Mommy, I Want A New Alpha Daddy

Consumed By Sadness

CORBIN'S POV

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Whoever said fate doesn't exist has never been in my situation. The pure satisfaction that shoots through my veins like lightning while watching Azalea say, "I, Azalea, reject you, Elion, and your pack," is overstimulating enough to have my knees wobble with relief.

I wouldn't wish this sort of pain on one of the hardest days of her life, but to stand here and witness the start of Elion's downfall is beyond mind blowing.

Azalea Morvain has always been too good for Elion. At the International Alpha Academy, she was even too good for me, but damn it was fun to rival in every single thing, to watch her being pushed to the edge of her breaking point, but she always turned at the edge, collected herself and came back even more fierce, and I can't help but wonder if this is one of those times too.

'Come on Az, you can do better than this,' I taunt, circling her on my toes. Her dark chocolate locks stick to her red face. 'I'm not even trying, Ashy,' She grins, those grey eyes of hers blazing with a lightning storm. 'Ashthorn.' I correct her for the trillionth time, and her grin widens as she swipes her hair out of her face. 'Ashy is better, because I burn you every single time,' the confidence that she carries is as hot as the sun baking down on my head. 'How do you burn me when you're so vain?' I sigh, tilting my head, and the lightning storm in her eyes turns dark with anger.

As Elion and his little family is escorted out of the Storm Blazer's pack, I see Azalea picking up a little kid. It isn't any little kid, it's definitely hers. She is the spitting image of her mother. "Mommy, where's daddy going?" I hear the little girl as I approach them, her voice soft. Azalea hugs her daughter a little tighter, the dullness in her eyes making her look broken beyond repair as she gazes after Elion. "Daddy has to go, Ly-Bug." Azalea's voice cracks, but she's quick to plaster a small smile on, forcing herself to be okay for the sake of her daughter.

"Alpha Ashthorn," A female steps in front of me, her big brown eyes sparkling as she smiles. I have no idea who the hell she is, "Excuse me," I nod, swerving around her as politely as I can. I catch her smile dropping from the side of my eye, but it doesn't bother me one bit. I'm used to women coming up to me, looking for security and chasing after my title. It has become a reflex to dodge them like flying daggers coming straight for my head.

She's breath-takingly beautiful as I approach her, but her eyes are filled with heartbreaking sorrow.

"Azalea," I breathe her name. Her gaze lifts at the familiarity of my voice, and she turns her head, her face falling for a beat before she recomposes. "My condolences," Her eyes narrow at the choice of words, "For your father, I mean." I clarify, making her face relax as the tension becomes less, and I can't fight the small smile tugging at my lips.

She's uniquely beautiful, her stormy gaze becoming cool like the clouds overshadowing the sun. "This isn't the best time, Corbin." Her smile is tight, restrained and totally fake, like Elion. I still cannot fathom what he did, or how he's stupid enough to f**k something up with Azalea Morvain.

My gaze flicks down to her daughter as her tiny hands wrap around the hem of her black dress that fits her upper body like a glove, the bottom half flowing loosely around her to just above her knees, and my ears perk up when she speaks, "Mommy, can you come play with me?" Something so small, so innocent, yet not good enough for Elion. He's a pure bred i***t. Azalea glances down at her daughter with all the love in her eyes, but the world's weight on her shoulders. "Azalea dear," A woman approaches, one I haven't met before, stealing Azalea's attention. Her curls hanging loose around her face, tucked in behind her ears. She turns to Luna Octavia, "Octavia, I'm so sorry for your loss. Darcus will be missed," She croons overly sympathetically. "Thank you, Mary." Luna Octavia sighs through her forced smile.

This Mary woman faces Azalea, and I flinch as her head innocently tilts, her curls falling over her shoulder. She's not about to-- "Good for you for choosing yourself and your precious daughter, some women just ignore the betrayal." She did. How do women say things like this? How can some women be so insensitive?

Azalea only nods, her lips pressed in a thin line. They're painted red, like blood, and it's the most beautiful color on her.

I step forward, catching her attention as her gaze flicks towards me without her moving her head. I kneel in front of her, turning to her daughter, "I'm Corbin, what's your name?" Everyone's attention is now on us, and not Azalea. I believe she needs the break. "Lyra," She whispers, thumb in mouth, her green eyes a beautiful olive color. "Wow," My eyebrows rise as I stretch the word out, "That's a pretty special name, you know that?" Her hand falls away, the small smile stretching wide, and I mirror her smile.

"Want to play?" I notice Azalea tense, whether it's from shock or from fear, I don't know, but what I do know is that I would never be able to hurt someone who looks like Azalea, nor would I want to. Lyra nods, and I offer my hand. Her petite fingers wrap around my large one, and I glance up at Azalea, winking before I raise to my feet. Azalea's eyes are wide, on alert and it almost makes me laugh.

