Astrid

Chapter 1 - Astrid

It was.

Taking care of a baby was harder than tv and movies made it out to be. Especially on top of his alpha duties. Andrew had stacks upon stacks of papers that he had not tend to in three months.

It turns out Fallon died before she could name her baby girl. Andrew had decided to take it upon himself to name her. Who else would? He settled for Astrid Pax. It did not come to him in a dream, nor did the name have any significant meaning to him. He bought a baby name book on the way home from the hospital and decided that it sounded somewhat decent.

"Alpha, you need to get out of the house." Nolan had come by every day for the past three months. He had been tending to Andrew's alpha duties, and quite frankly, he was sick of it. Nolan has his own mate and children to worry about.

"No no I can't just yet." Andrew looked frazzled. His golden brown hair had grown to the point where it formed full curls on his head. His skin looked grey and he had also grown a beard. Fatherhood (if you could even call it that) had not been kind to Andrew. His green eyes were dull, and they had traces of crows feet. "She's not old enough to leave the house yet."

"She will be fine. You can't stay here forever. Pack members are starting to talk. You don't want a rebellion on your hands."

"Let them talk." Andrew waved his hand dismissively. He didn't need anyone telling him how to run his life.

"At least get a nanny. Someone you can trust." Andrew had thought about this, but he didn't know anyone worthy enough to handle such a daunting task. She was the future Luna for Goddess' sake.

"Maybe you can get your mother to help. When Astrid comes of age, she can teach her Luna duties and such."

Oh right, my mother. Andrew had been so consumed in taking care of little Astrid, he had totally forgotten about the one person who could help raise his mate. Who better to teach a Luna than a Luna?

"I will make sure to give her a call."

~~~{ }~~~

Nine months had past and Andrew had finally gotten back to his duties. His mother was more than happy and immediately moved in to act as a nanny.

Georgina Silvis had been a great Luna up until her mate's death two years ago. She had a kind aura to her that made her a perfect maternal figure. She had the same brown, curly hair as Andrew, and the same vibrant green eyes. Even his late father, Alexander Silvis, was kind. He had sunny blonde hair, and ocean blue eyes that held calmness. They were the perfect example for Andrew to live by, but his father had died tragically after a heart attack. His mother had been a wreck and fell into a deep depression before Andrew called the help of a famous healer. Help that Fallon could not receive while pregnant.

    Astrid had grown considerably in the past year. Her first birthday was a week away and Georgina had been planning everything accordingly. Astrid had grown some dark brown hair, and her large eyes were a warm brown. She had learned to walk, so Andrew made sure every part of the house was baby proof. She had even learned how to climb out of her crib, which caused much commotion once. Georgina had gone to the nursery to check on Astrid only to find she was not in her crib, after nearly having a panic attack, Astrid emerged from the adjoining play room.

     Since that incident, a tent was put over her bed and each door was closed and locked.

     She had even begun to talk. Her first word was bottle, which made sense because she went through gallons of formula a week. She had quite the appetite. Nolan had once gotten her to say papa, but Andrew shut that down.

     He was starting to believe that having Astrid live with him was a mistake. He and his wolf had begun to see the pup as his own (although his wolf still acknowledged that she would one day be his mate).

    "The party will be absolutely splendid. I have invited every child in the pack, along with a few more from neighboring packs." Georgina said that last line quietly. She knew how her son felt about his mate being exposed to the world. News had not gotten out, but the elder council knew. They had given him disapproving glances, yet they understood that an orphanage was no place for a future Luna.

    "Don't you think this is a bit over the top?" Andrew wanted to spoil his mate, and he wanted her to have friends, but he believed that inviting 150 children to a first birthday party was excessive.

    "Nonsense. You should have seen what your father and I did for your first birthday. It was the party of the year."

     Andrew sighed. This party would be draining.

    ~~~{     }~~~

     Saying that the party was large would be an understatement. Georgina had ordered three large tents to be set up: one for dining, another for the adults to lounge, and an extra large one as a play area for the kids. Andrew had no problem with children, but having 150 children running around was troublesome. He would definitely need an aspirin, or two, or maybe even three.

    The look of joy on Astrid's face was priceless however, and he knew he had to stay. Georgina had ordered a designer dress for her to wear; which soon became covered in dirt from who knows where. She was currently running around with a present in her hand. No doubt she had gotten it from the mountain of presents given to her by the guests there. He had already given her his presents earlier that day, not that she really cared. She took the wrapping paper and attempted to eat it.

    "Alpha Silvis how are you?" Alpha Christian Thomas was a tall man. Very tall. He was also very muscular, and had long blonde hair along with a beard to add to his ruggedness.

    "I'm doing well Alpha Thomas. And you?"

    "Great great, this is a beautiful party." I know what you're about to ask. "I just have to wonder who all this pomp and circumstance is for? Certainly a warrior's child would not have a party such as this."

     Andrew had been asked the same question over and over again all day. He couldn't tell anyone the truth. Not only would it compromise her safety, but it was also odd. It wasn't common for someone to practically raise their mate, and he didn't need to see all of the stares. At least not for now. The elders knew, and that was good enough.

     "The daughter of my close friend, Dean. He and his mate had died and I wanted to give Astrid a party fit for the Goddess in their honor." It wasn't a complete lie. He was honoring their memory.

    "Mhm, well I'll see you around Alpha."

   "Goodbye."

    Andrew was still tense from the conversation. He never had problem with neighboring packs, so he couldn't understand why Alpha Thomas was so inquisitive. He decided it was time to cut the cake and get everyone to leave.

    Carrying Astrid over the cake that was three times as large as she was, he blew out the candles and prayed to the moon goddess that his mate would be happy and healthy.