Chapter 4

IRENE'S POV

FIVE YEARS LATER

"Carl! Karin! Mummy's leaving!" The nanny announced with a loud voice and in less than two seconds, two preschoolers ran out with their chubby cheeks.

The boy- Carl- was holding his favorite dinosaur toy with his black hair disheveled on his head. His smile was wide as he ran out and his arms opened wide while Karin- the girl- had her usual frown on her face. She practically glared at everything as she approached.

I squatted before the couch as they approached me. I wrapped my arms around them, pulling them into a hug when they got closer.

"M-Mummy," Carl stuttered excitedly. When I pulled away and stared into their faces, Karin was wearing a smile. She only ever smiled when she was around me.

The nanny was already complaining that she was scared of her. But what could a four year old do to a full grown woman?

"Karin, did you pull your brother's hair again?" I arched my brows and she tensed with her smile freezing on her face. Her dark hair was in two ponytails. I wondered how long it had taken Nanny May to successfully do that.

She shook her head aggressively and I glanced at Carl who was already playing with his dinosaur. Ignoring our conversation like it was past tense to him.

"Are you lying?" I tried again and when she nodded, I covered my face with a smile. "Your honesty is appreciated but you have to stop pulling his hair. You'll turn him into an old man."

I could feel my wolf smiling proudly as we stared at the duo who almost never got along. It almost reminded me of the relationship I had with their father.

"Anyways!" I said to my pups and to my thoughts but that got their attention anyways. "I'm leaving-"

"Where?" Karin's frown was back on her face- she was the bossy one- and Carl looked like he was about to start crying.

"N-No no, I'll be back soon, I promise. I have to meet up with the Alpha," I touched their cheeks and brought them closer for a kiss.

"Remember, do not shift before anyone except me, okay?" I repeated the only rule we had and they nodded in silence. "Thank you, baby," I kissed their foreheads and spoke loudly this time, "Make sure to listen to Nanny May, okay?" But they were already running away before I could get the words out.

I stepped out of the house with a weird feeling in my chest. It always felt this way whenever I had to leave them with anyone even for a second. Especially now that I'd be away for two nights.

I trusted the twins not to break the rule but it was concerning to think about. They were only four years old. Since when did four year olds start to shift?

Heck! I didn't even get my wolf until after I gave birth. It was a whole new experience for me, especially trying to connect with her. The link between us was like a thin thread but it had gradually advanced over the years.

"Ready to go?"

I was pulled out of my thoughts at the sound of my Alpha's voice. A bulky man with light brown skin and wild hair. Despite being in his thirties, he didn't look a day over twenty. He still looked so young and agile.

Alpha Lucas was leaning over his Jeep and I rushed to him. We got into the car and drove down to where the meeting was supposed to take place.

It was the third cross pack meeting our Pack would hold after five years and I was really looking forward to it.

I had received his orders to participate and I had already prepared my speech but my stomach still tied itself in a knot due to nervousness.

It had been a long time since I was made to handle such responsibility. I knew I was once Luna for The Nightcrawlers Pride and I delivered speeches to the Pack during the time I was there but that was a long time ago.

We arrived at the hotel scheduled for the meeting in less than two hours and the hall was already filled with Alpha's of different pack's and their Beta's, talking and catching up while others were getting to know each other.

"You look nervous," Alpha Lucas leaned down to whisper close to my ears. I blinked up at him, a bit uncomfortable by his sudden closures and he smiled, taking a step back.

"Is it that obvious?" My cheeks were flushed from the idea of everyone reading my body language. I had gained a few of their attention but I lifted my head and avoided their gaze. I knew how Alpha's could get with their ego's. I wouldn't want to step on toes here.

"Only to me," he shrugged. "But you look elegant and calm like a Luna," he complimented and I smiled tightly at the use of that title.

No one in The Howlers Pack knew of my past. When I ended up here five years ago, I was almost knocked over by his car. He took me in as a rogue who had decided to acknowledge an Alpha and we've not once talked about my past, not even when I found out I was pregnant.

"You say the loveliest things to me, Alpha Lucas," I told him and I really meant it. He was like that guardian angel that kept cheering me on.

"You know I would say even lovelier things and do much more for you if you agree to be my mate," he tried again with a daunting smile on his lips.

He was a very good looking man who could get away with anything if he smiled. It was sad to know he lost his mate several years ago and he never spoke about her.

He was convinced I was his second chance mate and he had been trying, for what three to four years now? I had lost count of how many times he had tried to convince me but each time I repeated the same old lines.

"You're talking to a-"

"...a brick wall whose heart can never beat again," he rolled his eyes as he finished my lines. "I know, I know. I've heard that before. Sometimes I wish I could find the bastard who dared to break your heart and make him pay."

I laughed, placing a hand on his arm. It was funny hearing him say that and also very sweet. He cared deeply about me and I knew I could never repay his kindness in the way he wanted.

"Can I see the list of Pack's that'll be attending?" I asked, changing the topic and he went along with it.

He handed me a book that had all the twenty lists of Pack names with their Alpha and I scanned them. Eighteen out of twenty had already ticked in while two were left out.

"Black Might Pack- Alpha John and Beta Phillip," I mumbled, reading to myself. "And The Nightcrawlers Pride," I froze and stopped breathing.

I caught a whiff of something familiar in the air.

It sparked memories that I had sought to bury.

The scent of wild rose filled my nose and I gulped as I slowly lifted my gaze towards the door.

I held the gaze of familiar black eyes that made my heart slowly start beating again before picking up the pace.

He occupied the whole room and everyone else disappeared. He scanned the room as he buttoned his black suit that hugged his wide frame.

His eyes landed on mine and I felt my heart skip a nervous beat.

He was staring and I couldn't bring myself to look away. Could he recognise me? I wasn't the same woman when I left the pack five years ago. I was way different as my body had developed and I had added flesh in all the right places.

Still he stared like he knew and I saw recognition flash in his orbs.

"Irene, are you okay?"

I felt Alpha Lucas place a hand on my shoulder with his tone filled with worry and just like that, Karson's brows furrowed in a deep frown as his eyes darted back and forth in an angry and suspicious stare between me and my new Alpha.