The Alpha's Mate

Chapter 31

Manon's POV

The week passed and things continued to go great with Ronan.  The first three days he blatantly refused to go do his duties and stayed home with me.  As much as I enjoyed his company, I finally was able to make him go back to work, with much complaining on his part.

I usually worked with Piper at the school house during the morning.  Ronan usually would come to get me around noon so we could eat lunch together before he returned to his duties and I go back to the school.

Today he was late as it's already 1:00.  

"Wolfie!  Higher!"  Branden yelled at me.  I laughed, outstretching my legs so he would go higher.  I'm currently on my back with my feet on Branden's thighs and my hands on his shoulders allowing him to "be an airplane" while  I waited for Ronan.  

Branden giggled and squealed, laughing as he made 'airplane sounds.' We continued this for a while until Branden glanced at the door and froze.  I stopped, looking also.  

Ronan stood in the doorway, leaning on the frame with a smile on his face.  I blushed, helping the now shy Branden down.  He looked down at the floor, avoiding Ronan's gaze.  I stood up when I felt his tiny arms wrap around my leg.  He buried his face into my thigh, making Ronan chuckle.  

Ronan walked over to us, making Branden more timid.  He has this effect with kids.  He's never done anything to them, but the stories their parents say about him and the 'incident' during the pack house breakfast make them unsure of him.  

I unwrap Branden's arms from me, kneeling so I'm eye level with him.  "I have to go now, Branden." I whisper to him.  He shakes his head 'no' before glancing at Ronan and back to me.  "I want you to play with me, Wolfie."  He pouts.

"I already played with you." He pouts again.  This side of him is so different from the normal loud Branden.  "Why are you being so shy all of a sudden?" I giggle, letting him know it's okay. He glances at Ronan again before pulling me close.

I feel him cup his hands around my ear before he whispers; "Alpha scares me."  This made me and Ronan frown, as Ronan has been listening to our conversation.  Before I say anything Ronan bends down next to me, out reaching for Branden.

Branden rests his head on my shoulder, looking at Ronan's hand unsure.  He looks at me for what to do.  I nod, telling him to go to Ronan.  

Hesitantly, he places his little hand in Ronan's much larger one.  "Why are you afraid of me?" Ronan asks in a whisper.  

Unsure of what to say, he whispers to Ronan.  "You're mean." Ronan scrunches his eyebrows.  "Why am I mean?" Branden puckers his lips before speaking to Ronan again.  "You hurt Mr. Jeff during breakfast."  Ronan's eyes drop.  That's something he's not proud of, but he had to do it.  

"Mr. Jeff was being very mean to me, and especially mean to Wolfie."  Branden looks at me. "He was?"  I nod my head.

Ronan continues to talk to Branden. "I care about Wolfie a lot." He begins. "And when Mr. Jeff was being mean to Wolfie it hurt me."  Branden interrupts.  "So you hurt Mr. Jeff?"  Ronan nods.  "Sometimes when someone is being mean to someone you care about, just like I care about Wolfie and the rest of the pack, you need to be mean to them."  Branden nods.  "I get it."