Page 3 of Return of the Alpha

Moments later,Caine, our Alpha, strides into the kitchen and wraps her in hisembrace. I look away as he kisses her deeply, not wanting tointrude on their private moment. Seeing them together like thisgives me hope for the future. That I will also find my fated mateand be happy someday.

“Sit down,” he sayssoftly, cradling her face once they stop kissing. “There’ssomething we need to talk about.”

The air shifts asshe stares at him. “Did something happen?”

“Everyone is fine,”he says looking into her eyes before sparing us each a glance. “Butwe found a survivor.”

“Only one?” Talonasks.

Caine nods, leadinghis mate to the table and helping her sit.

“You need to tell mewhat the hell is going on, Caine. You’re starting to freak meout.,” Peyton says with a frown.

“It’s yourfather.”

“My father?” Herfrown deepens as she stares at him.

“Yeah, baby. Wefound him.”

Chapter Two

James

I wait in the blackpickup truck with a shifter named Godrick. He is a mountain of aman, and I would love to see him in his wolf form someday. I amsure he is an asset to his pack even though I still can’tcomprehend having more than one Alpha with his kind of power in asingle pack. And yet, they seem to have quite a few strong Alphashere.

“Is she in there?” Iask softly, not sure what else to say but keeping my gaze locked onthe building in front of me.

“She is,” he repliesstoically. “Just give Caine a minute to prepare her. She thoughtyou were dead, so this will be a shock for her.”

I nod, knowing he isright. “I haven’t seen her in years.”

“She’s a fine womanand a great Luna,” Godrick says with a smile. “I would be dead ifit weren’t for her and Caine.”

“That’s good toknow. I’m happy she is doing well.”

Silence descends onus as we both return to our own thoughts.

A door slams againsta wall and there she is. She looks so much like her mother, I can’thelp but rub at the center of my chest with my palm, an old painflaring to life once more. We stare at each other through the paneof glass as a tear streaks down her cheek. Moments later I have herin my arms, holding her to my chest just the way I did the day hermother died. Sobs wrack her frame as she clings to me.

Caine and anotherfemale watch us from the doorway, both curious but respectful ofthis moment between us. Something niggles at the back of my mind, amemory, but it is fleeting and gone before I can grasp it.

For the first timein years, my heart beats for something other than the simplefunction of keeping me alive. I can finally make sure Peyton knowsI love her and didn’t abandon her.

“Hey, Cupcake,” Isay, cupping her face in my hands and staring at her.

She laughs freely atmy use of her old nickname before wrapping her arms around my waistand hugging me tightly. I can feel the love she pours into thathug, and I do the same.

“Come in,” she says,grabbing my hand and pulling me behind her.

Her mate chucklessoftly, shaking his head as we move past him. “You’ll get used toit.”

Inside the house,the scent of fresh tomato sauce hits me and my stomach grumbles. Ican’t even remember the last home-cooked meal I had. There issomething else, an underlying scent I can’t place, but I push it tothe side and focus on this moment.

“Sit, let me get yousomething to eat,” Peyton says, rushing around the kitchen.

I take in everythingaround me. It’s a beautiful house with a kitchen big enough to cooka feast. Even as a little girl, Peyton was always fascinated withcooking and baking. Her mother was great at both.

It only takes amoment before a large helping of pasta, drenched in steaming tomatosauce, is placed before me.

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