The Broken Warrior's Daughter

Well, | guess we can all assume that Ailduin and Anastasia have completed their mate bond. I’m not sure what else could make aman happy enough to cause this sort of change in the environment. I'd like to be aggravated about it, but since it’s not a bad thing, | know that if | had the power, the entire world would have shifted when | mated with Grace, | can’t really say

anything.

As everyone is adjusting to the fact that happy fae royalty means a plush landscape, Alpha Christopher comes out of the forest, looking a bit worse for wear. His hair is going in all different directions, he has pieces of what | think are twigs in his hair and on his clothes. He looks like either he or his wolf have been rolling around on the forest floor. Knowing the effect the sprites

have, I’m guessing I’m not far off the mark.

“Alpha Christopher.” Grace says, looking a bit alarmed. “Is everything alright.”

“Dear goddess above, those sprites.” He turns and we see Fanella at the edge of the forest, waving at him.

He turns back to us. “I’ve been a single man since my mate died in childbirth with Anastasia. | never wanted to take another mate, but that sprite may make me change my mind. The things they can do with their light.” He looks back at Fanella. “I’m an Alpha wolf. I’m not a young, inexperienced man. I’m used to being in complete control of every aspect of my life. But that- that was...something else.”

“Alpha Christopher.” Grace says to him, trying to get his attention. “Perhaps you want to shower and maybe change your clothes before dinner. We'll be eating in about 30 minutes.” My tactful.

mate says. Liam, however, isn’t nearly so tactful. “You’re a fucking mess Alpha. Get upstairs and wash off whatever that sprite did to you.”

Alpha Christopher looks like he’s coming out of a trance. He looks down at himself suddenly realizing what a state of disarray he’s in. “Great idea. Perhaps you can show me which room is mine, Luna Grace.”

“I'd be happy to.” Grace says and as she turns, | can see she’s trying hard not to laugh.

“Is it always this interesting in your pack?” Rik asks as we watch Grace lead Alpha Christopher away. “Always.” | say. Rik and Liam burst out laughing and | can’t help but smile. It’s crazy, but it’s my crazy.

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We don’t see Ailduin or Anastasia the rest of the evening. Alpha Christopher briefly asks about his daughter before Fanella shows up, looking for Ailduin. We explain that he is still busy, and Grace invites her to stay for dinner. We don’t see either Fanella or Alpha Christopher again after dinner.

“I'm not sure we'll be getting any more training this weekend. But we could practice on our own tomorrow.” Grace suggests.

“Let's see what happens in the morning. Tomorrow was only meant to be a half day of training anyway. If nothing else. I'll be practicing the mind link and making sure all is well at our pack.” Rik

says.

The next day, there is no training. Ailduin spends the morning waiting to speak to Alpha Christopher who is nowhere to be found. We all notice the mate mark on Ailduin’s neck that he is proudly showing off. I’m guessing that Anastasia has some sort of light symbol above her heart.

When Alpha Christopher finally returns, he tells us that Fanella agreed to return to his pack with him. Fanella, we all notice, has a human form.

He turns to look at me. “Dalton, my wolf, might have licked her.” He says quietly.

| place my hand on his shoulder. “I did warn you.”

“You did, but | couldn’t help myself. She is something special.”

| just shake my head at him.

King Ailduin speaks to Alpha Christopher, and he agrees that Anastasia should go with him to

Araphyra, his home, now that they are mated. Ailduin tells Alpha Christopher that he'll be back in two weeks to train the Guardians again and he will bring Anastasia with him. Anastasia hugs her father, saying goodbye to the rest of us and leaves with Ailduin and Aolis.

Alpha Christopher waits while Fanella says goodbye to her friends and her brother, Funichio. “I don’t know what I'll do with my pack now. I’m ready to retire, but there isn’t anyone to stand up and take on the role of Alpha. My Beta has a son, he may be willing to step up. If so, | would want to speak to you about possibly retiring here and joining your pack. Fanella would like to be closer to her friends and family.”

“There will always be a place for you here, Alpha. You'll just have to find a spot you both like and we'll build you a home.”

After the chaos of the weekend, I’m thankful when life returns to normal on Monday morning. Grace and | are back to our grueling schedule of work, building the pack and cleaning the packhouse. Before the week is over, we make plans to meet up with Benny. Grace has talked to Cammy and gotten her ideas to share with Benny. If he is agreeable, he will also be joining our

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pack.

On the evening before we leave to meet with Benny, Grace comes to my office, carrying a stack of files. She sits down in front of me holding them in her lap. | set aside my work and give her my attention.

“What have you got there, baby?” She smiles at me. “Proof that your mate is always right.” | burst out laughing. “And what are you right about this time, my love?”

She stands, handing me a file folder. | look at it, seeing ‘Gunnar‘ written on the front of it. | frown. looking up at her. “What is this?”Content (C) Nôv/elDra/ma.Org.

She walks around the desk, coming to sit in my lap. | scoot back, making room for her, tucking her against me and looking at the file over her shoulder. “We found this while we were cleaning out the bunkers. It’s the files for the families in Alpha Jerome's pack. This is your family’s history. It shows your family line, going back generations.”

She turns to look me in the eye. “Not only are you descended from an Alpha line nearly six generations ago, but your family has consistently mated with Alpha females since they took over the position of Beta. That includes your mother, | might add. So, Alpha, | was right. You have more. Alpha blood in you than Beta blood.”

Cooper Author What do you think of Alpha Christopher and Fanella? And is anyone surprised that Eli has Alpha blood?