"Can I go with you?" Kohl asked as he clung onto my right leg. "Uh no Kohl. I'm sorry but I have to attend a very important meeting." His eyes began to water as he released his grip on my leg.

Kohl was a handful. I stayed up all night catering to his needs. After we finished one thing, he was ready to start the next. I finally got him to settle down around 5 in the morning. But by that time it was time for me to get ready. Sure enough, one hour later he was up and ready to play again. I didn't mind playing him, I actually enjoyed it. I was just busy and exhausted.

I lifted him up and placed him on the edge of the bed, then crouched down in front of him. "Look I'll be back before you know it, okay?" He nodded his head slowly.

"Stay in your room until I get back." I ran my hand through his curly brown hair then stood. I walked towards the door then glanced back at him one last time before I left.

As I began walking down the hallway Seth came rushing towards me. "Alpha." My Wolf was instantly on high alert. He was a threat in my wolf's eyes. It took a lot of me to hold my wolf down.

"What?" I said through clenched teeth.

Sensing my hostility, he took a step back. "Uh I heard you were allowing some of the Westbrook pack members to join our pack...." He said, keeping his head down. "Okay, what's your point?" I asked, clearly annoyed.

"I-I was just wondering if you'd allow Paisley and her mother to join our pack." I crossed my arms over my chest with a smile. I knew something was going on between the two, and this just confirmed it.

Wanting to see him squirm I pressed the subject. "And why is that Seth?" He snapped his head up as his eyes went wide. "Um, well...I like her." He muttered under his breath.

"You know what Seth. If this will help you get over my mate, then I'll do it." He shook his head. "I-I don't like Brinn."

I chuckled, "You're lying, but...nice try." I patted him on the shoulder and began walking away.

"Thank you alpha." He shouted down the hall. I shook my head. "Whatever dude."

Everyone was waiting for me once I entered the conference room. "Well it's about time you showed up." Richard said. I rolled my eyes and took my seat next to Ryan. I ran my hand over my face then sighed. "Okay we can split up Westbrook into our two packs." I said wearily.

"Okay straight down to business. I like it." Owen said excitedly. Richard gave Owen a hard look then spoke. "Then it's settled. I have a list of all the names of the remaining pack members." He said as he pulled out two sheets of papers with names on them. He handed one to me with a pen.

Ryan glanced over the list as I made notes on the families that wanted to stay together. "I'll take the Marcos family." Richard stated. I crossed them out then went down the list. "I'll take Paisley and her mother." He nodded then crossed out their names. We went on like this for an hour until we got to the last 3 names on the list.

My mind was already made up. After spending only a couple of hours with Kohl I had formed an unimaginable bond with him, and I knew at that moment he was coming home with me.

"I'm taking the kid." Richard raised his head slowly, then locked eyes with mine. "The alpha's son?" I nodded. "He has no family, but I'm sure you'll find a suitable one for him." He said with a smile.

"I already have." The whole room went silent as their eyes quickly landed on me. Richard crossed his arms over his chest. "You have a pup on the way. Do you really think taking in another one is a smart choice?" He asked. "My family will always be taken care of Alpha Richard." I narrowed my eyes at him. Daring him to challenge me. He held my gaze for twenty long seconds before he shook his head and started laughing. "You're lucky you're my daughter's mate." He said.

The whole room visibly relaxed when they realized their would be no fighting today. "Okay I'll take the last family then we can make the announcement to the pack in an hour." After he checked off the last family we all stood then exited the room. I made my way towards the back of the pack house to make a quick call to Brinn.

"Hello." She said sleepily. "Sorry I didn't mean to wake you."

"No it's fine, I should have been up an hour ago. Your mom bought something for the pup and she wanted to show them to me." I chucked.

"So what's up? I know it's something, you're talking all nervous and stuff." She asked.

I ran my hand through my hair. "We chose who were bringing back to the pack."

