The Brutal Alpha's Tender Daughter novel Chapter 61

With that she had rushed towards me and had hugged me tightly. Memories had suddenly appeared in my head and had urged me to tighten my arms around her too. She still smelt like poppies and wildflowers and I had drawn comfort from that. Mom had drawn back and had gently grabbed my face to look in astonishment at me.

"It's really you, my little Nathan.", she had murmured again and again.

I had felt myself getting teary eyed too, but it had not been until my dad had pulled me into a bone crushing hug and had whispered to me "Welcome back son!" that I had started to cry.

My parents had stared at me with so much wonder, affection and love that I had finally realized that it had not been just me who had lacked something the last twenty years.

That night a big party for my return had been held and of course I had been nervous as hell how the pack would react to me, but I had not need to worry as I had been welcomed back with open arms. It had felt so natural to interact with my pack members, to laugh with them and tell stories about our lives that I had not felt out of place once.

Our pack, my wolf had let me know, telling me that he had felt as comfortable, as at home here with them as I had.

In the following days a lot had happened, as I had found out that I was going to be the next Alpha. My eyes had instantly sought out Levin's, because I had known that he had been preparing himself for this role his whole life, but he had just grinned at me and I had noticed the relief in his eyes. Never once had I felt nervous or panicky about my dad's words. I had known that there still was a lot I had to learn, especially about my own race, but even though I had felt ready. It had seemed that I had waited for this opportunity all my life.

I had also grown closer with Levin again and now we behaved like the last twenty years had not happened at all. It was just too easy to push his buttons or make him laugh about something stupid.

Sophia was always on my mind and it had not been the first time I had wondered how she had ended up here in the Crescent Moon pack. I had asked Levin about it and just his concerned expression had told me that I would not like what I was going to hear. And he had been right to be worried. When I had heard from Levin that they had first believed they were mates I lost it. Rage had consumed me and had it not been for Oliver, Levin's mate as I had figured out quickly, who had shown me Levin's mark on his neck, I would probably had attacked my own brother.

And I just knew in my heart that Sophia definitely was not like her father. She was kind and sensitive.

My parents, especially my mom, had been worried sick when they had learnt that Sophia had misunderstood our first encounter and that her wolf had taken over. My mom had told me that she already considered Sophia as her daughter, especially because her own parents had not treated her as their child themselves. I had been furious and curious about Sophia's upbringing, but dad had interrupted mom and had told me that all this information should come from Sophia herself. I had nodded my head in understanding not wanting to lose my mate's trust before I even had it. However, it had been difficult for me to not avenge my mate somehow.

Except of growing closer to my family and pack, thinking about Sophia and yearning to have her by my side, my father and Levin had showed me our pack and had let me train with everybody.

I had been exhausted at the end of each day, but finally my life had seemed meaningful again. I had a task - becoming a great Alpha. And of course I had Sophia, she was already the center of my life.