Kissing and Babies

And then I realized that my mate must be hungry.

She definitely hadn't eaten anything since she'd gone missing. I took her hand as we left my office and entered the large dining room. Thankfully, Jace had already mind linked the cook, letting her know we were bringing a young pup who needed food.

The aroma of warm pancakes and sweet syrup filled the air as we stepped inside.

Mercedes immediately let go my hand and hurried toward the table, clearly famished. I guided her to the chair that had remained vacant since I became Alpha, the Luna’s seat. Carefully, I lifted her and placed her in the seat that waited for her for so long. Jace and our Head Warrior, Cleo, watched with wide eyes, holding their breath.

I didn’t pay any attention to them.

My focus was entirely on my little Luna, finally seated in her rightful place. Taking my position next to her in my Alpha chair at the head of the table, I picked up a plate and placed a fluffy pancake on it.

“Mercedes, which syrup would you like on your pancake? We have strawberry, caramel, and pure honey,” I asked. Her eyes were fixed on the delectable pancakes on her plate, my mate was definitely a foodie.

“Honey, Zane,” she exclaimed with delight. “My mummy always puts lots of honey on mine.” I drizzled a generous amount of the sweet substance over the pancake and then carefully cut it into smaller pieces for her. I handed her a fork, and she immediately began to dig in.

“Thank you, Zane,” she said a moment later, her mouth full. I also poured her a glass of fresh orange juice.

“You’re very welcome, little one,” I replied. Once I was sure she was comfortable and enjoying her meal, I began to eat my own breakfast.

‘Zane, we need to talk,’ Jace’s voice echoed in my mind. ‘I’ve never seen you so affectionate with a pup before. Something’s going on here.’

‘I’m starting to guess what it is from the look on your face,’ he continued.

I glanced at my Beta and Head Warrior. Making sure Mercedes was completely absorbed in her food, I turned back to my two closest friends.

‘Yes,’ I confirmed their unspoken question. ‘She’s my fated mate, your Luna. Only the Moon Goddess knows why she paired me with a pup, but I love her already, and I’ll make sure she stays in my life until she’s old enough to officially take her place as Midnight Moon’s Luna,” I declared confidently.

Jace looked at me thoughtfully.

‘You know Alpha Ahri is incredibly strict with his pack members,’ he reminded me. ‘You’ll have to be very persuasive to convince him that she belongs with you. Man, you have a long way to go with that fool.’

Jace was right. I knew all about that.

Ahri was a controversial leader. He trusted no one, and he was quick to anger. Even if a low-ranking Omega from his pack got into trouble, he was ready to declare war. And now, his Beta’s daughter was here, in my pack. I knew it would be difficult to arrange regular visits with my mate. But he would have no choice but to allow me near her, the werewolf laws were very clear on this point; mates belonged together.

The only caveat was Mercedes’s age.

Because she was a minor, I couldn’t simply claim her and keep her in my pack. Until she turned eighteen and also recognized me as her mate, she would remain under Ahri’s jurisdiction.

Damn. These were going to be some long, challenging years.

“Zane, how old are you? And where are your mummy and daddy?” Mercedes’s voice pulled me from my thoughts.

“I’m twenty, little one. My parents live in the other wing of the packhouse. And I have a younger sister named Elise. The Head Warrior here is her mate,” I explained. “Do you know what a mate is?”

Her big silver eyes met mine.

“My mummy and daddy are mates. They kiss each other all day long,” she said, demonstrating with a dramatic grin. "I often ask them why they kiss each other so much when they only have one pup at the end of the day.”

Jace and Cleo burst out laughing at her innocent observation. Mercedes looked at them shyly.

“Little one,” Jace said, still chuckling. “Whoever told you that mates have babies by kissing, well, they lied to you. You can trust me on that.”

A serious expression settled on Mercedes’s face.

“Marco’s parents have five pups, and they kiss all day too,” she stated matter-of-factly. “Marco says he often sees them without clothes in the house too.”

I nearly choked on my pancake.

Holy crap. What was wrong with these people? Didn’t they believe in locking their doors when they are at it?

“He told you that? Maybe his parents were about to shift into their wolf at the time?” I suggested, trying to salvage the situation.

Shit! This was unheard of. If I ever met this nosy Marco, I’d have to teach him some discretion. He seemed far too eager to introduce my mate to adult matters.

“No, no, no, Zane,” she insisted, shaking her head firmly. “Everyone shifts outside the house or in the forest—never in a bedroom.”

Now it was that introvert Cleo’s turn to lose control.

He banged his head lightly on the dining table, roaring with laughter.

Oh, good heavens. I was clearly unprepared for the logic of a ten-year-old, especially one influenced by a gossipy friend.

I shot my Head Warrior a warning glare, but he was still struggling to compose himself. Jace was also having a hard time keeping a straight face. Desperate to change the subject, I placed another pancake on Mercedes’s plate.

“Why don’t you try the strawberry syrup this time?” I proposed. She nodded eagerly, her attention successfully diverted. After finishing her food, Mercedes began to yawn. The past few hours had clearly taken their toll.

“Are you feeling sleepy, little one?” I asked. “Don’t worry. I’ll have my sister come and get you. She’ll help you take a bath, and then you can rest for a few hours before your parents arrive to pick you up.”

The child nodded happily. I mind linked Elise, asking her to come to the dining room.

‘On my way, Alpha,’ she responded immediately.

When Elise entered, she went straight to Mercedes.

“Cleo told me we have a beautiful guest today,” she said, smiling warmly at my mate. “Hi, I’m Elise. This big Alpha here is my brother. You must be sweet Mercedes.”

Mercedes nodded shyly, watching Elise with interest.

“Can you give her a bath, dress her in some clean clothes, and then let her rest in my bed?” I asked my sister. “She’s been away from her pack all evening. We’ve fed her, and now she needs a nap.”

Taking each other’s hands, Mercedes and Elise left the dining room, chatting happily as if they’d known each other for years.

Now, finally, it was time for a serious discussion with my Beta and Head Warrior about this extraordinary situation.