(Cole's POV)

Two Years Later

Emerging from the invigorating shower, I attired myself to the day's tasks. However, the sound of Nikki's cries diverted my attention. Swiftly, I picked her up and cradled her in my arms, attempting to soothe her distress.

"Why are you crying, sweetheart? Are you hungry, hurt, or in need of sleep?" I inquired, gently bouncing my two-year-old mate on my lap in an effort to calm her. I wished for her to rest, especially with an important meeting just two hours away and my time running short.

"My tummy hurts," Nikki's voice quivered, her tears moistening my neck.

"Why does your tummy hurt, princess?" I expressed my concern.

"I ate a pen," she confessed.

"You did what?!" My voice rose involuntarily in shock.

"Zane," she replied, referring to my beta who was responsible for watching over her while I showered.

"Zane. Living room. Now," I telepathically summoned Zane, my tone indicating the urgency of the situation. As I scanned Nikki's pen, my eyes landed on a red marker with its tip bitten off.

"Nikki ingested a red pen, and now her stomach aches. What should I do?" I queried our pack doctor through a mind link.

"Yes, Alpha Cole?" Zane's voice resonated as he entered the living room, attuned to my commanding tone in our mental connection.

"You allowed Nikki to eat a pen?!" I exclaimed, addressing Zane with a mix of disbelief and frustration.

"No! She did it when I momentarily looked away to communicate with Emma," Zane explained, referring to his mate.

I sighed, diverting my attention to solving the issue at hand. "Prepare an ice water bottle for her."

"I apologize, Alpha," Zane's remorse was evident.

"Step aside. You will no longer oversee Nikki's well-being," I stated firmly, concerned for her safety under his care.

"Come, princess Nikki, let's fetch an ice water bottle for you." I murmured, guiding her to the kitchen where I prepared the soothing remedy. After offering her

the bottle, I called upon Trevor, instructing him to look after Nikki during the impending meeting, allowing me to focus on my responsibilities.

Upon our arrival at the meeting, Nikki remained nestled in my arms. The sight of her elicited surprised reactions from the Alphas and their Lunes.

"Alpha Cole? You never mentioned having a child, let alone a mate!" Alpha John exclaimed.

"Nikki is my mate, and that's precisely why we are here," I clarified, determined to address their astonishment.

"Your mate is a child!" Alpha John's disbelief echoed.

"I understand this situation is unusual, but age is not a determinant of our connection. Currently, Nikki and I share a father-daughter relationship, free from any inappropriate intentions," I reassured them.

Nikki's restlessness prompted my attention. Seating her on my lap, I encouraged her to relax as we navigated the meeting proceedings. Her adorable greeting, "Hi! I wala I two!" garnered friendly waves and affectionate coos from the attendees.

A request for a bathroom break interrupted the meeting. Nikki's request was promptly fulfilled by Trevor, who escorted her away. Meanwhile, concerns were raised regarding the challenges posed by our unique bond.

"Cole, you must consider the potential drawbacks. You'll have to wait until she turns at least 16 to perform the mating ritual. Moreover, the significant age gap and her human status raise concerns," Alpha Mike remarked, his expression revealing his distaste for the term "human."

"Regardless of species or age, my love for Nikki remains unwavering. She is my mate, and I'll cherish her regardless of any obstacles," I asserted passionately, eager to steer the conversation back to the intended agenda.

After Nikki left, my focus returned to the meeting. People were talking about a problem with rogues – those are werewolves who don't belong to any pack and sometimes cause trouble. But then, someone said something that made me really angry. They suggested that I should find a different mate from another pack because they thought Nikki might not be strong enough to be my partner.

I felt like a fire was burning inside me, wanting to snap back at them. But I took a deep breath and calmed myself down. I said, "No, my wolf didn't make a mistake in choosing Nikki. Questioning the mate bond is like questioning the moon goddess herself. Let's get back to the main reason we're here – to talk about the rogue problem."

Everyone stopped talking about my mate and started discussing the rogues again. We realized that these rogues, who had been quiet before, were now causing trouble by going into other pack territories, attacking them, and even kidnapping pack members, including women and kids. We tried to figure out why the rogues were acting this way and how to stop them.

One person said, "Maybe they're desperate and that's why they're doing this." Another added, "There might be some changes happening among the rogues that we don't know about." We all shared our ideas and tried to come up with a plan to deal with the rogue threat.

After Nikki left, and with a fleeting thought about her, my attention snapped back to the meeting. The air was tense, heavy with the weight of unresolved discussions. Trevor Cole, the Alpha, scanned the faces around the table, each representing a different pack, each with its own set of concerns.

As the conversation resumed, an Alpha from a neighbouring pack, Alpha Jensen, spoke up, his voice carrying a hint of contention. "You know, Cole, I've been thinking. Maybe it's time to consider other options for a mate. Nikki is a sweet girl, but she's quite petite. Handling the responsibilities of a Luna might be too much for her. You've been without a mate for a long time, and maybe your wolf's judgment isn't as clear as it used to be."

Murmurs of agreement and nods spread through the room, punctuated by sympathetic looks from a few Lunas. One of them chimed in, "Absolutely, Cole. Our daughters are strong and capable. They could be a better fit for you."

The suggestion hit like a shockwave, igniting a fire of anger and possessiveness within me. My fists clenched involuntarily under the table, a physical response to the intrusive idea. Taking a deep breath, I fought to maintain composure, knowing that losing control wouldn't help. "I appreciate your concern, but

Nikki is my mate. My wolf's choice is resolute, and I trust it completely," I responded firmly.

Alpha Jensen's gaze held a mix of scepticism and challenge, but I held his stare without flinching. "Cole, we're just looking out for your best interests," he insisted.

I shook my head, my tone unwavering. "Questioning the mate bond is like questioning the moon goddess herself. I won't raise doubts about her decision."

Sensing the tension in the room, I quickly shifted the focus. "Now, let's get back to the main reason we're here – the rogue threat."

The room collectively refocused the diversion set aside for the more pressing concern at hand. Alpha Jensen's proposition faded into the background as we delved into a heated discussion about the rogues' escalating actions. They had shifted from being quiet outsiders to bold aggressors, causing havoc within our territories.

Alpha Ramirez, a battle-hardened leader, leaned forward. "These rogues are acting differently now. It's not just about territory. They're going after our weakest members – the children and the women. We need to figure out why."

The room erupted with a mix of theories and ideas. "Maybe they're desperate," Luna Rodriguez suggested, concern etched on her face.

Alpha Jensen, now contributing to the primary topic, added, "There could be a power struggle among the rogue packs, causing them to act more aggressively."

As the conversation swirled, I found my voice again, interjecting with my own thoughts. "It's possible they're targeting us strategically, exploiting our vulnerabilities. We need to be prepared for anything."

The discussions continued, a symphony of ideas and perspectives building upon one another. Amid the charged atmosphere, my mind raced, analyzing patterns, drawing connections, and contributing to the evolving strategy.

Eventually, the tedious meeting concluded, and I seized the opportunity to take Nikki to a park as a reward for her good behaviour. Once back home, we shared a meal before succumbing to sleep, ready to face another day together.