CHAPTER 101
I was refusing to see Declan because I didn't want any reminders of Gavin in the days following his death, and the two of them
are similar in the face. I thought it would hurt seeing Declan because I miss Gavin so damn much. I'm always expecting him to
walk through the door or wake me up by making love to me or kissing the shit out of me, but there is nothing.
It wasn't until I watched that video that he made for me that I was able to start putting myself back together again. I don't want to
disappoint him and he's right, our son needs me to remind him of his daddy, and I need to show him how to be strong. How can I
do that if I hide away in my room? That's not being a strong Alpha, and I want to make sure that Gavin's son is the best Alpha
that he can be.
And so, I showered for the first time in days, and then I got
dressed in clean clothes. I'm wearing one of Gavin's t-shirts tied at the waist, but it's clean and that's all that matters. I start
throwing orders around at border patrol, the warriors, and the pack house staff, not in a mean way, but orders just the same.
It's the time that I actually spend with my son that almost breaks me. Thinking about how he was finally getting used to his
daddy, only to have him ripped away from him as his life is just beginning. I'm so glad that Sara ended Daniel, because I wouldn't
want to take away someone's mate like that, and I would have. I will always be indebted to her for ending her own mate, and she
will always have a spot in this family no matter what. It takes a lot of courage. and strength to be able to kill your own mate, but a
mother's love doesn't end when they grow up; it lasts a lifetime.
After spending time with Ash, I lay him down for a nap and then head down to the office to try and catch up on the finances and
anything else that Spencer wasn't able to get done in the last few days. I've been in my office for about two hours now when I
feel our synced heartbeats just before the knock comes.
Declan brings Holden to try and cheer me up, and I can't believe how much he's grown. Looking at the pup, a weird sense of
knowledge about something that I can't put my finger on, comes over me, but then I push it aside as he asks about my son.
Linking Cici, I ask that she bring Ash to my office and then next thing I know, Declan is pulling me into a hug. I freeze, I don't
want sympathy when I'm trying to be strong, but then it's like a cloak of some sort drapes itself around me, giving me comfort
instead and I wrap my own arms around his waist.
"I'm here, Quinn, I'm always here...just remember that." He states, and I know the words to ring true because that is who Declan
is.
There is a heaviness in my chest at his words, but there is also a little bit of healing to them as well. I can't really explain it. Even
Tala is calm and collected as Declan holds me, and she hasn't been calm in days. I should feel off by being held by another male
so soon after Gavin has passed even if this isn't what that is, but I don't. I feel a familiarity within the hug, and I embrace it.
After a few minutes, I pull away, though, when a thought comes to mind. I glance up at Declan and he doesn't seem to mind that
I broke contact, so I address an issue that I've been thinking about for the past hour, "I need your help with the Blue River pack."
I pick up Holden without even thinking about it and take him over to my chair and bounce him on my lap as I continue, "We need
to
anoint someone to take over as Alpha until Ash comes of age. Technically it could be passed to Ayden first, but Demi doesn't
want anything to do with it, even though it would only be until Ash turns eighteen."
"Well, Ash is the true heir since Gavin was first born and born within fated mates, so his heir would be Alpha over Gavin's
sibling." Declan explains, but I already know this.
"Yes, but I think Ayden deserves some acknowledgement as being an Alpha's son." I say as I try detangling Holden's hand from
my hair.
Declan chuckles at our predicament, "Well if you ask me, I think the Beta needs to be stripped of his title for standing by and not
saying anything about the Alpha's wrong doings. By stripping his title, any heir of his will be stripped also, so it will leave the title
open, and I think that as the second son to the Alpha, that title should belong to Ayden, if he wants it."
I nod, agreeing to what he is saying, "I think we should talk to Demi as soon as possible, so we can figure out what to do about
the two temporary positions. There is a warrior in the Blue River pack. that Gavin talked about often, as being a good person. I
believe his name is Preston. Maybe you can check him out, see what he's about and we can go from there."
"I know Preston, and he is a good male and warrior. I don't know if he will make a good Alpha, but as the temporary Beta position
goes, I think he would work well," Declan goes on, "Have you talked to Aunt Sara about any of this? We may not need a
temporary Alpha is she decides to take over until Ash is of age."
