and wings to grab the dress and spin it around. “So pretty! I’s a real princess now!”
“We also have this one,” he adds, grabbing the pink superhero costume next. It’s a dress, but he bought a big pink tutu and a cape to go over it. “Or a traditional version.” The same super symbol adorns the front of this one, but it’s a black bodysuit instead of a dress.
I’m pulled into the room when Kaitlin grabs my hand and demands I help her into the first costume, promising she can’t pick until she tries them all on. We spend the next half hour playing dress-up and putting on a fashion show for Hannah,Shepherd, and Everett. In the end, she picks the black bodysuit, wanting to look like a‘real superhero’instead of a princess.
Shepherd gives Hannah a sheepish look before opening the bag again. “Since she chose that one, we’ll need this.” He hands her a red onesie decorated to match the superhero’s sidekick. They laugh, placing it over our son’s tiny body and talking about how cute the two of them will be.
My phone ringing distracts me from their conversation. I grin when I see Manny’s face on the screen. It’s late, almost five now, so he must be headed back to his apartment. “Hot Stuff, I’ve missed you!”
“I’ve missed you, too, Galán.” He clears his throat, the sound thick with an emotion I can’t name. “I’m actually going to come see you after I grab everything from my place.”
He’s coming here? With all his stuff? “Are you saying you’re moving in?”
Shepherd and Hannah go quiet, now tuned into the conversation.
“I am. Today made me realize I cannot handle being away from you. If something were to happen, and I weren’t there to help protect you, I’d never forgive myself.” Emotion clogs his voice, a sadness that shakes me.
“What’s wrong?”
I hear his car shut off and the door close, so he must be at his apartment building already.
“Bea’s missing.” His words land heavily between us.
I blink once.Twice.My lungs burn, and it’s only when Shepherd takes the phone from my hand that I realize I stopped breathing. I cough, hands falling to my knees as my mind kicks into overdrive, repeating what he said on a loop. Bea’s missing.Missing.She’s-
“Breathe, Omega!” Shepherd’s bark shocks my body into rhythm, forcing my lungs to expand again. “I’ll call Donovan too and see what we can do to help. They are going to find her.”
I know they will, but what will happen to her between now and then?
