Page 114 of Alpha Chase

Since finding out my dad was a tracker, I’ve tried to learn as much as I can about them. I’ve learned how fucking rare they are, that enhanced scent is almost always hereditary among shifters, and that there’s varying degrees of ability- just because you have the gene doesn’t mean that you possess all of the skills required to become a full-fledged tracker.

For the past eight months, I’ve been training with the squad’s best trackers to hone my skills. The trackers are somewhat of an elite niche within the squad, so I had to go through a series of trials to officially join them, the last of which I completed yesterday. I didn’t expect to get my results until next week, but as a squad leader, I guess Chase has access to the inside scoop.Lucky me.

“Do you know where I ranked?” I ask eagerly, pulling back to look into Chase’s eyes.

The way his grin widens tells me everything I need to know-I fucking killed it- but I still want to hear the words from his lips to make it real.

“Well, you know Leo’s always been the squad’s top tracker, Adrian right behind him,” Chase drawls, taking his damn time even though I’m practically jumping out of my skin. “Based on your scores, you ranked right between them.”

I squeal again, a delighted giggle slipping from my throat as I squirm on Chase’s lap. Just becoming a tracker would’ve been good enough for me, but being ranked in the top three? It’s more than I ever imagined.

Chase beams at me, the pride shining in his eyes as he takes my face in his hands again, leaning forward to press his forehead against mine. “Your dad would be so fucking proud of you.”

“Yours would be too,” I breathe, tipping my chin forward to lay a kiss on his lips. His slide against mine, kissing me gently at first, but then things escalate quickly as they always do between us.

The next thing I know, we’re tearing each other’s clothes off and I’m lying naked on Chase’s desk, panting as he fucks me into oblivion.

EPILOGUE

Chase

Five Years Later

“Hey,takeiteasy!”I growl out as Fallon and Gray’s twins race past me, nearly knocking the tray of burgers out of my hands.

“Sorry, Uncle Chase!” their daughter calls over her shoulder, though she doesn’t slow down in her pursuit of her brother as he weaves between the people gathered on the back lawn of the packhouse, darting around them in an effort to escape her. He almost succeeds, too, until Brock and Astrid’s daughter, Sloane, jumps between her parents to block his path, her curly hair bouncing and a mischievous grin stretching her lips.

“You’re it!” Avery declares triumphantly, catching up to her twin brother before he can alter his course and tagging him on the shoulder.

Maddox blows out a frustrated sigh and folds his arms over his chest, scowling at Sloane for trapping him and allowing his sister to get the upper hand. “Not fair, you girls cheated.”

“Catch me if you can, Madd,” Sloane coos, turning on a heel and taking off across the yard in a full sprint. He grins and runs after her, shouting something unintelligible.

I shake my head, turning back to the large picnic table and sliding the tray of burgers onto the surface. “Is that what we’re in for?” I grumble, nodding toward the little hellions as Vienna approaches with a bowl of pasta salad in one arm and our infant son, Sebastian, in the other.

“Probably worse,” she laughs, handing the baby to me so she can set the bowl down on the table and arrange the other dishes to her liking. Girls are picky about shit like that. “If Seb turns out to be anything like his daddy, we’re in trouble.” Vienna tosses her hair back, winking at me over her shoulder.

“Nah,” I scoff, shifting my son in my tattooed arms and looking down into his bright eyes. “If he’s wild, it’s all his mama, isn’t it, little guy?” Seb coos in response, grasping onto one of my fingers and clutching it tightly in his tiny fist.

I still can’t believe I’m a fuckingdad. As excited as I was when Vienna told me she was pregnant, I was simultaneously terrified. I mean, the idea of becoming a parent is daunting-what if I fuck him up somehow? What if he hates me? Or what if something happens and I’m not around to see him reach adulthood?That last one scares me most, because I know all too well what it’s like to feel the ache of missing a parent during life’s biggest moments.

Becoming Alpha.

Finding my mate.

Vienna’s Luna ceremony.

And the proudest day of my life, when my son, Sebastian Vaughn Walker, was born.

“You’re both lunatics,” Nessa teases, stepping over with more bowls of food and placing them on the table, her gaze sliding between Vienna and me. “Little Sebby’s gonna burn the world down someday.” She reaches out to pluck him from my arms, cradling him in her own right above her massive baby bump.

“Yeah?” My eyes flicker down to her round belly. “If your boy turns out like his daddy, he’ll be the one handing Seb the match,” I tease, tossing her a wink. She just glares back at me, decidedly unenthused by that suggestion.

Brooke and Theo stride over to join us by the picnic table, their red-faced daughter shrieking in Brooke’s arms as she tries to calm her down. Our kids are only a few days apart, and Vienna and Brooke are already conspiring to push them together as mates someday. It’s goddamn ridiculous.

“Aww, why so sad, River?” Vienna coos, reaching out to scoop her from Brooke’s arms and snuggling her into her chest. Little River continues to cry while Vienna attempts to soothe her. “She must want to hang out with her boyfriend,” she murmurs.

“Quit calling him that,” Theo groans. He scrubs a hand over his face and we exchange exasperated glances.

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