But most importantly, Katarina was here—with her very own Alpha. I watched with happiness overwhelming my heart as my best friend danced gracefully in the arms of the man she wanted and, eventually, the one she ended up with. She had a tough ride, but she made it through. If there was anyone who deserved happiness, it was the female who stood up for me all these years. The only female who made me feel important, even when I had nothing to offer her back.
“They look good together…” Riley’s warm and comforting breath fanned over my neck as he brushed his lips against my skin, bringing tingles and sparks that only he could give me. His arm coiled around my body as I turned around and snuggled into him, while my arm wrapped around his other arm, holding our baby, hugging them both.
“My favorite males…” I murmured against his chest as my fingers played with Zachary’s hand.
“Don’t let Dad hear you. He will throw a tantrum.”
I chuckled at his teasing. My father, Theodore, had lived up to the expectation of being the father and grandfather of the year, making sure he was always around Zach and me when Riley had to attend to pack matters. And this didn’t change even after Laura finally fell pregnant.
At 38, she was having a good start to her pregnancy, and I couldn’t be more excited to have my own sibling. And I was glad that Dad and Laura would get a chance to take care of a baby—their very own.
“Alpha,” Dawson, our newly appointed Gamma, was standing behind us. We both turned our bodies around and faced him. He smiled at us sheepishly, his expression apologetic. “Alpha Kallan was requesting a moment with you about the joint training with Alpha Aeon’s men.”
“I’ll be with him shortly,” Riley answered, to which Dawson gave a curt nod before walking away.
Riley drew his attention to me, his knuckles brushing against my cheek. “Do you want to stand beside me while we talk about warriors or…”
“I’ll be fine here. Come give me Zach.” I reached my hands out and took our pup from his hands before he leaned forward and kissed me deeply, not minding that we were in the middle of a crowd.
“I’ll be back soon. I love you.”
“I love you, too,” I replied and watched as my mate walked with his perfect posture to where Alpha Aeon and Alpha Kallan were before my gaze went around the ballroom again.
I was looking for my Beta and Gamma Females, but before I could find them, I felt a presence behind me.
“Well, I finally caught the Luna alone.” A male’s voice stopped me from checking the whole place as I spun my body around and came face to face with Dominic.
A warm smile curled on my lips as he took my hand and kissed the back of my palm.
“Just the man I want to see. How are you, Beta Dom… Forgive me, Alpha Dominic?” I greeted him as I took back my hand.
“No offense taken. You know, I always have a soft spot for you, Luna.”
“I’m going to miss you.” And I meant it.
“Me too. And that man there…” He pointed his finger in the direction where Riley was.
“And I’m sure he’ll be missing you a lot. Thank you…” My eyes watered as I looked at him. “...for keeping Riley on his toes all these years.”
“I did everything I could. Not just because I was his Beta. I love Riley like a brother. And seeing him this happy made it easier for me to leave this pack. I know he’s in good hands. So thank you, Nadia.”
I clutched Zach tighter in my arms as Inodded my head. I was fighting back tears.
“Do you remember the first time we met? And we both felt Riley didn’t think we were important to him, and you said we should never discuss it because it would just hurt us both? Last night, Riley called me. He told me everything I wanted to hear from him all these years. He thanked me. And he told me how proud he was of me.” He chuckled, but I could feel his emotions. He was overwhelmed. “It felt good. That was something I always wanted to hear from the man I was willing to lay my life for.”
“You’re making me cry.”
“Just happy tears, Luna. I’m glad I didn’t cut his balls when I was too pissed off with him. Otherwise, this little thing would not be here.” He rubbed his finger gently on Zach’s forearm, and my little boy beamed at him. “Aren’t you happy, little pup, that Uncle Dominic is here?”
Zach giggled and tried to reach for Dominic as I discreetly wiped the tears from the side of my eyes.
“Are you making my Luna cry, Alpha?” Riley’s voice came as his coffee and minty scent enveloped my senses. In seconds, his arm wrapped around me as he gave Alpha Dominic a cocky grin.
“Just happy tears. I told her you were lucky I didn’t cut your balls. I almost did.”
He laughed heartily before he squeezed my arm. “I almost let him. I thought my fucking dick had no use anymore.”
“Well, good thing I arrived just on time, otherwise that would be a shame.”
