Alpha Tristan

- Kara -

My lips gently pursed against Tristan's neck and I took in his warmth, he slowly stirred. I made my way up his angular jaw and kissed the side of his mouth. I felt the beginning of a smile as his eyes slowly fluttered open. 

"Good morning." I smiled down at him. 

"Good morning, αγάπη μου." His azure eyes gazed into mine and he pursed his lips, silently asking for a kiss.

I conceded, tilting my head before kissing him softly. His lips were soft as they always were and I found great comfort in his embrace. He smiled into the kiss and bit my bottom lip gently.

"You are so beautiful." His smile widened into a grin. "Wake me up like this every day and I'll die a happy man."

Climbing off him, I tucked the covers under my arm and peered up at him. He watched my every movement and his warm fingers slid across my b.a.r.e shoulder before curling around the nape of my neck. He sought after another kiss and I placed a hand on his c.h.e.s.t to stop him.

"We have to get dressed before Alina wakes up."

He g.r.o.a.n.e.d quietly and wrapped an arm around my waist under the covers.

I smiled into his shoulder. "Tristan…Alina is going to wake up soon."

Pulling back, he stared at me for a long moment and g.r.o.a.n.e.d as he turned to lay on his back. "I'm going to go crazy."

A light laugh fell from my lips and I leaned up to rest a hand on his sculpted c.h.e.s.t. I dropped a kiss on his warm skin. "I like the crazy Tristan."

"You're really not helping right now, Kara." He spoke dryly, looking at me with intense blue eyes. When he leaned in to kiss me again, I teasingly moved back.

I turned around to get out of bed and he quickly reached out to pull me back in. He underestimated my quick reflexes because I sidestepped him and pulled the covers clean off him. Facing him, I laughed and took him in. 

"Let go of the covers, baby." He sat up and I took a step back. His feet touched the floor and he reached for his boxers before pulling them on. When he stood up to his full, intimidating height, my eyes couldn't look anywhere but on his dark blues.

"No." Before he could react, I ran towards the bathroom and laughed at my quick escape.

Even after four years together, Tristan and I d.e.s.i.r.ed each other just as much as we did when we first saw each other. But I knew all of his tricks and could play him at his own game.

I made my way to the guest room's bathroom and passed Alina's bedroom on the way. Peeking in through the door, she was fast asleep but I knew it wouldn't last.

Tristan was by the door but I smiled saccharinely at him. "Don't try it." I whispered, nodding my head at Alina's door. He held his hands up but something told me it wasn't the end of our game. 

Once I locked myself in the bathroom, freshened up and got dressed, I returned to our bedroom to find her there. Thankfully, Tristan had tidied up and had her in his arms as they stood in the middle of the room. He looked freshly showered too and was ready for the day.

Alina seemed sleepy but giggled as Tristan kissed her cheek multiple times. She sensed me instantly and grinned happily. "Kisses for Mummy too, Daddy!"

I smiled, knowing the last thing he needed after getting his…certain feelings for me under control was my lips on his. I stepped up onto my tiptoes and kissed her cheek. Tristan laughed and wrapped an arm around my shoulder, pulling me to him. He didn't care. 

"I want kisses from Mummy, χαρα μου."

Love blossomed in his c.h.e.s.t as he looked at me and I melted, pressing my lips against his cheek. He grinned and returned the affection. "I love you, Kara."

I couldn't fight the smile. "I love you too, Tristan."

Alina wrapped an arm around my neck and pulled us all closer. "I love you, Mummy and Daddy!"

Tristan chuckled and I closed my eyes as I nuzzled my nose into her soft cheek. "We love you too, Alina."

—————

"It's nice to see you, kiddo." Matthijs pulled me into a warm hug after stepping away from Alina.

I wrapped my arms around him tightly and smiled against his shoulder. "Hey, Dad." He smelt strongly of strawberries and baked goods, in fact, the entire bakery did.

Two months before Alina was born, my parents both decided to open up a bakery. It had always been a dream of my dad's to have his own business and since my mother loved to bake with him, they were an amazing fit.

Whenever I could, I would help them out and work at the bakery. Alina loved going with me because my mum would always give her one slice of whatever cake she wanted.

"Is that Alina I hear?"

"Grandma!" Alina turned around and squealed excitedly as she ran towards my mother. My mum picked her up and hugged her tightly.

"You're taller every time I see you, sweetheart! What are Mummy and Daddy feeding you?"

I laughed. Alina was just above three feet tall, the average height for a child her age. But she had the energy of a six-year-old and in such a small body, it made her have a big presence. She could light up an entire room just with her smile.

As Alina and my mum caught up, my dad finished wiping down the tables.

"She's starting preschool soon, right?"

I glanced at my daughter briefly. "On Monday. Tristan and I have been taking her to spend time with some of the other pups that'll be in her class—so she's more comfortable."

He smiled. "She'll be fine. Might miss you a lot but the best thing about being in such a big pack is that she'll have loads of people to take her mind off it."

I agreed with him. Even though there were hundreds of people in the pack, no one felt like a stranger. In a sense, we were all family.

"Mummy, can we stay?"

Turning back to Alina, I winced slightly. "Not right now, honey."

Before she could dwell on my answer, my mother hugged her again. "You can stay with us tomorrow, sweetheart. Do you want to have a sleepover with Grandma and Grandpa?"

Her eyes lit up and she nodded instantly. "Can we make a pie this time?"

My mother answered in the affirmative and took a step back. I extended my hand out for Alina and before she slid her small fingers against my palm, she hugged Matthijs tightly.

"Bye, Grandma! Bye Grandpa!"

I waved as we left the bakery and set off for Brielle's house. Like I had expected when I first came to Greenland four years ago, Brielle had become my best friend. It was bound to happen since our ranks within the pack meant we spent a lot of time together.

As much as I loved Tristan, we couldn't spend every hour of the day together. I would still miss him if we were apart but Brielle was good company and it was nice to spend some time with her baby son.

When we got to her house, she was making brownies to pass the time as Leo napped. I had just sat down with her in the kitchen to drink tea when Tristan's voice sounded in my head.

'Baby, where are you right now?'

His deep voice sent shivers down my spine. 'I'm with Brielle at her house.'

'Okay. I need you to get to the western border. I want you to see this in person.'

I placed my mug down on the countertop. I hadn't felt any alarming emotions from him so it must not have been something serious but I was curious. 'Is everything okay?'

'At the moment, yes. Is Brielle okay with minding Alina for an hour?'

Exiting the mind-link with him for a moment, I glanced at Brielle. "Tristan needs me at the borders. Would you be able to watch Alina for me?"

Brielle nodded. "Of course I can."

I regarded her with a grateful smile and stood up. "Thank you so much."

'I'm coming now, Tristan.'