I could sense the excitement of the pack as we drew near. We were returning back home and these news were quick to spread like wildfire around the pack.

We weren't returning alone but with our Ulana. This was more than enough to make it a joyous occasion The pack members of The MysticRange Pack had not met Ulana yet, due to what had happened and we had no time to rejoice together with them, with terror having taken place.

Mica worried that it was too soon to just let Ulana be exposed to everyone, with knowledge of what happened to her when she was abducted, to her being at the hospital. He wanted to protect Ulana as much as possible and to not let both of us be overwhelmed.

He would allow for us to have a quick meet and greet with our pack before he took us home, as it was late afternoon and the sun was going down now. The drive was surely not short and therefore we were quite exhausted, but I believe we owed it to the pack to personally give them the good news and, for them to see with their own eyes that Ulana is with us.

We would have stayed a day more at my grandmother's home, had it not been demanding for Mica to return. A long time away from the pack was not good and I didn't want anything, to affect the pack too much. So much needed Mica's attention  as an alpha and I didn't want to add to make him feel torn, as well as worry alot, with us being far away.

He needed his family close, for tension to ease off his shoulders. I would be of help to him, anytime he needed me.

Entering into our pack land, a floodgate of excitement hit us, I took notice with a glance out the window, at the flash of wolves running through the trees on either side of us. Joyous and victorious howls echoed throughout the forest, creating a thunderous announcement of the return of their alpha and luna, having brought home their offspring.

My heart swells with emotion by such a welcome. Mica glances at me through the rearview mirror, his green eyes sparkling like diamonds as a sense of pride fills him.

We drive through until we reach the pack house, parking infront of it. Mica glances over at the backseat, where Ulana and I are, and his eyes smile at us.

" We're here."

" Are you sure you don't want us to just go straight home?" He asks.

" This is home too and our pack members are family, they deserve this moment."

" We wont stay long." He reminds me.

I nod.

" Okay."

He gets out of the car first and I get busy with taking Ulana out of her car seat, placing her in my arms. Due to the much cooler temperature, I decide to cover her head with a blanket, like I always do when I feed her. Thankfully she is still asleep and woke up twice during the trip.

The car door opens and I exit the car, being mindful of her head. Mica is right there beside me like a shield and I can sense that as much as he is glad , to be back with his people, he is overly cautious and attentive for Ulana.  The second we are in view of pack members, who surround us but still maintain a respective distance for us, the light atmosphere with sparks of their excitement heightens.

I glance away from Ulana in time to see both Beta Travis and Kylie, along with Gamma Evan and Cara, descend down the stairs and come our way.

" Welcome home Alpha, Luna." Beta Travis says.

" Thank you." I respond.

Mica on the otherhand simply mindlinks something to Travis, before gesturing for us to head inside. People part, making room for us to walk through and make our way inside.

" I wont be long." Mica promises as I take a seat on the couch, in his office.

He comes over to sit next to me, instead of leaving. I smile in acknowledgment of him not being able to leave her.

It's not easy, even if it is to go on to the next room.

I uncover Ulana's head and a gasp releases from Kylie's lips. " I can't believe she's back and right infront of my eyes." She says in amazement.

  A knock comes through and Travis enters.

" We're ready." He says as he closes the door behind him.

" Daddy will be right back sweetheart." He says to Ulana before kissing my temple and rising to his feet.

Both men leave the office, leaving me with Kylie and Cara, who sit on either side of me, both gushing over Ulana.

" Gosh she is so cute I swear, I want to eat her. " I chuckle, shaking my head, watching them in amusement.

       
                            *****

" Welcome Home my little Butterfly." I say to a now awake Ulana.

We are finally at our house and I can feel exhaustion, weighing heavily on my body. We need some rest but I want to get Ulana settled and comfortable, before I even think about myself.

In two days time, a welcoming ceremony would be held for Ulana. Mica had decided this, keeping us in mind. I didn't say anything but could only nod, letting him have his way. Mica worried way too much and he made this decision, no longer as an alpha but a father.

He didn't want his daughter to be overwhelmed after being released from the hospital, I appreciated his thought and his heart. We truly needed this rest and feeling of being back at our home.

This was the first time bringing Ulana here and I was truly excited. I couldn't wait to watch over her as she slept in her room. Cara had informed me that she and Kylie had made sure to tidy up and make it presentable, they didn't want me to have to do the cleaning after such a long trip.

I was sure to thank them for their thoughtfulness.

" Let me make you something to eat, you must be hungry." I tell Mica as we enter into the living room.

" We have take out remember?" He says.

" Oh yes, would you like me to -"

" I would like for my mate to sit down and relax first, while I take everything inside and then, we can decide on what to do next." I sigh, caving in to his words, his idea sounding better than mine.

