Chapter 2 Idalia and Aaron

Idalia Taylor was only 2 when her mother left them and her brother, Aaron was only 6 months old. Their father, Damien, was heartbroken and lost. He was a fighter a warrior a protector meant to be strong and tough. He never thought he would feel this kind of pain. He is a great father to his pups, but he always had their mother, Samantha, by his side.

It was late when he drove to the pack house which was not far from their home. Carrying his sleeping son and holding Idalia's hand as she sleepily stumbled, they walked inside the house only being lit by a lamp in the main room off the foyer. Damien walks Idalia to a sofa to lay down. "I'll be right back" he whispers. She just rubs her eyes and yawns. Holding Aaron tight he walks through the house looking for anyone awake.

All was quiet so he made a pillow bed on the floor in the main room tucking Aaron in the middle, so he doesn't roll around. Grabbing a few blankets to cover them with he lies between Aaron and the sofa Idalia sleeps on. He glances at his two innocent children with a weak smile and tears in eyes sighing "I will always protect you both." Idalia reached down for her daddy's hand and sleep takes him adrift.

Damien POV

Jolting from the touch of someone, I look around. "Daddy? Daddy, wake up!" Idalia is shaking me trying not to shout "Brother smells I think he pooped" as she scrunches her nose, and I can't help but smile. "Ok Allie Cat, I've got him" the nickname I gave her always makes her giggle "Let's go find some diapers for brother." She walks beside me holding her nose "He really stinks" she laughs. I entered a large bedroom created for children stocked for those from birth to preschoolers but of course open to all pack children. Laying Aaron on the changing table that holds diapers and other necessities I clean my little guy up. I look for Idalia and see her playing with blocks in the corner.

Footsteps come from the hall when I see Skye come in. Skye is an herbalist in the pack, and she lives at the pack house. Skye can heal almost any illness or wound so it's ideal for her to live here. Another member lives here as well, Camila, as the house mother. Young with no mate so I think she's more comfortable here with Skye rather than living alone.

"Hey Skye" giving her a grim smile trying to hide my pain although I know it's impossible. Picking up Aaron all wide eyed "All clean big boy." I chuckled as I lift him up giving him a little air bounce making him laugh.

Skye sees Idalia playing on the floor and kneels "Hi Idalia." Idalia smiles at her. "Hi miss Skye."

She then turns to me "Hi Damien. Did you just arrive?"

I kissed Aaron's forehead placing him in a playpen. Looking at Idalia then to Skye I slowly shook my head "Allie Cat, watch your brother, ok? I'm going to the kitchen with miss Skye." her smile could light the darkest of nights "Ok daddy. Could you bring me some juice please?" I smiled at my beautiful little girl "Of course I will." giving her a wink I left the room.

When we walked down the hall, she couldn't help but ask. "What happened Damien?"

"Let's get to the kitchen first. I don't want Idalia to hear anything." I explained as quiet as I could.

She nodded and paced faster in front of me. I felt like disappearing. I know I have to be strong for my pups but fuck! What am I going to do? I stopped before I got to the kitchen and leaned against the wall. I never want them to know this kind of pain. I need a distraction. I'll throw myself into my work. What the actual fuck! Taking a deep breath, I regain my composure and meet Skye in the kitchen.