Elena’s POV 1
Sixteen years had passed, and here I was, bustling around preparing for one of our regular pack gatherings. These barbecues happened every few months, bringing our entire community together under the stars for an evening of music, dancing, and shared stories. Tonight would be no different, with a live band already setting up and the dance floor cleared and ready.
I was balancing a stack of ceramic plates when strong arms wrapped around my waist from behind. The sudden contact nearly sent the dishes tumbling to the ground.
“Caleb!” I shouted, spinning around to face my son’s grinning face.
“What’s wrong?” he asked, that familiar troublemaker’s smile spreading across his features.
“I honestly don’t know what I’m supposed to do with you anymore,” I said, shaking my head.
“I’m twenty-two now, mom. Your options are pretty limited,” he replied with a shrug.
I planted my hand firmly on my hip and stared him down. “I could always suggest you get yourself a job and find your own place to live.”
The laughter from his group of friends died instantly at my words.
“Did I mention lately how absolutely wonderful you are?” Caleb said sweetly, planting a quick kiss on my cheek.
“Brown-noser,” Damien called out as he emerged from the packhouse.
Caleb dropped into one of the nearby chairs with theatrical casualness. “So when exactly are you two planning to step down and let me run things around here?”
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Damien crossed his arms and fixed our son with a stern look. “When you stop thinking that pulling childish pranks on pack members is the height of entertainment, maybe we’ll consider it.”
“Fine, whatever,” Caleb said, already standing and waving his friends over. “We’re heading to training. Don’t worry, we’ll be back before this party gets
started.”
“Enjoy yourselves,” I called after them as they jogged away.
Damien shook his head as he watched them disappear. “I can’t get over how immature that boy still is.”
I turned to him with raised eyebrows. “Gee, I wonder where he might have learned that behavior?”
Damien’s expression shifted to one of confused innocence before he suddenly perked up, pretending to hear someone calling his name from inside the house. “Oh, sounds like someone needs me,” he said, making a hasty retreat.
“Luna, I brought those decorations you requested,” came a voice from behind me. I turned to see Clara, Caleb’s girlfriend, approaching with her arms full of colorful streamers and lights.
“Perfect, thank you so much. Would you mind hanging them around the dining area outside?” I asked.
“Of course,” she replied with a warm smile.
I watched her walk away, still amazed that my son had somehow managed to win over such a remarkable young woman. She definitely deserved better than him, though I’d never say that out loud. I knew they weren’t destined mates, but part of me wished they could be. I’d made my feelings clear to Caleb about several of the other young women in our pack, specifically warning him about which ones to avoid.
Caleb knew the truth about his parentage. We’d sat him down years ago and explained everything, including who his biological father really was. Though
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he’d been hurt initially, he hadn’t turned against us. If anything, he’d grown to appreciate Damien even more for stepping up and accepting both me and
my
unborn child when another Alpha’s baby could have been seen as a liability.
Once the decorating was complete, I needed to head inside and prepare myself for the evening. Though it was meant to be casual, I’d been working since dawn and desperately needed a shower and clean clothes.
By the time I made it back downstairs, nearly the entire pack had gathered in our backyard. I grabbed a glass of wine and felt Damien’s fingers intertwine with mine as we began making our rounds, greeting our pack members and catching up on their lives.
These gatherings were one of my favorite traditions. Even though we only managed them every few months, they provided an invaluable opportunity to maintain close connections with everyone in our community. The enthusiasm and joy on everyone’s faces made all the preparation worthwhile. “Mommy!” Five-year-old Seraphina’s voice rang out as she came running toward me with arms outstretched.
I scooped her up immediately. “Where have you been hiding all day, little
one?”
“Nora wouldn’t let me help with anything for the party,” Seraphina said, pointing an accusing finger at her nanny.
“Well, I’m sure Nora had excellent reasons for keeping you occupied elsewhere. Like the fact that you always try to eat all the food before our guests arrive,” I said, beginning to tickle her sides.
She dissolved into giggles, squirming and laughing in my arms while Damien chuckled at her animated reactions.
“Hey, what are you doing to my little sister? Nobody gets to pick on her except me,” Caleb announced, swooping in to lift Seraphina from my arms before running off with her.
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The bond between Caleb and Seraphina never failed to warm my heart. He adored her completely and took his role as protective big brother seriously, though he also had a terrible habit of teaching her his worst behaviors. Fortunately, since we knew exactly where she was learning these things, we simply explained to Seraphina that they were inappropriate while Caleb faced the consequences.
Damien had wandered over to speak with his brother Gage and Gage’s mate Jade when I noticed the pack doctor making his way through the crowd toward me.
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