Chapter 10

After going back to my room, I feel asleep with my cubs curled around my human form. Two of the cubs were in their human form as well and then there's my son who hadn't shifted.

The next morning the cubs shifted back into their hyena form and we went for a run around the pack territory whilst the sun rose on the horizon. The cubs were eager to stretch their legs and run once more, we used to travel miles every day and now we mainly stay in the pack house, and as much as I love the safety of said house the need for freedom was overwhelming sometimes. They still preferred being in this form the freedom was addictive and the rules of human life didn't apply when like this.

The cubs were cackling as we continued the run, there were more guards posted along the outskirts because of how close to just after dawn it was, during the day there was less patrol members but still more than my clan ever had. I nodded to them as I passed the large wolves and one leopard. I had still yet to meet the whole pack I had only had brief run ins with a select few during mealtimes and times like these. I decided then I was going to bring that up with my mate when I saw him next, I needed to familiarise myself with everyone's scents just to be on the safe side.

We were on the way back when I felt someone staring at me, I looked around but couldn't see any wandering eyes. I felt a little unsafe so gathered the cubs closer rather than let them run ahead and continued on back to the pack house we called home. The eyes never seemed to leave me even as I made my way up the pack house steps. I attempted to shrug it off but all that alone time on the plains before here will always have my survival instincts on high.

I brought the cubs inside and left them in our room as they were a little puffed out as I went searching for Thatcher. I followed his scent trail to a large door. I knocked on the door and walked in. it was a large spacious bedroom with a large window with the blinds closed. There was a body shaped lump on the bed where the scent was the strongest, I inched closer to the bed and could see the side of Thatchers face. He looked so much younger in his sleep. The stress of the day was washed away leaving a younger looking man that didn't have the weight of the world on his shoulders.

I leaned in and traced the lines of his eyebrows with the tip of my finger drawing it down to trace the bridge of his nose and those full pink lips. I looked back up and was staring into his deep eyes. I launched backwards but was captured by his arms.

"Morning love." His deep sleep voice greeted my ears he sounded so good with he sleep clinging to his tone.

Blushing I look anywhere but his eyes and try to control the blush on my face. We were so close with his arms around me. I loved the feeling of his large arms encircling me I felt safe and wanted. I trusted Thatcher he had quickly become a very important part of my life along with my cubs I cared about him most.

"Look at me." His deep voice demanded.

I looked up and immediately fell into those eyes, they never failed to drag me in and almost drown me with their depth. I couldn't look away even if I wanted too.

The cheeky grin on his face did knock some sense into me and I attempted to wiggle out of his arms and escape. Thatchers laughter bounced off the walls of his room and his arms tightened around me.

"I could get used to waking up next to you, it's a beautiful sight."

I melted. He always had such nice things to say about me and was so nice to my cubs I was so lucky to have him as a mate. He was everything I had dreamed about when I pictured my future mate. He's tall and handsome and caring and just a beautiful soul. I looked up at him and couldn't help but smile.

"I was thinking I should meet the whole pack."

His face held a little bit of shock but mainly admiration. "Are you sure? I want you to meet them, but I don't want you to be uncomfortable."

I nodded hoping to convey my absolute sincerity.

He smiled softly "That would be great, they have been wanting to meet you properly."

I smiled and all the insecurities seemed to float away from my mind and the only thing that I could think about was the deep natural scent radiating around the room from the beautiful man in front of me. I cupped his face with my hand and just stared at him smiling, my insides were warm, and I felt good.

"Was there something you wanted to talk about besides that or were you just interested in a cuddle?" Thatcher whispered to me as if speaking at normal level would break the moment we had created.

I shook my head the moment on the run completely leaving my mind the paranoia dissipating. It seemed that all of the negative emotions seem to leave me when I was around Thatcher, he calmed my mind down. My hyena was extremely attached to Thatcher and his wolf.

"How many different species are in the pack?" I questioned thinking about the several different species I had seen in my weeks here. Thatchers a werewolf, his betas are too but I had also seen several big cats.

"We have over two hundred members with several spread out throughout the forest and nearby town who aren't too keen on being in close proximity to shifters due to their lone nature. We have wolves, leopards, fey, mages, birds as well as a few other creatures who have asked for their identity to be kept secret. I respect their wishes so until you choose to be luna and we've had a ceremony I will keep their secrets safe I hope you understand."

I nod, once again the topic of me being luna had come up, I still don't know where I stand on that, I know I don't want to create my own pack but reside within this one but I'm unsure if I could handle the pressure of being a leader figure, its hard going from a lowly babysitter to mated to an alpha. There would be so much I have to learn and rules to follow and I'm unsure if I'm capable of that. I've never been good at standing up for myself and I can only fake self-confidence when it comes to the livelihood of my children.

Thatcher was staring down at me smiling softly and his eyes held nothing but warmth and I couldn't hold back the laughter that had bubbled in my throat, my face was bright red and a small squeal left my lips when the taller mans arms tightened and he rolled onto his back bringing me on top of him. I hid my face under his chin and cuddled in. He kissed the top of my head and released a deep grumble from within his chest that sent heatwaves throughout my entire body. It was obvious his wolf very much liked the position we were in even though I was on top it was clear who was the dominant. I had never been one to hide my omega status or submissiveness. My internal tail was wagging.

"You're so perfect, love, the perfect mate."

I wiggled happily the praise going straight through me, I had always been one to be praised. The positive attention made me so happy and content. Thatchers hands trailed down to my hips slowing my happy wiggles growling softly.

"Careful mate" came the deep voice of the alpha wolf that resided inside my mate. I immediately stilled and bared my neck my pheromones covering the scent of my mate. He nosed up and down my neck leaving his scent to w=twirl with my own, this was common practise I've been told. It was a dominants way of claiming their unmated sub, it was like combining the scents so that other unmated dominants knew that I was taken. It was a possessive gesture that eased my omega soul. Part off me craved the possessive actions and tendencies, the other was scared that something was going to ruin this and was scared of being openly submissive in a pack of this size, in my clan that was a fraction of this size and they demonised the submissive they were seen as weaker.

Thatchers eyes held me in my place and dared me to continue grinding on him. I slowly attempted to get out of the alphas arms to give us some space, and Thatcher released his arms and let me go to back up a few steps. Thatcher seemed to collect himself and sit up in the bed before re-opening his eyes and smiling wildly shaking his head.

"Sorry if we scared you dear, couldn't control ourselves properly with you looking as sinful as you do. We want to take things slow with you so its for the best I go take a shower and you check on our cubs yeah?" he said with a lopsided smile before standing to his full height, stretching and going into what I assume to be the bathroom connected to his room.

It took me a second to process his words and realise he said 'our' cubs, if a little squeal left my lips no one was around to hear it. I walked back to my room and nothing seemed to be out of place which was a sigh of relief. I checked on each of my cubs and they were still asleep tired from our large run less than an hour ago.

I pulled the blankets closer around their bodies and kissed their furry little heads, beyond tired to even change back from their hyena forms. I loved them with all I could give.

I smiled to myself happy with the little family I had created.