The woman beside Annemarie, with eyes like Finn's warm brownish eyes gave River a friendly nod.River dipped her head in acknowledgment even though she still had her uncertainties. Despite the seemingly warm welcome, she couldn't shake the feeling that she'd stumbled into the middle of something much bigger."And as you've already discovered," Finn continued, pointing at Leo, "that little ball of energy there is Leo. My nephew.""Nephew?" River repeated, surprised. Leo looked remarkably similar to Finn, but the age difference threw her off. “I thought he is yours.”As if sensing her confusion, Annemarie stepped forward with a motherly smile that made River yearn for her own mother. "Finn and Leo looks like they are father and son, right honey? Everyone thinks so but Leo belongs to my Tara. Although, Finn practically raised him like his own son.”Finn seemed like a remarkable man. A warmth bloomed in River's chest on finally meeting one man that seemed normal. The family dynamic was une

River trembled, fighting back a scream because she didn't want to wake their hosts up. Lord Draven stood in front of her, the streak of moonlight illuminating his pale skin and his crimson eyes glowing like malevolent embers. The air became cloying as the sweetness of his cologne became overpowered by the musky scent of death that clung to him as usual.It was all a scent that River knew too well. One she dreaded."Itsy Bitsy spider, little human," he purred, his lips curving into a sinister smile.River wanted to flee. That was the one thing she knew how to do best– running from her fears. How was she to handle this problem that came knocking on her door?Why won't Lord Draven leave her alone?"I'm not your little human, Lord Draven," River, twisting her fingers in fear chose to not choose weakness this time.She was tired of being weak. Of being the weak Omega. “How many times did I have to say it? I'm not the little girl of seven years ago and you know that too.”He tilted his head

She burst into the living room and the scene before her stole the breath from her lungs. Rain sat snuggled between Leo and AnneMarie at the breakfast table with a contented smile on her face as she devoured a plate of pancakes.Relief washed over River in a very hard way. It was so intense that it left her legs weak. She stumbled towards them, tears stinging her eyes. The fear that had enveloped her when she couldn't find her daughter, the feeling it brought, it almost ran her insane.She never wanted to feel such again. Never. Ever.Laughter filled the air as AnneMarie told a story to the kids. The trio hadn't noticed her at first. River's legs buckled and she leaned against the doorway with her chest heaving. Shame washed over her as the realization that she had been impulsive dawned on her."Rain!" she called out again, this time her voice softer since she’d found her daughter. "There you are, sweetheart."Rain looked up with a smile blooming on her face. "Mama!" she squealed, scr

Rain whirled around, startled by the hysteria in her mother's voice. Her big mischievous eyes met River's agitated ones and a small frown creased her forehead. "Oh, Mama?" she questioned.Terror flooded River's face as she watched her daughter clinging precariously to the edge. “Rain! Get down from there, now!" River shrieked with panic.Rain, who was bewildered by the sudden outburst from her mother scrambled back from the window. "But Mama," she whimpered, her voice trembling with remorse, "I just wanted to see the stars better. Remember, you said they were beautiful up close?"Stars in the morning?Who was this mischievous little girl kidding? River scoffed. The remorse in her voice already told River she was up to some mischief and was trying to find excuses for being caught.However, the relief from seeing her daughter clamber safely down from the windowsill was so bountiful that she even forgot that for a moment.She buried her face in Rain's soft hair after her daughter ran into

Gonzalo McGruff~~After the fall, shame crawled up Gonzalo's throat like a bitter weed. Every eye in the bar seemed fixed on him– the fallen Alpha, sprawled on the floor like a commoner. He mumbled his apologies and felt the words scraping against his pride like a saw. There was no way he could stay. It would be way too embarrassing and wouldn't be good for his reputation for rumors to circulate the next morning about the failed Alpha Gonzalo who had turned into a drunkard now.He slipped out of the tavern, the neon sign radiating a garish red glow on his face as he walked past it, making Gonzalo wish he could smash all of his aggression into the thing. The night air felt strangely cold despite the anger churning within him. Anger at his pathetic situation, at his ruined night, and at not being able to help that little girl and her mother.Back at the pack house, he moved like shadow and lightning bolt, hoping to retreat unnoticed to his room. He’d prefer not to be seen at all.Th