Three days later
"Lander is back in school as of this morning. Mama went and got him." Brin's voice was soft as she looked at me and I nodded at her. She was a very shy girl, smallest one out of the family so far. She was very dainty looking and it gave me an incredible urge to protect her from the harshness of our world. "I've been tutoring him a bit with a few of his subjects to make sure he was caught up." She and Caeda were the only two who would give me any indication of how the children were doing.
My mother had been giving me the cold shoulder ever since I took the Alpha Command off of her. My father had grabbed my throat as soon as I did and warned me that if I ever did that again he would show me a father's true love. I reiterated that they had no rights in meddling in my affairs as they had done. I was not repentant for my actions, there was no need for me to be.
"That's good. How is Graham?" It was the same thing every day when they came back to the fort. I wanted to know how my futures were doing. Brin gave a small laugh, a smile crossing her face as she brushed her short hair from her face.
"He's curious and he drives Lace crazy with his questions." Her smile was large and I gave a low chuckle, trying to ignore the pang in my chest at not being able to be a part of their lives at the moment. "He started school today too. He was really excited to go." Brin had spent the night at Lace's, I wasn't sure why Lace had allowed it but I think it had something to do with Lander and him catching up on his school work. Brin had been forced to sleep on the couch and Lace had told her 'coldly and emotionlessly', according to Brin, to stay away from the inner sanctums of the den.
"Caden wasn't as shy with me. He smiled at me so that was good." Brin shifted on the large chair in my office and I smiled at her slightly. I was happy that my boys were forging bonds to the rest of my family. "He is really shy. He likes to hold onto her all the time or follow her around like a little shadow." She brushed her hair away from her face again and I nodded. Brin was a very sensitive shifter, she didn't take conflict well so we had all learned to be softer towards her and when we were around her. It had been that way since she was little. "Eli was off the walls. He's very energetic and likes to play. He gave me a few rocks." She reached into her pocket and pulled out four pebbles and I gave a wide grin as she handed them over. Brin always gave them to me, she said I needed something to connect me to the children.
I set the small rocks with the other ones he had given her. I straightened them into a line, there were ten of them now. My wolf and I were content with them on our desk, a visual reminder of the futures were had.
"And Nina?" I had yet to see the small infant and I ached to hold her in my arms like I did with the rest of my family. I loved children and having my own futures and not being able to see them was hard on me.
"She cries but Lace is good with her." It wasn't unusual for an infant to cry. It was better if they did. The doctor said she was a weaker infant and I wanted to make sure she was okay. I didn't wish to lose her before I even met her.
"She's eating well?" The worry was very hard to shove away. Smaller infants were harder to keep alive. There were a few very close calls with Brin as she grew from infancy. She was considered a weaker child but our mother's dedication in keeping her alive was probably the only reason she was sitting before me.
"Very. She has a strong appetite." She gave me a slightly reassuring smile before she brushed her hair from her face. It was an action that irritated our mother to the point where she threatened to cut the hair off or force her to grow it out. I believed she kept it that length deliberately to irritate our mother.
"That's good." I paused before letting out a small breath. "Lace?" Brin looked away and scratched as her ear, it was a nervous gesture that made my stomach sink.
YOU ARE READING
A Cold Wind Blows (Forgotten series, #3)
ParanormalBook three of the Forgotten series ~ Weakness is not allowed in the Mountain packs. Living in the mountains, away from civilization and away from the eyes of mundanes. The Mountain packs are harsh and brutal. Shifter against shifter. Pack aga...