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AZALEA'S POV

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Did he just wink at me before taking my daughter to play? As guests, friends, and allies surround my mother and I, I can't help but be totally distracted by my daughter's new 'friend'. I've been watching them for five minutes, and they remain oblivious to my surveillance. "Azalea," My mother hisses, swatting my hands that are neatly folded in front of me. Turning my attention to the woman who birthed me, my eyes soften, "Sorry," I mumble, feeling awful for ignoring the guests that have traveled far to join us for the funeral. The City itself is in the middle of all our packs is a two-hour drive.

"Miss Val asked if you're alright," My mother repeats the question I didn't even hear. I quickly glance at Val, eyes softening, "I'm keeping it together," In all honesty, I should have said I'm fine, but no one is fine at their father's funeral. "Such a brave woman you grew up to be," Val beams, the pity in her eyes making my stomach churn uncomfortably.

"Excuse us so that we can have a moment to say goodbye," My mother steps up next to me, her arm linking with mine. The golden charms on her bracelet jingling as we turn away from the guests who are smiling understandably.

"Thank you," I breathe, our steps slow as we approach the filled grave. My chest tightens uncomfortably at the sight of the fresh dirt that's laying on a heap. "We both needed it," Mom breathes, her entire body stiff with tension. "We did," I agree, my voice a soft whisper.

"His headstone will arrive in a few days when the dirt is settled and hard enough to keep it upright." The heartbreak in my mother's voice is as clear as daylight, and there's absolutely nothing I can do about it. They've been together for so long, and I cannot imagine the heartache she's experiencing.

"We'll be here for it, right?" It's not something I want to miss. I want it to be perfect, and if I had the magic to make the ground hard today, I would have had the gravestone be planted right now. "We will, and I'm moving out of the Alpha's chambers. You are welcome to move in there, because I can't sleep without him there." I silently nod, a surge of excitement pulsing through me.

Something new is awaiting for me, but the my gut wrenches at the thought of moving into the Alpha's chambers. It's large, and not entirely my place. My mother reaches her hand out, resting it on my shoulder. I glance at her, our gazes locking, "You're the Alpha now, Azalea." Her smile is faint, but her eyes are filled with pride, "Make him proud."

I squat to my haunches, my chest and throat tightening as I take a rose out of the vase and lay it upon the fresh dirt, "Goodbye, daddy." I breathe, a tear slipping from my eye, rolling over my cheek. I bite back the sob as I squeeze my eyes shut, imagining my father one last time.

"I'll give you a minute," I stand, stepping away to give my mother one last moment with dad. Striding toward the shade under a tree, my gaze falls on Corbin, carrying Azalea. "Az," he breathes, a coat of sweat covering his forehead, his hair sticking to his skin. "What are you--", "She's asleep," Corbin interrupts in a hushed whisper, a warning not to be loud. My lips press into a thin line as I stare at Lyra fast asleep in Corbin's arms.

She doesn't fall asleep without me, ever.

"Did you give her something?" My gaze flicks up to Corbin, his eyes widening, "Are you implying that I'd drug a child?" He c***s his head, eyebrows raised.

That did sound terrible.

"No," I shake my head, glancing back at my mother for a beat as I brush my hair behind my ear. "Sorry, she just doesn't usually fall asleep if I'm not around," I explain, his eyes softening. "I'm glad she loves me," Corbin grins cockily, his eyes gleaming with mischief.

"She doesn't know you," I retort, reaching for her, "I'll carry her," He steps back, and my eyes narrow on him, "Are you planning on stealing her?" I taunt, and he glances down at my sleeping daughter, a small smile stretching across his face, "I could," He shrugs, and I inch closer, making his smile broadening, showing off his perfectly white teeth as he laughs silently.

"Relax, Morvain. I wouldn't steal your daughter.", "You don't think she's cute?" I question with a raised brow. "She's perfect, but I don't want to die by your hand just yet," He grins, winking once more. My insides twitch with nervousness.

What is Corbin up to?

"Well, I should get her to bed," I glance sideways to our small town of houses in the far. "I'll walk with you, we could catch up." He shrugs. Standing in comfortable silence, we stare at one another, "You certainly haven't changed much," I huff, turning as a silent agreement. Corbin grins, a dimple forming in his cheek as he falls into a step beside me. "I've changed a lot as a matter of fact,", "How?" My eyes roll in disbelief. "I'm Alpha now, I've let go of my competitive side a little, and I'm clearly more handsome," he lifts his chin. A small smile stretches across my face, because even if I want to laugh, I physically can't.