Page 54 of The Chosen One Universe: Volume One

Vaughn

Dinner that night ended up being a boisterous affair. Henry didn’t want Meshaq to leave, so he agreed to stay. Henry had pretty much claimed whatever spot was next to Meshaq and parked himself there.

Zaire stayed outside to work on the wards, but she’d spoken to Henry for another brief moment before she did. Vaughn didn’t hear what she’d said, but whatever it was, it made Henry relax even further.

Stuart showed up with William right when dinner was ready to be served. Sam’s dad was still obviously in pain, but nowhere near as bad as he’d been earlier. He was using one of the canes they kept in the office for emergencies like this, and he bustled around like he owned the place.

At least he did until Natasha cornered him and ordered him to sit down, their little red-headed spitfire already bossy and demanding. Vaughn had no doubt she’d end up an alpha one day.

William had stared her down for a moment but had given in quickly and taken a seat at the dinner table. Natasha sat down next to him and petted his arm. Sam’s rough and tough dad had become a cream puff under her attention.

Emily squirmed her way onto Vaughn’s lap as the rest of the kids darted around and helped Nana with the last of the preparations. All of the kids seemed to need that extra bit of one-on-one attention, and Vaughn happily gave it to them. He remembered moments like this from when he was younger, sitting with one pack member or another, enjoying the closeness of family and home and safe. He wanted that for these cubs, more than anything.

Everything he’d ever wanted was right here in his house. A mate who fit beside him, a piece of his heart he hadn’t known was missing until the Goddess put Sam in his path again. Half a dozen cubs who would bring life and a future to his pack.

His parents, Nana, and even Sam’s dad, the older generation active and involved and keeping them all on their toes. Other shifters, like Meshaq, welcome in their home whether they were seeking healing or just a place for a good meal.

“What’s that look for?” Sam asked.

Sam and Ollie stood by his side with a stack of napkins and utensils. They were setting the table, with Sam instructing Ollie each step of the way.

“Happy,” Vaughn replied.

Sam grinned and continued teaching Ollie. Ben followed behind them, putting plates in front of each spot, while Jack trailed behind him with his tongue between his teeth as he concentrated on carefully carrying cups of ice in each hand. They looked to him for reassurance and he smiled and petted them as they walked by.

“You’re good with kids,” William said softly. He had Natasha on his lap, and he’d somehow gotten roped into braiding her hair. Sam looked awed and amazed, clearly unaware of his dad’s skill. When he caught Sam’s eye, he glared. “What? I had sisters. I can braid.”

Vaughn chuckled, and Emily leaned toward William eagerly. “Mr. William Sam’s dad? Will you do mine next?”

“I sure will, little lady. Well, how about after dinner, though? I think Nana Jean’s ready to put food on the table.”

Emily beamed a smile at William, and Vaughn swore that he could actually see Sam’s dad light up from all the attention. The man was as big of a sucker for kids as his son, except that Vaughn was pretty sure William would let them get away with just about anything.

He stole another glance at Sam and his heart fluttered with that happy little rhythm. His wolf was happy, too, practically purring in contentment. Both of the Baker men needed the pack as much as the pack needed them.

Nana came to the table carrying a heaping bowl of spaghetti while Ben followed with a basket of garlic bread. Vaughn snuggled Emily one last time before guiding her into the chair beside him. The rest of the family settled into seats as well and they passed the food, piling up portions on the cubs’ plates before serving themselves. Once everyone was situated, Vaughn tapped his fork against his glass and drew everyone’s attention.

“Before we eat, I wanted to tell you all how proud I am to be your alpha. It has been a rough week and we’ve all been through a lot of changes, but at the end of the day, it all comes down to pack. That’s what we are, every single person at this table. As our new friend Zaire said earlier, family is more than blood. Everyone here is family, and we’ll all take care of each other. To the pack.”

He lifted his glass as his eyes drifted to Sam’s. “To the pack,” Sam repeated.

The kids got a kick out of touching glasses with each other, even if they didn’t exactly understand what it was they were doing. He’d explain it one day, but for the moment, he focused on Ollie trying to shove an entire meatball in his mouth while Sam tried to get him to slow down.

On Ben, who watched in awe as Vaughn’s dad twirled a batch of pasta onto his spoon before scooping it into his mouth.

On Natasha, who had his mom tucking a napkin into her shirt so she didn’t get it dirty.

On Jack, who’d skipped the spaghetti and gone straight to the bread, tearing out the soft center and moaning over the buttery goodness.

On Henry, who’d convinced Meshaq to cut his spaghetti up and was watching the other alpha with adoring eyes. And last, but not least, on Emily, who lifted a forkful of spaghetti toward him, offering him the messy bite even though he knew she’d often gone hungry in the past. He nipped the spaghetti from her fork and slurped up the noodles, drawing a delighted laugh from her.

The rest of dinner passed much the same, with talking, laughter, and more food than they could possibly eat. Afterward, Sam and Vaughn managed the clean up while the parents took the kids outside for a short walk and to say goodbye to Meshaq, who had to get to work.

It still cracked Vaughn up to imagine him working in a bar, but that’s what the biggest badass alpha in the land did in his downtime. Zaire had left with him, needing to get back to her son.

“I’m not quite sure what to do with a smiley happy Vaughn,” Sam said as he bumped their hips together at the kitchen sink. Sam was rinsing plates and handing them to Vaughn, who loaded them into the dishwasher.

“Better get used to it. You’ll be seeing a lot of smiles out of me in the future.”