The Shadow Alpha novel Chapter 11

‘Guys, be nice.’ I said sternly through the mind link, shocking my pack from their standoffish behaviour as soon as I entered the dining room.

“Queenie!” a little voice squealed behind me, a huge smile slipped onto my face as I turned around and swept Tatiana off the ground into my arms. She giggled loudly, which caught the attention of the entire room.

My pack members looked at us with amusement and affection, this kind of display was normal for us; while the Full Moon members stared in shock. “Princess, oh how I missed my baby!” I said, wiping away fake tears. She giggled at my exaggeration and placed her little hands on my cheeks affectionately.

“Daddy said you were busy and that I mustn’t bother you so I played at Drey’s house all day.”

She told me excitedly, Drey is Dristan’s nephew and Ana’s best friend, “Were you a good girl for Aunt Nina?” I asked and she nodded enthusiastically.

I smiled and kissed her cheek, “That’s my princess. Now why don’t we grab some Mac ‘n Cheese?” she smiled and nodded eagerly.

I walked with her in my arms and sat at the head of the table with her on my lap and dished out some mac ‘n cheese for us to share.

“I would like to thank the chefs who prepared this meal, may Mother Selene bless you all and this wonderful meal you have prepared. Dig in!” I smiled and sat down with Tia on my lap once again. Conversation flowed easily as usual from my pack, but I couldn’t help but notice the stares from the other pack as we joked and teased one another.

They were not accustomed to eating as a pack let alone being able to speak freely with their superiors which was understandable. The looks I received were particularly peculiar but I did my best to ignore them. I glanced around my pack and noticed that the only members missing were my parents. I wasn’t surprised that they were not here, but I was puzzled as to where they were since I couldn’t feel their presence in the pack house and both their mind links were blocked. I leaned down to Tia’s ear and whispered lowly, “Do you know where daddy and mommy are?” she froze and thought for a moment before glancing at their usual seats which were left vacant then shaking her head with a confused expression, making me frown.

‘What’s with the frown darling?’ Papa Jamie asked through the mind link staring directly at me.

‘Do you perhaps know where my parents are?’ he smiled softly which set me at ease immediately.

‘They decided to go out tonight and give everyone a little bit more time before hell breaks loose when they recognise them.’ I nodded my head in understanding and continued eating.

“Allison…” He trailed off.

“What do you want, Beta Hunter?” I articulated sternly.

“I- I wanted to say that I’m sorry. For everything.” I felt the pain in my chest intensify, but I refused to show it, instead I shrugged.

“There’s nothing to be sorry about, you made your decision. I have moved past it and so should you.” He looked at me as if I was crazy, but I simply smiled in return.

“Look around you. I have two amazing brothers who would die for me, I have friends who are ever ready to support me, I have a dad who picked me up from my lowest and taught me to be strong, I have a pack who respect me, I have that little girl there who adores me and idolises me and parents who are proud of me. I have no regrets and I hold no grudges, instead I have love and happiness in my heart.

“Don’t just say sorry Hunter, prove it.” I had never felt more proud of myself than I did at that moment. My words hung in the air as I turned and walked into the pack house leaving behind the shocked faces of the Full Moon Pack members who heard me; Devin and his parents included.