"That would be ideal, but I don't think she will want to. Maybe you can talk her into it, letting her know that both you and I will be
there to help her along the way." I opt for Declan to talk to her
because I know how much she liked me before Gavin and I had become official; I wasn't her favorite person, and even though
she would be doing it for both her son and grand pup, I don't think I would be able to persuade her, not like Declan or even
Amelia, "Maybe get your mother involved as well." I add as an afterthought.
"I will see what I can do." He replies just as the door opens and Cici comes walking in with Ash, who Declan snatches up right
away.
Watching him with Ash warms my heart and I know that Gavin would agree with me when I say that Declan will be a great role
model for our son. A breeze comes through the window just as I think this, and I smile as it caresses my skin, making me think of
my mate. Maybe he is with me, I think as I turn to the window and smile, 'I love you, Gavin,' I think to myself and another breeze
comes through, this time with a touch of warmth to it, and I now know that he is with me.
Declan and Amelia stay for supper, joining my Beta and Gamma couples, as well as Sara and Dr. Sands who will be staying on
with us for a while until Declan decides what he's doing with Langly. There's laughter all around and I can't help but think how
Gavin would love this. I'm trying not to become depressed when I think. about him because I know he doesn't want that. Knowing
that he is still with me, though, is helping tremendously.
"Luna Quinn, what will you be doing about hiring a nanny once Sara goes back to her pack?" It's Amelia that asks me this.
"May I make a suggestion?" Sara asks softly, and I smile warmly
back at her.
"Of course, I will always take your advice, Luna Sara."
"Just Sara, dear. After all, we are family now." Her telling me this means a lot to me, especially after everything that's happened.
Sara continues, "I think Demi would make a great nanny, and it would be great to see uncle and nephew grow up under the
same roof."
I can't help but be surprised at her last words. I would think that she would loathe the thought of calling Daniel's bastard Ash's
uncle, but it's quite the opposite. She notices my reaction and goes on to explain her thoughts on the matter, "I don't blame the
poor girl for what my late mate did, and I certainly don't blame that innocent boy. Unfortunately, it happened, and Ayden is Ash's
uncle by blood. I will not treat him different because of his sperm donor' s actions. I've known Demi her whole life, and she's
always been a sweet girl and used to pup sit all the time when she was younger. I nominate her to be my grand pup's nanny."Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏm
I smirk at how matter of fact she is and how considerate she is being. I would not have guessed this of her after finding out the
truth, but she surprises me at every turn. All I can do is agree to her suggestion.
"I think that would be a wonderful idea, Sara. Thank you for suggesting her, and I will talk to her first thing in the morning." Sara
seems really pleased with the decision and that makes me happy.
Declan and I are having a private conversation on how to go about denouncing the Beta of Blue River when Dr. Sands joins us,
"Alpha Declan and Luna Quinn, thank you for everything you have done for me since arriving back here," he stares straight at
me, "I'm so glad that I was able to get you the answers you were wanting."
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I stare back at him trying to figure out what he is talking about, "I' m sorry, Dr. Sand, please forgive me, but what are you talking
about?" I glance up at Declan and then back at the doctor.
"Oh dear, you forgot all about it, with everything that's happened," he now glances at the Alpha as well before returning his
attention to me, "Remember the envelope you folded and tucked away in your um...brassiere that night?"
It takes me a moment as I go back through my memory for the last time I talked with the doctor. It was the night of the Union
ceremony and...oh Goddess! I bring me hand up to my mouth and then once again I look at Declan.
"Am I missing something?" The Alpha asks looking more confused as ever.
"I never got a chance to read it!" I look back at the doctor, "I don't even know what happened to it since everything happened."
"Can someone please tell me what you are talking about?" Declan is frustrated, and I don't blame him. The doctor and I are
talking in riddles at the moment.
I take his hand and hold it in mine. I'm not sure how he's going to feel about what I did, but it needed to be done. Looking up into
his warm chocolate eyes, I just blurt it out, "I had Dr. Sands do another DNA test and he's talking about the results that he gave
me the night Gavin and I united."
Now he really looks confused, "I thought you said that you knew. for a fact that Ash was Gavin's?"
I sigh, "Declan, I'm talking about you and Holden."
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I hope everyone is having a great day...thank you for reading! =)
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