Page 52 of Coveted By the Alpha Pack

“Like Grace said, two alphas are better than one. Keeping the babies safe is your priority. I know Grace would be a mess and unable to focus if she had to constantly worry about the babies’ safety,” Nicolai offers, glancing over at Ethan.

“The days ahead are going to get violent and bloody. Unfortunately, that’s not your thing. You’ve got good instincts for sensing danger. Use that to protect the babies and our bond mates. Especially Mom—you know how she gets,” Ethan says, arching a brow. I can’t help but laugh a little. Mom, the size of a large dog when she shifts, is the smallest of all of us. Yet, with her fiery temper, she thinks she’s a bear shifter.

“Yeah, I do. It’s gonna be hell to keep her out of trouble. Especially with this one with us,” I tease, tugging playfully on Barrett’s hair. The strands slip through my fingers, soft and familiar, and his mock indignation draws laughter from everyone.

“Hey! I am not trouble,” he pouts, his lips curving into a playful scowl. His expression is so exaggerated it’s impossible not to laugh, and soon Griffin is struggling to stifle his own chuckles.

“No, not you...” Griffin tries to say, but his laughter cuts him off.

“We leave in ten minutes,” Uri calls out, his voice firm as he guides his mate into the RV. The air buzzes with a mix of excitement and anxiety, the scent of pine and earth mingling with the smell of gasoline. The energy is infectious, and I can feel my heart racing.

Mom darts out from the house, her energy almost palpable as she rushes to hug and kiss Grace, Ethan, and Griffin. The warmth of her embrace and the scent of her familiar perfume linger as she moves to Nicolai, wrapping him in a tight hug. “Keep Gracie safe,” she urges, her voice wavering slightly. Grace’s pout at this makes me smile despite the tension.

Mom approaches me, her eyes reflecting a mixture of urgency and sorrow. “We need to get going. Say your goodbyes and let Barrett get in the RV.” She hugs and kisses me. The pressure of her arms and the softness of her lips on my cheek make me feel like a child being left behind.

“I’m coming with you. What kind of alpha would I be if I didn’t keep my family safe?” I raise my chin slightly, channeling the stern confidence that Dad used to exude. Pride and determination swell in my chest.

Mom’s eyes widen slightly before a soft smile forms on her lips, a single tear escaping down her cheek. “You look just like him when you do that.” Her smile falters, and for a brief moment, I see the pain of her memories. She gives everyone a last wave before boarding the RV, her silhouette framed against the setting sun, casting long shadows that seem to pull us all into the journey ahead.

I give Barrett a pat on his ass and send him to board the RV. “I’ll keep in touch and turn off my GPS on the phone so I can’t be tracked.” The resolve in my voice is firm, but my heart flutters with the weight of the decision. I pull Grace against me, feeling the warmth of her body as I walk her back to my brothers and Nicolai.

“Good thinking,” Griffin says, his tone approving yet edged with concern. “We won’t call until we hear from you that you’ve got the encryption set up.” He walks over to Nic’s SUV and hands me a case, his expression serious. “Nic and I put this together in case we decided it was safer for you to go with the children.”

I take the briefcase, its weight solid and reassuring in my hands. With a quick flick, I pop it open. Inside, it’s packed with stacks of cash, several devices for making IDs, and state-of-the-art encryption equipment. My gaze darts between the three other alphas standing before me, their faces etched with unspoken words, then over to Grace.

Her eyes meet mine with a mix of understanding and sadness. “I knew in my heart you would choose to go with Barrett,” she says, her voice gentle and tinged with bittersweet acceptance. She steps closer, her smile sweet yet tinged with a hint of sorrow. “He is your first love. And that’s great. I hope there will always be a space in your heart for me.”

Her words tug at my heart, and I feel a lump rise in my throat. She leans in, and our lips meet in a soft, lingering kiss, a moment of tenderness amidst the chaos. The scent of her hair, the warmth of her touch, it all imprints on my senses, a memory to carry with me as I step into the unknown.

I crack a smile as I lean down and kiss Grace once more. “Always and forever,” I whisper, quoting one of her favorite lines from a TV show she still loves to watch in reruns.

A brilliant blush blooms across her cheeks, spreading like the petals of a delicate rose, as she smiles shyly. “Always and forever, Con,” she echoes back, her voice soft and filled with emotion. She kisses me gently, her lips a tender promise, then hesitantly steps back, her eyes never leaving mine.

I can see the struggle in her gaze, the effort she’s making to be strong for my sake. It twists something deep inside me, a mixture of love and pain. Gently, I pass Grace back to Ethan, feeling the warmth of her hand slipping from mine. I turn and walk over to the RV, each step feeling heavier than the last. Climbing inside, I head straight for the table by the window and sit down, my eyes glued to the scene outside.

Grace is hiding her face against Ethan’s chest, her shoulders trembling slightly. The sight tugs at my heartstrings, making it harder to breathe. With everything that Nic and Griffin have given me, I’m determined to strike the elders where it hurts most—financially.

The RV starts moving, a low rumble beneath my feet, and I watch as my mate and brothers wave us off, their figures growing smaller with each passing moment. My heart aches, a physical pain that lingers long after they disappear from view. But I have to protect the babies and our bond mates. I cling to the hope that this trip won’t last long, that I’ll be back in their arms soon.

Chapter 32

Grace

-Papa Roach – Forever-

Watching three of my mates leave with my three children breaks something deep inside me. My heart aches with an intensity that threatens to tear me apart. Shaking my head to clear the swirling emotions, I pull away from my remaining alpha mates and walk towards the pack house, my steps heavy with determination and pain.

“Grace, where are you going?” Griffin calls out, his voice tinged with worry. I hear the three of them following close behind, their footsteps echoing my own.

“To war,” I reply, a deep growl escaping my lips. The fire surges within my veins, igniting a fierce resolve. I know a choice stands before me, one that will alter everything.

“This isn’t like you,” Ethan says, his grip firm as he spins me to face him. His eyes search mine, desperate for understanding.

“You’re right, it’s not,” I say, my voice trembling with a mix of anger and sorrow. “Gentle Grace has never been taken seriously. Nice Grace has been a doormat her entire life.” I yank my arm back, tilting my head to look at him. “Lunar Grace is hailed as a gentle force to unify the packs. Yet an elder has decided to try to ravage the lands and take what is ours.” My teeth clench, and I cast my eyes to the ground, the weight of my words hanging in the air.

Nicolai steps closer, his eyes filled with a knowing sorrow. “There’s no going back if you’re going where I think you are,” he says softly, piecing together the unspoken truth.

A half-hearted laugh escapes me as I shake my head. “I know,” I whisper, looking up as I let my wolf rise to the surface. “What would you sacrifice for the ones you love?” The question lingers between us, heavy with meaning.

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