Ruebens Alpha

Chapter 2

*Rueben's POV*

I paid the babysitter what I owed her, grinning when I picked up Abigail from the carrier and hugging her to my chest. I kissed her nose, Lucy grabbing the carrier as we left the small house and to the car. It felt like so long ago when I last heard her laugh, and it made me feel like I wasn't doing enough for one of the few blessings in my life. Nothing made her laugh like she used to, but at least she smiled. I made sure she was buckled up securely in her car seat that we picked up when we got my clothes and things for Abigail as well.

It took around half an hour before we got to Lucy's house, one I haven't been to since Abigail was born. I really missed her parents. Along the little trip I found out that Xavier was away on a small world trip before he took over the fathers business and it felt like only a few minutes when they pulled into the gravel driveway. Before the car was even shut off Elaine ran out of the house, grinning and trapping me in a tight hug and asking questions so fast I couldn't make any of them out. Only her, her husband, and Lucy knew about how I became pregnant so I didn't have to explain to her why I suddenly showed up at her house with a four (almost five) month old. They did find me after all.

"I've missed you so much, you look as thin as a needle. Go inside you two, dinner is on the table and I'll bring Abby in!" the energetic woman practically ordered, opening the back door of the car and bringing out the carrier and taking Abby from the car seat. I tensed up when I heard my daughter start to laugh, turning around with teary eyes. It had been so long since I heard that beautiful sound..too long for my liking. Was I really that bad of a parent that I couldn't make my own baby laugh? I quickly wiped off my eyes, ignoring the pitiful look both women gave me and grabbing both of our bags from the back seat and rushing inside.

Throwing my bags on the couch I locked myself away in the bathroom, sliding down the door and holding my head in my hands. What was I doing wrong? Was I even making her happy? What made her laugh instantly?

I knew who knocked on the door without her even having to speak, opening the door and wrapping my arms around her when she sat down in front of me and pulled me into a hug. I told her everything, so she knew why I was upset right now.

*Lucy's POV*

It broke my heart to feel the wetness against my shoulder, hearing him cry because he didn't understand the situation. All he knew was right now he couldn't make his own daughter laugh but my mom could. His self-esteem was already shit so I could get an idea of what he was saying to himself. "I feel like a bad father" Rueben whispered against my neck, sniffling and pulling back to wipe off his face with his sleeves. Wolves were pack creatures, so it was only natural that she felt more at ease surrounded by her own kind. There was so much he didn't know, and it wasn't fair that I had to hide even things about his own daughter from him but I didn't know if he would be ready for the truth.

I didn't know if he would ever be ready.

Once he eventually calmed down I helped him up, passing an anxious looking Xavier in the hallway. I just shook my head at him, linking him that I would explain it to everyone later and leading Rueben to the dining room. I sat him down at the table, handing him Abigail and watching him when she smiled and gurgled at him before grabbing for his nose. Smiling, I watched him perk up when she laughed and started sucking on his finger. He excused himself and carried her to the kitchen, taking the diaper bag with him and disappearing into the kitchen.

*Third Person POV*

Rueben had his back turned to the doorway, balancing Abigail in one arm very securely and preparing her bottle with the other hand. He yelped when a voice suddenly spoke, turning around and glaring at a smirking Xavier. "I could have dropped her you jerk" Rueben mumbled, testing the bottle on his wrist and making sure it was perfect. "Can I feed her? I really like kids" Xavier asked quietly, thinking that Rueben would deny him the small luxury but widened his eyes when Rueben walked closer and fixed Xavier's arms to hold her better. "I know how to feed a baby" Xavier laughed, interrupting Rueben's lecturing and starting to feed her. "She should eat the whole bottle, she eats a lot" Rueben spoke then yawned, sitting down at the counter and laying his head down.

"She's so cute, she looks just like you except her hair is darker" Xavier noted, kissing her forehead without much thought as she ate. His wolf was prancing around in his head, feeling pleased that he was taking care of his mates child even if it wasn't his own. That didn't matter. This was his own pup now as well, after all she was a part from his mate. He slightly purred at her, nuzzling her cheek and looking over at Rueben to find him asleep in his chair.

Xavier smiled and burped Abby once she was done eating, taking her into the living room and placing her into the baby rocker his mom had bought as a surprise gift for Rueben. He covered her with the blanket that he made, not that he would ever tell Rueben that, and rocked her until she fell asleep before going back to the kitchen and lifting Rueben up from the chair and carrying him bridal style to the living room. He covered Rueben like he did with Abby, laying the pillow down under his head and making sure he could sleep comfortably before going back to the dining room.

"We need to talk."

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I'm sorry for all the POV switches, this feels rushed but I'm not sure how to fix that yet. I am starting to get in the groove of things though! Thank you for reading and if you see anything I need to fix or have any questions feel free to comment or message me!

Thank you!