My Mate....The Alpha (new version)

22. Ryker

The moon hung high outside our window, casting a silvery glow that danced through the room. As I watched Preston's face relax in sleep, my heart swelled with a mixture of protectiveness and overwhelming love. I could still feel the echoes of his nightmare, the remnants of fear clinging to the air like a dense fog. I had never seen him so distressed, and yet, here he was, nestled in my arms, searching for safety amidst the chaos of his dreams.

I let out a quiet sigh, feeling the weight of his heartbeat thrumming against my chest. It contrasted sharply with the heaviness of my own thoughts. Zeus, my wolf, had been unusually quiet after Preston's distressing episode, retreating into the depths of my mind to process our mate's pain.

> I hate hearing him like that, Ryker< Zeus finally chimed in, his voice a growl reverberating through my core. When you love someone as fiercely as we do, their pain becomes our own.

"I know," I whispered back, glancing down at Preston's beautiful face, still damp with tears from the dream's remnants. "We just need to hold him close until he feels safe again."

> It's not just about feeling safe, Ryker. It's about making sure he stays safe. We can't let anything threaten our family.<

A surge of agreement hit me, resonating deep within our shared consciousness. I tightened my arms around Preston, feeling like the walls of our home could never be thick enough to keep out the dangers that lingered beyond. We wouldn't allow anyone, or anything, to threaten him or our future child. Not now, not ever.

The echoes of the nightmare lingered in my mind—the image of his parents fighting against ruthless rogues, the terror palpable as they battled for survival. I felt a visceral anger boiling within me at the mere thought. How could anyone be so cruel? Yet, I knew that evil existed in the world, lurking in the dark corners, waiting to pounce at the slightest sign of weakness.

As I held Preston, I brushed a stray lock of hair from his forehead and felt a sudden wave of determination wash over me. Together, we would not only face our fears but conquer them.

The warmth of his breath tickled against my chest, his body relaxing even further as he nestled deeper into my embrace. I reveled in the stillness of the night, holding on to this moment of peace, desperately wanting to shield him from any future nightmares—including the ones that came in the form of reality.

I remembered the countless times I had seen him fight so fiercely in his waking hours, protecting our pack and those he loved. That strength was still within him, I had to remind myself. And just as he fought for us, I would fight for him, for our unborn child, and for the happiness of our family.

"Everything will be okay, PJ," I murmured softly, knowing he needed to hear those words despite being asleep. I pressed a gentle kiss to his temple, wishing to imprint comfort and reassurance deep within his dreams. "You are safe, and I will always be by your side."

Zeus stirred, his spirit igniting with newfound energy. > We should be proactive. There are always going to be threats; I weep for the day we don't have to be wary of rogues or chaos. <

He was right. There was no time for complacency; we needed to be vigilant in protecting those we loved. I began to envision a plan, a way to prepare not only for our family but for the pack as well. My parents had always taught me that the safety of our own came first, that a strong pack was built upon the strength and unity of its members. With that thought in mind, I considered reaching out to them in the morning.

>We should fortify our defenses, make sure everyone knows what to do in case of an attack. Each wolf should be trained, ready to fight.<

> Not just trained, but prepared mentally and emotionally too. They will be drawn to our bond; they'll sense our strength. < Zeus said.

Those thoughts took root in my mind as I continued to cradle Preston. I pictured workshops, training sessions where we would fortify skills and confidence amongst our wolves—like a long-forgotten tradition we needed to revive. Strengthen bonds, ensure readiness.

I could almost envision my parents approvingly nodding at my thoughts, proud of the steps I was planning to take. They had always encouraged us to lead, to protect, and I felt their presence palpably in determining the course for our pack.

Peeking down at Preston, I noted the calmness that had settled over him now, his breath even and soft as he surrendered to sleep. To an outsider, we were just two young wolves caught in the throes of a beautiful yet tangled story, but intertwined within our lives was something far deeper—a bond that transcended fear.

As he sighed softly, my heart swelled, and I felt my resolve deepen. Creating a brighter future was no longer just a dream; it had become my mission. And together, we would face whatever the world threw at us.

I would tell him everything in the morning. How I would stand alongside him and support him, how we would navigate this chaos together, making our home a sanctuary that fostered love and security.

> We could also train Gunnar, he'll need to be strong, too.<

I chuckled softly, imagining our future child as a tiny version of Preston and myself. Fear mixed with excitement, imagining all the adventures and obstacles that lay ahead of us.

> We'll make a family that keeps the darkness at bay. <

As I leaned back into the pillows, feeling the weight of sleep pulling at me, I wrapped my arms tightly around Preston and closed my eyes.

Tomorrow would be a new day, a chance to solidify our strength and foster hope. I would make sure that his heart would have every reason to trust in our future, and that it didn't need to be haunted by shadows of the past.

The night continued to unfold around us, but in my heart, I knew that no matter what challenges lay ahead, love would always shine through. And with that thought wrapped around me like a warm blanket, I finally drifted off into a peaceful sleep, protected, supported, and deeply connected to the shining light that was my mate.