Noctis

I am currently running to my friends with Maria beside me and Braden in my arms. They are supposed to leave any second now and I just hope I am not too late.

I round the corner and I don't see anyone there. My eyes widen and I feel myself lose all hope. I turn to Maria.

"We're too late," I say, defeated.

Maria opens her mouth to say something but closes it as her eyes well up with tears. I drum him my eyebrows together in confusions before she runs somewhere. When I turn around, I see Katrina and Callum standing there. I walk over to them as Katrina and Maria have a little reunion.

"Who's the little guy?" Callum wonders.

"I will explain later but we need to leave. Where are the others?" I ask.

"I teleported them back when Ash got here and then came back to get Callum and yourself," Katrina explains.

"Callum? You didn't go with her? You could have been captured! Why wouldn't you leave with the others?"

"Well...I just couldn't leave here knowing that you could be stuck here. If you were to be stuck here, I would have to be as well."

"How about we get outta here before we are stuck here and captured," Katrina suggests.

I nod and I see concentration cross Katrina's face. Soon my vision goes black and the next thing I know, we are back at the woods on my territory. I look around and the rest of my friends are standing there, including Ash.

"Mommy, who are they?" Braden wonders and I see eyes go wide around the group except for Maria's and Ash's.

"You have a kid?" Josh asks.

"Yes, this is my son Braden. I thought I lost him a couple weeks ago. I guess he was with Keres the whole time. Braden, this is my friend Callum, Quinton, Josh, Ash, and Maria's daughter Katrina," I introduce.

"Hi," Braden shyly says causing a few to chuckle.

"Can we talk?" Ash wonders.

I look at Braden and back to Ash, "Sure, but I am not letting Braden out of my sight."

Ash nods and we walk towards the pack house, Braden still in my arms.

"So, I want to apologize for everything. I shouldn't have rejected you," Ash apologizes while looking at his feet.

"It's okay Ash, I forgive you. I understand where you were coming from."

I see Ash think for a moment before he looks up at me and I notice it is Flame that is in control.

"I never wanted to reject you, I swear Noctis. It was Keres, she made me say something to Ash to make him reject you and Amara. Please tell her that I am sorry."

"You can tell her yourself once we get back to the castle."

Flame gives me a confused look and I just smile while shaking my head, "You will see soon enough."

I notice Ash is back in control as he stops walking and I turn to face him.

"I really hope you find someone to be with," Ash wishes.

"Maybe. I guess never say never but I have gone through two mates already and I am only twenty two years old. I think my fate is to just be with my pack and my son."

Ash nods and I can see guilt in his eyes. I give him a reassuring hand on the shoulder before we turn to go to the pack house again. Once there, everyone is already ready to get in the cars to head back to the Royal Pack.

"Noctis, I think Katrina and I are going to head back home. I hope you have a good coronation becoming the next leader of the werewolves."

I hold back a laugh because none of them know what will really happen in a few days on my twenty third birthday.

"I need to speak with you alone before you go," I tell Maria and she nods.

We walk just out of the hearing distance of the wolves before I speak up again.

"How is...how did..." I sigh and put Braden on the ground, "I thought they killed Braden. What happened?"

"They had me put a spell on you, like a glamour, to fool you into thinking they killed Braden when it was really another rogue. I have to make you feel the pain of losing your child and the bond breaking. I am so sorry Noctis, but they threatened Katrina. If they planned on killing Braden I would have never done anything to hurt him, I promise."

I nod, "Okay, I can live with that. At least my son is still alive. I am so sorry for not finding you sooner, I wasn't sure what to do after I escaped."

"About that, how did you finally escape?"

"Oh, that. I snapped after I thought Braden died and I eventually took it all out on the rogues. I blacked out and when I came to, they were all dead. It turns out that that was the moment my True Alpha started to surface."

"Wow. So you are the one I over heard the guards talking about. You killed more than 200 rogues in thirty minutes?"

"Yup, that was me. I am not proud of it, but it is what I had to do."

