127. This Life

ALEJANDRO

I looked up as the door was flung open.

"…is inside." Darien was saying.

Scarlett gasped as she stared at us, whilst Darien flipped the light on.

Did they really not know how the fuck to knock? Elijah looked pale as fuck looking between us both.

"You are awake!" Scarlett exclaimed, rushing over as she glanced at me before turning back to Kiara. "You had the baby! Oh, hun…"

Was she always so fucking loud? She looked chubbier than before, I frowned as I looked at Kiara as she was squeezed by her mother. Why hadn't Kiara gained weight? My stomach sank as I looked past how beautiful she was. She looked tired. Her face was gaunter… and she sure as fuck had lost more weight… Fuck. Because of me...

"Ow ow ow…" Kiara mumbled.

I frowned seeing her mother squashing her and tugged her out of Scarlett's arms forcefully, wrapping my arms around her possessively.

"The doctor just told us you had a C-section! How are you feeling?" Scarlett asked Kiara, cupping her face.

Ignoring the fact I was glaring at her or that my Alpha aura was swirling around us. Yeah I was still lacking a lot of strength, but still, it was noticeable.

"I'm fine, Mom." Kiara replied. Scarlett now looked back at me and smiled.

"I'm so glad you"re back, Kiara needed you." She said before pulling Kiara away from me once again. I sighed and got off the bed, giving them a moment. After another few hugs, Scarlett suddenly turned and rushed over to the crib.

"Goddess! My grandson! Oh, my goddess, I can't believe I'm a grandma!"

"Can you not be so fucking loud?" I growled as Dante began to stir.

"Aww, my baby." Scarlett cooed.

Weird as fuck.

I glanced at Elijah who had just kissed Kiara's head before he looked at me.

"Glad you're back." He said quietly.

"Not that I care if you are." I grunted.

Why the fuck did he look so emotional?

"Well, whether you care or not, you're Kiara's. So, drop your crap and make sure you don't pull anything like that again." He growled before giving me a fucking hug.

The fuck?

But yeah, looking at Kiara watching us, I just hugged the dickhead back. It was weird as fuck that somehow, I had a group of people who were more than just acquaintances, maybe even close enough to be called family…

"I'm serious, don't do it again." He said, slapping my shoulder.

I raised a brow.

"I won't. That shit was necessary…" I replied.

"You risked yourself for us all. Like a true King."

"Yeah, whatever. Stop with the sentimental shit or I'll seriously consider calling you Pops." I mocked.

He narrowed his eyes but didn't reply as Scarlett came over and put our pup into his arms.

"He's gorgeous, isn't he?" She whispered.

I saw Elijah's eyes soften, and he smiled as he looked at his grandson.

"He is, looks like Al."

I left them to it and looked at my queen. I sat down next to her and wrapped my arms around her tightly. The sparks that always reminded me that this was home filled me, I knew Elijah was watching me, but even when I kissed my nympho he didn't interrupt. I smirked against her lips as I pulled her close deepening the kiss.

No one disturbed us. It seemed they finally got it, that she was mine.

-----

It was a few hours later and Kiara had finally gone to sleep. Dante was settled and I was now looking at Azura - Indy and Fred's little one. I hadn't wanted to leave Kiara alone, but Elijah had asked if we could have a word. I guess I could ask him about all the shit that went down. How many men did we lose? Was everything ok now?

Scarlett refused to leave Kiara alone and had fallen asleep on the armchair. So here we were, Elijah and I with the little pup, who was fresh and wide awake. Didn't they ever sleep? Why the fuck were they awake in the middle of the night?

"How many people did we lose?" I asked.

"Every pack that contributed?" Elijah asked.

"Yeah, that would be a start."

"Near a thousand. I lost near a hundred, you lost about eighty… Rafael's pack lost over a hundred and twenty. No pack walked away without a loss. It was brutal…"

Fuck. That was a lot… The burning anger I felt towards witches only grew and I clenched my jaw. They needed to be destroyed.

"Don't go down that path. This battle has shown that we are just two species that should never mix. Things were tough, but remember she was a lone witch who had gathered a few others. It wasn't the coven itself. The majority just hate us, but they are not really bothering us." He replied firmly.

He had a point, full-on war meant more deaths… And as fucking petty as it sounded, I didn't want to be the one responsible for ripping mates apart just to satiate my fucking ego.

"And Marcel, where's the fucker at?"

"Kiara gave them some land to settle on, but there were many Alphas who refused to see or accept him and his pack as one of us." Elijah said, playing with the little one.

"So, Kiara's been handling all this shit?" I asked, feeling fucking useless.

"She wanted to, and it kept her occupied. She's stronger than I ever thought she was."

"She fucking is, and she's all mine." I said, thinking of her.

I was damn proud of her, not to mention fucking impressed with her strength. All I wanted was to go to her, take her up in my arms and never fucking let go.

"She is and I can see you love her more than anything." He said with a small smirk on his face.

"Glad you finally acknowledge that shit. We both know I'll be keeping her happy and satisfied." I taunted, hoping to irritate him.

He frowned slightly and it only made my smirk grow.

"What's wrong, Elijah? Getting pissed off?"

"Actually, for once, no. Seems like you just like to annoy me. Shame, but I think I'm getting used to your crap. You might need to find a new target to annoy." He stated, sounding so damn irritating… But he had a point… He wasn't all stressed or grumpy. Fuck.

"Oh well, I have a new target." I said looking in the drawers under the coffee table.

My little fucker. I found a packet of cigarettes and began looking for a lighter, only for Elijah to growl.

"Not around the baby."

"They can heal…"

His eyes flashed and I frowned, tossing the packet down. I guess I'd have to get into the habit because of Dante…

I looked at the man before me as he rocked the pup. One wouldn't think one of the strongest Alphas would be babysitting a kid.

