Alpha

Ethan's lap felt cold and empty. Annabelle's father had insisted that Annabelle sit in her own chair for the dinner and had managed to distract Ethan with a spilled wine glass before he could protest. His eyes kept on flickering over to Annabelle, wanting so badly pull her into his lap where she would be safe from any potential danger. Her father must have noticed it because he quickly started talking in an attempt to distract him.

However, Ethan tuned him out and kept his focus on his beautiful baby girl in front of him. His hands started twitching at the sight of some of her soup dripping down her chin. He was seconds away from grabbing his mate and running far, far away to where no one could get to them.

"Ethan," the Alpha said, directing the conversation to the muscular man. "I believe you visited my pack for more things than just taking my daughter." Ethan bristled at the man's resentful tone but kept his cool. He was slightly surprised at this. Never in his life had he not killed someone if they used a tone like that. Annabelle was truly working magic on his heart. He stopped his train of thought when he realized the Luna and Alpha were staring at him, waiting for him to answer.

"Yes, yes I did. But, I do not think it his for Annabelle's ears, or anyone else's for that matter." Ethan said as Annabelle's lips turned to a pout. The Luna quirked an eyebrow.

"Our daughter will now be helping run your pack. I think it is necessary that she understands the problems and current news." She said, as Annabelle eagerly nodded. Ethan furrowed his perfectly sculpted eyebrows.

"This news does not concern her. Even my beta isn't allowed access to information on this... problem." Ethan said as Annabelle folded her pale arms across her chest. But, she didn't realize that she was actually pushing her assets upward. Ethan, however, was very observant and immediately trained his gaze on her perky chest. His member swelled.

"Keep your eyes on the face, son" the Alpha growled. While Annabelle's father wanted Annabelle to be an independent and strong woman, he still felt the fatherly pull to protect her and make sure she stays untainted.

Annabelle looked at Ethan, confused by the statement. "Huh?" She asked. "What does he mean?" Ethan chuckled at her innocence.

"Nothing sweetheart," he said sweetly as he turned his attention back to her parents. "As I was saying, I would like to have a private meeting with you two after dinner." Annabelle's father rubbed his temples as Annabelle set her spoon down.

"I want to come, please daddy?" Annabelle pleaded to her father. There was nothing she disliked more than being left out. Which unfortunately happened quite a lot as no one wanted to make their beloved princess upset with disappointing news or problems that were going on. It felt like she was always stuck on the outside, no matter how hard she tried to fit in.

Ethan felt his pants tighten even more at the mention of the word 'daddy'. He couldn't wait till Annabelle was moaning that word over and over again in their bedroom.

"I'm sorry princess, but I don't think you can join us," the Alpha finally said. He hated saying no to his daughter but sometimes it couldn't be avoided. Annabelle sunk back in her chair, making her look shorter than she already was. Ethan's heart clenched at the sight of his fragile mate. She must be protected. Ethan connected his foot with her's under the table and sent her the most apologetic look he could muster.

"Why don't you make that chocolate moose you wanted to make this morning?" The Luna suggested, wanting to get Annabelle's mind off the meeting. It seemed to work as Annabelle brightened up and quickly spooned the rest of her soup up and folded her napkin back up.

"Wonderful, darling," her father said. "We'll have the dessert after the meeting." Annabelle loved being helpful. And this way, everyone was happy. A minute later, everyone stood up from their places at the table. On the way out Ethan murmured in Annabelle's ear,

"I'm sure your cooking tastes almost as good as those plump lips of yours." Ethan wanted to tell her about how good another part of her body would taste but that probably wouldn't go over well with her father. Annabelle blushed at his comment and buried her cute face into his broad chest. He wrapped his strong arms around her, keeping her out of view so only he could see her. The Luna cleared her throat, making Annabelle wriggle herself out of his hold, her cheeks still the usual fiery red. She quickly darted off in the other direction, towards the kitchen.

Ethan's heart already felt like something was missing. "Shall we head to the conference room?" The Alpha asked but he was already walking down the hallway, wanting to get this meeting over with as soon as possible. Ethan and the Luna followed him.

There was one long table with chairs on all side. Three guards stood outside to make sure no one snuck in and heard anything. The Alpha and Luna sat down side by side, filling the three water glasses politely.

"So, what is so urgent you scheduled a visit to our pack a day in advance?" The Luna asked. Ethan took a deep breath and steadied his steely gaze.

"The rouges. They're showing up dead in more and more places. There is no evidence that they were killed by another wolf, we're thinking sickness." Ethan informed them.

"Well, I don't see how that's a problem. The rouges are violent and a danger to werewolf society." The Alpha said. "If anything, we should be happy they're dying. Then we won't have to risk our warriors lives by sending them out to hunt them."

"Well, our pack scientists and doctors have been looking at the bodies and investigating the cause of their death. It isn't clear as glass yet, but there appears to be an outbreak of some virus. And, it appears to be killing the vulnerable wolves, the ones without a pack." Ethan added. The Luna and Alpha's faces grew grave and ashy gray. They could guess what was going to come next. Ethan took a big breath, "If we're not careful, the virus could end up killing the entire werewolf population altogether."

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-Hannah