"That's great." She said excitedly. "But there's this kid, he's the alpha's son." I said hurriedly.

"Okay?" She said, waiting for an explanation. "I know it sounds weird but I've taken a liking towards him, and I was just wondering if he could stay with us for a while?"

The line went silent for a while. "Titus..." She trailed off. "I know it's sudden, but he's a really good kid Brinn."

She sighed. "How old is this kid?" A smile made it's way onto my face. "He's five." She chuckled lightly. "Who would of thought the big bag alpha getting attached to a five year old. What's his name?"

"Kohl." I heard her rummaging through something before she spoke again. "Well I guess I better tell your mom and Maci to get the spare room together huh?" I couldn't help the smile that appeared on my face. "If that's not too much to ask."

She scoffed. "Of course not, the little munchkin needs somewhere to sleep."

"Thank you Brinn."

"Yeah I know I'm the best. Just hurry home."

"Titus?" I turned around to see Kohl at the door smiling up at me. "Okay Brinn I'll see you this evening. I love you."

"You know how I feel about you." I chuckled then ended the call. "I told you to stay in your room Kohl." I said as I shoved my phone in my pocket.

He sighed, "I know but I got hungry."

"Oh. I guess I should of gave you food before I left huh?" He nodded. "I grabbed his hand and led him into the kitchen. I sat him down at the round kitchen table as a she wolf in her 40's walked towards us.

"I'm so sorry alpha is he bothering you? Kohl you should be in your study." He dropped his head down as she scolded him. I quickly stood in front of her, blocking her view from him. "No he's not bothering me. Can you make him some breakfast?" I turned towards him. "Kohl what do you want for breakfast?" I asked.

"Pancakes!" He said excitedly. I turned towards the she wolf and waited for her to start preparing his food. "I'm sorry alpha, but I am Kohl's caretaker and his father never allowed him to eat anything sweet this early in the morning." I crossed my arms over my chest and glared down at her. She lowered her head in submission.

"Just do as I say." She nodded then scurried towards the fridge to get the ingredients.

I sat down next to Kohl at the table. "So what do you usually do during the day?" He bit his bottom lip as he thought about his schedule. "I eat breakfast, then I study with my tutor." He said.

"After that?" He shrugged his shoulders.

"That's it." I tilted my head to the side in confusion. "You don't play outside or anything." He shook his head. "No daddy said alpha's don't have time for playing." I noticed the she wolf repeatedly glancing towards us.

"That's true, but the circumstances are different for pups." He smiled. "It's okay, I don't mind studying. Sometimes my tutor plays games with me." I ruffled my hand through his hair with a weak smile. "How would you feel about coming to live with my mate and I." His blue eyes lit up. "Really?!" He said with a bright smile.

Both of us jumped as the she wolf slammed the pan on the counter. "I'm sorry alpha but Kohl can not stay with you. I promised his father I would look after him." Something was off about this she wolf. I wouldn't go as far to say she was abusing Kohl, but their definitely was some mistreatment going on. They were taking his childhood away from him, like my father had done me. I would not let that happen.

I stood and walked towards her. "This matter does not concern you. I suggest you stand down unless you want to be punished." Her eyes went wide as she slowly nodded.

She walked away to grab the pancakes then placed them in front of Kohl. After bowing her head the scurried out of the kitchen. Kohl stared down at his pancakes with tears falling down his face. I crouched next to him and placed my arm over his shoulders. "Hey it's okay. I'll take care of you okay?" He nodded then quickly wiped his tears.

Paisley walked into the room with a big smile. "Alpha Richard is about to speak to the pack." She announced.

I nodded then stood. "Eat your pancakes." Kohl nodded then began eating. I pulled Paisley to the side so Kohl wouldn't hear our conversation.

"Yes Alpha?" I shoved my hands into my pockets. "How was Kohl treated by his caretaker and father." Her smile dropped to a frown. "It's not my place to say..." She said quietly.

