Chapter 4
(Anis’ POV)
I stood outside my home for a moment after returning deeply troubled by the sight I beheld. Everything about it was perfect from the physical appearance to the emotions I experienced when thinking about those who inhabited it. They were innocent in all this, not a one of them having asked for any more complications than necessary in our lives. Yet the image of my femme-wolf would not leave my mind, even now.
I had taken myself for a run, an attempt to calm my struggling wolf as well as my own mind. I had to push her out of my thoughts for my family’s sake if for no other reason. Now slightly more relaxed I headed inside, back where I belonged. As soon as I pushed open the door I was met with a small set of arms wrapping themselves around my waist.
“Guess what, Daddy! Mommy said we’re getting a pool for the backyard! A real one in the ground! Isn’t that awesome?!” I couldn’t help but smile down at him.
“That’s wonderful, Caleb! And it’ll be just in time for summer.” He ran off up the stairs and undoubtedly to his room as I walked toward the kitchen. Based on the smells wafting from that direction I knew exactly where to find my wife.
Entering the room she looked up and smiled, her brown eyes bright and alive as always. Brushing a strand of dark hair out of her eyes with the back of her wrist she smiled upon spotting me. Wiping her hands on a dish towel she came over to where I stood and placed a peck on my lips. Nothing, I felt absolutely nothing, no sparks, no electricity, just lips.
“Where have you been? The meeting was over hours ago! Evan came by looking for you with his mate, she’s a sweet girl.” There was something in her tone that I couldn’t quite grasp. She knew something, the question was what?
“I went for a run, needed to relax a little. All work and no play make for a very cranky Alpha. How was your day?” She watched my eyes but soon went back to her food preparation.
“I told Caleb we could put a pool in, I hope you’re alright with that. The yard here has plenty of space for one.” It was a much larger property than we’d had before and certainly the kids would enjoy it. Then again this was a much larger pack than my last. The only reason we came here was because the previous Alpha killed one of my members thinking he was rogue when in fact he was seeking permission to cross through his land. That led to the two of us fighting and I won, unfortunately killing him in the process but thereby becoming the Alpha of this pack. Both my old pack and this one merged and we decided to move here because there was much more space. The new pack understood my reasons for fighting and none challenged my taking over. Unfortunately the ways of wolves can be barbaric at times, but nature is survival of the fittest.
“If you want that’s fine. I’m sure the kids will love it come summer.” She smiled warmly at me, she knew our kids were forever my weak spot. Anything they wanted I would give no matter what the request. “Where are the girls?”
“Amanda’s in her room and Cassie has already made a friend. She’s across the street at Ben’s house, his son is her age.” Cassie was more outgoing than the other two. My little princess had always been a social butterfly and made friends almost instantly wherever she went. But seeing as she was the oldest of the three she would take over the pack one day and her social skills would definitely aid her when the time came.
“I think I’ll have a shower before dinner. I’ll be down in a few.”
Taking myself upstairs I wound my way through the maze that was our new second floor before reaching the master bedroom. Veronica was a good woman, everything she did was for the sake of the family and I had more respect for her than for anyone I’d ever known.
