Too Late, Alpha. We Don’t Need You Anymore

I picked Aurora up, and she rested her cheek against my shoulder. Her eyes stayed fixed on the big screen in the pack's council hall.

Adrian was on it, dressed in his black patrol uniform, laughing as he lifted a pup onto his shoulders.

The pup was Asher, son of Serena and the late Beta.

Serena and Adrian had stopped for a quick interview after the pack's training event.

Serena stood beside them, her eyes red.

“If our Alpha hadn't been there for us all these years, I don't think I could've gone on after losing my mate.”

Then Asher threw his arms around Adrian's neck.

“Daddy! When I grow up, I'm gonna be the strongest warrior, just like you!”

Adrian's smile faltered. He glanced at the camera, clearly caught off guard.

But Asher was beaming up at him. Adrian didn't correct him. He just ruffled the boy's hair.

Aurora stared at the screen. Her eyes slowly filled with tears.

She was seven.

Adrian hadn't been there when she was born. He'd missed her first birthday, too.

And when her school held its first parents' day, he'd been busy looking after Serena and Asher.

I watched my little girl fight back tears and finally called him.

He didn't answer the first time.

He declined the second call.

On the third try, he picked up. He sounded tired.

“Evelyn? What's wrong? Are you and Aurora okay?”

“Aurora went to the lost and found today,” I said. “She brought your picture and asked the attendant to put up a notice saying her daddy was missing.”

I swallowed. “Then she saw the livestream.”

He went quiet.

When he spoke again, he sounded sorry.

“Evelyn, I'm sorry. I know I haven't been around enough for you two.”

“How about I take you both to the northern hunting grounds when I get back? Aurora's been wanting to go, hasn't she?”

My chest tightened.

Aurora had never liked hunting. Asher was the one who wanted to go.

Before I could say anything, Adrian kept talking.

“And about what happened on the stream... I had no idea Asher was going to call me Daddy.”

“He's grown up without a father. I couldn't just embarrass him and Serena in front of everyone…”

“What about Aurora?” I cut in. “Have you stopped to think about how your own daughter feels?”

His voice sharpened.

“Evelyn, why do you always have to compare them?”

“Of course I love Aurora. She's my daughter. You know how much she means to me.”

“But Aurora still has her father. Asher lost his. He's never getting him back.”

“His dad died protecting me. What am I supposed to do, leave his wife and son to fend for themselves?”

I let out a short laugh.

Seven years ago, when I was seven months pregnant, I woke in the middle of the night with a terrible pain in my stomach.

I went to the clinic alone.

I called Adrian on the way. He said he was dealing with a pack emergency and hung up.

He didn't make it back for Aurora's birth.

The next day, he sent my favorite laurel flowers with a note.

“I'm sorry I couldn't be there. I'm just glad you and the baby are safe.”

It was only later that I found out where he'd been.

Asher had a high fever. Serena was terrified, and Adrian stayed with them all night.

Our daughter had come into the world without her father there to hold her.

But when another little boy got sick, Adrian wouldn't leave his side.

Hearing me laugh, Adrian seemed to relax.

“Evelyn, I know Aurora's hurt.”

“I'll apologize to her myself. Tomorrow I'll go get her that Moonshadow gown she's been asking for.”

Aurora heard every word.

She buried her face against my neck, and I felt her shoulders shake.

I took a slow breath.

“Don't bother. A dress was never what she wanted.”

Serena's voice came through the phone.

“Adrian? Asher wants you to take a picture with him at the training grounds.”

“Be right there,” he said, lowering his voice.

Then he turned back to me as if nothing had happened.

“Evelyn, I have to go. Please talk to Aurora for me, okay? Help her understand.”

The call ended.

Aurora lifted her head and tried to smile. Her eyes were still full of tears.

“I'm okay, Mommy.”

She paused.

“I don't want to look for Daddy anymore.”