Chapter 0171 

A few days ago (Weeks before the mating ceremony), 

Jake POV 

It was the evening after the full moon. The day after my best friend and Alpha won back his mate. More than anything, I wanted to head back to Los Angeles where my life was normal. At least, it would seem like normal if I was far from this town. But Nick and Richard had just touched down, and we needed to talk strategy for a physical attack. 

Celia, Alpha Lazarus‘ only child, was a Forest Moon prisoner as of this afternoon. That meant we were already at war with the Night Storm. 

Before our meeting, Richard thought it important to assign duties to the warriors that had just arrived town. He excused himself to do that. While I followed the Alpha to dinner at his 

mate’s. 

It was almost 7:30 PM when we drove into the private residence that Sara and the heir now occupied. 

“You didn’t have to come,” Nick muttered. I heard the complaint in his tone. 

He was right. There was no reason for me to be here. But I only had two choices. Watching the Alpha ogle Sara all evening or going to spy on a certain ill half she–wolf. The former was 

the safer choice. 

My heart skipped a few beats as usual when I recalled my current dilemma. 

What was I going to do about that little situation? How could the Fate bind me to a half–wolf? 

The girl didn’t yet know I existed. Had no clue about our kind. 

It had been twenty–four hours since our hearts joined, and I still could not think of what to do. 

Nick brought the car to halt near the garage. I could immediately tell that Sara’s father was inside, which made me breathe a silent prayer of thanks. 

His presence was added assurance that there would be no touchy kissy for the two during dinner. That the older male agreed to move here with his child and grandchild was such a 

relief for everyone. 

“Eating is all you’ll get here tonight.” 

I didn’t realize I had mocked Nick out loud if not for the dirty look he gave me. 

1/3 

+25 BONUS 

Chapter 0171 

He made no reply, causing me to wonder if it was because I had ignored all of his jokes since last night. 

Oh, how I wanted so much to tell him about the mate bond. But I needed to process the whole thing on my own first. I needed to decide my next step before sharing that info with another soul. 

Sara emerged from the mini mansion with Alex behind her. The little one held his favorite warrior teddy bear on one hand. His eyes alight with joy at the arrival of his daddy. As always, I was startled by father and son’s uncanny resemblance. 

As I got out of the car lazily, I half–expected the girl to run into Nick’s arms. It seemed like she wanted to. Maybe they weren’t there yet. Or was she shy because of me? 

She came down the short steps of the porch, and Nick opened his arms anyway, inviting her into his embrace. The sight so weirdly fascinating that I found it hard to look away. 

When she came into his arms, he squeezed her into a warm, tight hug, burying his face on her neck and drinking in her scent. Then he began pressing kisses to her neck. Chin. Then, lips. She didn’t let him deepen the kiss. 

“Thank Goddess,” I muttered when she put a stop to the PDA. 

Her father’s eyes were on them from one of the bedroom’s window. 

“Hey, Sara,” I greeted a little too loud. 

“Hey, Jake,” she replied without looking my way. 

Her son stood behind the two, waiting his turn for daddy’s hug. 

“There’s my little alpha.” Nick hoisted him into his arms with the teddy bear. 

“Welcome, Alpha. Mommy said I have to call you Alpha sometimes,” he said. 

“Mommy’s right. She’s really smart. How was school today?” He asked, putting the kid back down. 

Alex began his tale of all that happened in his kindergarten that day. Apparently, he and his bully were now friends. 

“Welcome, uncle beta,” he greeted in mid narration, waving at me. 

“Thanks, Alex. What about MY hug?” 

He rushed into my arms as we all made our way inside.