Shit, maybe I'm not ready...

I stare out the car window at the territory border, a fresh wave of nerves coursing through me. I thought I had made a good decision, the right one even. But now, as I sit in the idle car parked on the side of the road, I'm starting to doubt myself. As soon as we cross that borderline, my whole life changes. 

No going back.

My old life ends and my new one begins whether I'm ready for it or not. My parents will know that someone is here as soon as we cross over, they just won't know it's me until I step out of the car.

I suck in a sharp breath, a dull ache in my chest. This whole idea suddenly feels like a great loss, even if it is the best decision, and it will be an even greater loss if it doesn't work out the way I planned.

Maybe I should have informed my parents of my thought process and made sure my goal was guaranteed. Maybe-

"Whenever you're ready, Miss," the driver - whose name I didn't catch when I first got into the vehicle - says gently, breaking me from my downward spiral of self-doubt.

 Welp. Here goes nothing.

I give him a small nod, signalling for him to continue driving, as I rub my hand in circles on my chest in an attempt to soothe the dull ache still present.

Within seconds, we have crossed the border and are racing our way towards my final destination. My new life.

I had kept in contact with my parents whilst working with the council, however, it had always been via phone call rather than mind link. What I hadn't known when I took the job was that, in order to maintain such a high level of security within the business, all members of the council had to have special injections once a week to inhibit our ability to mind link, so as to keep private and confidential information safe. 

I had argued at first, saying that I didn't want to be drugged with god knows what, but after having the physicians explain to me what the injection was made up of, how it worked and why we had to have it, I complied.

To this day, the whole thing seems a bit sketchy, but considering it was in our contracts and the council had had security breaches in the past before it was implemented, I can understand why they have such measures in place. 

I haven't tried to mind link anyone yet as physicians told me on my exit examination that I wouldn't be able to mind link with my old pack for the next couple of days due to the medication needing time to wear off, which was fine considering my plan was to come straight back home anyways.

It will, however, start to become annoying as soon as I step out of this car and am thrown into whatever chaos is happening. I haven't spoken to Acacia or Grayson in months either, which I feel so guilty about, so that is definitely my first task after reuniting with my parents.

The car finally stops outside my parent's house and I thank the driver before sucking in another breath and stepping out into the open, hauling my luggage that had been waiting in the car for me when I first got in with me. I'm surprised my parents haven't come out to greet me. They are usually pretty onto it when it comes to unexpected visitors being on their land. Maybe they aren't home?

I stare up at the house for a moment, marvelling at its glory. It hasn't changed much in the almost three years I've been gone, if anything, I'm the one who's done the changing. The last time I was here, I felt suffocated and ready to run away from all my problems, but now I feel a sort of relief flooding through me. Maybe coming home was a good decision after all.

With a sigh, I make my way up the porch stairs to the front door and loudly knock on the solid wood.

Silence.

I knock again before trying the handle. It's locked. Maybe they really aren't home for the first time ever. I pull out my phone, a little confused and check the time. It's the early evening on a Sunday - I had hoped to be back here earlier but the drive from the council headquarters was long and I left a lot later than I would have liked - but they should be home. 

Weird. I go to call my mother when the sound of laughter floats through the air. Well, at least I know they are home. I guess maybe my parents already have guests over and they are just assuming that their border patrol will take care of any unwanted guests.

Curious, I leave my luggage at the front door and follow the sound down the stairs and around the side of the house to the back porch, where I am greeted by the sight of my parents, Acacia and Grayson sitting around the outdoor dining table eating dinner and making conversation.

I continue to walk up to them as four sets of eyes finally land on me with shock, my mother's fork falling from her hands with a loud clatter.

"Miss me?" I smirk as I stop at the end of the table with my hands innocently tucked behind me, trying to hold myself a little taller, more adult-like, rather than like the kid they all knew before I left.

"Claire!?" my mother gasps, her chair scraping against the wood of the deck as she rushes over and envelopes me in a tight hug. I squeeze her back, my nerves quickly dissolving as I close my eyes and lean into her warmth. 

"We missed you" she whispers, her voice wavering. I can tell she's holding back tears, and that thought alone has my eyes suddenly watering.

