A Mother Before A Mate

6 months later.

Tomorrow is Molly's first birthday party. I'm not sure of her actual birth date but I decided I'd go with the date that I foun her. I'm so excited. I invited some of Molly's litle friends, and my friends and family.

I spent months worried that she would be human, but when she was 9 months old, we could sense her wolf. I put a lot of pressure on myself to train and get strong, and it was all for nothing. Although I have realized that not only do I love fighting and training, I am actually really good at it.

Now that Molly is 1, she is a happy toddler. She says about a dozen words, one of which is Mama, and it melts my heart every time I hear her say it.

Tonight, Grace came over and we stayed up late decorating and preparing baked potato casserole, coleslaw, cut up fruit, and I baked the chocolate cupcakes. We call it a night just after midnight, and I'm so pleased with what I see. The balloor archway at the front entrance is amazing. It's pink, purple, white and gold.

There are unicorn balloons and decorations everywhere. I know Molly won't remember her first birthday, but I want to celebrate the sweet little person she is. Now that we're done, Jett stopped by to pick up Grace. Jett looks a lot like his father, Alpha Maximus. He is also over 6' tall, very muscular and he’s a good-looking guy. He's a lot like his father too, ven intimidating, but is also very kind and loves his mate very much.

And just like all Alpha’s, he's very possessive and protective of his mate. He doesn't want her walking the 3 minutes to the packhouse alone at night, even though the pack lands are guarded. They are both crazy for each other, and they're a grea couple.

The packhouse has sleeping quarters for lots of single wolves or young couples. There are a few hundred houses on the pack lands as well. I live in a 3 bedroom home that I grew up in with my parents and brother.

Cold Moon is like a cute little suburb. All cute houses, and then off to the side is the packhouse, which looks almost like 2 mansion.

It's huge. It's 3 stories high. The main level has a giant cafeteria, a large common room, 6 bathrooms, the child care room, and Alpha's office. The basement is all bedrooms and bathrooms, the 2nd level is bedrooms and bathrooms, and the 3rd Level is the Alpha's floor. A huge living quarters for the Alpha, and his family. Grace and Jett live in the Alpha suite with Jett’s family, but Grace assured me that the rooms are very soundproof. She's excited for the day Jett becomes Alpha though, and his family moves out.

“Thanks for all of your help,” I say to Grace.

She's a proud auntie. She's not my biological sister obviously, but she’s like family so I consider her and Jett are Molly's aunt and uncle. Molly sure has made an impact on everyone that's gotten to know her. She's adorable, and she’s such a smiley happy girl, she steals everyone's heart.

“Oh, by the way, my Dad asked me to tell you to see him in his office at 8 am tomorrow morning Jett tells me.

why would he want to meet with me? “Really? Should I be scared?” I ask. He sees the concern on my face and quickly reassures me.

“He just has a favour to ask of you, don't freak out.”

“Oh, thank Goddess! I was panicking,” I admit.

They both let out a little chuckle at my expense, and I very maturely stick out my tongue at them, which makes them chuckle more. Jett grabs Grace's hand, “Come on babe, it's late. Let's go."

“Thank you for all the help Grace,” I holler out, as they make their way out.

Beep Beep Beep.

Molly is still sleeping, so I get myself ready. I take a look in the mirror and I'm reminded of this day one year ago. I have come a long way since then. My long black hair is shiny, and the natural loose curls look healthy.

I have a nice summer glow, from spending so much time outside. My eyes are bright blue, and they stand out. My body looks healthy and strong. I've got my womanly curves again. I am me again and all because of Molly. She made me find m purpose again. I don't even want to think about where I would be if I didnt find her. I didn't tell people exactly how bad I was back then, but my mind was not in a good place.

I make my way to Miss Molly, and she’s still sleeping. I stroke her hair, and watch her stir, as she slowly starts to wake up. “Good morning Miss Molly,” I say quietly. Immediately, I'm greeted with a big toothy smile. She starts to sit up, and I scooj her up. 1 hold her close for a minute and sing, “you are my sunshine.

