Free Claimed by the Alphas: Part Six by Viola Rivard Page A

right now, they seemed perfect for one another.
     
    That was her last thought before she drifted to sleep. Her dreams were broken, fragmented images of her childhood, a few memories of her distant father, but mostly those of her mother. Then, her dreams shifted, and she was nestled between Asch and Caim—everything suddenly whole and complete.
     
    Everything hurt when she finally woke up. She tried desperately to fall back into the sublime peace of her dream world, but the sound of several people talking at once forced her into reality.
     
    Mila cracked open her eyes. A female silhouette hovered above her, gradually morphing into Gem’s smiling face.
     
    “Good evening,” she said with enthusiasm. “I have water for you, and food too, if you’re hungry.”
     
    Gem helped Mila up into a sitting position and offered her a cup of cool water. Mila accepted it graciously, gulping down the contents in two large swallows.
     
    She glanced around the room, her eyes landing on a small group congregating a few feet from the pallet. Lotus and Rosie were fawning over the baby, who was carefully tucked in the crook of Asch’s arm.
     
    Following her gaze, Gem said, “Don’t worry, she’s already eaten.” Mila blinked in confusion.
     
    Humor lacing his tone, Asch said, “We put her against your chest about an hour ago. You slept right through it.”
     
    Mila laughed, more from joy at seeing Asch than at her sleep-feeding. He looked genuinely happy, and it thrilled her. With considerable effort she crawled over to him and wrapped her arms around his neck, loosely embracing him.
     
    When she pulled back, Mila gazed into his eyes, searching for any sign of lingering sadness. There were so many things she wanted to say to him, but it was all too private for her to talk about in front of the others. Asch didn’t seem to have the same qualms.
     
    He placed a hand on the side of her face. “I was disappointed, but I’m fine now,” he assured her.
     
    “Honestly?” she said softly, as if speaking low would afford them any privacy in their present company.
     
    He looked down at Dawn, grinning. “How could I possibly be disappointed in her?”
     
    Dawn yawned and then, noticing Mila for the first time, made a fussy noise and reached out for her mother. Asch handed her over, placing the now familiar weight into Mila’s arms.
     
    ~~~
     
    Mila was grateful that Asch was so supportive, because Caim became downright tyrannical in the week that followed Dawn’s birth. Mila, Asch, and Fern were the only ones besides himself that were allowed to touch Dawn, or as he referred to her, ‘my daughter’, ‘my’ being the word he would emphasize when anyone tried to contradict him.
     
    It was charming at first, but quickly became exasperating, as he refused to let anyone leave their room with her, Asch and Mila included, unless he was present. Mila wouldn’t have tolerated it if Fern hadn’t explained that all of his instincts, particularly the need to protect Dawn, would be in overdrive for the first month. So, Mila did her best to be patient and managed to bite her tongue almost every time she felt the urge to say ‘she’s my daughter too!’ That was an argument which Caim was completely impervious to anyway.
     
    Mila spent most of her nights in her room with Dawn and various pack members that filtered in and out. Brae r eturned two days after Dawn’s birth, and had been happier than anyone to see that Mila and the baby were alright. Her arrival had also put Asch and Caim in the position of having to make a decision on the Blackthorn members.
     
    Talon had stayed in town with the injured boy, who by all accounts would make it, but not without his leg being amputated. After a very long, drawn out argument it was Mila who’d had the final say in the matter. The two elderly wolves would be given the option to leave if they wanted, but the children were staying with the Lazarus pack where they would be safe. That was