Chapter 9

She stayed hidden under cover til the other wolf was gone. Then she continued to sneak her way towards the scent of her daughter. What she came to find was not what she had expected. She thought the worst and yet here was her daughter curled up next to this other wolf. Male from what she could scent out and both of them were sound asleep. He even wrapped his tail around her as if to keep her warm in his sleep. She was shocked but still needed to think quickly about how she would get her daughter out of there safely. She couldn't just pull her away from him. That would only wake him with how they were cuddled. It would start a fight, she was not sure she could win. And poor Alessia would be so scared. But it would be the only way to get her. There wasn't exactly another option. She needed to move quickly and quietly. She snuck up from his backside as quietly as could be and yanked Alessia up and away from him. She turned to run as fast as she could. As his growl sounded. Then she fell. She hadn't paid attention to what she was running on. It was a brutal mistake. She had tripped on a freaking bone of all things. She scrambled to her feet as fast as she could to face the growling male wolf. She tucked Alessia behind her. Who had awoken from her sleep and questioned, "Mom?" Sleepily unaware of the danger they were in. "YOU DARE COME INTO MY DEN WHILE I SLEEP AND DISTURB ME! LET ALONE TRY TO STEAL FROM ME DEGENERATE!" HE growled angrily. She took a fighting stance and growled back. "I stole nothing! I merely took back my daughter from your dirty grasp!" Suddenly he paused. It was as if he changed his mind about being angry. He wasn't looking at her anymore but behind her. She took a quick glimpse at Alessia not wanting to take her eyes off the threat for too long. She noticed though that Alessia had cowered behind her and was shaking. Her poor baby was scared. He sat down. "I won't hurt her little one." She stared at him confused. This was not how someone from this pack usually acted. They all typically were pretty vile. At least the ones she had met. Something about this felt different. "Mom is okay, he's my fwiend. He saved me from the scary noises and stuffs outside." She sat down too. Now she was more confused. Was he really less of a threat than she thought? Alessia ran to him like he wasn't and began bouncing with excitement. "Tell Mommy you're good. Tell her how you took me from the bad outside. Pwease." She begged. We both shared a look for a moment. It was like he and I were both confused as to how we got into this situation. 

"I'm sorry for the inconvenience. You must have been worried sick about her. I was going to help her find her way home in the morning I promise. I did not plan on keeping your daughter from you. I simply came across her in my travels and thought it best not to leave her out there unprotected." He said. I couldn't believe these words were coming from his mouth seeing as he was from one of the most ruthless packs. "Who are you?" I questioned without thinking. He chuckled. "Well, that is not the proper response now is it." Completely ignoring my question. "I'm sorry, your right. Thank you for saving my daughter but I could have found her on my own and taken care of her. As I will be doing now. She will be perfectly fine coming home with me." I said defensively. " I think you are capable of doing so. I never said you were unfit to be her mother. And where exactly is home for you? No offense but you don't look like you belong with any pack around here." I cracked a smile. "Well, I'll tell you if first you tell me who you are." He smirked. "Hmm playing coy huh, I like it. Tell you what. How about you spend the night with me and by daybreak if you still feel the need we'll both share our identities." I scoffed. "He held up a paw as if to say shush. "I mean a night out, it's not what you're thinking although that activity would be rather enjoyable too." Alessia started bouncing around the both of us. "Yes, Mommy pwease. Make fwiends. He's my fwiend. I will be good and before we go can you give me milky. I hungry." I completely forgot that she had not eaten with everything that had just happened. "Yes, baby I will feed you after we leave and head home. We do not need to stay here longer than necessary." I said gently to my precious daughter. "Oh, come now take a chance. I won't bite. It'll be nice. I'll even keep 4 feet away from you." I scoffed again. Who does this guy think he is? "No, okay ten feet away, final offer. I promise I will make sure dear, sweet, darling child here is well looked after and only by the best while we are gone." I growled. "You expect me to just leave my daughter here with some stranger from your pack. After all, I went through to come find her. Absolutely not." I almost yelled. "Whoa, easy now beautiful. I promise it will be alright. You can trust me. Just look at her. She's been with me for this long and not a hair has been harmed on her pretty little head. And when we return it will be like we never left her to begin with. I promise you if anything happens to her. I will personally tear out the throat of the person responsible. The night is almost over anyhow." Next, he did something no one has ever done willingly in front of me before. He submitted, fully on his belly head bowed, and crawled to my feet. "I will not put your daughter or you in harm's way. Trust me." He looked up into my eyes. I was speechless. I looked over at Alessia. She had climbed back into his bed and fallen asleep while we had been talking. "Fine, let me feed my daughter first. And I want to meet this babysitter of yours." He stood slowly smiling. "Fantastic. I'll be back in a flash. Feel free to make yourself at home." He left. I shuddered. Him standing so close and talking to me was fogging my brain with his overwhelming scent. Something about him was just so, what's the word? Alluring.

I should leave right now. While he's gone. Now is my chance but for some reason, I want to stay. I went over and shook Alessia gently. Waking her enough so that she could come get something to eat. Waiting upon his return. Mr. Handsomely Mysterious better not be playing tricks. 

He called from outside the den on arrival. "Is it safe to come back in or will you be biting my head off." And I could have sworn I heard him laugh a little. I scoffed and called back. "You can come in." Alessia had finished eating and was nestled in sleeping soundly next to me. He entered along with another wolf. Smaller and older. "I see you've ladies made yourself comfortable in my bed." He smirked. The other wolf, female. Smacked him across the head. "Watch that vulgar mouth of yours and show this beautiful young lady some respect. She is a mother caring for her child." Now it was my turn to smirk but I tried my best to hold it back along with the laughter that wanted to burst free. I liked this wolf already. Her scolding was amusing. Especially since it seemed like he didn't get that quite often. Let alone was told no. He replied with, "Yes Luna Briar Thorneway, Ma'am. I will be good. I swear. Please don't hit me again and embarrass me in front of the lady anymore, huh." He smiled at her. She smiled back and it was like they had a silent understanding. "So, pretty lady. This here is Luna but I call her Grams. She will take the utmost care of you're darling offspring and she is the best of the best. So, if you'll join me now. I Promise to keep my word and stay 10 feet away. I won't step on your toes." There was that damn smirk again.