The Alpha's Runt Mate

Chapter 25

I was sitting on a swinging bench outside, watching people train in the distance. It was a beautiful day. Children were out running around, the sky was partially cloudy, and a slight breeze blew through the warming air.

Lucas was currently training lower rank warriors on the other end of the training field.

He told me to stay near the pack house and to not wonder too far.

"Are you Alpha's mate?" A little boy asked me from beside me. I didn't notice him sneak up.

I gave him a soft smile. "I am."

The boy's eyes went wide with admiration and wonder. "That means you're our Luna!"

"It does."

The boy came around and climbed into the seat next to me. He couldn't have been older than 6. Floppy brown hair and a few freckles across his nose and cheeks.

"What's your name?" I asked.

"My name is Tex. I am the son of the Beta!"

"Oh really?" I remember seeing the Beta once, the night Lucas found me. "Where is he?"

Tex pointed at the training ground. "He's fighting."

"How old are you Tex?" He didn't seem old enough to be training with the rest of the young warriors. Warriors in training.

"I'm five!" He said excitedly and held up five fingers.

"Wow! That's big!" I over exaggerated. "Where's your mommy?"

He looked at the ground, swinging his feet back and forwards.

"She's dead." He said sadly.

I felt a twang of guilt for asking. "I'm sorry. My mother is dead too."

He looked up at me. Maybe finding something we had in common interested him. He could feel a little less alone in this world when someone understood.

I continued. "She died giving birth to me, so I never met her. She was the Luna to our pack and a very sweet woman, so I've heard."

"We're almost the same." Tex practically beamed. "You don't have your mother and I don't have mine. And we were born from high ranks too!"

I smiled at Tex and patted his head. I could tell he was loved and well taken care of and can only hope he grows up with an amazing childhood and surrounded by those same people who give him the light in his eyes.

A part of me wanted to tell him that we weren't the same, that I've been through hell far worse than anyone can imagine. But I knew what it was like to not have a mother. He was probably close to her too and has suffered just as much as anyone else.

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Lucas and I were laying in the bed. The day has gone by and couldn't help but think about Tex. I've never really talked to his father before, the Beta. Never formally met or anything. It must be hard to lose a mate. How did she die? Was he nice to Tex?

"Hey Lucas?"

"Hmm?" He mumbled, his nose deep into a book.

"You know Tex? The Beta's son?"

"Mhm,"

"How did his mom die?"

Lucas glanced over at me out of the corner of his eyes, then let out a sigh. He put his book down on the nightstand before turning his attention on me.

"About three years ago, the pack was attacked by an enemy pack. We were caught off guard, we weren't prepared." He paused. "Unfortunately, his mother was caught out and killed."