" Okay." I nod.

" Good." He gets off the couch before heading out, living me with Ulana.

I place her beside me on the couch as I take care of her wet nappy, whilst Mica goes back and forth, bringing our bags and shopping bags from the car. We decided to stop on the way to buy a few groceries and ofcourse baby stuff.

" Lets check out your room while we wait for your daddy hmm?" I say to Ulana, gathering her in my arms before heading up the stairs.

The moment I had been waiting for, finally arrives and the amount of emotions that hit at me, the minute I enter into the nursary, cause a jump to my heart and the welling of my eyes. I switch on the lights and happiness fills me to the brim.

" We're finally here. I am finally able to be present in here with you my little butterfly." I release through a breath as I let my eyes wander around the room.

My baby's room. Finally.

What I'd gone through emotionally, being in here during the time of my baby gone, does not amount to now. It is exactly how I pictured it, I have butterflies just being in here with her and the image of me, coming in here as she grows in the years, makes me to smile.

" Catherine ?"

" In here!" I respond to Mica's call.

It's not long that I feel him enter and that's when I turn around, to face him.

He doesn't say anything but comes over to us. He buries his fingers through my hair and tilts my head up, for our eyes to meet. His eyes smile at me, him telling me with his eyes that he understands what this moment means for me, for us.

He rests his forehead against mine and my eyes automatically close. " This is real my love. We are finally here as a complete family. "

He leans back and I look up at him, my smile widening.

" I feel lighter now, more content. This piece of happiness, I shall capture it in my heart. I feel good, really good because of it."

" Good." He says before kissing my forehead. " Now my little mate, let me run you a nice hot bath before we sit down and have dinner, hmm?"

" Mica, you've done so much already, let me atleast start unpacking and then -"

"We can do that tomorrow."

"The groceries then."

" Already done." He says, smirking at me.

I shake my head, a small smile lifting on my face again.

" Baby, let me take care of you and our daughter. It's our first night being back home as a family, at least let me have my way and then starting tomorrow, the lady of the house can take over." He says, stealing a kiss.

His words convince me, his tone and his closeness making me fall weak to his persuasion.

"I'll take a shower." I bargain.

He wants to protest but I raise my brow at him, making him to give in. He takes Ulana from my arms and gestures for me to get going, I quickly kiss Ulana's cheek before heading out.

The shower is exactly just what I need, the hot water touching the strained muscles and releasing tension from my body. I take the moment for myself to be free of any pressing thoughts and just relax. Once I am done and have wrapped a towel around my body and hair, I get out to finish up so I can get Ulana off Mica's hands, so he can have a chance to shower.

Returning back to them in the nursery, where Mica now sits relaxed on the couch, holding Ulana infront of him, I smile at the sight. Mica glances at me and smiles.

" Feel better?"

" Much relaxed thank you." I say, entering further into the room.

" I still can't decide if she is a mommy's girl or daddy's girl." He says, looking back down at her.

I walk closer to him, joining him in watching her.

" Maybe she's both." A smirk plays at his lips.

" I don't think I've ever seen so much more in life then when I look at her. The need to protect her is so strong and intense, it's an unexplainable feeling. I want her safe all the time. "

" You are her father and protector Mica, it comes as second nature to you. "

" I don't want us to experience what we did in these past weeks and days. It was toturous." He shakes his head, recalling the memory.

"Be present with us Mica please. It's our first night back, lets be in this calming moment, our moment." I say.

He sighs.

" You should go on and take a shower, so we can have dinner." I remind him.

Ulana starts to cry.

" Okay, time for some mommy time." Mica rises to his feet and I take his place before he hands Ulana, back to me.

I smile, watching him as he makes sure that both of us are comfortable, before he leaves the room. I attend to Ulana, feeding her and speaking words of love over her life. My heart melts as I watch her, my pure and beautiful baby.

I finish feeding her and place her against my chest, wanting to burp her before she falls asleep. " That's my girl." I coo when I hear that small burp.

I rock back and forth gently, humming a tune as I lull her into dreamland. My mind brings about an image of my little girl being all grown up, around the the ages of 2 to 3 years old. She, exploring her surroundings and being curious, I imagine her falling asleep to the sound of my humming and making Mica, chase after her.

I imagine us having midday walks, visits to the park for some family time, road trips and discovering her interests as we go. The images are so beautiful that I find myself entranced into such moments, I nearly miss the feeling of a gaze set on me.

My eyes flutter open, unaware that they had closed. I turn to the doorway  to see Mica standing there, just watching me.

"Lost in thought Belle?" He says.

