To protect what’s mine Chapter 51

Rose had been so excited about going to the park. She couldn’t sit still all morning. She had refused a nap, being too excited to go. Rose practically vibrated out of her skin as Sam arrived at the house. Rose demanded a piggyback ride on the way to the park. Sam smiled at her and bent down. She climbed onto his back and away we went. He adjusted his grip on the picnic basket and Rose on his back.

Uncle Mike and I talked as we made our way towards the park. I was looking forward to seeing the park for the first time in seven years. I thought about all the fun times I had playing here. He pointed out different things to me as we make our way through the three blocks to the city park in the middle of the pack.

The park showed its age as we arrived shortly after one. The equipment showed the peeling paint and rust signs. The plastic showed sun-wear and aging.

As we arrive at the park, Rose slid off Sam’s back and takes off towards the equipment. She climbs the steps as fast as her little legs allow her to. It takes a few minutes before she is standing at the top of the multi level equipment that has platforms, slides, and other climbing equipment. Rose smiles and waves at us from the top as we sit off to the side on a park bench. She then takes off across the bridge to look from a different platform.

Sam and I sit on the bench as Mike parks his wheelchair beside us. I smile as I watch her smile at us. Rose talks to herself as she races from one platform to another. She is in her own little world as she smiles and explores.

“Mommy! I princess of world!” Rose shouts excitedly from where she is perched.

“You are,” I tell her with a smile. I turn and look at Sam. “Thank you for coming with.”

“Don’t worry about it,” he dismisses. Sam scans the area like he is expecting a fight.

I can’t blame him. Rose and I were supposed to be safe at the hospital and had been attacked by a visiting Alpha. Why has the last three weeks had to be so complicated?

Yes, I was free from my parents. But now everything was different and unfamiliar. With them, I had structure for my life and Rose’s. Yes, I was reunited with the twins. But now, they were my mates. I was terrified I would mess up with them. Yes, I had freedom and was able to leave their house. But the pack had moved on as I had been forced to remain hidden away. Everything was so different now.

“Everything will be okay,” Uncle Mike says, breaking me out of my thoughts.

“It’s just a lot,” I tell them. I feel like I have been saying that a lot lately.

“You have us if you ever want to talk about it,” he says as he pats my hand.

“I know, James said the same thing. I just don’t know where to begin,” I answer.

“Start where you feel comfortable and when you feel comfortable,” Mike tells me.

I nod my head as I try to spot Rose. I seize up as I can’t spot her right off the bat.

“She’s in the tube,” Sam says, he must feel me stiffen.

My eyes shoot to the tube to try and find my daughter. I spot her after a second. Her hair is sticking up at odd angles from static electricity from the plastic of the tube. Her hair makes me smile. Goddess, I wish my leg was fully healed so I can climb the equipment with her.

“Hi darling,” Mark purrs in my ear.

I sit up straighter in both at being startled and because of what his voice does to me.

*‘Goddess, he should always whisper in our ear,’* Beren sighs in contentment.

I want to agree, but I am not going to go there right now. We are in public and I’m not going to get horny. I turn to shoot a glare at Mark. But I stop my glare as I don’t spot Cal. He must see the confusion on my face.

“Sam’s sister, Molly, needed to talk with him,” he tells us.

“What did my sister need?” Sam asks in confusion.

“Don’t know. I didn’t stick around to find out,” Mark laughs.

Sam gives him a flat look.

I try to remember Molly. I can barely remember her. I feel like she had the same dark brown hair as Sam. But other than that, I don’t remember what she looks like. I bite back a sigh. I try not to be jealous that Cal stayed behind to be able to talk to her. I am about to say something when I spot Cal running towards the park.

Mark smiles as he sees my face. He gives me a knowing look. “Hi Rosebud,” Mark shouts as he takes off towards the equipment.

“Daddy,” she squeals as she tries to find a way down to give Mark a hug.

“Hi love,” Cal says as he comes up to us and kisses my head.

“Hi,” I tell him with a smile. “How was your day?”

“Boring,” he tells me as he jumps the park bench.

I laugh at him as he settles on the bench beside me.

“You could have walked around,” Sam states blandly.

“This was quicker,” he says as he moves me into his lap.

I let out a chuckle as I get comfortable. “You just acted like Mark,” I tell him.

“Can’t let him always be the immature one,” he says with a smirk.

“Papa!” Rose laughs as she waves from a different platform now. She appeared to still be trying to find a way down. She seems to get impatient and lets out a cry.

“I got you,” Mark laughs as he quickly scales the side of the equipment to get to Rose. He picks her up and holds her in one arm as he climbs over the side of the equipment. Mark climbs down the side.

I’m about to yell at Mark when Cal wraps his arms around my waist.

Mark must see my face. He brings Rose to me and states, “Sorry.”

“I princess of castle,” Rose says happily as she points back towards the equipment.

“That you are,” Cal rumbles as he sets his chin on my shoulder. I lean back into him and relax.

“Come on Rosebud, let’s go play some more. Maybe you can get Sam to play with us,” Mark smirks.

“No,” Sam growls.

“Please Uncle Sammy,” Rose pleads. She must have been training with James, because she breaks out the puppy eyes. Sam is putty in her hands as he heaves a sigh. He gets up and follows Mark and Rose.