Nathan’s POV
To say that I was nervous would be an understatement.
My insides were shaking and I felt like I was going to throw up.
Emma and Logan were polite and seeing them again wasn’t as bad as I thought it was going to be. Alexander, on the other hand, wanted to bite my head off. I understood why, but I needed to show him that I wasn’t a threat to him or his family.
I looked at Sophia. She reminded me so much of Emma when I first met her. She was beautiful and I could tell that she was very kind and loving. I enjoyed seeing my buddy happy. He was so in love and it made my heart grow double.
I looked up from my plate and saw my son caressing Sophia’s cheek. She had a small smile on her face. Hunter was whispering something to her.
I smiled and looked at Alexander. I could feel his power and I had to admit that it was a little bit intimidating. I didn’t want to get on his bad side.
“When are you taking over the pack, Alexander?” I asked, making him look up from his plate.
“In a couple of months,” he answered. “I already started taking on some duties.”
“I can’t wait to hand over my pack to him,” Logan said. “I’m ready to retire and spend a month in my cabin with my mate.”
“It will be wonderful, believe me,” Jenny said, chuckling. “Nathan and I did that as soon as Hunter took over.”
I looked at my mate and took her hand in mine.
I love you, honey. I mind-linked her.
I love you too, Nate. She said. Are you okay?
A little bit nervous, but better. I said.
She glanced at me and gave me a small smile.
“I am looking forward to it,” Emma said, making me look at her. “It will be nice to spend some time just relaxing by the lake. Logan’s mom moved to her vacation home a few years ago and I envy her every day.”
I smiled and watched as Logan took her hand in his. He brought it to his lips and placed a soft kiss on her palm.
“That will be us soon, baby,” he said, making her smile.
I was so glad that she was happy. It was obvious that Logan and she were made for each other. I wondered how the hell didn’t I see it all those years ago. It was obvious. She was made for him and he was made for her.
Emma looked at me and smiled.
“Your son is a wonderful young man, Nathan,” Emma said, looking at Hunter. “I am impressed and incredibly happy that he is my daughter’s mate. I know that she will always be safe with him.”
My heart almost exploded with happiness. To hear her say that after everything that I have done was incredible. It almost made me cry.
I glanced at my buddy and smiled.
“He is,” I agreed. “Sophia will always be safe and loved, not just by him, but by our family as well. We are honored to welcome such an amazing young woman into our pack and our family.”
Sophia’s eyes widened a little. Was she surprised by my statement? Why?
“Thank you, Alpha Nathan,” she said quietly.
“You are welcome, Sophia,” I said, smiling at her. “I meant every word I said.”
The doorbell rang and the atmosphere in the room suddenly got tense.
“Excuse me,” Emma said as she stood up. “My brother and his family wanted to join us.”
My heart raced. Jenny took my hand in hers and squeezed it.
It’s okay, honey. She mind-linked me. You are not alone. Your kids and I are here for you.
I squeezed her hand and took a deep breath.
I heard footsteps approaching and I looked up. The first one who entered the dining room was Andrew. His jaw twitched when he saw me, but he reached out his hand to shake mine. I stood up and gave him a small smile.
“Hello, Alpha Nathan,” he said politely as we shook hands.
“Hello, Beta Andrew,” I said. “How are you doing?”
“I am well,” he said. “Was your trip okay?”
I wanted to answer him, but my eyes fell on Daisy and my stomach turned. Guilt washed over me like never before. I hadn’t seen her since the day I threatened to kill her.
How the fuck could I have done that?!
I gulped and looked down, trying to take a little breath. My mate’s hand tightened around mine.
“Hello, Alpha Nathan,” Daisy said, making me look up at her. “I hope that your trip went well.”
She was smiling at me. I didn’t deserve it.
“It did,” Jenny said instead of me. “I was just telling Emma and Logan that your pack lands are incredible.”
“They are,” Daisy agreed. “I am glad you like our territory.”
“These are my sons,” Andrew said, making me look up. “Mason and Mike.”
I looked at two young boys. The younger one was standing next to his mom. He had a polite smile on his face. The older boy was standing behind Sophia. His hands were placed on her shoulders and he was glaring at me.
He was the one I tried to kill.
Another wave of guilt and shame washed over me.
“It’s nice to meet you, boys,” Jenny said, smiling at them. “This is our younger son, Harry.”
I kept my eyes on Mason. He didn’t stop glaring at me until someone mind-linked him. He sighed and looked down at Sophia.
“Come on, sit down,” Emma said. “Are you hungry? I made breakfast?”
“Not pancakes, right auntie?” Andrew’s younger son asked as he sat down next to Harry.
Emma chuckled and shook her head.
“I didn’t make pancakes,” she said as she opened the cupboard and took out a few more plates.
“I would love some then,” her nephew grinned widely.
Are you okay, dad? My son mind-linked me, making me look at him.
I am, buddy. I said. I am incredibly happy for you. She is amazing.
She really is. He said, grinning widely. I am so in love.
I can tell. I said, smiling back at him. She is in love with you too.
She was. I could tell by the way she smiled at him. I could tell by the way she accepted his touch. They were destined for each other.
Someone sat next to me, making me look to my right.
My heart stopped.
It was Daisy.
Why did she sit next to me? Wasn’t she repulsed by me?
She looked at me and smiled.
“It is nice to have you here with us,” Daisy said. “We are all really happy that our Sophie found such a wonderful mate.”
My eyes widened. I could barely muster up a small smile. She was glad that I was here?
I couldn’t believe it. I couldn’t believe that this amazing woman moved past what I had done. I wanted to hug her and thank her, but I held back. I knew that Andrew and his older son wouldn’t appreciate it.
There would be time for that later. There would be time for me to apologize to her and her son.
I absolutely love that Hunter and Sophia are mates.