When I wasn’t looking

" Don't pay any attention to him, he's always clowning around like that." Julienna murmured,grabbing Andie's hand and pulled her down into a chair next to her.

It seems like Julie has taken a shine to my girl, acting like a protective older sister. And to be perfectly honest ,that's something I really don't mind.

My sister and brother in law are good people. I just wish they could stay longer I believe my sister would be the best person to help Andie settle into to her new life here at the Starlight Pack.

Basically Andie will have the same routine and instructors as my sister had growing up here. So my sister would be the best choice to help her adjust and relax here.

Unfortunately that can't happen, unlike Andie's siblings who are close in age. Julie is ten years older then me, Julie is twenty eight and her mate is thirty four.

Julie and Aaron both have their own life and responsibilities to get back to. My sister is a psychiatrist with her own practice in Boston. And as for Aaron, he has his own responsibilities of training to take over as the next Alpha of their pack and running his families shipping business . So their time here is limited to two weeks out of the whole year.

I pulled the chair out beside my girl and took a seat, placing my hand on top of hers' playing with her tiny fingers.

And as expected Julie noticed the slight movement of my fingers and started her psychiatrist bullshit. Analysing every little twitch and movement I made. It seems like every time I set in front of her she does that bullshit.

It's annoying sometimes,but to be honest, she's fucking amazing at what she does. She's an Alpha shewolf with a degree in psychiatric disorders from Harvard university, nothing escapes her hawk like gaze and sharp mind.

She pointed at my hand that was resting on top of Andie's, analytically blurting out her diagnosis." Zack I see you are having an issue with putting a ring on Andie's finger." Her nosey ass leaned closer and ask me" Would you like to talk about with me?" When it comes to family the women knows nothing about boundaries, always sticking her nosey ass in my business. Oh yeah, let's not forget, she has no filter for that mouth of hers either.

As I was about to tear into her ass for being so fucking nosey, I feel a ting of something in my heart. Just a little flutter coming from the bond. For a brief second joy coursed through my whole body just to think my baby girl wanted to wear my ring,it sent my heart soaring.

But that joy only lasted for a second when I felt a ting of pain stab through my heart like the sharp blade of a knife. I panicked, spinning my head around to see my baby girl frowning. Just what the fuck was she thinking.

With out a second thought, I pulled Andie into my lap, pressing her head into my chest rubbing her tiny back in calming circles. I ignored all the nosey ,gossiping, motherfuckers, gawking and stirring at me like I'm a child molesting pervert.

My baby girl is hurting, and I need to do what ever I can to make her feel wanted and treasured. I kissed the top of her head bringing my eyes back up to my sisters fucking analytical gaze.

Her ass grinned back at me, looking all pleased and shit. D'fuq is her problem? I know my sister, she can't be happy about hurting Andie in anyway.

She's not one of those fake bitches that do that shit. Then it dawned on me that she was doing some kind of analyzing bullshit. By the look on her face it seems like she's happy about the shit she's found out.

I took a deep breath and reined in my temper so I could talk to her like a person.

Pressing my lips gently to Andie's scalp once more. I took another deep breath inhaling Andie's heavenly scent before explaining why I wanted to wait to put a ring on Andie's hand.

"I'm not having an issue with putting a ring on her finger. The issue I'm having is when. I want that day to be as special to Andie, as it will be for me. I want Andie to love me, and be excited to wear my ring. I don't want her to just wear it because she knows I'm her mate."

To my relief with each word that came out of my mouth my baby girl began to relax against my chest. Her tiny arm moved up to drape over my shoulder. She inhaled deeply and a bright red blush colored her cheeks as she mumbled into my chest.

"I think you should let me get back into my chair." She glanced over her shoulder at the food on the table,shyly adding.

" my breakfast is getting cold."

Gently I placed Andie back into her chair ,glancing back up to my sister. She was grinning her ass off. Making me wonder what kind of quackery was going through her mind now.

However, I didn't have to wonder for long because as always ,she was happy to share her expert opinion with all of us at the table.

" From your reaction, I assume you felt something from the bond?" She ask raising a curious eyebrows at me.

" Yeah,"I answered her nosey ass wondering where she was going with this shit.

Her ass grinned again happily announcing " Well if that's what you're waiting for, it won't be long. Andie's already trusting you and allowing you to comfort her without resistance or hesitation. Even though what I said upset her and by the look on her face, I believe she might have felt a pinch of rejection. However,that faded away the moment you pulled her into your lap." She smiled and went back to eating her breakfast like she didn't just tell me and my brother in law my fourteen year old soulmate was falling in love with me. At least that's what I hope she was saying.

However I'm not surprised by the way she just came right out and said that shit. The confidentiality she shares with her patients don't seem to hold true when she's dealing with her family.

I know first hand about about that shit, from dealing with her ass before. I had just turned fourteen and had a problem keeping Apollo's aggressive ass under control. Like a dumb ass I confided in her about my anger issues.

The first thing she did was drag my ass into dad's office and began some psycho babble bullshit about my hormones. seeking dad's permission to use me in some kind of experiment she had cooked up in her head.

To my relief dad put the kibosh on that shit, right real quick and in a hurry. He told her he would handle it, his way. But now that I think about it, it might have been easier to go through all her crack pot experiments.

Dad took me to the training center and beat the fuck out of me every day, until I learned to hold my temper. He said that's the Alpha way. He explained to me that it's normal for young Alpha's to be aggressive while going through puberty.

