As the minutes ticked past midnight, Jenna sat reflecting back on the past year of her life. Her new love lay sleeping in her grandfather's arms not far from her mother as the family quietly welcomed the new year, so as not to disturb the newest member.
The last year had been one of the most amazing, and most difficult of her life so far, but she wouldn't trade it. She had thought time would help ease the ache of losing Daniel, but her feelings for him had never receded. He was often in her thoughts and dreams, more than she ever cared to admit, even to herself. She could see bits of him every time she looked into her sweet Noelle's face. How she longed to tell him, to share her beautiful little girl with him.
Her pup. She smiled, remembering her shock when Talia had first told her that werewolves referred to their children as pups. She had thought at first that maybe they were born that way, as wolf pups, and Talia had found that hilarious. She'd laughed until her sides hurt and tears rolled down her cheeks. Jenna hadn't found it funny, though now she could see the humor in it.
She had made herself a resolution that this year, she would find a way to reconnect with Talia. She needed her friend badly. She'd been so worried and scared about the birth of her daughter. She had no idea what to expect, and as she could feel her labor progressing, she'd become more and more worried about what would happen. Werewolf births were not something Talia had ever mentioned, but then, why would she?
In her agitation, Jenna had kept the fact that she was in labor from her family as long as she could. But putting off the inevitable for as long as possible had resulted in her giving birth at home, which had scared her even more. What if her baby did come out as a wolf pup? She knew she was being ridiculous, but all the worst possible scenarios had ran rampant through her mind that day.
But the moment Jenna had held Noelle in her arms, the world had righted again, and suddenly, everything was okay.
She smiled as she looked around at her family. They all had Noelle spoiled already. Only one piece of her heart was still missing, and Jenna was afraid it always would be.
***
Over the next few weeks, Caroline seemed to do okay. She spent time with her children, her new grand baby and her husband, enjoying each and every day with them, but then, things started to go down hill.
The aggressive cancer was spreading throughout her body and Jenna watched her mother grow sicker and sicker by the day. The doctor was almost a daily visitor to their home. He asked Caroline if she wanted to go to the hospital, but she refused, telling him she would rather die at home.
Jenna's father spent almost all of his waking moments with her. He'd do most of the talking, reminding her of important moments in their lives. Their wedding, the birth of each of their children, his return from each deployment, and the recent birth of their new grandbaby. She'd smile and listen, reminiscing with him over those precious memories. She wouldn't trade any of them for anything .
One evening in early February, Caroline decided she wanted to go down to the lake and sit on the bench Mitch had built for her on the dock the previous summer.
"Mamma, it's too cold," Jenna protested. She'd just put Noelle down for a nap.
Her mother gave her THAT look. Jenna glanced up at her father and he nodded. "Alright. Let me at least get you bundled up."
Ten minutes later, Caroline was ready to brave the cold February evening. Mitch walked her over to the back door, where she stopped and turned back to Jenna. "Jenna, come here."
Jenna stood up from her seat on the couch and approached her mother. Caroline placed a hand on her cheek. "Jenna, you're a wonderful mother. I love you very much," she whispered softly.
Jenna looked at her oddly. "I love you too, Mamma." She watched them head outside and across the backyard before returning to her seat near the fireplace.
Jenna's parents stayed out late. It was almost dark, and Jenna decided to walk out with a blanket for Caroline. She was worried her mother might get sick.
She approached them quietly, almost hating to break up their time together, as she knew they wouldn't have much left. She slowed as she neared them. She could hear her father telling her mother about the first time he had seen her. His arm was wrapped around Caroline as her head rested on his shoulder.
"Daddy?" Jenna said cautiously. "I brought Mom a blanket. It's getting late."
"Jenna, your mother is no longer active duty. She has retired," Mitch said gruffly, tears streaming down his cheeks.
Jenna stared at her father for a moment as his words sank in. She stepped forward and laid the blanket over her mother, then turned back to the house. She wrapped her own arms around her body as sorrow swept through her. Her mamma was gone.
***
Daniel sat at the conference table next to his sister. Outwardly, he seemed to be completely immersed in the conversation going on, but inwardly, he had tuned it all out awhile ago. Not that he was the least bit worried. Charity was an expert negotiator, lie detector, and was a natural at smoothing things over. She had a calming aura surrounding her and could ease a furious alpha very easily.
Daniel still couldn't believe it had been almost a year since he'd last seen Jenna. She'd seemed happier the last several weeks, but the sadness was always still there, and now seemed worse than it had been before Christmas.
