Alpha Ian's The One and Only

Chapter 12

My declaration elicited various reactions. Claire gasped, Liam shot an angry look at Slade, and Ian expressed his displeasure by growling. Even Bri stopped eating and looked up at Claire.

I softly spoke to her, "Claire is being dramatic. Finish the carrots, Bri." She screwed up her face adorably but quickly returned to her "least favourite food in the world."

"While we were escaping the attack, a group of soldiers blocked our way. Everyone was moving so fast that I couldn't see half of what was happening. Slade managed to get me out of there and got injured badly. Werewolves and vampires heal much faster than humans, but the fighting and his wounds drained him, preventing the healing process. So I offered my blood." I mouthed the word blood so Bri wouldn't hear. I don't think she understood much of what we were talking about, but this discussion was already too much for her.

"And you didn't turn?" Liam asked.

"I didn't drain her," Slade said, "I took enough to heal and get us out of there."

Liam walked up to Slade and offered his hand, "Thank you for saving her. I don't know where we would be if not for her."

"I would have hugged you right now if I could," Claire said, tilting her head towards Bri, sitting on her lap and eating. Creed growled and stepped towards Claire, which she missed because she was whispering in Bri's ears. Ian stayed silent.

"I am curious. Why aren't you both afraid of us? It's quite odd that you have accepted our existence without an ounce of protest," Callan asked.

"Or screaming. Which is good, mind you, my ears can't bear screaming," Ace added.

Liam and Claire both shrugged. "If you guys come on to us baring fangs and claws and with the intention of killing, then we will be terrified, of course."

"You both weren't scared during the fight as well," Bane pointed out.

"Well, we were angry because people were attacking our home, so there was no time to be scared," Liam said.

"And they were stepping on my rose bushes. No one messes with my garden." Grandmama loved gardening and treated each seedling as if it were her child. Then mama took care of the plants with the same care, and now Claire has taken over in their absence. She used to say that the gardens are like a family legacy passed down to her, and she feels connected to them. "I think it is also because of today's culture. I mean our generation has been exposed to supernatural stories via movies, books, and even video games; our mind has somehow accepted the concept of anything supernatural or alien, so subconsciously we are not surprised by your existence. Of course, if we are attacked we will be scared as hell, but that doesn't mean we won't fight back. But I cannot say the same for everyone."

Liam nodded in agreement, "I kill zombies in my video games, man, and if I see them, I will be loading my gun instead of freaking out."

"Courageous words. But please call us if you encounter anything or anyone unusual, including zombies," Creed said. That seemed to lighten up the mood a little bit as everyone chuckled.

Ace looked at me and said, "Your kids are weird. Brave but weird."

I smiled. "Alright, let's eat now the food is getting cold. Creed, tell your men to come inside and eat. They can take turns or however you want." Creed stood there looking between Ian and me. Sighing, I looked at Ian. I know Creed wouldn't do anything without his Alpha's approval.

"Ian, those men, your men, came all the way here to help us, to protect my family. The least I can do is feed them."

"It is their duty to protect you."