We're Still Standing...Book 5

Leaving Julian and Shane

Zander POV

The past few days of us mating have been amazing, incredible, mind-blowing and the feeling of being complete, finally. However, because the court date hasn't been set yet, we'll be returning home without Julian and Shane. We understood this was going to happen but explaining it to the little ones was pretty hard. Especially to little miss Gracie, she threw the biggest tantrum when she saw Julian and Shane hadn't packed yet. It was quite heartbreaking honestly. 

"How much longer?" Brandon asked. 

We decided to drive back home instead of flying because well, I'm still afraid of heights and I'm not ashamed to admit that. 

"Two hours left kiddo." Kaiden answered. 

He groaned and I smiled to myself, we've been on the road since about five in the morning and it's ten hours drive so we've been on the road for eightish hours give or take an hour. I wanted to make sure that Julian's house was in order for when the social worker came for a home inspection. I'm not sure if she'll need or want to see the packhouse but we'll get there when it's time. 

"I'm hungry." Matty said whining.

"We're coming up to a diner soon then we can stop and eat." Ian said ruffling his hair and he giggled. 

Speaking of Ian, I'm getting worried about him, Seth and Zeke. Considering what dad had said a few nights ago about the chances submissive mates can become pregnant the first time they mate. I set up a time to take them in to see Jaylen for an ultrasound. Maybe they're still sick from looking at the pictures in those files Julian was given. I for one can't deny the fact that what was happening was real. I was naive and inconsiderate to think Shane was faking everything to worm his way into our family just to destroy it. I knew who his father was from the moment I saw what he looked like. He was among the rogues that attacked us a while ago when we missed seeing Julian off when he went off to rehab. It took everything in me not to kill him but Ryan did enough damage for both of us and that was good enough for me. 

"How long do you think it'll be before Julian comes back?" Papa asked me and I shrugged. After Julian confessed he wanted to adopt Shane's brothers as well, I was beyond confused and a bit upset. They were complete assholes leaving their brother for dead and aided in their dad's sadistic ways. If he does go through with it it'll be like Kevin all over again and he'll be gone for a lot longer than needed. It'll be like he's in the military all over again and the kids can't handle that. 

As we entered the diner we all sat down and as if the universe was reading my mind Julian called. 

"Uh, hiya baby."

I knew that tone and I sighed. 

"Let me guess, you're staying in California until you can build a case for the brothers as well." 

"I'm a Marine. 'Always Faithful' is our motto and if I don't live by that motto I don't deserve to call myself a Marine. I can't give up on these kids, please don't give up on me." He sighed. 

"I'm not giving up on you, not again. I just… I'm going to miss you, it'll be like you're in the Marines all over again." I said honestly. He's brought so much light into all our lives. He's opened my eyes to so many things and I couldn't be more grateful to have him as one of my mates. 

"I know but think about it this way, I'm doing this for our future kids, I'm doing this to change their lives as I did for many others in the military." Dammit, he really knew how to make me feel like this without actually being an ass. He was right though, wolves stick together and if we abandon them they'll never know their true potential.

"Ok, ok you made your point. Way to make me feel like an ass" I pouted. 

"I knew you'd see it my way." I could practically see the smirk on his face.