A wave of overwhelming sadness suddenly hit Daniel so hard, he felt like someone had punched him in the gut. He jumped up immediately, startling both his sister and their guests. "Excuse me," he barely muttered before quickly exiting the conference room.
Charity watched her brother leave the office in exasperation. Why now? Daniel had been acting so strange for the last several months. What was his problem?
"Is something wrong?"
Charity turned back to Alpha Jason Connelly of the Virginia pack and smiled. "Not at all. The Alpha just has an important call he needs to take."
"More important than me?" Alpha Jason glared at her.
'Arrogant weasel,' Solara, Charity's wolf muttered in disgust. Charity couldn't agree more. But sometimes you have to deal with people you don't like.
"I'm the one who is in charge of this.. Situation," Charity reminded him.
"But I came to see the Alpha King," Jason folded his arms across the table, his eyes on the door. "Not a little girl. Is he incapable of doing his job?"
'Let me kill him,' Solara growled.
"Alpha Jason, any complaints you have about the rogue pack will come back to me no matter who you speak to, so why go to a middle man, when you can come directly to the source?" Charity flashed him a brilliant smile.
Jason's gaze returned to her, and she watched in disgust as it flicked down over her before returning to her face. She really disliked the Alpha. He was only twenty-two and as arrogant as the day was long. He was also ruthless, and not to be trusted. Not that she was worried in the least, but he still made her skin crawl.
"I think we should continue this discussion when the Alpha King is available," He said, giving her a smirk.
Charity nodded. She would get nowhere with him as long as Daniel wasn't in the room. "That's fine. We can meet again tomorrow after breakfast" she said, keeping her calm though she wanted to throttle him. "I'll show you to the guest quarters, Alpha."
The Alpha nodded and stood, then followed Charity out of the conference room, and down the hall. She stopped in front of a small apartment and unlocked the door before turning to him. "Breakfast is at 9am sharp. The dining hall is in the right wing, past the main entrance." She handed him the key to the room.
His hand came up and cupped her cheek. Charity froze, staring into his eyes. "Would you care to join me?"
'Arrogant weasel,' Solara growled.
"Oh Alpha, thank you for the invitation, but I'm saving myself for my fated mate," Charity batted her lashes at him.
His eyes narrowed as he tried to stare her down, but she refused to drop her gaze. If Alpha Jason thought he could intimidate her, he had another thing coming. His thumb traced her bottom lip, before his hand slid down and around her neck, and he pushed her into his room. Charity grabbed hold of his arm and tried to pull it from her neck. Jason shoved her against the wall and buried his face in her neck. She felt his canines graze her marking spot, and her fury came out full force.
"UNHAND ME NOW," Charity demanded.
Jason pulled back and smirked at her. He cupped her breast with his other hand, never loosening the grip on her neck. "I'll make you a deal, Princess. Come back to my pack with me, agree to be my Luna and let me breed my pups on you, and I'll drop this whole thing and let you have your precious little rogue pack." He tightened his grip on both her breast and her neck, cutting off her air. He watched her face, excited to see her panic, but to his shock, she remained completely calm, never dropping her gaze from him, which made him angry.
Who did this she-wolf think she was? He was an Alpha, and she would bow to him. He raised his hand up to slap her, but to his surprise, she caught it before he could, stopping him. His hand tightened even more around her neck, and she suddenly grabbed his balls, squeezing them, until he winced and loosened his grip.
"As I said before, Alpha, I am saving myself for my fated mate. Now unhand me, or I will put you down," Her eyes flashed blue and she growled in warning, her hand gripping his family jewels a bit tighter.
Jason gave a strangled laugh as he suddenly let her go. "You think you could take me? You do know I've already put down six challengers to my title, right? I could easily kill you, little Charity, but I'd much rather bed you." He opened the door back out to the hallway, and stood there waiting for her to leave.
'Let me kill him!' Solara shouted.
Charity gave the Alpha a small smile as she walked past him. "Thank you for the kind offer, Alpha, but I must decline. As I believe I have mentioned before, I'm saving myself for my fated mate."
"Then I believe our business here is concluded, Princess."
She stopped in her tracks and turned around to look at him. The arrogant weasel stood in the doorway, muscled arms folded, as he leaned against the frame and gave her a smug smile.
"I will be taking my leave in the morning. Don't worry about the meeting." He stepped back into his room and slammed the door in her face.