I sigh in relief and plop myself onto one of the island chairs in the small kitchen. Trinity sticks the fully made casserole dish into the preheated oven and puts on the timer. Milena yawns and waddles over to me. She extends her hands up, asking to sit on my lap. I scoop her up and place her where she wants to be. She yawns once more, and nuzzles into my chest as she closes her eyes. I giggle at her cuteness.

I look up to find Trinity looking at the two of us in a very dear type of way. "See, you're already getting the hang of mothering, Lucia, and you haven't even had the baby yet."

I fight the urge to roll my eyes at her. So instead I feign a small smile, "I have a feeling mothering won't be this easy."

Trinity laughs, "No, it certainly won't. But it is one of the most rewarding parts." She leans on the island across from me, to rest a bit. "It's going to be quite a life change for you though, considering how you were raised and all." She points out.

I raise an eyebrow. That almost sounded like a jab at how my Mom and the Beta raised me. Was that meant to be an insult? "Well, I mean they raised me as best they could in this pack. I feel far more grateful being able to protect myself than being raised to either clean other people's messes or seduce men." I point out.

She sighs, "I know. You grew up far better than a lot of girls in this pack, it just sucks that this is how you all had to grow up. It was so much different at my other pack, well before I was booted from it."

I tilt my head to the side curiously. Greyson was mentioning that his old pack was run very differently as well. Maybe I should pursue more of an interest on the topic.

"What was so different about your old pack compared to this one?" I ask.

Trinity sighs. "In my old pack, everyone was... well in a sense trustworthy. If I was feeling unwell, I always had someone there to take care of Palmer. We were one giant family. We lived in unison and everyone's lives were connected in one way or another. But here... here I find the only thing that's reliable is everyone's respect for Alpha Serg and your dad."

I inwardly groan at the fact that she called the Beta my 'dad'. He doesn't deserve that title. "The Beta and Alpha Serg keep the peace around here. Did your old pack not have an Alpha and Beta? How did you keep hierarchy and order?"

"My old pack certainly did have an Alpha and a Beta. They were respected by everyone in the pack but they also respected everyone else below them in return. Don't get me wrong, I completely understand that Alphas and Betas should be respected. The problem with this pack is that they are the ONLY things that are respected. Haven't you noticed that when you walk around, people are constantly fighting and taking things from one another? We have to always lock our doors at night. Do you even know the names of at least 30 of your pack mates?"

Her questions start racing in my head. Is any of that normal? Are we supposed to be trusting of everyone? Are we supposed to be one huge family that's only connection isn't just the Alpha's and Beta's authority?

"I... uh... I never really thought about it before... This just all seemed so normal to me."

She sighs, "I'm sorry, this is what happens when I reminisce. I shouldn't drag you into this." She looks down at Milena who's dead asleep in my arms, "I'm just glad she is the younger sibling. I really don't know what type of chaos would arise in this pack if a girl was set to be the next Alpha."

My eyes widen, "A girl can become an Alpha?"

She laughs, "it's rare but fully possible. It's happened in other packs before. But here, where women are so disrespected and objectified, that could never happen. Even respect for Luna's and Beta's mates only goes so far in this pack."

A female Alpha? Out in the world and in other packs, that's a possibility? "And females," I continue, "in other packs, they are fully respected? I know they have an option in who they want as a mate, but are they held at an equal standard to men?"

"Equal? Well, let's just say they are working on that aspect everyday, but it's certainly nothing compared to this pack. Women can hold whatever job they want, they can be educated in public or private school, literally the world is their oyster."

"Why is it not like that here?" I ask plainly.

"That is the question..." Trinity sighs, "I can't help but think it has to do with the fact that everyone here has no loyalty for anyone but the Alpha. No one can work in unison if they aren't willing to trust those around them. If people have no respect or loyalty, they resort to violence as the answer, and unfortunately, without specific types of defense training mixed in with offensive training, women's muscles aren't as strong as men's; it's biology. The safest thing for women to do in this pack is to just use their influences on men to make money." She sighs.

"I suppose that does make sense... If I wasn't trained I wouldn't be able to hold my own against a lot of men in this pack."

Trinity nods, "yes but even you have an advantage compared to the other girls in the pack."

I raise and eyebrow curiously. "What do you mean I have an advantage?"

"You have Beta blood, Alpha and Beta blood are stronger than the average wolf. You'd be at a real disadvantage without that aspect."

I suppose I did know that... But I guess I never really thought about it. I would be a completely different person if I wasn't born to my Mom and the Beta in this pack. That's a scary thing to be thinking about.

Trinity speaks again, adding, "I can only hope that you're child will also be a male, I don't know how well-" She suddenly cut off by the sound of the kitchen doors opening.

I turn to my left and look over my shoulder to watch the intruder step in through the doors. In walks Marissa. She comes in, makes direct eye contact with me. I feel the ice from her glare seep into my skin and I shiver. She quickly averts her gaze and looks over at Trinity. She bows slightly.

"I apologize for the intrusion. I have been informed that the Alpha would like to see Lucia in his office as soon as possible." My heart drops to the floor. Seriously?

