Flame and Ink: An Anthology (Happy Ever After #1)(11)

“I’d say,” Pat said from the doorway, Finn in her hands.

“Help me, woman.”

“Oh, no, you’re the big bad Alpha, you can manage.”

He growled and picked up Brie’s bottom, holding her ankles in one hand. He quickly wiped her until she was clean, powered her little butt, then put on the diaper. His granddaughter gave him an indulgent smile and lowered her legs so he could fix her onesie.

“There. Now you’re clean.”

“And you’re not, Grandpa.” Pat laughed. “Hand me Brie and go change. I can handle it.”

He growled again and kissed his wife softly on the lips. “They’re lucky they’re so cute.”

“You love them.”

“Yes, and I love you.”

“Ah, there’s my big bad Alpha.”

He walked away with a laugh and shook his head. Yeah, he was the big bad Alpha, all right. But his grandkids could take him every time.

And there was nothing wrong with that.





On the Other Side


A Redwood Pack Short Story



Author Note: This is a special Edward and Pat short story from the Redwood Pack, set after Shattered Emotions (Redwood Pack Book 5). There are a few spoilers throughout, but for those who have read the Redwood Pack, this is perfect for you.



Edward Jamenson was getting old. The creaks in his bones and the heaviness on his heart didn’t stop with each new breath. No, as the years progressed, his age showed in everything he did.

At least to him.

He was way too goddamn old, and yet only looked twenty-five. Sometimes he cursed the way his werewolf nature took root and made him appear younger than he was. He wanted the world to know how much he’d been through; as much as he’d like for it all to be hidden away as it needed to be.

His family, his Pack, were dying all around him, and there was nothing he could do about it. The war with the Centrals wasn’t going away with a prayer to the goddess and the strength of his back.

No, he’d used his strength and it had proved lacking.

Not that he’d tell the other members of his Pack that.

He was the Alpha for the goddess’s sake. He had to be strong and never have a moment’s doubt. That was his role. To show the others that he could take care of them, to show them and teach them how to take care of themselves.

Too bad he was just about out of ideas.

Thank the goddess for his sons and daughter. His six sons and baby girl were his future. His Pack’s future.

Edward laughed, thinking of his baby girl, Cailin. She was in her mid-twenties, that wasn’t quite a baby anymore. No, she was a full-grown woman and would soon find her own mate.

Of that, he was sure.

Just as he felt it in his bones, he felt the goddess in his children’s futures. Each of them was falling fast for their mates, and Cailin, Maddox, and North would be soon. He couldn’t know for sure when, or with whom, but it would be before the war was over.

He’d always had the ability to sense when things like that were coming. The ability to just know his family would continue on.

What that meant, he didn’t know. But at least his children and his children’s children would live.

That was if the Redwoods could defeat the Centrals … and the demon Caym. That f*cking demon. Because of Caym, the Redwoods were on the defense, not the offense where they should be.

Edward’s youngest, Cailin, had once asked why they didn’t use dark magic. Well, that was easy. Because they couldn’t fight in the black. Only the grey. Otherwise, the white would fade away into nothingness.

“Edward?” his wife, Alpha-female and the love of his life, Pat, asked as she wrapped her arms around his middle.

He ran his hands up and down her arms then twisted in her hold so he faced her. Her head was at chest level, her wise eyes filled with worry.

“I’m fine,” he said, even as his voice roughened. He could be himself with her. He could break apart and know the world wouldn’t know that he’d fallen. She’d piece him together the same way he’d piece her if she needed it.

Mates were special like that.

“You’re lying,” she said as she rose on her tiptoes and kissed under his chin. He could still remember the first time his wolf had sensed her across the Pack, the way she’d smiled at him and laughed. Even though they’d grown up together, their wolves hadn’t known they were mates until they’d reached adulthood. Fate knew what it had been doing in their case.

He let out a sigh then brushed his lips across hers. Even after over a hundred years with his mate and fathering seven children with her, he loved the way she tasted.

When he pulled back, he led her to the front porch so they could snuggle on the porch swing. They’d made love countless times out there, the perk of living with no neighbors.

“I’m worried.”

“You always worry, Edward. That’s what makes you a good Alpha.”

Pride slid through him, but he knew he had to say more. He didn’t like words of no consequence, not when the power of them could be used for a greater good.

“We need to do more. The blood bond and the trinity bond are good. I know that. Our sons were blessed with mates that could help us. I know that’s the goddess’s doing. But we’re not done. We need to find a way to break The Centrals at the core.”