Page 74 of The Chosen One Universe: Volume One

Meshaq was frustrated as well. The shifter who died had different magic, something that didn’t make sense. Meshaq told him that once the black smoke had cleared, all that was left was a human man. But that didn’t make sense. Vaughn’s wolf wouldn’t disappear once he died. It would still be there, part of his body, if nothing else.

They’d found nothing on either the man or Mrs. Foote to give him any sort of clue as to where they’d come from or what else was happening. Meshaq had asked Vaughn’s permission to allow another pack on his land, which Vaughn had given. Mason and his pack worked as bodyguards in the human world, but they also did investigations. Meshaq wanted their expertise since using his abilities hadn’t given them the information he needed.

“Okay, who’s hungry?” Vaughn asked.

He received a chorus of “me” as replies. After helping Sam and Henry up, they headed to the house in a big lumpy group. Vaughn had one arm around Sam and the other around Henry as they made their way across the yard.

The rest of the cubs huddled around them, everyone sticking as close as possible. There were multiple pack members in the yard and several hellhounds as well. Everyone stood guard, determined to keep the pack as safe as possible.

Vaughn got everyone settled inside while Nana took care of getting them fed. He couldn’t stay away from Sam and Henry, though, and found himself drifting over to them and standing behind them at the table. He wanted to guard and protect, his wolf pacing inside him, not wanting to let either of them out of his sight.

He kept touching them both, a hand to their shoulder, a quick kiss to the top of their heads. Anything to keep him in contact with them, reassuring himself that they were both there. He made sure they both ate, checked on the rest of the kids as well, and visited with the other members of his pack. He couldn’t stop pacing, though.

“Vaughn.”

Sam’s voice broke through, and Vaughn turned to his mate.

“Come here.”

Vaughn immediately went to him and cupped his palm around Sam’s cheek. “What do you need?”

Sam wrapped his arms around Vaughn’s waist and pulled him close. “I need you to shift for me, Alpha. The kids, too.”

“What?”

“Shift for me. Please.”

Vaughn stared into Sam’s eyes searching for an answer, but Sam just stared back, steady and calm. “Okay.”

He turned to the others who were busy cleaning up after their meal. The cubs were all unsteady. He could see it now and he turned back to Sam. His mate had seen it.

“I need to shift,” Vaughn said suddenly. Everyone in the room turned to look at him. “Who’s with me?”

He didn’t have to ask Ollie twice. The little guy was naked in approximately five seconds and trembling with excitement. Vaughn laughed and petted his hair. “Go ahead, Ollie. The rest of us need a second.”

Ollie began his transformation, quickly becoming the blue-eyed pup Vaughn adored. He scooped Ollie up and got his face licked in return. Something about holding the squirmy little guy settled Vaughn’s nerves.

The rest of the kids seemed interested as well, and so did quite a few of the adults. Sam and Henry stood with Sam’s dad in between them, helping him outside to the yard. The pack began shifting around him as Sam, Henry, and William sat down on the grass. Henry ended up in between them, and something else in Vaughn settled.

In only took a few minutes before his entire pack was standing before him in their shifted forms. Vaughn walked between them all, still in his human form. He spoke quietly to each of them before ending up back in front of Sam.

The other cubs were settled beside him, their animals seeking comfort from the man who had quickly become a parent to them. A mate. A true alpha-mate at that. Sam was their miracle, their magic. A gift meant just for them.

Vaughn stripped quickly and shifted into his wolf form. He stood proud and tall in front of his mate, who was looking at him with equal emotions. He moved closer and Sam bared his throat, without the hesitation and fear he’d had the first time.

Vaughn caught Sam’s neck in his mouth, pressing just firm enough to make his point, to claim his mate in public in front of his pack. All of the shifters standing around them understood the significance of the gesture. This man is mine.

He stepped back and Sam gave him a mischievous eyebrow wiggle and gestured toward his dad. William looked stunned by the entire moment and Vaughn stepped in front of him, waiting and watching.

Henry sighed. “Grandpa William, you’ve gotta greet the alpha.”

“Uh,” William said.

Henry let out another epic sigh and looked at Vaughn. “How come they don’t know?”

Vaughn couldn’t answer so he waited for Henry to lean his head to the side and demonstrate to William how it was done.

“He… uh, does he have to… uh?”