Seth

I couldn't resist the temptation. Tyron had mind linked me to come over to Tiny Paws, saying something about my mate doing something I needed to see. After the shortest argument I've ever had with Damien, I give in and decide to take a break.

Knocking on the door, I listen to the sound of laughing and playing emitting from the pups as I wait. The woman that answers is Sheila, a she wolf I've known since I was a child. She smiles, a bit of surprise in her expression.

"Oh, if it isn't the Alpha!! It's been a while since you've come for a visit!! Please, come in!"

"It has been too long, Sheila. How is everyone?" I ask as I walk in, making sure to avoid the running pups and the Legos scattered across the floor.

"Good, busy, but good. What brings you by?"

"My Beta called me down, saying there was something I should see."

Her eyes flash with intuition, a happy smile brightening her face.

"Yes, please follow me!"

I follow her towards the back of the house, coming into a play room for the kids. On one side, Adrienne sits with a couple of boys who are watching her intently as she preforms a magic trick, looking completely fascinated. In the center sits a large table with coloring supplies littered across the top, at least three pups coloring at it. As my eyes settle on the left side of the room, I catch sight of something that renders me speechless.

Sitting on the floor, completely oblivious to the chaos, is Katrina. And sitting in her lap is a little girl that's around three or four years old. With her head tucked under my mates chin, she idly traces the tattoo on Katrina's arm, listening intently as the older girl reads a story to her. Glimpsing at the cover, I can read the title: Ferdinand the Bull.

I can't do anything but stare at first, taking the sight. However, Sheila's voice pulls me back to the present.

"It's quite precious, isn't it? They've been like this for the past hour or so, just reading to her whatever she wants. And before that, Katrina painted little Avery's nails. I've never seen a pup from here bond so quickly."

I turn towards her, despite not wanting to look away from the duo.

"Is that the little ones name?"

"Yes," She replies with a nod,"She the sweetest little girl, so social and playful with the other kids. But, when an adult other than me or my mate comes around, she clams up, which is probably why she's still here."

She smiles, watching Avery interrupt Katrina with a question.

"However, when Katrina came in, Avery started following her around until she felt brave enough to ask about the 'drawing on her arm'."

She laughs a bit, and I return my gaze to the two just in time to see the little girl looking at me, a curious expression on her tiny face. I feel another round of awe hit me as I see her eyes, and the air leaves my lungs for a moment.

Blue eyes gaze back at me, and I take in the brown curls that frame her face. If you put her between me and Katrina, you would swear she was-

~Our pup.~

The sound of Damien's possessive voice startles me, but his words release all kinds of feelings in me that I've never felt before. The idea of raising that little girl with my mate as our own...just feels right.

In the time it takes me to register that thought, Avery's apprehension fades away, and she gives me a tiny smile that melts my heart a little.

"Sheila, is there any reason why Katrina wouldn't be able to adopt Avery? Once she's sworn into the pack of course."

"There is the rule for newly sworn in wolves that they have to have been a member for at least three months to adopt. But other than that, no."

I sigh, Katrina isn't even close to that yet, however...

~Sheila, I was wondering if you could do something for me...~

Katrina

"Another! Another!"

Little Avery demands in her sweet voice, already getting up from her seat in my lap to pick another story from the bookshelf. Her curls bounce as she moves, making me smile.

I had first noticed those curls when I came in almost three hours ago, peeking around the corner watching me. I had continued to watch them from the corner of my eye until she tugged on my pants legs to get my attention.

She returns quickly, holding another book in her little hands. I gently take it from her just before she all but falls into my lap, tucking her head back under my chin as she gets comfortable. The action makes me and Ziva content, a small sound of satisfaction rumbles quietly in my chest.

Flipping the book over, I read the title: The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein. An old memory tugs at my heart, for this story was the one my mom loved to read to me at night. I quickly open it to the first page and begin to read.

"Once there was a tree....and she loved a little boy."

I continue reading to the girl in my lap, even as the scent of peppermint and dark chocolate accompany the presence of a very quiet alpha. Part of me silently wonders why he would be here when he's got work to do, the other is happy he is here.

Just as we get halfway through the story, Sheila calls out that it's nap time and Avery is less than happy.

"But you didn't finish." She pouts, looking up at me with pleading eyes.

"I know, but how about this? The next time I visit, I'll finish it. How about that?" I ask, placing a torn piece of construction paper between the pages before closing the book. She gives me a questioning look before holding out her tiny pinky.

"Promise?"

I wrap my finger with her much smaller one, smiling.

"Promise."

We stand up together, and just before she follows Sheila she hugs my leg, gripping me tightly before running off and waving goodbye. I involuntarily let out a whine at the sight of her disappearing curls, which surprises me a bit at how attached I have become in such a short amount of time.

I hear someone walk towards me, and I'm reminded of the fact that Seth is here. I pull myself together, making sure my face is blank before turning to face him. Looking up to meet his gaze, I note how controlled his facial expression is, completely the opposite of this morning. His eyes are still...intense, but he seems to be more restrained than he was in the gym.

~I bet we could change that...~ Ziva speculates, a devious edge to her voice.

~Stuff it, horndog!!~

She goes quiet, grumbling something about me being no fun. I clear my throat and return to the present, my curiosity about his presence the most pressing matter at the moment.

"What brings you here, Alpha Seth?" I ask as normally as I can, watching the corners of his mouth twitch upwards into a smirk.

