Chapter 1

                                    

                                          


                          
Kimmon POV
                          
I stand slightly hidden behind some shrubs in the gardens, with a small smile on my face, while my heart aches for what I never knew I lost.  My true mate.  
                          
Copter sits in the patio chair next to his parents as his pups play on the grass with each other along with another boy.  
                          
That could all have been mine.  He was supposed to be my mate and those could have been my pups.   
                          
A sharp pain shoots through my heart as I continue to play the what-if game in my head.  If only I had realized, back then, the truth, I should have known that Bambi wasn't my true mate.  Copter's disappearance should have been a sign, but I ignored it.  Once again, I listened to my father.  
                          
Now, look at me. 
                          
My father is gone, along with my beta.  Our pack is down to less than half of what it used to be.  And to top it off, I don't have a luna.  I should have my mate standing beside me and helping me through this entire ordeal, but I don't.  I'm all alone.  
                          
Malcolm's voice bounces around in my mind.  "Alpha Kimmon.  Come and join us.  You don't have to hide behind the bushes."
                          
How does he do that?  I know they can't see me here, but I can see them.  
                          
I sigh and keep watching the pups.  "I don't know.  I don't want to intrude on your family time."
                          
I glance down at the ground for a moment and push a pebble around in the dirt with my foot.  
                          
I still don't really know why I'm here.  It only makes everything worse instead of better.  But even after all these years, I keep coming and keep spying on Copter and his family.  The only times I walk away are when Alpha Bas is with them.  
                          
At those times, I don't hide.  Instead, I come up and talk briefly with the Alpha and the others before I go back to my office or my room to sit quietly until they leave.  
                          
Malcolm huffs. "Stop worrying about everything and come visit my son and grandkids.  I'm sure the kids would love to see their uncle Kimmie again."
                          
I peak through the shrub and meet Malcolm's gaze.  He smiles and motions his head towards the kids.  
                          
Well, I guess I can't hide now.  
                          
I take a deep breath and step out from behind the shrubs and walk towards them.  I wipe my glistening palms on my pants along the way.  Even though our mate bond isn't there, my breath still catches when Copter turns around and smiles at me.  His deep dimples still make my knees weak.  
                          
I wish the Moon Goddess would have mercy on me and send me another mate.  How can I keep this up?  
                          
I take a deep breath and try to steady myself as I smile and stop next to them.  "Hi, everyone.  I thought I heard that Copter and the kids were going to be here today.  I hope you are having a good time."  
                          
I fight back the urge to reach out and touch my former mate's shoulder.  He is so close.  
                          
Just once wouldn't hurt, but I know it would.  Not only would they perceive it as making a move on another alpha's mate, but it would break the trust and friendship that Copter and I have formed over the past few years.  In addition, it would put our alliance at risk.  
                          
I'm not risking a small moment of pleasure for the pack's safety.  
                          
Copter flashes me a brilliant smile and motions to the chair next to him.  "It is always nice to see you, Kimmon.  Come and sit down."
                          
In the chair beside him, Malcolm smiles and nods.  "Yes, Alpha Kimmon, sit down.  When the kids get tired, they can come and take a nap on our laps."
                          
The image of a child snuggling into my arms while I rock him to sleep warms my heart, but a dull ache soon tugs at my heart.  
                          
I nod and sit down beside Copter.  I then turn my attention towards his mother, on the other side of his father, and smile and nod at her.  
                          
Copter leans back in the chair and with his eyes on the kids, he asks, "So, how is Shane working out?  I know my father has said that he has officially retired now, but I want to know how Shane is doing.  Both Tommy and Fluke complain all the time they can't come visit or do things together with him or Dee anymore because they are too busy.  Are you keeping him that busy or is he struggling?"
                          
I lean back in the chair and shake my head.  "He is doing great.  He is taking the position very seriously, which I appreciate.  However, he still isn't completely used to everything, so it often takes him longer to do things than it did your father.  It is not really fair to compare the two, because your father has done the job for so long.  Plus, Shane didn't get to go through the formal beta training when he was in his teens, like most other betas.  Regardless, he has proven repeatedly that he is the best person for the job."
                          
I know I sound like I'm flattering him, but he really deserves all the praise.  
                          
Copter turns and looks at me.  "Good.  I'm glad to hear that.  I also understand his struggles with not being properly trained.  I wasn't properly trained either, but somehow, I could pull everything together and learn how to do the job properly.  I'm also lucky that the elders were very helpful and quick to lend me a hand.  Without them, I don't know if I would have ever learned how to do all the Luna stuff."
                          
His mother quickly chimes, "Son, I'm sure you would have been able to do it no matter what your obstacles were.  You are just that kind of person."
                          
Yes. He is.  He lets nothing stop him, not even my father.  
                          
Ugh...  Why did I have to think about my father?
                          
We continue to talk and watch the pups play.  After a while, Shane's voice comes through the mind link.  "Alpha Kimmon, we need you back at your office.  An issue has arisen."
                          
I glance down at the kids, still bubbly and playing like they have just started.  How do they have this much energy?  
                          
I reply back through the mind link, "Okay."
                          
I turn towards the others.  "I'm sorry, but duty calls.  Maybe I can sit down the next time you are having a family get together."  
                          
I stand up.  As I turn towards the kids, Copter chimes, "Don't worry about it.  I know that your top priority is to the pack, but I'm glad you could spend some time with us."
                          
I squat down next to the kids.  "Hey, uncle Kimmie has to go back to work.  Can you give me a hug before I go?"
                          
Within seconds, all three boys jump into my open arms and hug me as they all chime in unison, "Bye, uncle Kimmie."
                          
I give each boy a kiss on their forehead before they release their hold on me and resume playing in the grass.   I turn back briefly to the others and wave.  "I've got to go now.  Bye."
                          
As I turn around to leave, they chime, "Goodbye."  Malcolm adds, "Don't work too hard."
                          
I silently sigh.  The only thing keeping me moving forward is the work and wanting to make sure that I rebuild everything my father has viciously torn apart.  
                          
I step around the shrubs and bushes and stop for a moment to glance back.  Once again, I silently pray to the Moon Goddess to have mercy on me and give me a second chance mate.  I don't know how I'll survive without one.  
                          
I don't want to be like others who have lost their mate and pick someone to take their mate's place.  That isn't fair to the pack.  They need a true Luna.
                          
With that silent pray running through my mind, I head off back to my office.  
                          


                          


                          


                          


                          
A/N:  I can't guarantee when I'll update, but I will try to post a couple chapters each week.  I hope that will be all right.  I hope you will stay with me on the next adventure in the series.  
                          


                          


                          
Posted September 12, 2021