"Paisley, I won't ask again." I warned. "O-okay. His father was hard on him, but he never hurt him if that's what your getting at." She explained.

"And the caretaker?" She lowered her head. "I-I saw her hit him once. B-but That was it." I scoffed, "And no one told the alpha!" I was raging at this point. "I tried! But the alpha has a special bond with Claudine. He loved Kohl, he really did. Kohl just reminded him too much of his mate so he had Claudine care for him."

I shook my head in disgust. "Pack a bag for you and Kohl. We are leaving this evening. And do not let him out of your sight. Do you understand?" She nodded. I looked in Kohl's direction. He stared up at me and smiled as syrup was all over his hands and mouth. I smiled then left the pack house.

Ryan joined me as I began walking towards the crowd of people. "You sure about taking little dude in?" He asked. "Yeah, why?"

He shrugged his shoulders. "I'm just making sure. One pup is already rough, but two is a whole different ball game." I shook my head. "I'll be fine Ryan. I might loose a couple nights of sleep but I'll be fine." He smiled then patted my shoulder. "You're doing a great thing. I'm proud of you big fella." I eyed him weirdly before we both burst into laughter.

We joined Owen and Richard in front of the crowd before Richard began to speak. "We know you all are going through a tragic loss at this time. Trust me I understand." He took a deep breath trying to get himself back together. "Without at Beta or Alpha we have decided to allow you all to join our packs. I know it is going to be hard to leave your old life behind but hopefully you can create a new and better one in our packs." The crowd clapped.

"So I am going to call out the members joining my pack and if your name isn't called you will be joining Alpha Titus's pack. If you do not like your placement you our welcome to plead your case with one of us." "And please do not be discouraged. You are welcome to visit any of your friends anytime you want. With our permission of course." They all nodded in agreement.

It took about ten minutes to get down the list of names but once he finished I finally relaxed. "The rest of you will be joining Titus's pack. Please begin packing your belongings, we leave in four hours." Many of the pack members left to collect their belongings and to say their goodbyes.

My body instantly tensed as Claudine approached Richard and I. My wolf growled in my head, already feeling a protective instinct over Kohl. She bowed her head respectfully. "Hello alphas. I am very grateful you are allowing me to stay in your pack alpha Richard, but I would like to be close to the alpha's son. We are very close and-"

Before she could finish I cut her off. "Absolutely not." She glared at me while the rest stared at me in confusion.

Richard cleared his throat. "Titus, I don't see why not." He said in confusion. "She knows why." I said not keeping my eyes off her.

I stepped closer towards her, causing her to take a step back. "You're not allowed near him ever again. Do you understand?" She stomped her feet. "No you can not take him away from me! He's mine!!" She screamed.

All it took was one look to Al and he was taking her away. "I'm the only once who can care for him! I'm the only one who can love him!" She yelled through sobs.

"O..kay, well I'm gonna go now. But you guys have a nice chat." Owen said before he left.

"She hurt the kid?" Richard said as he shoved his hands into his pants pockets and stared down at his shoes. "Yeah, but now I'm thinking in more ways then one." My heart was breaking for Kohl. My wolf wanted to kill Claudine. If his father had just paid a little more attention to him.

"Well she's not joining my pack either." Richard muttered.

"Seth you and Al are to drop her off at a secluded location and make she sure she understands that if she steps foot on any of our territories she will be executed." Richard said.

Seth nodded. "Yes sir." He left to catch up with Al. Richard turned to face me. "He's going to need a lot of love. But I have no doubt you and my daughter will be great to him." He patted my back the headed towards the pack house.

"Dude That bítch is sick!" Ryan said in disgust. "If anyone ever touched Ellie like that, well they'd be six feet under by now." I ran my hand over my face. I don't want to think about it anymore, it disgusted me. And the more I thought about it the angrier I got.

"I'm going to go take a nap. Make sure everyone is packed and ready." He nodded, "Yeah of course." I took a deep breath then went to go search for Kohl.

***