"I had some business to attend to here, and Tyron was needed on the opposite side of the territory, so I figured I'd take a break from work to show you and your sister to the training grounds."

I shift my gaze over to where Adrienne was earlier, only to find her gone. Knowing her, she's either spying from a safe place, or she's using the bathroom. I return my gaze to the smug Alpha in front of me, attempting to resist wiping that smug look off of his face...how I would theoretically do that is undecided.

"Well isn't that nice of you."

He chuckles, the amusement reaching his eyes.

"I thought so as well. I'm curious though..."

I raise an eyebrow at him, deciding to return his wit.

"You know what they say, curiosity killed the cat."

"But," He replies, leaning down to meet my eyes, "Satisfaction brought it back."

I hold my ground, not wanting to appear timid and skittish.

"What are you curious about then?"

He smirks, seeming to enjoy my display of confidence.

"Why do you still call me Alpha, when I've told you to call me Seth?"

His warm breath fans across my face, and with his lips so close to mine, it's all I can do not to kiss him. Just as I'm about to answer his taunting question, Adrienne appears around the corner, making me and Seth jump apart hurriedly.

"Well, hello Seth! What brings you by?"

She calls out in surprise, turning to me with a knowing look on her face. I silently tell her to shut up before walking past both her and the Alpha in an attempt to calm myself.

"Tyron had something to take care of, so he's here to show to the training grounds instead. Isn't that sweet of him?" I call over my shoulder as I make my way through the house and towards the front door. I need some air that isn't filled with his maddening scent, or else I'm gonna go crazy.

"Yes it is..." ~Alright you little minx, what did I miss and don't you dare leave out any details!~

I growl under my breath as I nearly throw myself out the door, breathing in the fresh air as if my life depends on it. In a way it does, well my sanity anyway.

We all continue our walk in silence, at least physically. Adrienne refuses to let up about what she had missed while she was out of the room. I have no intention of telling her anything about it, even if her nonstop questions are beginning to irritate me. Giving her something to tease me about is the last thing I need, she already knows too much about my trouble with the persistent alpha.

Thankfully, her interrogation halts when we reach the training grounds, and it doesn't take much of a guess to figure out why.

At least a dozen or so male wolves fill the sparring rings. Some with shirts...some in just shorts, but all are sweaty and in the middle of training. Muscles flexing as they fight against each other in pairs, each determined to get the advantage over the other. I can practically hear the drool rolling out of Adri's gaping mouth.

~You're going to catch flies with your mouth open like that.~

I can barely restrain the laughter bubbling inside me as she snaps her mouth closed at my words.

As much as I can appreciate the good looking men in front of me, I have to be honest about the fact that they hold no attraction for me. That honor seems to be reserved for the smug werewolf next to me, as much as it surprises me.

"Marcus!"

Seth calls out, causing all the wolves to halt their actions upon hearing their alphas voice. They all look to me after looking at Seth, curiosity in all of their eyes. The oldest of the group walks forward, and I assume he's the one in charge here. Marcus, no doubt.

"How can I help you, Alpha Seth?"

I take in the scar that slashes over his left eye, intrigued by the battle that is definitely behind it.

"Gamma Marcus, I'd like to introduce you to Katrina," He places a hand on my covered shoulder, and I resist the instinct to tense up,"she's a warrior wolf who will be initiated into the pack soon, I was wondering if it would possible to let her train with you."

Marcus moves his gaze to meet mine, taking in my size. I straighten up reflexively, squaring my shoulders and bracing myself to be underestimated because I'm a she-wolf. He grins, holding a hand out to me and I take it, making sure to put a little extra strength in my grip.

"A warrior wolf, huh? It's been a long time since we had a she-wolf in our ranks. You have a strong grip there, miss."

"Thank you, it's great to meet Red Fang's Gamma."

He releases my hand and smiles broadly, proud of his rank no doubt.

"What role did you play in your former pack, Warrior Katrina?"

"The main duty I was charged with was breaking in the newly recruited wolves."

"Oh, she broke them alright." Adrienne mutters under breath, and I roll my eyes in response.

"This is my younger sister, Adrienne."

The Gamma turns his attention to her curiously.

"Are you a warrior wolf as well?"

Her eyes widen in surprise, and she quickly waves her hands in an anxious manner. Adrienne could throw down with the best of them if she needed to, but she had no real interest in the warrior life.

"No, no! I just came to watch... my sister kick butt!"

"Just me, huh sis?"

"Shut up, Kat!" She whispers back, clearly agitated by my teasing. Some of the warriors laugh amongst themselves at our banter, and even Marcus joins in for a moment.

"That's quite alright, miss. We can't all be soldiers. To answer your question, Alpha, I'd be honored to have her train with us." He turns to me, "Would you like to show these newbies here how it's done?"

"It would be my pleasure."

I quickly climb the stairs up to the platform, passing the wolves now staring at me in hesitation.

"You're welcome to stay and observe Alpha." Marcus offers.

"Another time definitely. I'm afraid I have to get back to work, just don't hurt them too badly, Katrina."

I glance at him over my shoulder, giving him a smirk as I do.

"I can't make any promises, Alpha."

He grins back before walking to the pack house. I tear my eyes away from his retreating form to stare down the young wolves in front of me. Cracking my knuckles, I smirk even wider at their slightly fearful faces.

"So, which one of you wants to go first?"