Page 134 of Alpha's Redemption

Walking into the restaurant, we find all our old staff waiting, dressed in their uniforms, the place decorated, and food on all the tables.

“Welcome home,” Valen whispers behind me, and I see Ava walk across the restaurant with the girls in the stroller, a huge grin on her face.

“Wait, who's having a baby?” Macey asks, pointing toward the back of the room, where a baby bunting hangs along the wall. Cakes and candy decorate the tables in that corner.

“We decided to kill two birds with one stone, the grand reopening, and…” Valen says, and I gape, looking at my sister, but she shakes her head.

“You said we would wait,” Zoey hisses at Marcus.

My eyes widen, and so do Macey’s. Zoe glances at her nervously, and I know she must have been worried about telling her from the look on her face. She blushes as Macey's mouth opens and closes like a fish in her shock.

“You're pregnant?” she whispers before rushing over and cupping Zoe's non-existent belly.

“Yes, I was trying to hold off telling everyone until I was showing,” she mumbles.

“You're pregnant!” Macey gushes excitedly before the smile falls off her face completely.

“Wait, you're pregnant, andtheyknew beforeus?” she says in outrage, pointing to Tatum and Valen.

“Marcus wasn't supposed to tell,” Zoe growls at him, and he smirks.

“Oh, I bet it's gonna be–” Macey starts to predict when Marcus clamps a hand over her mouth.

“You be quiet with your witchy voodoo. It will be one baby. One!” Marcus says before shrieking and ripping his hand away from her mouth.

“Ew, you licked me!” he complains, wiping his hand on his jeans. Zoe and I laugh.

“Oh, let me help you open all your presents,” Macey gushes excitedly, steering Zoe toward the table at the back.

I watch them wander off when an arm drops across my shoulders. Looking up, I see it’s my father.

“Your mother would have loved this,” he whispers as I rest my head on his shoulder.

“Mothers; you were as much Val's as Valen is,” Kalen says, gripping my shoulder and leaning down to peck my head. I nod, wiping a stray tear at their words.

“Yes, they would have,” I whisper, then curse. “Damn dust.”

“Terrible isn't it?” Kalen mutters, passing me a handkerchief.

“Pop, Pop!” Valarian screeches, wanting Kalen's attention.

“I have been summoned,” he says, wandering off.

Dad sniffles and I look up to find his nose all red and his eyes puffy as he looks around the place. I offer him the handkerchief and he dabs his eyes before clearing his throat.

“You really showed them, bub; showed me,” he says, and I nod, unable to form words.

“I'm proud of you—proud of what you built and the Alpha you have become. Most of all, I am proud that you're my daughter,” he says, pressing his lips to the side of my head and wrapping his arms around my shoulders.

“I love you, kiddo.”

“I love you too,” I tell him, squeezing him back. We stand there for a bit, watching everyone.

“So, what's next?” Dad asks. I look up at him, resting my chin on his chest. This man was once my hero, then my rival, but now he’s just my dad.

“What's next is you walk me down the aisle,” I tell him and he chokes, nodding his head and crushing me against him.

“I'd be honored,” he whispers, squeezing me tight.

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