" Yes." I respond with a smile, peeking a look at Ulana, to see her asleep. " And I've missed that she'd fallen asleep."

I get up to place her in her bed and I find myself just watching her.

How long I'd pictured this moment in my head, during those times we'd been seperated. Now that the moment is here, I am in contentment by watching her sleep.

Mica comes closer and stands beside me, joining me. We silently watch her for a few minutes, before his hands touch my arms, turning me to face him. He doesn't say anything but takes a step closer and captures my lips in his.

I sigh against him, resting my hands on his chest. He gives me a slow and tender kiss, marking the feeling of his lips touching mine, the kiss of a soulmate. I melt into it, falling weak to his touch and pleasurable tingles, that enlighten me and awaken a moan, letting it slip when he pulls away.

He rests his cheek against my own, bringing more warmth to me by the feeling of skin to skin. I release a shaky breath, being lost in this intimate atmosphere with my mate.

His closeness will always be my undoing and I lose control over sight of my senses, him affecting me in more ways than one.

" You're amazing." He simply says, making my heart to jump.

He pulls back to look at me, letting his thumb caress my cheek.

"Our little one is asleep and I want some alone time, with my beautiful mate." He says, pecking my lips.

He connects our hands and we leave Ulana in her room, making sure to take the baby monitor with us. Downstairs I am welcomed to a cute candlelit indoor picnic, in the middle of the living room.

" I have a very sneaky mate, don't I?" I tease him as I take my seat on the blanket.

" I don't know what you're talking about." He says in a singsong manner, making me to chuckle at him.

I am given a moment to admire his work whilst he goes on to the kitchen. Mica never fails to make my heart to skip a beat, whether by the way he steals a glance at me, when he thinks I'm not looking. His words, his thoughts of me, his touch, his reaction to my own touch, him interlocking our fingers and simply by staring at me.

Mica all in all, makes my heart to react in so many ways. Him existing and being made for me, makes me feel extremely fortunate.

" Dinner is served my lady." He says, returning.

I murmur a thank you, looking at the delicious food. Thankfully we thought of take out on the way and now my stomach grumbles, at the mouthwatering smell, that fills my nose.

Mica raises his brow at me, making me aware that he heard that grumbling. I playfully roll my eyes before starting to eat.

" I'll get the drinks." He chuckles, walking back to the kitchen.

The smile immediately drops from my face when I feel a cold and uncomfortable sensation in my chest all of a sudden. I can't determine the meaning behind it but it surely puts pressure on my chest.

" What's wrong?" I gasp, looking up at Mica, who frowns at me.

Before I can say anything, he is already kneeling infront of me, having placed the drinks aside. It is my turn to frown, but in confusion due to the sensation having passed. It suddenly left quickly like it came.

" It was a sudden coldness in my chest. It's passed now, you need not worry." I say, resting my palm against his cheek, giving him a reassuring smile.

He nods though his eyes show concern.

" Mica stop." I say, pleading with my eyes.

As he is about to say something, he's unfortunately interrupted by my cough. I feel a sense of dryness and itchiness along my throat.

"Here baby." He hands me a glass of water.

I take the offered glass and have the needed amount, to get rid of the irritating feeling in my throat. I hand the glass back to him, murmuring a thank you, as I take calming breaths.

" Are you okay baby?" He asks, reaching out to touch my face.

I nod. " Yes, yes. "

His concerned eyes move all over my face and I take one of his hands, placing a kiss on the inside of it.

" I'm okay my love, truly." I reassure him once more.

He doesn't say anything but moves back to his place, letting his back lean against the couch. " Come here baby." He says, holding out his hand for me to take.

I go on over to him, sitting on the floor between his legs where my back leans against his chest." You had me worried there for a moment." He sighs, wrapping his arms around me and burying his face in the crook of my neck.

" I'm sorry."

" Look at me Belle." He says, pulling his head back from my neck.

I meet his eyes.

" You and Ulana are my life and I don't take any moment, that I get to spend with you both for granted."

My eyes close when he leans in, placing kisses all over my face, making me smile.

" I've learnt to understand the value of life, because of my family. You are always on my mind, in my thoughts and in my dreams."

" We are in your thoughts, what about now?" I ask, my tone teasing.

" Even now." He says, his eyes smiling.

" And what do you see now?"

" As I look at you now, everything in me, tells me that you are my happiness and I will always do all I can, to protect my happiness. "

He neither lets me respond or say anymore, when his lips claim my own.

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Here's another chapter....

Baby Ulana will be receiving her welcoming ceremony soon.

Tell me your thoughts on Mica as a mate. How are you finding the book so far and stuff.

Thank you for reading.💛💛💛💛💛

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