"I've missed you too. Don't cry... please?" I whisper back as I pull away to look at her. She gives me a wobbly smile and a nod, cupping my cheeks as her eyes give me a once-over.

I smile back at her as the sound of more chairs moving catches my attention and suddenly Grayson, Acacia and my father are standing behind my mother, clearly waiting for their turn to say hello.

My mother steps aside as I turn to look at Acacia, suddenly very aware of how absent I have been as she gives me a glowing smile, the large swell of her stomach impossible to miss as she stands tucked into Grayson's side. His arm is snaked protectively around her waist, his expression a mixture of amusement and pride.

"H-hey Claire-bear!" she chirps, a hand now resting on her belly.

"Hi," I reply sheepishly, feeling very guilty for not reaching out to them sooner. "Shit, I've really missed a lot, haven't I? First your wedding, now this." I wave a hand in the direction of her stomach. 

"H-hey, it's okay!" she starts, with a reassuring smile as she detaches herself from Grayson and walks over to me. "You actually h-haven't missed much at all, if anything you're h-here just in t-t-time for th-the fun bit. Th-the p-part w-where you become an auntie." She pulls me into a rather awkward hug due to how big she is before taking my hand and placing it on her belly.

"How far along are you?" I whisper, eyes widening as my hand is suddenly kicked hard by the baby inside of her. 

"Eight months and I'm bloody sick of it" she groans dramatically, a smile tugging at her lips.

Grayson smirks behind her, staring at her like she hung the moon. I watch, amused, as she whips her head around to glare at him. 

"W-why th-the smirk?" she questions as the child inside of her continues its assault on my hand. 

"Nothing, Princess" he replies with a smug grin. "I'm just excited to meet our daughter, the day can't come soon enough."

"Yeah, w-whatever" she grumbles before turning back to look at me with a grin and an eye roll. Acacia really has come into her own over the past couple of years and I couldn't be more proud of her. I hope that I can be just as strong of a person as her someday.

"You're having a girl?" I whisper again, trying to contain my excitement. 

"Yeah, w-we are. Seems like female Alphas might run in the family," she replies, eyes narrowing in on me curiously, as though she can see right through me. 

Dang.

Of course, she has already guessed why I'm here. Even without being sisters, she's always been perceptive. Sometimes, too much so for her own good. It got her into trouble when we were kids. But I'm glad to see that after everything she's been through, that part of her hasn't changed.

My face must've betrayed me as I dropped my hand from her belly because she gives me a wink before making her way back over to Grayson. I straighten and my gaze finally lands on my father, who is standing awkwardly next to my mother, watching us all carefully.

He and I aren't exactly on the best of terms considering my initial refusal to be Alpha of his pack, followed by my swift departure in an attempt to run away from the life I felt was suffocating me.

I don't regret any of my choices, but that doesn't stop the guilt from eating me alive.

I awkwardly clear my throat before shoving my hand out into the space between us.

"Father," I say quietly, trying to hold myself a little taller again whilst I wait for him to shake my hand.

His expression darkens for a moment before he scrubs his hands over his face with a groan.

"Don't do that shit, Claire," he grumbles before grabbing my hand and pulling me into a hug, catching me by surprise. The tears that had been lurking finally break free as I soften into him, rolling down my face hot and fast.

"Hey Dad," I whisper, choked up as I cling to him. I think I've been so mad at him this whole time that I didn't realise how much I missed him. How much I idolised him growing up. How much I need him in my life.

"Hey Petal," he mumbles as he rubs my back, his pet name for me warming my heart and soothing my nerves. 

Eventually, the tears stop falling and I pull myself back together enough to back away from him and look at everyone else. Their faces are full of warm and loving expressions as I wipe away the last of my tears.

"Come, sit down and eat with us" my mother beams, before taking my hand and guiding me over to the large table full of food. I nod and take a seat, making myself a plate in the process.

I begin to shovel food into my mouth before I quickly notice that everyone else has seated themselves back around the table and are now all watching me again. I grin sheepishly as I chew my mouthful quickly and sit back in my chair to look at them.