"So, were you like a hands-on dad and all that shit?" I asked, clearing my throat.

Why the fuck was I even asking…? He looked surprised before he smirked cockily. My eyes narrowed but he simply looked down at the baby.

"Yeah, Liam was a very loud baby. He cried a lot and always wanted to be carried. Kiara was pretty much the perfect baby. Feed her, change her and then put her back in her crib. She was content. But, even though it was exhausting and I rarely had Scarlett to myself, I had to remind myself that I was the one who put her in that situation. It takes two… So I did my part. I didn't really expect to ever have more… but well, guess I have another little one now." He gave Azura a small smile and I realised that although she didn't have her biological parents, she was lucky to have one of the strongest, most united couples raising her.

I just hoped I could be there for Kiara, make sure she's not doing all this shit alone and remind myself that the little monster was only going to be a baby for a short while. Kiara, on the other hand, would always be mine.

"You'll be fine. Do what feels right, you care enough for her for me to know that you'll support her."

"I wasn't asking for advice." I said coldly.

"Hmm really?" He mocked.

"Oh, fuck off." I grabbed the packet of cigarettes and stood up.

"Al…"

I paused, looking at him,

"How did you wake up? Doctor Callum said you…died."

I tensed, my heart racing as I remembered what had happened.

"Let's just say even hell doesn't want a fucker like me." I smirked coldly. "Yeah, I died, but I was given a second chance. One I'm not wasting for anyone."

"Welcome back. You were missed." He replied.

I turned away, not bothering to reply as I left the room, tossing the packet of cigarettes onto the table in the hallway and headed back up to the hospital room.

I opened the door silently but Scarlett stirred, she looked around before she stood up, rubbing her eyes.

"Kiara told me the name. It's a nice one." She said with a small smile.

"Obviously."

She walked out shutting the door silently and I walked over to my nympho gazing down at her. She looked so peaceful… I caressed her hair gently making her murmur something before I quietly got in next to her. Yeah, I was never leaving her again…

-----

Three weeks had passed since that day, and I called it. Dante was a little monster. I swear, the fucker did not want to share Kiara or even allow us some alone time. The moment we would try to get fucking intimate he'd wake up and what was worse, he wouldn't go quiet with anyone but Kiara. Heck even with me, he'd just scream and cry all the damn time.

Today we were actually going to Raf's pack. They had visited, with Raf super excited to see his monster of a nephew and I have no fucking idea why they all gushed over his little demon eyes or his black mop of hair… He was anything but innocent.

Kiara and I had decided to test the amulet on him, and it did take away the glow from his eyes. I could also see it suppressed his aura. So, we had decided it would be something he would have to keep on. I know many people wanted to see what the child of the blessed wolf and a Lycan would become, but we did not want him to be in the public eye so easily. If we could keep his power a secret, then so be it. Janaina's one payment for Kiara healing her, had in a way, become useful to us.

When the council had visited, there were a few remarks about how he didn't seem different despite his red eyes. I had simply agreed, I knew we were currently at peace but things could change at any time, and the fact that our child was without a doubt special, I did not want him to become a target. Although he was a little fucker, I somehow loved him so fucking much. Even when he gave me that look as he clung to Kiara… MY Kiara. I still couldn't hate him.

Speaking of her, she looked better and more fucking radiant than I had ever seen her. Her eyes glowed, her skin looked healthy, her smile and her vibrant confidence radiated off her. She had gained a bit of weight and had started joining in with training a few days ago too, but overall, life had returned to her.

Right now, she was sitting in the passenger seat, wearing a loose-fitting white top that she had paired with black jeans, bright pink heels and some matching pink earrings. One thing that had changed about her, were her breasts. They looked larger, probably due to her breastfeeding, but I sure as fuck enjoyed playing with them as always. She tapped her pink nails on her knees as she turned to me. Her hair, which was pulled into a bun on top of her head looked good, with a few strands left out to frame her face.

"Are you excited to actually be visiting?" She asked, my gaze dipping to her hot pink lips.

Was I? I didn't have the best memories of this pack… But Raf had pleaded and fucking begged until I agreed. Obviously, I had agreed to come on one condition…

"Not really…"

"I'm sure it will be nice, he's called Marcel and his son too."

"Hmm… A bunch of fuckers in one place." I frowned.

Rayhan… I hadn't talked to him since the day he told me many would want Kiara.

Fucker.

"You know, Rayhan visited you? Stayed by your bed at times.."

She always knew what was on my mind, even when I had my block up.

"Didn't fucking ask him too."

She leaned over and kissed me softly.

"It's going to be fine. This is our family my broody beast. The family that Dante is lucky to have."

"Don't talk about him, I swear it'll jinx it and he'll wake up." I muttered, glancing back at him. He was fast asleep, his hand in his mouth as he sucked on it.

She laughed softly.

"Well, I think he's enjoying the ride."

"He sure is… Should we park up and enjoy a ride of our own?" I suggested, letting my eyes trail over her delicious body. Damn, I could fuck her night and day, if the fucker let me.

"I think you can wait until tonight." She replied.

Leaning over, I kissed her neck sensually, feeling the sparks, the pleasurable feel of her skin, the way her heart thundered at my touch.

"Oh, tonight you're not sleeping, cause I made a deal with Raf. If I came, he's keeping that fucker for the night."

Her eyes widened as she looked at me, clearly surprised.

"But he won't-"

"Not our problem. You express anyway, there's enough in the cooler bag for a few nights… So why not?" I smirked.

I saw her eyes flash purple, not missing the way she bit her lip. Oh yeah, she was all for it… I smirked victoriously, turning back to the road. Tonight, was going to be all about the two of us…