Trinity looks over at me, "Well I suppose it can't be helped. I will finish the meal on my own, why don't you head over to the Alpha's office?"

I nod my head. I stand from the chair, still cradling Milena in my arms. Trinity walks around the counter to me and I pass the girl in her arms. She slinks into Trinities chest and tosses around for a moment before quickly falling back into her sleepy state.

"I'll see you at dinner then," I tell Trinity before turning towards Marissa.

"Right this way," Marissa motions for me to step out the doorway first. I comply, slipping past her and into the empty hall.

She steps out after me, allowing the door to the small private kitchen to close shut behind her. She steps in front of me and leads the way to the Alpha's office. I gulp, knowing exactly what this talk is going to be about. There is no doubt in my mind he knows of the suspicion that I'm pregnant. Shawna must have told him. I can't tell if he will be happy or sad... It makes me nervous. I don't think anyone was expecting a baby from us this soon... especially not a baby that isn't fathered by Damien.

I'm obviously going to have to keep that hidden. The Alpha won't know that Damien and I haven't completed the bonding ceremony yet; there's no way he can know. Damien and him don't talk often at all. Plus, it's almost an embarrassment to Damien that he hasn't completed the bond with me. It would show his father that in our relationship, I'm the one in charge. That would not be a good quality to have for an upcoming Alpha-to-be.

We finally make it to the Alpha's office.

Marissa opens the door and motions for me to step inside. As I pass by her, she freely shoots me another glare. This time I'm annoyed so I glare back at her. What's her deal anyway? She huffs and closes the door behind me once I make it in.

I look up to find the Alpha in his chair, the Beta standing beside him, and a blank-faced Damien standing on the other side of of the Alpha.

Oh no. What's he doing here? I thought he was out on the mission with everyone... Why is he in the pack house? Did they finish early?

"Ahh," The Alpha's voice booms throughout the small room. He stands from his chair, "if it isn't Lucia. I presume you know why I've summoned you."

My eyes glance over to Damien's, he doesn't look happy, he has to know...

I stare back over at the Alpha and nod my head. "Yes sir."

"Well then," He says and walks out from behind his desk. He stomps over to me and glances down into my eyes. My heart thumps nervously in my chest. Suddenly, a large smile spreads across his cheeks. "Congratulations!" His arms fan out from his sides and he suddenly pulls me into a bear hug. He crushes me to his large chest, but is sure not to put any pressure on my stomach area. "I'm so happy for you two, I've always wanted to be a grandfather, I just hadn't known it would be so soon."

My eyes widen in shock. I didn't realize this would be the reaction I was going to get. "Thank you so much sir."

"We have to celebrate," he exclaims, releasing me and taking a step back. "A feast... no, a party! We must throw a full blown celebration. Everyone in the pack must attend."

A celebration. For mine and Greyson's child? This seems so twisted... but surprisingly, this could be a good thing. If everyone knows I'm pregnant and thinks it's Damien's child, then my baby will be safe from harm.... well safe from most harm. I still need to deal with Damien.

I glance over at him to find him, unsurprisingly, glaring in my direction with a hatred and wrath that I know I'm going to have to handle as soon as we are alone. For now, I need to play off this happiness the Alpha has about the situation.

"A celebration would be wonderful." I smile back at the Alpha.

Joy seeps from his skin. He turns back around to the Beta, "Emmanuel, you and Trinity are to start preparations at once. We need to have the party by the end of the week. I need everyone to know that our pack will be continuing onto it's next generation soon. Hopefully a boy will be on it's way." He turns back to me to give me a small smile. I return it politely as he flings back around and walks behind his desk once again. 

The Beta bows his head, "As you wish. I'll speak to Trinity right before dinner."

"Perfect," The Alpha purrs; he flops into his chair in a very relaxed manner.

A brilliant idea pops into my head, "if you don't mind, Alpha-"

"Please call me Dad."

I notice the Beta's face fall as his eyes look up at me. I pause for a moment but continue, "Dad, if you don't mind I would love to share the great news with the squad. I'm sure they'd love to hear the news before the rest of the pack."

The Alpha smiles, "you sure do love that squad, don't you?"

I bow my head slightly and speak the largest truth I know, "yes, they are practically family."

"Then of course, go tell them the great new!" He cheers happily. 

Damien jerks off the wall, "I will be coming with you as well." 

My eyes meet his pitch black ones. I can see a sinister-evil rising in them. I gulp unconsciously and my wolf growls in my head. My fingers clench uncomfortably. I really don't want to be left alone with him, and I definitely don't want him coming with me. I was going to use this time to find Greyson and explain the whole dilemma before he thinks this child is actually Damien's. 

"Of course you should go with your mate," The Alpha rolls his eyes, almost mocking his son. "You should be showing her off to everyone in the pack, she is carrying your child after all." 

I feel bile rising in my throat at the thought of me carrying Damien's offspring. Thank goodness that isn't the case... 

"Oh, I will be showing her off alright." He struts away from the wall, headed in my direction. When he reaches my side he rests a hand on my back and motions towards the door way, "Shall we go then, mate?"