Chapter 116

Alaria:

“Mama!” Ashton called, making me frown as I heard the fear in his voice.

Both Enzo and I rushed to his room. I didn’t even know how the Alpha managed to do so, but I was thankful for the fact that Ashton would at least see his father on his feet. It meant a lot to me, and I knew that it meant the same to Ashton to grow by his father’s side.

“We’re right here, baby.” I said, gently. I nodded at his maids to leave the room, giving us our privacy, and thankfully, though in Enzo’s house, they listened. I sat on the edge of the bed by his side while Enzo sat on the couch that was by his bed, watching as I took our son’s hand in mine.

“I had a bad dream, mama.” He said, making my heart ache for him. I didn’t like it when had them, and I knew that they became more frequent with everything that we’ve been dealing with.

“Do you want to tell mama what it was about?” I asked, my voice softening as I looked at him. He looked at Enzo for a moment before nodding.

“It was daddy being shot.” He said, making my heart drop. The fact that despite being behind me, he saw it, broke me inside. “It was real. He was hurt and in the hospital mama. And the fire. There were too many sounds at once.”

Tears fell from his eyes, and I wiped them for him before pulling him to my chest. Enzo got up from the couch and sat where I was sitting as I curled up beside Ashton, getting under the sheets as I always would when he had a nightmare. Normally, they were less realistic, I could tell him that they were mere dreams. How was I going to do that this time?

“It might have been real, Ashton, but this doesn’t mean that I am not standing here by your side.” Enzo said, his voice softening as he spoke to our son. “I am your father, this pack’s Alpha, and your mother’s friend. I would do it again if I have to…”

“NO!” He screamed, taking me off guard. Enzo stayed quiet and waited, allowing him to let out his pain and fear. Opening up was going to be one way to it, but this wasn’t something that I expected right now.

“I don’t want you to get hurt. Never ever in the world.”

Enzo smiled and extended his hand to Ashton. He hesitated for a moment as I let him go, but took his father’s hand. Enzo lifted him in his arms with ease and had him sitting on his lap, looking down at him. I knew that he was in pain. I saw it in his body language, but the fact that he was sitting here, allowing him the moment was something that I was thankful for.

“Sometimes, a father has to do things that his kids might not understand. I wasn’t going to let you and your mom get hurt.” Enzo explained, looking down at Ashton. “But being an Alpha makes me stronger.

Which pain, I grow a lot stronger, more powerful, and I know to protect those that I love to ensure that they do not get hurt.”

“Do you love mama?” Ashton asked, and Enzo purred.

“Can anyone not love her?” He asked, looking up me for a moment. “She is kind, strong, willing, and she is more than capable of holding off the worst of enemies. She gave me the best blessing that I could have ever asked for, and she was always sure to raise you to be the Alpha that you are meant to be. Kind, merciful, and gentle.”

“But as an Alpha I need to be strong.” He said, and Enzo nodded.

“But first, you need to learn to be human.” I said, looking at Alaria for a moment. “This is something that your mother taught you. She taught you what it is to be kind and human. She taught you not to kill or hurt, and not to break those who you knew might deserve it. She taught you to treat even those who are mean with kindness.”

“But they hurt you.” He said, and Enzo nodded.

“That is why it is your father’s duty to protect you until you can protect yourself and your mother. It might a while, but you know, you are always going to find me beside the two of you, standing, ready to take the bullet if needed to protect you. And when your time comes, I know that you are going to do so for both me, your mother, the woman that you love, and your children.” Enzo said, and Ashton shook his head.

“I only want to love you and mama. I don’t want to love anyone else. Everyone else is scary.” He said, making me smile. Enzo chuckled and ran his hand over our son’s arm, gently massaging it, calming him down.

“Even Uncle Leonardo?” His father asked. Ashton thought for a moment, making both Enzo and I laugh. The man looked at me and I nodded in thanks, watching as our son calmed down almost instantly, knowing that he was safe in his father’s arms. “Never think that you are alone, Ashton. Your mother and I are here to always keep you safe, and I am going to be your rock until I know that you’re ready to take my place.”

“What if I am not ready? I don’t want to be ready.” He said, making Enzo smile. He purred at his son, keeping their eyes locked before he nodded.

“Then I am always going to be there for you. I will only let go when I know that you’re ready. Even if you don’t know it yourself, though it is going to be the hardest thing that I will do, I will let go. For now, I am always going to hold and keep you safe.” He said, looking up at me for a moment before looking down at our son. “Both you and your mother.”

“Do you promise?” Ashton–asked, and Enzo smiled.

“I give you my word.” He said, looking up at me. “I give both of you my word. Alpha’s honor…”