Maria nods once before crouching down to Braden, "I have to go little guy, but I will see you again soon. Take care of your mom for me, okay?"

"I will, don't worry Aunty Maria," Braden smiles widely.

"Goodbye Noctis, take care," Maria embraces me in a caring hug.

"Goodbye Maria."

She walks over to Katrina and the teleport to their home. I walk over to the others with Braden's hand in mine. We hop into the car with Braden sitting on my lap in the back seat. I forgot to thank Katrina and Maria for teleporting the car here for us.

We begin our hours long drive back to the pack house. My birthday is in two days now and that means Amara will be crowned Queen then. I just hope that everything can go smoothly for once and I can settle down on my territory to make my pack.

At the Royal Pack

We just pulled up the the pack house after a silent drive here. When we pull up, I see my dad and Amara standing outside waiting for us to come back. I see Amara look at me and then Braden and her eyes fill with tears. She recognizes him as well.

I get out with the boys and then walk up towards Amara who is already running towards Braden and I. She embraces us both in a tight hug.

"M-mommy?" Braden asks referring to Amara confused.

"Yes sweetie. This is Amara, mommy's wolf."

"How?"

"It's a long story sweetheart, I will explain some other time. Would you like to meet Grandpa?" I ask and Braden gives his biggest smile.

I walk over to Dad and he is welcoming Ash back so he hasn't noticed Braden with me.

"Dad?" I ask.

He turns to me with a smile before looking at Braden confused, "Hey honey, who is this? Lost rogue?"

Amara growls and I hold up a hand for her to shut up, "Dad, this is your grandson, Braden."

Dad's eyes widen and I can tell he still has a million questions but instead of interrogating me, he smiles widely and picks up Braden from my arms to embrace him in a tight hug.

"I always wanted to meet you Grandpa," Braden giggles.

"I am so glad to meet you as well Braden! I love you so much already!" Dad says with so much love and I can feel myself tear up a bit while Amara is full on bawling from the touching moment. I always knew she was the emotional one.

Dad puts Braden down on the ground with their hands together while he walks Braden into the castle. I stifle a laugh as Amara looks terrified that he is taking our son.

"Amara, it's okay. He is our Dad, remember? He won't hurt Braden."

"Right, but what about Hadley, Jack and Luke?"

"Shit," I say as I rush into the house with Amara close behind.

I find Dad in the kitchen with Braden on a stool. Dad is making grilled cheese. I smile and sit beside Braden while Amara sits on the other side of him.

"Do you all want grilled cheese?" Dad wonders.

"Quinton, Josh and Ash had to leave back to their pack due to a recent rogue attack. They said they will talk soon. I, for one, would love some grilled cheese those," Callum gives a million dollar smile.

I can't believe they left without saying goodbye. It must have been important.

"I will have a grilled cheese as well," Amara says.

"Me too," I add. Dad nods and then continues making the sandwiches.

"So," Dad starts, "Who is Braden's dad?"

My breath hitches as I look over at Amara who looks shameful. Before either of us can think of what to say, Braden answers for us.

"Daddy was a bad man who hurt mommy."

Shit. Did he have to say that? Dad turns around and stops cooking while he looks at the three of us worriedly.

"What do you mean he hurt Noctis? Who is this guy? If it's Ash, I swear I will hunt him do..."

I cut Dad off, "It wasn't Ash. It happened while I was captured by the rogues. He won't be a problem."

"I'm sorry Noctis, I didn't know you went through all of that," Dad apologizes.

"It's alright. Anyway, one good thing came of it," I smirk and kiss Braden on the cheek while he giggles.

"I agree," Dad grins before turning back to the burnt grilled cheese and mumbling a curse under his breath.

"So, are we staying in this castle mommy?"

"Just for a couples days sweetie until the Queen Crowning."

Braden nods and then eats the grilled cheese Dad just put in front of him. I am glad I can finally give Braden the life he deserves and I know if anything happens to me, he will have family to take care of him.