Chapter Two

Mikaela' POV

Five Years Later

"Lisa! Declan! Samuel! Come over here, you're late!" I called, cupping my hands around my mouth.

Two tiny blurs darted through the playground, weaving between other pups with carefree squeals. Their laughter rang through the open courtyard like music. I barely had time to brace myself before they crashed into my legs, one on each side, their little arms wrapping tightly around my waist.

"Mama!" Samuel grinned, his front teeth missing. "I won the race!"

"No fair," Lisa pouted, folding her arms. "He tripped me!"

I raised an eyebrow. “Did you trip your sister again, Samuel?”

He grinned wider. “Not on purpose!”

Declan was the only one who kept silent. As usual, he slipped his hand into mine without any fanfare. I couldn't hold back my smile at the sight.

In his single action the argument dispersed and I moved to hold the three of them. Lisa huffed but leaned into me anyway. I ruffled their dark curls and kissed the tops of their heads.

“Alright, champions. Time to head home.” I said.

As they babbled on about their adventures, I let their words wash over me like a warm tide. Their joy was contagious,healing in a way that nothing else ever had.

And somehow, I was happy.

For the past five years I had been living in the Monsoon Pack. Only a few weeks after I'd run away I was discovered near this very territory by none other than Tobias, the Alpha of this pack. I had been wary when he took me in, believing that like other packs I had seen in the past only to receive more than I had ever imagined. The home I had once isolated in the Scarlet pack couldn't compare. With them, I had a new family.

Looking down I smiled at the three figures I held.

Five years ago, I went into the unknown with only the weight of betrayal in my chest and the hope that my unborn child would survive. Now, I had three and they were my whole world.

We walked back to the packhouse, the heart of the Monsoon Pack. The sun dipped lower in the sky, casting amber light across the tall trees and sturdy cabins that dotted the landscape. This place, this life, was home now.

As we reached the entrance, I pushed the door open and stepped into the familiar warmth. The scent of dinner floated from the kitchen, and the sound of laughter echoed down the hallway.

“There she is!” Renee, Tobias' mate and my sister-like figure beamed from the couch, cradling a steaming mug.

Tobias sat beside her, feet propped up on the table, lazily flipping through a file.

June Tobias' sister moved forward, as quiet as ever, taking the triplets hands gently while passing me a small smile. As if summoned, Kane moved past her before leaning onto the doorway.

“You should have called me. I could’ve gone to pick them up, you know,” Kane, Tobias' beta and best friend argued as June led the children upstairs behind him

“Oh, please,” Renee teased. “You would've ended up playing tag with them for two hours and forgotten to bring them back.”

Tobias chuckled. “She’s not wrong.”

Kane still stared at me with a crooked, teasing expectant smirk on his face that made me amused. Without thinking I punched his shoulder lightly. In response, he leaned against the doorframe hissing slightly.

Renee's loud cackle instantly filled the room. I used the opportunity to pass by him, a chuckle falling out of my lips.

“This is abuse, you know.” He whined behind me.

“You deserve it.” I called out. It only served to make Renee laugh out harder.

I smiled, warmth filling me at the sight of the scenery before me. I'd never been more grateful for the easy rhythm we had all settled into over the years.

Tobias had been my savior, pulling her out of the woods when she collapsed at the Monsoon border. He gave her shelter, food, safety, and eventually, purpose. He treated me like his own sister, protective and loyal. Renee was the sister I never had, and June was the gentle soul who always stood beside her.

Kane, despite his pretentious attitude at times, was the kindest soul. He was always by my side, always willing to help. It was something I was always grateful for.

“Look what the forest spit out. I didn’t realize we were doing a reunion with Saint Mikaela.”

In an instant, the air cooled and the place fell silent, a familiar tension filling the air.

Speak of the devil.

I turned to face Jenna, June's twin, Tobias' other sister Jenna, his twin, Tobias’ other sister. Her glare was instant.

Ever since I came into their lives, Jenna had always disliked me with a passion. Five years weren't enough to change that. From the beginning, she had always given snarky remarks that had grown over time.

“Jenna,” Tobias said warningly.

“I mean,” she continued with a tight sardonic, “It's the truth isn't it? You guys always like to treat her like a saint, nevermind that she crawled her way here knocked up, using our resources—.”

“Jenna,” Tobias barked, his tone sharp now. “Apologize.”

For her moment her eyes wavered and I spotted her look past me at the doorway…was she looking at…Kane?

Something shifted in her eyes but it was gone before I could catch it.

“Whatever,” She rolled her eyes. “I’m late for training,”

Moving forward, she swept past Jane in the doorway and walked out as if no one had spoken.

Tobias stood, his fists clenched.

“It’s fine,” I said quickly, placing a hand on his arm. “Let it go. I’m used to it.”

“You shouldn’t be.”

He looked down at me, something shifting in his expression, something warm and protective. I knew that look.

"Come," he said. “Let’s talk in the study.”

I nodded and glanced at Renee, who gave me an encouraging smile.

Once inside the study, Tobias shut the door behind us. He sighed, rubbing the back of his neck.

“I didn’t want to worry you earlier, but things are escalating.”

“The rogues?”

He nodded.

“Another ambush. Smaller, but coordinated. They’re getting bolder. We’re mobilizing defenses, and I’ve already tried every option. Renee is leaving today to meet another pack to secure an alliance but it's likely that it'll fall through. I'm at my wits end and there seems to be only one option left.”

He looked at me, his eyes unreadable. “There’s a pack offering to ally with us against the rogues after suffering attacks of their own. They are relatively close, and they’re willing to meet.”

Relief flooded me. If there was anything that could end this anxiety involving rogue attacks it would be an alliance.

“That’s good, right?” I asked,

He hesitated. “It could be. But I need you by my side, Mikaela. As Pack Advisor, you know our defenses better than anyone.”

“Of course.” I said, “You have my full support.”

Like a taut string had been cut, he relaxed.

“Thank you.” He smiled. “I don’t say this enough, but I couldn’t have done this without you.”

Warmth bloomed in my chest. “We’re family, Tobias.”

He nodded, but something flickered in his gaze, uncertainty, worry, something unspoken.

….

Renee left not long after that meeting, throwing her arms around Tobias and giving him a kiss. I watched with a slight tug in my chest as she left to gain more allies, determination cementing itself.

She was working hard for the sake of the pack. We would do the same. I had to do everything I could for the sake of this alliance.

Days passed in a blur of preparations. I threw myself into the work, coordinating rooms for the incoming guests, setting security protocols, and calming nervous pack members. I didn’t even question Tobias’ choice of alliance. Why would I? This was our home. Our sanctuary.

Until the day they arrived.

I stood at the pack gates beside Tobias and Kane, clipboard in hand, heart calm, mind focused.

The convoy pulled in front, followed by two more. The scent hit me first. Familiar. Earthy pine and winter wind. My stomach twisted.

The first door opened.

And there he was.

Ryan.

My mate. My past. My mistake.

And beside him, arm looped through his like she belonged there, was Lydia. Glowing, beautiful, exactly how I remembered her, except now with the smugness of someone who got what she wanted.

My clipboard slipped from my hands.

The years between us collapsed like sandcastles in a storm.

He looked at me, and everything shattered all over again.