Page 111 of Mating at Midnight: Book 1

Her rationale did make sense. I knew Levi had to do this on his own, but it didn’t waver my concern. I let out a deep breath, conceding.

“I’m going to step back, but if I get a gut feeling that something is wrong, I will go to his aid and you can tell Elder Nelah that,” I declared with my words coming out in a deeper voice than expected.

Momma Willa peered at me as a pleasant smile graced her beautiful face.

“I will let her know but first let me give you a little advice...you better not ever in your life use that tone towards me. Do it again and you’ll find yourself getting up from the ground after I knocked the hell out of you. I’m your momma now and you’re about to see what it’s like to have a momma who doesn’t put up with shit your last incubator did.”

There were only a few rare situations in my life that have sent shivers down my back and as Momma Willa remained smiling as she spoke, I added this one to it. My own mother never had this kind of impact on me. I could have been dead wrong about something, but mother would always defend my actions.

Hell, Lord Odin granted Momma Willa life again with her family, so there was no telling what extra abilities he bestowed upon her.

My Adam’s apple bobbed as I swallowed air because my mouth was dry like the Sahara Desert.

“Yes, ma’am,” came out in a lower tone.

Momma Willa laughed out loud. “Now Braxton, you know damn better.Yes, ma’am,” she mocked. “I wanted to lower your tone, not your stature. At the end of the day, you are still an Alpha. Yes, I am the mate of an Alpha and a Shield Maiden, which either title is under yours but as momma to my girls, and a momma figure to you, I just wanted you to know you can’t talk to me any kind of way. You can express your words to me without going all shifter. And whose voice was that? It surely wasn’t Ballian’s?”

Perplexed, I ran the voice through my head. It definitely wasn’t Ballian. Did Lord Odin pair me with another wolf?

Momma Willa wiggled her hands in front of me. “We’ll worry about that later. Right now, we need to get back to the others. Noah has promised me two grilled tomahawk steaks and the way I’m feeling, I’m not sure two will be enough.”

“Yes, ma’am,” I said once again, this time merrier.

As we walked back to the cabin our conversation was about where Nyah and I planned to make our permanent home. Also, other than Crown when she and Alpha Noah should be expecting grandbabies and to make a reservation at one of my hotels for her and Alpha Noah to take a quick vacation. I told her I would have information and locations to the hotels for them the next morning. All they had to do was pick the dates and I would cover all the costs. I’d have them set up with full amenities and any excursions they would like to go on.

When we arrived back at the cabin, everyone was still in high spirits dancing around, talking and laughing together.

Before leaving her side, Momma Willa embraced me tightly. “I trust and love you son. I know you will keep Nyah safe at all costs.”

“I pledge my life to that,” I honestly said. “And I love you too.”

We separated with her going to Alpha Noah’s side and I joined Nyah on the makeshift dance floor doing what she informed me was the latest line dances. After a few trials and errors, I found my footing and was sliding to the left like a pro. I’ve never been one to line dance but this form of it had me wanting to learn others.

As night took over, we were exhausted and ready to call it a night. I knew I was tired but after learning four more line dances, I wanted to speak to Levi about what happened earlier. It didn’t happen because Elder Nelah surprised them with what she called a honeymoon cabin. Kenia laughed as Levi picked her up bridal style. Elder Nelah pointed to the woods as she told Kenia directions to the cabin. It was clear that it’s one of those cabins that could only be found by Elder Nelah, so that went my hope of talking to Levi before the night ended.

After they left, father told us he and James were heading to the airport to fly back to Texas. That information felt like another sucker punch.

“Father, you can’t wait until after breakfast in the morning?” I inquired.

“No, son.” He answered, grasping my shoulder. “Just like Noah and the Midnight Pack, we have to start getting ready. Plus, you and your mate still have a business that needs your attention. I’ve already got another jet coming for your use. It’s back to business as usual, but we must always remain alert. Not only that, when you’re ready to do so, you also have to come back and select a Beta to replace Levi. I will make sure the finest candidates will be selected before you return.”

Wait, what? A new Beta? Replace Levi? The questions swirled in my head. I hadn’t thought that far ahead. I wasn’t even sure I wanted to replace Levi. In my eyes, there could never be another to fill his shoes, nor did I want to disclose company or Pack information to someone new.

Nyah must have sensed my worry because she blocked my path, stepping into fathers’ arms when he held them out. Father hugged her sincerely before letting her go.

“Thank you,” Nyah whispered.

“No, thank you for being the mate that my son needs. Hell, if I would have known this was to be the outcome, I would have suggested to Noah the first time we met to have an arranged marriage between the two of you.”

I rolled my eyes as the others laughed.

Alpha Lightfeather then approached father, offering him his hand. “Thank you Bryant, for your help and lending us your Packs assistance.”

Father grasped his hand, shaking it. “No thanks needed Noah. We are family now and even before the bond between ourchildren.” The two Alphas shared a brotherly hug, showing their mutual respect and loyalty to one another.

After saying our goodbyes, father and James got in the car that was waiting for them. Nyah hugged my waist as we watched the car drive off.

“Are you okay?” she asked, not undoing her hands as she moved to face me.

---