Chapter - Richard

Did I feel happiness before Lola? I mean, I think I was happy. But now, having her here? My heart is so full, I can barely stand it. I feel young and exuberant, like my only priority is to run to my pack and shout about how I found my mate. And not only that, but the Luna bond that'll continue to grow and develop between us, making us stronger, better leaders.

Together.

I feed Lola a hearty lunch of spaghetti and meatballs, then tuck her into my bed. She looks like a goddess-blessed angel curled around my pillow, clutching one of my tees.

For the next hour, the treehouse and I clean up the living room, moving the furniture back where it belongs. With deep regret, I pull the nest apart and put everything away. The blankets and pillows all go in the wash. I open the front window to let in some fresh air, and then I deep clean. Everything gets scrubbed and shined and buffed until the treehouse is back to normal.

It kills me to wash away evidence of Lola's heat. But we've got plenty of heats ahead of us. They'll come more often now that we're mated.

And thank fuck for that. Glory day.

I grin at Big Daddy's reappearance. You finally back? Her wolf running you ragged, old man?

A scoffy snort rumbles in our bond. Not fucking hardly. She's perfect. We're perfect. She needs rest, and I've never been better.

Does that mean you'll stop fighting me on everything?

He pauses for a moment, his tone unusually serious when he finally responds. I never wanted to fight you, Richard. I am you. You are me. But you couldn't see what was right in front of you. It's my job to make that happen. And I will never, ever fail in my duty. We are blessed by Alaya herself to have what we have. Don't forget that, he tacks on.

A knock on my front door rings through the treehouse. Not wanting the noise to wake Lola, I rush for the door and rip it open just as Big Daddy snarls into our bond.

In the doorway stands Marco, his private guard behind him with their traditional silver long swords pointed at me. My king's narrowed eyes move around the room suspiciously before landing on my naked form.

He glances up, his expression full of disappointment as his lips curl back into a sneer. "Where's my fucking daughter?"