A Mother Before A Mate
Chapter 2

It's 2 am and I'm awake feeding baby girl. I have an alarm set for every 90 minutes. She is on a strict rehydration schedule, and I can see she is definitely getting better. She looks up at me with her big blue eyes, while I'm feeding her, and I feel like we are so connected. I feel like she sees me, and needs me, and that she trusts me already. She's content with me.

Grace came over earlier, and she seemed to fuss a lot in her arms, but then calmed in mine. I think she feels connected to me too. I keep thinking about her being dropped off with human strangers that might not take good care of her, or that she might not be comfortable with. Maybe it's because I have recently become orphaned, but I want so badly for this baby to have a home. Safety. Love. Happiness. I replace myself crying over the thought of this precious girl not having those things.

The more I think about it, the more clear it all becomes. I can't let this happen to her. I can't let her go. I think I love her already. I feel an intense urge to protect her. I can't turn my back on her. I can't. I'll have to talk with Alpha in the morning. I'll raise her as my own. I can do this. This is my purpose. It has to be, because I feel it deep in my soul. I stare at her sweet face, as I rock her back to sleep. She's perfect. I'll have to name her. Hmm. I grab my phone and start googling names. I narrow it down to Lucy and Molly. I'll sleep on it.

It's 7:30 am, and Beta Dylan just arrived. "I need to speak with Alpha, I want to keep her," I tell Dylan.

"That's not the plan, just let me do my job," Dylan mutters.

"This is a child. A person. Call the Alpha," I demand, trying not to raise my voice too much. I don't want to scare baby girl.

[Pause]

"I mind linked Alpha, and he said for us to meet him in his office so we can discuss this," Dylan says annoyed.

"Thank you, Dylan!"

Knock Knock

"Come in!" Alpha grumbles.

He's not in a good mood; I think I've pissed him off. Alpha is glaring at me and he's an intimidating sight at over 6' tall, very broad and muscular. He has short salt and pepper hair. Even for a man in his 40's, he's very handsome. Alpha's deep brown eyes are glaring at me; if looks could kill, I'd be 6 feet under.

"We discussed this, Lexi! She could be a human," Alpha growls.

"Alpha, please. I can't give her up. Give me a year, if in a year she turns out to be a human, then I'll take her and leave the pack. I'll raise her among the humans," I beg.

Alpha looks stunned. He was not expecting me to say that.

"Your friends and family are here, and you have been talking about training to be a doctor. You show a lot of potential. You'd give all that up for a baby you just met a few hours ago?" He asks.

"Alpha, I feel a connection to her, and I can NOT turn my back on her. I know it sounds stupid. Trust me, I get it, but she needs me, and I need her," I explain, and a single tear escapes me, but I quickly wipe it away.

"So what if I say no?" Alpha asks.

"Then I'll pack my stuff today and leave with her," I admit. He's shaking his head at me. He pauses to think for a minute.

"What about your Mate, Lexi? Is your future fated mate going to be okay with you having a child? Will he reject you because of her?" I think for a second before answering.

"I believe that this child is my destiny. Moon goddess will bless me with an understanding mate."

"And if she doesn't? And he's not? And you lose him?"

"Well then maybe one day I'll fall in love with someone that would understand. Not everyone ends up with their mate. I love this child like a mother loves their child. If I lose him, then I lose him. It doesn't change my decision!" I say firmly. Alpha shakes his head again.

"I think you are making a mistake, but it sounds like your mind's made up. If she turns out to be human, you are going to have to leave with her, Lexi. Your parents contributed so much to this pack, and I would hate to make you leave, but if she turns out to be human...."

I cut him off, "Thank you for giving me a year, Alpha. I completely understand. I love this pack, and I would never want to put it in danger by having a human here. If she turns out to be a human, I will leave happily, and grateful for the year. Thank you, Alpha. Thank You!" Alpha gives me tight smile and small nod.

As soon as I leave, I mind-link Grace.

-Grace, are you free? I need to go into town to do some shopping. Did you want to come with me?-

-Of course, I do. You want to go out? I'm so happy. I actually need a new dress. Jett is taking me on a date this weekend, and I want to get something new, and maybe something cute to go underneath it. I'll be at your house in 20 minutes, does that work?- -Sounds great, see you soon-

When Grace gets to my place, she is shocked to see I still have the baby. I explain everything to her, and she isn't very pleased with me at first. She doesn't like the idea of me possibly leaving the pack in a year, and never returning but I remind her I won't be far. It takes 5 minutes for Grace to accept her as mine, and soon enough she's excited and helping me with baby names as we head to town to buy everything I need for her. I decided on Molly. My Molly.

Within an hour and a half, we had purchased everything I needed for her. It helps that money isn't an issue because my parents had quite a bit of savings and assets when they passed, so my brother and I are pretty well set up.