“Happy Birthday, my little Princess!” I hear Lev say.

I turn, and he’s walking into her room. He grabs her out of my arms without even asking, and lifts her high in the air. Up and down giving her raspberries on her neck and belly each time. Molly is laughing so hard, and it's the most precious sound ever. Lev and I are laughing too. No matter how often he does this, her laugh doesn't get old. After a minute or tw he pulls her close and gives her a hug, and kiss. Looking at Lev, I am often reminded of my Dad.

He looks a lot like my Dad and I actually look exactly like my mother. Lev has blonde shagey hair and blue eyes. They wer both tall and muscular. Dad and Lev are both very handsome. At 22, he still hasn't found his mate, and I know it weighs o him. Watching him with Molly, I know he'll be a good Dad one day. Lev hands her back, *I better get going. I have to get to work"

“Love you, Princess,” Lev says to Molly.

I get her ready, and when we head downstairs Molly is enamoured with all the decorations and balloons. That alone mad it all worth it. After we've eaten, I drop her off and then head to Alpha's office.

I knock, “Come in," I hear him call. When 1 walk in, I'm surprised to see both Luna and his daughter Sophie, are sitting on the couch in his office. Luna is a kind woman, and very beautiful. Luna has blonde shoulder-length straight hair, with a little bit of grey, green eyes, and she has a beautiful face. For someone in her mid 40's, she’s ageing well. Sophie has light brown wavy hair, that's long and she has green eyes. She is also beautiful, but she’s not kind and nice like her family.

It's 50 crazy to think she is related to Jett and the offspring of her kind parents. I'm guessing they just spoiled her way toc much, and it went to her head. “Come in, and take a seat,” Alpha directs me to the chair across from him, by his desk. I gi\ the ladies a smile and nod.

“You wanted to see me, Alpha?" I ask.

“I've noticed you have improved a lot in your training. I was told you are now the third strongest female fighter” he smile: “Third or fourth,” I correct him, and he nods. Joscelyn is the strongest, and Cora is the second.

“Joscelyn and Cora are both training all the women fighters, and their schedule is quite full already. I know you currently train at least 2 hours a day. I would like to add to that” Alpha says with a smile.

“Okay?” I question.

“Il want you to train my daughter for me." s**t. Sophie is lazy, weak, and an entitled snob.

“Why now, sir?" I ask.

The men in our pack start training at around 13, younger for Alpha's, and the girls at around 15. Sophie is 18, and she only did the mandatory 6-week course at 15. “The why is not important. Will you do it?” He asks.

“Of course, Alpha,” I respond, even though I hate the thought of training her.

He gives me an appreciative smile, “It needs to be intensive. We need her to make a lot of progress in a relatively short amount of time,” he answers.

I wince. “Is there a danger I should be aware of Alpha?” I ask. He looks at me, studying me.

After a very long minute he breaks his silence.

“We may be looking to make a match for Sophie. A match that might require her to be a strong fighter. Nothing is set in stone, but we just want to be prepared if the opportunity presents itself. This doesn't leave this room. Do you understand His Alpha tone is full and deep.

“Of course, Alpha. Why don't we get Sophie started in the daily training with all of the women, and then I can train her an hour on top of that?” I question.

“Ugh, I don't want to train with all the women. That's why we called you here,” Sophie huffed. Alpha looks at me, waiting t hear what I have to say about Sophie's demands.

“Alpha, Sophie... training with all the women might not be what you had in mind, but believe me when I tell you that it's incredibly valuable. She will learn so much more, and so much faster in the group setting. I can train her privately, but if you want her to make a lot of progress in a short amount of time, the best option is to do both private and group training I'm not the best, and by missing those group classes, she'd be missing training from both Joscelyn and Cora, not to menti how much we learn from watching other warriors fight. That's my two cents, but it's ultimately your call”

I look between Sophie and Alpha Maximus. “She’s right, Sophie. I learned a lot from my group training sessions,” Alpha admits. Sophie looks pissed at me. Great.