"S-so" Acacia smirks, her face plastered with a smug grin as she rests a hand on her belly. "W-what brings you back h-home, Claire-bear?"

She's egging me on and we both know it. I guess I better just say it and get this whole thing over with.

"Well, I, uh, I missed you guys," I start, suddenly lost for words.

"That's nice. And?"

My parents look at her with horrified expression but I forge ahead.

"I resigned from my position with the council."

"What?!" My mother squeaks as both their heads whip back towards me so hard I'm surprised they didn't get whiplash.

"Yeah, umm, my last day was yesterday. I left this morning."

"Why?! I thought that was what you wanted to do?"

"It is, well, it was..." I say, rubbing the back of my neck awkwardly as I look back at both her and my dad. I quickly cast a sideways glance at Grayson and Acacia, who are watching silently from the side, Acacia with the biggest shit-eating grin I've ever seen. She winks at me and gives me a nod to continue.

"Was?" my father questions, his expression carefully blank as he narrows his eyes slightly.

"Yeah. I've been doing some thinking and some growing and I, umm, I think I want to take up your offer to be Alpha of your pack... If the offer still stands, of course." I give them a sheepish smile, praying that this whole thing doesn't blow up in my face.

My parents exchange a glance for a moment, obviously mind-linking about the bombshell I just dropped as a pool of nerves settles in my stomach.

"The offer still stands," my father starts, his tone matching the serious expression painting his face after what feels like an eternity of silence. "However, how do we know you are serious about this? How do we know that you won't just take off if shit hits the fan?"

Oh boy.

"Well, for starters, I wouldn't even be here if I wasn't serious and one hundred per cent committed," I sigh, raking a hand through my hair. "I left home because I was scared and I felt suffocated by the cards life had dealt me because they weren't my choice. I enjoyed my time with the council and I thought that was what I wanted, but after a while, I just felt like I was missing something. I had lost my purpose and I missed my family and it didn't feel like home."

I pause and look around at my family sitting in front of me and the house I grew up in. 

"This is home, I realise that now and I'm ready to step up to the plate and provide for the people who need me because that's what I truly love doing."

My parents exchange another glance whilst Acacia and Grayson smile back at me, their faces full of pride. 

"Welcome home, Alpha Blackwell," my mother says, turning her attention back to me, practically fizzing, as a smile creeps onto her face.

"Wait... really?" I whisper, shocked at the words that she just spoke. My plan worked.

"Yes! We've been waiting for the day that you might change your mind. Your father didn't want to be Alpha forever."

"I know, I'm sorry" I reply meekly, the nerves and shock instantly being replaced by the guilt that has been eating me alive the last couple of months. 

Sensing my change in tone, my mother takes my hand in hers and gives me a gentle squeeze. I give her a small smile, trying to suppress the thoughts racing through my mind.

"We're both glad you changed your mind, Claire," my dad says, his expression softening a bit, "But you've got a lot to learn before your accention ceremony."

"I know. I promise I'll work extra hard to catch up on what I've missed. Actually..." I stop, shifting my attention to look at Grayson, who has been silently watching this whole interaction from his seat next to Acacia, his arm slung protectively across the back of her chair as he leans back in his own.

"Grayson, I was wondering if maybe I could come and shadow you as well as learn from my dad? Only if neither of you mind, of course. I just want to absorb as much knowledge as possible and I think having multiple perspectives might help that." 

"I think th-that's a great idea!" Acacia beams, looking up at her husband expectantly. He smiles at her before looking back at me, giving me a nod of approval. 

"Sure. As long as your father is okay with your father," he replies, much to Acacia's delight as we both look at my father with pleading eyes.

He groans and rubs his hands over his face, knowing that he's going to lose this battle now that Acacia is also on board with my idea.

"I guess that's fine" he sighs, trying to fight the smile tugging at his lips. "Just as long as you two don't spend the whole time gossiping and actually get work done."

"W-we pr-promise" Acacia giggles, winking at me. I smirk at her, knowing full well that we will break that promise in about two seconds.

"Good" my mother laughs, the sound dissolving my lingering worries. "Now tell us about your work at the council, Claire."

_________________________________

Hey Guys,

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Allamy xx