It's in our blood and the only way to learn to control it,is to bring it to the surface and fight it out of our system.

My dad was slick and cunning in the ways he would piss me off. Every day we would just start out sparing.Then after a few minutes he would pull some crazy bullshit like untying my shoes so that I tripped over my own feet.

That shit would piss me off big time and as a result I started throwing punches and kicks randomly not holding back. And that is how I got my ass beat every day until I graciously learned how to control my temper.

Some days between the age of fourteen and fifteen, I wondered if I was going to survive the ass beatings my dad put on me. Yep, you heard me right, my dad is the one I was fighting with every time.

He wouldn't let me spare with anyone else, he was afraid I'd hurt someone because of my anger and the surge of power, I didn't know how to control yet.

Thankfully after about a year and half of broken bones and black eyes. I found my control before there was a killing in the Alpha quarters of the pack house.

Every time I would come home bloody and beaten, my mom tried to coddle me, but dad wasn't having none of it. He would hold her while she pounded his chest and squirmed in his arms trying to get to me while the healers looked me over.

It didn't matter how many times he reassured her that I was fine, that he had held back and I would heal by the next day. She squalid and balled like I was already in a coffin.

He explained to her that it was the only way to get rid of the aggression and anger inside me.And to make sure I'll be able to handle being an Alpha of a large pack.

He told her when dealing with pack members you can never, ever, let your anger get out of control.Alpha's are responsible for keeping the peace in the pack and handing out punishments when needed. Therefore it's essential for us to remain a cool and composed.

Werewolvesa follow strong leaders willingly not tyrants with anger issues. Their willingness to stand together is what makes the pack strong.

He said if I was allowed to continued along the path of anger and aggression the pack would crumble and members would either go rough or find another pack to join.

My mother would sigh and cry but she never interfered because she knew he was right. Alpha's gather their own strength from their pack. The trust and belief they have in you charges something deep down in your soul, making you more powerful than you ever thought possible.

At least that's what I have been told, and deep down I hope that's right because as it is, I'm young and strong, stronger than all our warriors. But I have no doubt my dad and possibly Alpha Lucius could still mop the floor with my ass.

However my dad said that will all change after the ceremony tomorrow night when I become Alpha. The concept is simple, strength in numbers.

" Zack" I heard my baby girl call my name, pulling me out of my mussing.

" What babe" I answered without thinking,making my girl blush and Aaron snicker.

The asshole probably thinks it fucking funny that I'm calling a little girl babe. Perhaps I should remind his ass that his mate is a lot younger than him, then mine is me.

" Uh, are you ready to go? I seen Aiden and Jaylee heading out to the patio a few minutes ago and I don't want them to leave without us."

" Sure, I just need one more second." I murmured, scarfing down the last few bits of my biscuits and gray, washing it down with the rest of my orange juice.

The last thing you want to do is go out on a run with a hungry wolf. You could wind up transforming back into human form setting on top of a deer carcass with a belly full of raw meat.

I'm glad mom had the idea to have a home style breakfast consisting of a big platers of meat, homemade biscuits with a big bowl of country gravy, and pancakes, served at each table. Fresh juices, milk, and coffee was pushed out on carts for everyone to get what they wanted. Instead of setting up a huge buffet and drink station.

She said it would feel more homey and make people feel welcome. I don't know about all that honey crap, all I know is werewolves love food and we'll take it anyway we can get it. Homey or not.

After finishing off the rest of my juice I grabbed my girls hand and shouted over my shoulder at Aaron and Julie as we were leaving " See Ya later "

" later brother " Aaron called back in his usual laid back tone.

" Be carful" my sister yelled " And Zack, take it easy, remember Andie's really small." She reminded me making me glance down at Andie's tiny little frame.

Fuck! I never thought about it before, Andie's wolf form is more than likely as tiny as she is. I doubt if this is going to be much of a run for Apollo. It will probably be more like a fast walk. He's a huge black Alpha wolf with long lean muscular legs and a long stride.

Oh well, I brushed the thought away that's his problem. She's his mate and I'm just guessing but from what I know about our wolves now ,he already knows how to take care of her.

We reached the patio and spot Aiden and Jaylee setting hugged up on a lounge chair together.

I squeezed my girls hand to keep her calm,because to me it didn't look like they were doing anything inappropriate. They just looked like they were trying to keep each other warm ,while they waited on us to show up.

Which if Andie thinks about it, it's a reasonable thing to do. Jaylee is from California, and Aiden is from Texas, neither one is used to the chilly mornings we have here in Alaska.

" Hey guys" I greeted them both with a friendly smile.

" Hey, If my wolf grumbles about being hot this morning I'm not letting him run for a week." Aiden complained through chattering teeth.

I chuckled and pointed towards the potting shed over in the corner that our gardener uses to store all his tools and extra potting soil.

" We can change into our wolf form inside that shed, there's a bench in there to keep our clothes on. The girls can go first. Just leave the door open and we'll wait outside until you come out. Then we will go in." I explained my plan to them and was delighted to see my girl approved.

"Sounds good" she beamed, happy as clam as she pulled Jaylee inside the shed.

I positioned myself with my back in front of the open door, just to make sure my girl was safe.

I know it's seems a bit over the top for me to do that shit in my own backyard. But hey, what can I say, she's my mate. I have come to realize in just the few short hours that I have known her I'm an over protective, possessive, jealous Alpha. Yep that's me.