“Sophie, think about why you're doing this," Luna reminds her.

“There isn't any guarantee though, Dad is just hoping to make this match,” Sophie says annoyed.

“You should know how to fight regardless, you're an Alpha's daughter” Alpha grumbles.

I really wish I could leave this conversation. I look at my watch. Group training starts at 8:30 am this morning, and it's 8:2: am. Alpha looks at me.

“Do you have somewhere to be, Lexi?" He asks, annoyed.

“Sorry, Alpha. One of my training classes starts at 8:30. I can be late though. I apologize.” He looks at me for a second.

“I thought group training was at 9:30 this morning?”

“The women warriors train at 9:30, but a few of us women train with the men as well. They're fine with it, and it's ... intens I confess.

“Sophie, get dressed and get down to the training grounds for 9:30. To start, she'll do 3 women’s group classes per week, and 5, 1-hour classes with you per week. Okay?”

“Yes, Alpha!” I say quickly.

“Daddy,” Sophie groans.

“Ym not asking you to train with the men, just the woman warriors of MY pack. You better show respect to Lexi and the other warriors. You will not reflect poorly on me, do you understand,” Alpha growled. Wow. He's pissed.

“Okay,’ Sophie agrees with her head down.

“You're excused. Thank you, Lexit"

“Yes, thank you, Lexi," Luna adds and smiles at me. I smile too and nod.

I rush down to the training grounds, and the warriors have already started. I usually train 1 hour with the guys, 1 hour wit the women, then 1-hour advanced ladies class with Joscelyn and a few other women warriors. Now I need to add an hour with Sophie. It makes for an exhausting day. I might have to skip a group training session once in a while, which sucks. I owe a lot to Alpha, for supporting me with Molly, so I'd help him with anything.

The men’s class was intense and invigorating. When the ladies class starts, Sophie is nowhere to be seen. What the hell? take off and head towards the packhouse. I head to the top floor and knock on the main door. Luna answers and gives m puzzled look. “Sophie isn't at training,” 1 explain.

“SOPHIE CLARKE," she yells.

Sophie appears, and she looks annoyed. “I don't want to, Mom!” Sophie whines, but I sense fear in there too.

“Why don't we go and have a private lesson or 2 first, and then maybe you'll feel more comfortable coming to a group. class?" 1 ask.

Sophie nods and agrees. I wonder if she was embarrassed? It can be intimidating to fight with experienced fighters. I wait for Sophie to get dressed, and then we leave.

I take Sophie behind the packhouse for privacy, and we spend an hour training. She doesn’t seem to remember much fro the mandatory 6-week course she took 3 years ago but I am sure to give her the same kindness Alpha showed me, and I don't make her feel small or weak. 1 try to positively encourage her. After the hour is up, I head to my last advanced class Both advanced Men and women use the space since each group is so small. I never skip my advanced training session because it's the training session I enjoy the most, and the one I learn the most from. We train at the same time as the advanced men which also has Lev, Jett, and Eli, and we sometimes train together, and those sessions are my favourite.

I feel myself getting progressively stronger and better. It's 11:30 am, and I know Molly has a nap at the childcare centre between 10:30-noon, so I head home to shower and get ready. I put on a white summer dress, and wear my hair down, wi a little makeup.

Molly and I spend the afternoon together, and right before her party I dress her up. I put two little pigtails on the side of her head, with a unicorn headband and rainbow tutu. Everyone gushed about how cute she was.

The party went off without a hitch. Lev BBQ's, and I put out the food I had prepared. The little ones play in the ball pit for little while. When we sang Happy birthday to Molly, her eyes were wide with excitement. I'm not sure if it's because of the fire, or the chocolate but it warmed my heart.